For immediate release
May 6, 2007 |
Contact: Larry Slonaker, SCCOE
(408) 453-6662 |
COE Alternative Schools Students
Get Their Chance at the Hardcourt
SAN JOSE, CA – A new basketball league is allowing nearly 100 students
at Santa Clara County alternative schools to realize their hoop dreams.
Students at the community schools, group homes and even a detention facility
are playing weekly basketball games at the Alum Rock Youth Center.
For the high-school-aged students, it's provided a chance to have some fun
and blow off some steam. For their teachers, it's provided a somewhat
unexpected bonus.
Because participation is based in part on the student's behavior and
attendance at school, interest in being in class has suddenly increased. "The
pressure is enormous from their teammates," says Paula Mitchell, director of
the SCCOE Alternative Schools Department. Students admonish one another: " 'You'd
better be here—don't get in trouble.' "
This is the first time in memory that students at these facilities have had a
basketball league. It started, Mitchell says, with a request from the students
themselves.
There are eight teams participating. Each Friday there are two boys' games
and one girls' game scheduled, with all the schools alternating byes. The
coaches are volunteers. The main qualification for coaching was enthusiasm, not
experience.
"Somebody had a copy of 'Basketball for Dummies,' and they've been
passing that around," said Georgette Brooker, an ASD principal.
Also helping out have been probation department employees, who work as
referees, and sheriff's deputies, who have volunteered to provide supervision
at the events. Other donors also have supplied funding and support, and the
youth center is allowing the league to use its facility and basketballs.
Probation Supervisor Robyn Schlice was instrumental in the league's
development and coordination.
Date last updated: May 6, 2007
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