There is still terrific opportunities to play in competitive tournaments in June and July.

In June, ISA in Sayville is offering a tournament for both boys and girls during the weekend of June 11-13. This tournament, the Long Island Knights Shootout, has a pool play format with a championship round at a very reasonable price of $365.00. The event is open to all AAU teams. it is designed for the mid-level ability level although there will be plenty of competition for the stronger teams.

Tracee Jamison and her Gosh Warriors are offering their "GOT GAME" tournament on July 17 and 18. This event will be held at the sacred heart High School in Yonkers and Hooperstown in Mount Vernon. The age groups are 13-16U for boys only. This is the first tournament of its kind that is being offered by this highly experienced coach who has run an outstanding AAU organization for many years. This is a great opportunity to either gear up for the nationals or extend your season.

Information about these tournaments and all other tournaments can be found at www.acahoops.com or by contacting Jim Fox, AAU Boys Basketball Chairman at 516-351-6642.

It has been the tradition of New York Metropolitan AAU Boys Basketball to host all of iys Division l and ll Championship games on Memorial Day each year. This year we will have not only all of the finals but also some of the semi-finals on May 31. It is a tremendous day for youth basketball here in New York. All of the teams competing on Monday are eligible to move on tot he AAU National Championships that will be held throughout the country this summer.
Games begin at 9;00 AM and continue until 9:00 PM at the Island Garden. We invite everyone to come down and watch the best players in AAU compete for their respective championship.

NEW YORK TRADITIONAL KARATE LEAGUE JOINS AAU

One of the most respected and successful karate leagues has agreed to become part of AAU.

George Aschkar JR, the President of the New York Traditional Karate League, will be bringing at least six of his Dojos with him to AAU.

Mr. Ashkar is one of the most respected leaders in the sport of karate both in the New York Metropolitan area and the country. His league will be hosting a series of events at the Island Garden during 2010 and 2011.

Special thanks is given to Richard Brown, the NY Metropolitan Taekwondo Sports Chair, for bringing this respected organization to AAU.

NY METROPOLITAN AAU TO HOST FIRST WOMEN'S BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Governor Jim Fox is very happy to announce that for the first time ever New York Metropolitan will have a Women's Basketball League.

The Commissioner of the league will be Mary Lepore, who is a former Adelphi player and very active AAU girls basketball coach with Long Island Lightning.

The league will begin in mid-June and continue into early August and will be played at the New York home of AAU, the Island Garden Basketball Arena in West Hempstead.

For further information about the AAU Women's League, you can call Mary Lepore at 516-993-7065 or Jim Fox at 516-351-6642.

NY METROPOLITAN TAEKWONDO INVITATIONAL SET FOR APRIL 24

All is now set for the New York Taekwondo Championships that will be held at the Island Garden Arena in West Hempstead on April 24.

Click HERE for registration and additional event packet information. You can also contact the Director, Richard Brown at 917-309-2790.

On Saturday February 13, NY Metro AAU will be one of the sponsors of a very special event. Several organizations are joining together to raise money for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. 100% percent of the monies raised on this day will be donated to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund which in turn sees to it that every penny they collect goes to the Haitian people.

The event will be held at the Island Garden in West Hempstead and will begin at 11:00 AM. There will be several basketball skills contests and a 3 on 3 tournament. There also will be a silent auction featuring tremendous sports memorabilia items as well as tickets and restaurant gift certificates.

Come join us for a few hours of fun for a great cause! You can contact Jim Fox at 516-292-4956 for further details.

NY METROPOLITAN ANNOUNCES THE DATES OF THE 2010 BOYS DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR DIVISIONS l, ll AND lll

This should be a great year for AAU Boys Basketball here in New York. We are working hard to expand the District Championships to as many teams as possible. Attached is the entry form for all ages and divisions. Please do not hesitate to call Jim Fox at 516-351-6642 if you have any questions or need assistance in registering your team.

Click HERE for the registration form.

Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS, Monday, January 11, 2010 - iHoops, the official youth basketball initiative of the NCAA and NBA, and the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) have agreed to have the AAU become an official program partner of iHoops and to endorse iHoops educational and overall basketball programming efforts.

As part of the partnership, AAU will play a prominent role in promoting the iHoops coach education program and will encourage its member basketball coaches to participate in the online education program through www.iHoops.com. The partnership also includes cross-promotional opportunities through each organization's websites and opportunities for exposure at select AAU basketball events.

"We're pleased that the AAU has chosen to work with us to develop educational and basketball programming for iHoops.com," iHoops CEO Kevin Weiberg said. "The AAU Board of Directors is very serious about improving the quality of non-scholastic basketball and in showing leadership in making a positive difference for coaches and student-athletes."

AAU President Bobby Dodd said, "The AAU is pleased to become an official program partner with iHoops. We are in full support of the iHoops initiatives and look forward to initially concentrating on the coaches' education program. The AAU applauds the efforts of the NCAA, NBA and WNBA in taking steps to enhance and expand the amateur basketball experience. "

Currently at www.iHoops.com, coaches can find a variety of information and best practices for teaching the game, training tips, tools for team communication and other helpful information. Future program offerings will include the opportunity for coaches to take online coaching courses and receive a certificate of completion of the course through iHoops.com.

About iHoops

iHoops is the official joint youth basketball initiative of the NCAA, WNBA and the NBA. Its mission is to establish a structure and develop programs to improve the quality of youth basketball in America in order to enhance the athletic, educational and social experience of the participants. For more information on iHoops programs go to www.iHoops.com.

