"Honor the Game" Youth Basketball All-Stars to Shine

February 18, 2005

Contacts:
Ellen Lubell, 212-949-4938 or Emily Crossan, 917-286-1548
Game-time contact: Matt Lewis, cell – 347-879-3029

Program Emphasizes Respect in Sports at a Time When Many Find it Lacking in the Pros

When:
Saturday, February 19, 2005
5:45 – 6:45 p.m. (7th and 8th grade championship game)

Where:
The Children’s Aid Society’s I.S. 218 Community School
4600 Broadway at 196th Street (entrance on 196th Street)

What:
In a time of steroid scandals, canceled seasons and player-fan brawls in professional sports, “Honor the Game” strives to teach young athletes ages 8 to 14 to respect the game of basketball, their opponents, officials, teammates and themselves.

The Children’s Aid Society’s “Honor the Game” youth basketball program’s All-Star Day will allow participants to compete against other “Honor the Game” teams from across the city. A MHP – Most Honorable Player – Award will be given to one athlete from each division, based on age-range.

Who:
The “Honor the Game” program’s mission is to transform youth basketball so it can transform youth. Winning is viewed as a goal, but more emphasis is placed on providing children with positive experiences that will help them grow into successful, contributing members of a larger society.

A Michigan State University Institute for the Study of Youth Sports study found that children participating in organized sports tend to achieve higher results in school, develop superior interpersonal skills and generally lead healthier lives.

Photo Ops:
Championship basketball game, Most Honorable Player Award presentation, enthusiastic parents, family and community members in the stands

The Children’s Aid Society was founded in 1853. It is one of the nation’s largest and most innovative non-sectarian agencies, serving more than 150,000 of New York’s neediest children and their families with a network of services that includes community schools, neighborhood centers, camps, adoption and foster care services, teen pregnancy prevention, education, health and recreation.