FYE CEL Program: Hoop Skills Academies

For the third year in a row , 70 elementary and middle school students from local community partner organizations came to campus for TCNJ's Hoop Skills Academy. They were joined by an equal number of First Year students who selected youth development as their community issue-and Bonner Scholars who helped shape and lead the day.

In 2008, The Trenton students first participated in a basketball clinic, which was led by Matthew Pauls, an executive with Shire Pharmaceuticals and Founder of TeamNJ ABC. He was joined by former collegeiate players Brad Billmeir and Bryan Caver (Seton Hall) from the Academic Sports Academy, a Bonner Community Scholar Site. Many of their TCNJ partners joined in the fun and the drills.

Next, the students participated in workshops that focused on life-skills and education. These were developed by Bonners--who trained the FY students to run them. After the workshops, everyone returned to the gym for a skills competition. They were joined by TCNJ's men's basketball team.

Finally, all participants--the FY and Trenton students--walked to Packer Hall and attended TCNJ's home opener against Brooklyn. This successful event was only possible because of the involvement of the TCNJ Athletic Department and John Castaldo's staff.

Last year, both groups went to the Sovereign Bank Arena and watched the Prime Time Shootout together, where they saw some of the nation's best high school players.

This event takes place the day of the home opener for TCNJ's men's basketball team.

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