Youth Basketball Classic to take place in Madison this weekend
December 2, 2010
Over 70 teams will be in Madison, S.D. on Saturday in the annual Madison Youth Basketball Classic. The classic will be held at the DSU Fieldhouse, Community Center, St. Thomas school, Madison Elementary, Middle and High Schools and the Madison City Armory.
The basketball classic is held twice a year. The second one will be held on Feb. 26, 2011. The classic is a partnership between the Madison Booster Club, DSU 'Seizing South Dakota Club' and the St. Thomas Elementary School. These clubs will raise funds for three great organizations in the community.
This Saturday's classic will be a record-breaking weekend with 73 teams participating from across South Dakota and Minnesota. There will be teams from as far as Rapid City, Tripp, Worthington, Minn. and Yankton. The classic organizers have turned away over 30 teams due to limited court space.
The one-day classic guarantees the teams that play three games in one day. The first game will be held at 8 a.m. with the classic play expected to end by 9 p.m. The games will be played in nine facilities on 11 different courts.
Champions are awarded a team trophy and each player receives a championship t-shirt.
This event could generate between 3000-3500 parents, coaches, players and other spectators to Madison. There is an all-day pass for $5 for adults, $3 for students K-12 and free for kids under five-years-old. There will be concession stands available with volunteers from every organization.
Student-athletes from Madison High School will be assisting in score keeping and managing clocks. Varsity high school girls and boys players along with DSU basketball players will officiate alongside with volunteers from the community.
"It's a great learning experience when you have young adults seeing the other side of a basketball game," stated Darin Namken, a member of the classic organizers. "This is the only classic that this happens in, that we are aware of. We really have to thank all of those volunteers and students for their help."
"This classic will make a huge impact in the Madison community, but could not be done without numerous volunteers including Madison High School and DSU student-athletes," said Namken.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
