Hornets Summer Hoops Clinics Wrap-Up
By: Calder Hynes, Hornets.com
July 28, 2011
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“Passion, purpose, pride! Passion! Purpose! Pride!”
That 60-child-strong chorus was the introduction to a recent Hornets Summer Hoops Clinic held at Mike Miley Playground gymnasium in Metairie. The cheer, led by Xavier men’s basketball head coach Dannton Jackson, created the type of raucous atmosphere usually reserved for the New Orleans Arena during a Hornets home game. Throw in team mascot Hugo, in-game host Rob Nice, a group of counselors adorned in Hornets gear, and the scene was reminiscent of late-April basketball, albeit in the middle of July.
The Hornets Summer Hoops Clinics have been an annual event since the team moved to New Orleans in 2002, and this summer nine separate events are being held throughout Southern Louisiana in conjunction with select local organizations, including various non-profit groups.
“Our Summer Hoops Clinics allow us to impact the lives of local children,” said Hornets Sr. Vice President of Community Investment Steve Martin. “We can bring the excitement of a free basketball clinic to young people who may not otherwise have the opportunity and provide them with life skills along the way.”
The camps help to give the participants a better understanding of the game of basketball through teaching fundamentals such as footwork, passing, dribbling, shooting and rebounding, but having fun is always at the forefront.
Coach Jackson, in his third summer of involvement with the clinics said, “Here at Summer Hoops, it’s not just about basketball, it’s about having fun and teaching life skills.”
The enjoyment on the part of the roughly 60 campers in the Mike Miley gym was evident throughout, as they competed against counselors and each other in a variety of contests vying for the sought-after Hornets prize packs. Although not everyone left with a Hugo bobble head or a Mardi Gras jersey backpack, everyone left with a camp t-shirt and a smile.
The clinic concluded with the children presenting the camp staff with a thank you card in appreciation of the “Best field trip ever and we didn’t even have to leave!”
As the clinic successfully concluded, and with more on the horizon, Coach Jackson reflected, “Our vision with these clinics is to incorporate the community. The kids we work with are from various areas of Louisiana and the counselors all attend area high schools. What you see here is a community-based program working at its finest at every level.”
 Mechanicville Park |
 SELA |
 Chalmette |
 BRCC |
 SUNO |
 Mike Miley |
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