   
New basketball program a good deal for local youngsters
mike.allen@thecabin.net
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On a day when Wheel of Fortune held auditions in town, the Conway Parks and Recreation Department released the details of a new contract in the same building.
Friday morning was busy for the employees at the Conway Sports Center in the Don Owen Sport Complex on Lower Ridge Road. Clint Brock, the program director for the Conway Parks and Recreation Department, gave me the details of a deal that recently became finalized. The city of Conway's youth basketball program and the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies have teamed up this year. If you need more details on the story you can read the sports section in today's edition of the Log Cabin Democrat.
The Junior Grizzlies program can be very beneficial for the coaches and the players that participate. There are so many pros to the deal, and it was basically a no-brainer for Brock to sign up with an established professional organization. The extra money that was added on to this year's registration fee is worth the basketball clinic for the players alone. Then, throw in a Jr. Grizzlies reversible jersey and home game tickets to see the Boston Celtics, with a certificate of participation, and that extra $20 is well worth it.
There are other cities across the nation that are tied into NBA teams and according to a few directors these programs are excellent. The biggest thing that Brock stressed was the same message that other directors said in their comments. The fact that the youngsters in our community have a chance to go and experience a program that is run by a NBA organization can be life-changing. And, this may be the only chance that some children can see a NBA game in person. In fact, the majority do not get a chance to watch a defending World Champion live and in person.
Kudos to the Memphis Grizzlies for trying to branch out in the surrounding communities to promote the Grizzlies. The other teams in the NBA have similar programs set up to give student-athletes a chance to improve on their fundamental skills, with a definite perk of seeing a NBA game. I also believe it was a good marketing strategy for the Memphis Grizzlies to branch out to central Arkansas to promote their product. Maybe more people will be tuned into the Grizzlies this season. I must admit I can't name one player that starts for Memphis.
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