Upward Basketball Comes To Warsaw

"Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them."

-Mark 10:14

Where can grade-school children go to receive mentoring in basketball and Christian values?

Leaders behind Upward Basketball in Warsaw hope the children will come to them.

Upward Basketball is a national nonprofit organization with more than 100,000 children. A league designed to instruct elementary children in the skills of basketball while emphasizing Christian values, the program began in South Carolina several years ago by a youth minister.

Upward Basketball of Warsaw is a nonprofit charitable organization, locally organized and operated.

"We found out about (the program) through a couple who went to our church whose grandson went to (Upward Basketball) in Fort Wayne," said Upward Basketball in Warsaw director Mike VanCleave.

Children in grades one through six can participate. The cost is $40 per participant before November 23 and $45 thereafter.

"We have sponsors for kids who can't afford it," said VanCleave. "No kid regardless of financial ability to pay will be turned away."

Each child will receive a reversible mesh jersey, a gym bag, individual awards, an end-of-the-year award, parent/player handbook and a special Bible with testimonies by top NBA and WNBA players and coaches.

VanCleave said that during each game, every child will play for the same amount of time. Player rotation also will be different each game so everyone has a chance to start, he said.

Every elementary child in the Warsaw, Triton, Wawasee, Tippecanoe Valley and Whitko school systems will receive information and an application for the program at school next week. Students in local Christian schools also will receive the information.

The number of teams the league will have depends on how many children sign up. VanCleave said they hope to have at least 200 children register.

Scores will not be kept for the games for the younger groups. The emphasis will be on learning skills, rules and Christianity.

"Some of the ideas we want to bring out ... we want the kid to know the person in charge is the ref," VanCleave said. In life, Christ is the ref in charge, he added.

Coaches and referees are trained to be supporters and encouragers of children at all skill levels. Basketball excellence is stressed but the child is more important than the game. Christian volunteers for coaches and referees are also being sought for the program.

Player evaluation night will be Nov. 30. Players are evaluated based on skills and then placed on teams. "No kid will be cut regardless of skill levels," VanCleave said.

"This is both a female and male league," he said.

Len Morris, secretary for Upward Basketball in Warsaw and pastor at Warsaw Missionary Church, said, "Our main target is not church kids or churchgoing kids. It's kids." The program is non-denominational.

Practices will begin Jan. 4. Each team will practice for one hour with devotions at the half-way point. Practices will be on Tuesdays thereafter.

Games will begin Jan. 8 at 8 a.m. and will start every hour thereafter at Harrison Elementary School, Warsaw. A schedule will be available at the first practices. Games are one hour. At half-time, VanCleave said, there will be a devotional for friends and family in attendance.

The organization also wants to raise at least $5,000 to get the program going. Donations can be made to Upward Basketball in Warsaw, 1849 Springhill Road, Warsaw, IN 46580. Call 269-6826 for more information.

Local businesses can sponsor one game day for $450. Each game day, the sponsor will be featured on a banner at the entrance of the school gym. Sponsors will have their names announced before every game that day and will be printed in the awards ceremony program. Businesses and individuals also may contribute to the general "scholarship" fund to help defray costs and to ensure that no child is denied the chance to play and learn about Jesus Christ.

All funds raised are used to offset the cost of local operations and purchase material and training from the national organization.

The national official Upward Basketball Web site is www.upward.org.