April 10, 2008

Metropolitan State College basketball players will host a basketball clinic and tournament for low-income Boulder County youth on Saturday, April 12th at Angevine Middle School in Lafayette. Approximately 54 "Dreamers" involved in the "I Have a Dream" after school program will participate in the clinic and tournament.

The Metro State Women's and Men's Basketball teams have volunteered to run the skills clinic on Saturday morning. Dreamers will have a chance to meet the players and improve their basketball skills. After lunch, the Dreamers will be spilt into teams of four and assigned a player as a coach and will participate in a 3 on 3 basketball tournament. Mentors, tutors, and guests are welcome to come and watch. The tournament begins around 1:00pm.

The goal of the event is to provide Dreamers with an opportunity to meet and talk to college athletes, improve their basketball skills, and have a fun and positive experience with other Dreamers.

Mad Greens, Moe's Bagels, and Snarfs have all generously donated food for the event.

The Metro State College Women's Basketball Team features some local Boulder County talent. Head Coach Linda Lappe played for CU and Chelsea Williamson played for Boulder High. Both will be helping to organize and run the clinics and tournament.

"I Have a Dream," a school drop-out prevention program for low-income youth, uses academic support programs, long-term mentoring relationships and the guarantee of a tuition-assistance scholarship to help children achieve their dreams.

"It's wonderful to see our Dreamers participate in events like this," said Chief Executive Officer Lori Canova. "Not only does it give them something constructive and active to do, the coaching and role modeling from the players encourages the children to do their best in order to reach their full potential."