Story by Lindsey Chester | February 1, 2011 | Tags: apex, basketball, Sports
Luke Romeo with the Triangle Blazers attempts a free throw
Apex, NC- Playin’ It Forward is an organization that believes there is more to sports than just winning.
The group aims to incorporate leadership and “giving back” into Youth sports programs. The Playin’ It Forward philosophy includes development of the whole athlete. I spoke with Michael Dixon, (or Coach Mike as he prefers to be called), about the team vision and upcoming tryouts.
Mike said that Playin It Forward was established with a vision of utilizing youth sports to focus on more than developing athletics. They try to incorporate: Leadership, Character, and Outreach into to their team members. In Wake County, the Triangle Blazers Basketball Club is part of this larger organization.
Here’s a quote from their website:
Becoming a member of the Triangle Blazers Basketball Club is more than joining a basketball team. It’s making a commitment to be a leader, to be a person of character, to reach out in our community and “Play It Forward”.
On the basketball court, when you square up to the basket, are balanced, have your eyes on the rim, your elbow in and follow through, it can lead to a shot that is “nothin’ but net!”
We strongly feel leadership, character and reaching out to help others will lead to “nothin’ but net” in the game of life.
Raising Money for Charity
The “Free Throw Fundraiser” is their signature event. At the start of each season all players must think about an organization they wish to help. They write an essay about why they want to give to that particular charity. The teams agree to support the most worthy charities with the funds raised from hitting free throws. Sponsors can donate a set amount of money for each free throw shot that the teammate makes out of a hundred during the season.
Some worthy causes that have been supported include: the Miracle League, The Jimmy V Foundation and Wake County Animal Care. The kids make the personal connection when they mail or hand deliver these donations directly to their charity.
Mike also spoke about the unusual brotherly bonding between league members that creates what he calls a “Basketball Family”. Boys, who outside of the group play for other area schools, yet come out to support each other during the school play season. Its that connection that Mike is most proud of. Two players in particular:
“The relationship of Luke Romeo, 7th grader at East Cary, and John Politis, 9th grader at Athens, was a good example of this. Although they play on different teams in our club, they have become like little and big brother. The Coach has taken the boys to watch each others games. John does a great job of providing leadership to Luke. It has been very rewarding to watch their relationship grow and to see how it has benefited them both. John knows Luke is watching him, so he is careful in what he does (to) not set a bad example.”
Tryouts Coming Up
Boys in grades 6-9 who are into hoops, character and community are invited to tryout for Coach Mike:
Grades 6-7 try out from 4-5pm. Grades 8 and 9 try out from 5-6pm.
Currently, the group run teams for boys youth basketball. Mike hopes in future to add a girls league, but says he’s trying to find the right coach.
If you think you are up for the challenge and ready to make the commitment, email Coach Mike to learn how you can become a Triangle Blazer.
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