Powerade NCAA hoops clinics for New Orleans kids
Another benefit of being host city of the 2012 NCAA Men's Final Four? Our kids get mad hoops skills. This weekend, a group of New Orleans-area girls and boys age 8-16 will get free basketball lessons from college student-athletes and coaches from all around the country including the Green Wave's own Lisa Stockton, the winningest women's basketball coach in Conference USA history.
Lisa Stockton, head coach of the Green Wave women's basketball team, will be among staff and players from Tulane who will teach basketball clinics in conjunction with the 2012 NCAA Men's Final Four. (Photo by Parker Waters)
“Our community youths have an opportunity to work with some of the best coaches and players in the college game,” says Stockton about the clinics, which are being held at the Reily Student Recreation Center on the Tulane uptown campus and at the Alario Center in Westwego, La., on Saturday (March 31). “I am very excited to be a part of this wonderful event.”
The free basketball clinics, which are filled with registrants, are sponsored by the NCAA and Powerade.
Players and staff of the Green Wave women's and men's basketball teams will be among those teaching kids offensive and defensive drills on the courts. There will also be informational sessions on nutrition, training and fitness, sportsmanship and NCAA eligibility.
“The Powerade NCAA Youth Clinics do a great job of mixing fun, physical activity with advice on healthy lifestyles,” says Rocky Weigand, Louisiana market unit vice president for Coca-Cola Refreshments. “Powerade is proud to play a part in supporting today and tomorrow's student-athletes. Who knows maybe one of the Green Wave's future point guards will get his or her start at a clinic.”
Stockton agrees that being around college student-athletes could motivate the school kids to aspire to becoming college athletes.
“I hope the youths will learn some skills and how to practice those skills on their own,” she says.
Tulane University is the host institution for the Final Four in New Orleans. The Bracket Town fan festival and Big Dance Concert Series begin today (March 30).
