"Hoops" finalists, communities all winners

• Amadi Jordan-Walker
• September 12, 2007

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Players, parents and neighbors from four communities gathered Aug. 30 at Little Village Lawndale High School for the cross-city finals of “Hoops in the Hood.”

A summer-long youth basketball league that began in Pilsen in 1999 and has since expanded to North Lawndale , Little Village, and Back of the Yards, “Hoops in the Hood” also incorporates music, arts and crafts, food, and public safety initiatives.

The event kicked off with an hour-and-a-half long basketball skills clinic provided by the Chicago Bulls Training Academy . Players received professional training on how to improve their techniques in dribbling, shooting and passing.

As she sat with other parents and volunteers watching the children participate in the clinic, Carmelita Frias of Pilsen said “Hoops in the Hood” had been a fun way to keep her kids active in a setting where she could keep an eye on them. “It’s like a party every Friday night,” she said.

At the conclusion of the skills clinic, the crowd gathered to hear from some of the sponsors and partners as they offered their words of encouragement. Rob Castañeda of Beyond the Ball welcomed the crowd, reminding them that they were not only there to play basketball, but “more importantly, we are here to cross boundaries and have fun.”

Benny the Bull, the Chicago Bulls’ official mascot, also made an appearance, dispensing T-shirts and high-fives to the excited participants. Benny joined the Chicago Bulls director of community relations, Dave Kurland, on stage to congratulate the participants for their efforts and express the Bulls’ excitement about this important program.

“We’re never more happy than to sponsor a program that supports basketball and communities,” he said. “It says a lot about this program to be able to cross communities.” He then surprised all the participants with an invitation to attend a Bulls game, while offering the winning teams the opportunity to be honored on the court. The Bulls also have contributed $50,000 to LISC to support the expansion of "Hoops" into additional neighborhoods.

Álvaro Obregón, co-founder of the Resurrection Basketball League, explained that idea for the program started with the question: “What is it that we can do in our community that can be different?” He believed that holding an activity on the streets instead of inside of the gym would enforce the idea that the streets are not for the “bad people, they are for the kids.”

When he saw the positive results in his own neighborhood, Obregon said, “We wanted to make it bigger -- to expand the community pride and togetherness.”

He also said “Hoops in the Hood” has been a way to “break down the barriers” between kids and the police department.

Cmdr. Ron Sodini of the 12th Police District seconded this observation. “We’re [Chicago Police Department] glad to be a part of this because it’s all about creating safe neighborhoods,” he said. “You couldn’t ask for a better combination.”

Basketball wasn’t the only activity on the agenda. A table was set up for Block Arte, which is run by Pros Art Studio, a nonprofit arts studio in Pilsen. Children created colorful New Orleans-style masks as well as self-portraits drawn in chalk.

Deana Feliz, a volunteer from Pros Art Studio, stressed that though it was promising to see both newcomers and returning children every Friday, she hopes that even more children hear about the program and come out next year.

As the day drew on, the games began. The Pee-Wee, Minor and Major divisions played hard-fought, exciting and competitive games. Though the neighbors played against each other, a feeling of camaraderie and good sportsmanship permeated the contests.

Albert Sharp, a referee who has volunteered with the program for two years, has been impressed with the growing maturity of the participants. He noticed that as the kids were shown there would be zero tolerance of fighting and other bad conduct, they started to “police themselves” and change any negative attitudes.

Michael Perelka, a basketball player from Little Village, said the program’s message of community togetherness between otherwise conflicting neighborhoods has “made its way through in our community.” He marveled at the fact that, “we never thought that it was possible to chill on 22nd and Cermak.”

The event drew to a close with a final game between the North Lawndale and Little Village Major division teams. Before he tossed up the game ball, Cmdr. James Jackson of the 11th Police District expressed a sentiment shared by many: “I’m proud of your program, and all of you are champions.”

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