M&T Bank, UB Athletics Host Annual 'Basketball 101' Event
6/13/2024 3:40:00 PM | General
BUFFALO, NY — M&T Bank and the University at Buffalo Athletics Department teamed up to provide over 50 fifth-grade students from Westminster Community Charter School and Highgate Heights Elementary School with a unique sports-themed learning experience.
M&T and UB created 'Basketball 101' in 2015 to encourage the elementary school students to work hard, commit to their academics and practice healthy habits. Featuring student-athletes and coaches from the UB Athletics Department, the program incorporates the basics of basketball, teamwork, leadership and healthy diet and nutrition.
The program is also used as an incentive to promote perfect attendance within the two schools, which are both part of M&T Bank's Buffalo Promise Neighborhood. The classrooms with the best attendance during a four-week period between March and April were awarded with the prize of a trip to UB's Alumni Arena for the exclusive basketball clinic.
UB Men's Basketball Head George Halcovage III and UB Women's Basketball Assistant Coach James Ewing welcomed the students, and several student-athletes on the men's and women's basketball teams participated in the drills and enrichment sessions. Three distinct stations were set up at Basketball 101 for groups of students to travel through and interact with staff, coaches and student-athletes.
"The annual 'Basketball 101' partnership with M&T Bank and Buffalo Promise Neighborhood continues to exhibit our sincere commitment to be engaged with the community," said UB Vice President and Director of Athletics Mark Alnutt. "This platform provides elementary kids the ability to step foot on our campus who may not have had this opportunity elsewhere. In addition, our coaches and student-athletes give back by teaching basketball skills, but more importantly life lessons, which I'm hopeful will touch individuals and have them realize what the collegiate experience at UB is all about."
The stations included:
Fundamental Skill Work (w/ coaches and student-athletes)
Exercise / Stretches (w/ sports performance and sports medicine staff)
Discussion around Academics / Leadership (w/ student-athletes and academic advisors).
Basketball 101 ran from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 with a free lunch being provided by UB Athletics to all students.
About M&T Bank
M&T Bank Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T's principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank, provides banking products and services in 12 states across the eastern U.S. from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. Trust-related services are provided in select markets in the U.S. and abroad by M&T's Wilmington Trust-affiliated companies and by M&T Bank. For more information on M&T Bank, visit www.mtb.com.
About The University at Buffalo
The University at Buffalo is the largest university in the state system of New York. This flagship institution has over 30,000 students, more than 280,000 alumni worldwide and is an AAU member. Ranked 36th among all public universities in the United States, UB professional schools such as Law, Medicine, Dentistry, Business and Engineering are ranked in the top 100. With an aggressive plan, the entire university, including the Department of Athletics has immeasurable potential.
M&T and UB created 'Basketball 101' in 2015 to encourage the elementary school students to work hard, commit to their academics and practice healthy habits. Featuring student-athletes and coaches from the UB Athletics Department, the program incorporates the basics of basketball, teamwork, leadership and healthy diet and nutrition.
The program is also used as an incentive to promote perfect attendance within the two schools, which are both part of M&T Bank's Buffalo Promise Neighborhood. The classrooms with the best attendance during a four-week period between March and April were awarded with the prize of a trip to UB's Alumni Arena for the exclusive basketball clinic.
UB Men's Basketball Head George Halcovage III and UB Women's Basketball Assistant Coach James Ewing welcomed the students, and several student-athletes on the men's and women's basketball teams participated in the drills and enrichment sessions. Three distinct stations were set up at Basketball 101 for groups of students to travel through and interact with staff, coaches and student-athletes.
"The annual 'Basketball 101' partnership with M&T Bank and Buffalo Promise Neighborhood continues to exhibit our sincere commitment to be engaged with the community," said UB Vice President and Director of Athletics Mark Alnutt. "This platform provides elementary kids the ability to step foot on our campus who may not have had this opportunity elsewhere. In addition, our coaches and student-athletes give back by teaching basketball skills, but more importantly life lessons, which I'm hopeful will touch individuals and have them realize what the collegiate experience at UB is all about."
The stations included:
Fundamental Skill Work (w/ coaches and student-athletes)
Exercise / Stretches (w/ sports performance and sports medicine staff)
Discussion around Academics / Leadership (w/ student-athletes and academic advisors).
Basketball 101 ran from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 with a free lunch being provided by UB Athletics to all students.
About M&T Bank
M&T Bank Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T's principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank, provides banking products and services in 12 states across the eastern U.S. from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. Trust-related services are provided in select markets in the U.S. and abroad by M&T's Wilmington Trust-affiliated companies and by M&T Bank. For more information on M&T Bank, visit www.mtb.com.
About The University at Buffalo
The University at Buffalo is the largest university in the state system of New York. This flagship institution has over 30,000 students, more than 280,000 alumni worldwide and is an AAU member. Ranked 36th among all public universities in the United States, UB professional schools such as Law, Medicine, Dentistry, Business and Engineering are ranked in the top 100. With an aggressive plan, the entire university, including the Department of Athletics has immeasurable potential.
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