About AAU

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) was founded in 1888 and conducts over 38 sports at the grassroots level ranging from ages 3-99. In the youth program, a $12 membership allows participation in over 38 sports. The AAU partnered with the Walt Disney World Company in 1995 and serves as one of the anchor tenants to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Sports For All, Forever. www.aausports.org

Richard Brown, the District Sports Chair for Taekwondo, has announced that he will be hosting the METROPOLITAN CHAMPIONSHIP on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at the Island Garden. The event has already been sanctioned by the National AAU. For further details and registration information, contact Richard at 917-309-2790 or 516-505-0601.

.The Prospect Park Youth Running Club returned from Orlando, Florida where 25 athletes competed in the AAU National Cross Country Championships at Disney's Wide World of Sports.

Most of the athletes ran their personal best times.

Four athletes were awarded medals on the podium.

Medallists were:

JC Rice finished second and was awarded the silver medal in the 3000 meter boys championship.

Brandon Freeman finished fourth in the 3000 meter boys championship.

Sage Niamoli finished 9th in the girls 2000 meter race.

Ethan Rice finished 17th in the boys 2000 meter race.

The best athletes from all 50 states were represented. Each race has over 150 athletes entered.

The top 25 were awarded medals

Men's Basketball is one of the most popular recreational sports in the country today. The AAU Men's Basketball League that is played at Island Garden has been benefiting from that interest and has been flourishing for the past several years. Based on that growth as well as the quality of the league, the AAU National Office has granted New York Metropolitan AAU the right to host a new event entitled the AAU Men's Basketball East Coast National Championship. The tournament will be held from March 28 to March 30, 2010 at the Island Garden Basketball Arena in West Hempstead, New York. The AAU will be assisting in recruiting teams from throughout the Northeast. The Nassau County Industrial Development Agency will also be assisting us in locating hotels and identifying points of interest in the area during the off hours. Our goal will be to attract teams made up of players who enjoy playing basketball as a recreational and fitness activity. The tournament will be structured as a three game guarantee that will have two games in pool play and the third as the first round of the playoffs. Teams can choose to play Friday evening and Saturday or just Saturday. The playoff rounds will be played on Sunday. AAU Championship medals and sweatshirts will be awarded.
For further information, contact Jim Fox or Ken Feeley at 516-292-4956 or email us at jimfox@islandgarden.com.

We are making every effort to publicize our terrific programs for both youth and adults. We invite everyone to sign on to Facebook and go to NY Merto AAU and become a fan. We will be using Facebook to announce events, tournaments, our scholarship program, membership drives and special offers for our membership.

Jim Fox, the CEO of Island Garden and Excecutive Director of Long Island Lightning, has been elected the Governor for the entire New York Metropolitan Region of the AAU. The membership is approximatley 18,000 athletes and coaches. AAU covers 30 sports for children and adults. New York is one of the largest and most active districts in the entire country. AAU national membership exceeds 600,000.

Jim has been affiliated with the AAU for 15 years. His clubs (Long Island Lightning, Island Garden and FE Hoops) have over 2,000 members and actively participate in both boys and girls basketball. He also had served as Treaurer of NY Metropoliatn AAU for the past 8 years. On a national level, Jim is a member of the AAU Finance Committee and Law and Legislation Committee.

Jim has pledged to work hard in the development of all sports in the area. He will also serve as Boys Basketball District Sports Chair. Boys Basketball is the most active sport in the District and also the most successful in terms of membership as well as participation in both District and National Championships. Jim has assisted in the operation of Boys Basketball in the District for the past 12 years.
Please do not hesitate to call Jim at 516-505-0601 or 516-351-6642 if you are interested in learning more about becoming part of AAU which is one of the largest sports organizations in the world.

Len Chenfeld is a bright, unimposing high school senior with the slightly spotty skin of a hormone-challenged teenager and the crystalline agenda of a Zen master: a Zen master addicted to basketball. On a recent Tuesday, he was icing his neck in preparation for two hours he lives for: basketball practice at Poly Prep Country Day School in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. Read More...

Cecil K. Watkins
December 13, 1929 - October 10, 2009

CECIL K. WATKINS

Cecil Kenneth Watkins passed away on Saturday, October 10, 2009, due to complications from pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Valerie Morgan Watkins, daughters Kara Watkins Tillman and Keri Watkins, sisters Caroline Townes and Ruth Ross, sisters-in-law Dorothy Watkins, Shirley Mack and Ruby Rolle, brothers-in-law John Mack, Anthony Rolle and John Townes, son-in-law Emmanuel Tillman, granddaughters Amadia Tillman and Elysia Tillman, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who will miss him greatly. He was preceded in death by his brother, LeRoy Watkins, Sr., sister, Henrietta "Mazie" Smith, and nephew, Michael Velazquez.

Cecil was the President and CEO of the National Pro-Am City Leagues Association, Inc., a national organization that develops both players and referees for the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Governor and Boys Basketball Director of the New York Metropolitan Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and an active board member for several organizations. During his 18 years with the NBA, he served as Director of Community and Special Programs and as an Assistant Supervisor of Officials. He was also a co-founder and former executive director of ELMCOR Youth & Adult Activities, Inc., a community service organization serving East Elmhurst, Corona and Jamaica.

He was respected nationwide for his knowledge and leadership in sports and community recreation. His efforts were largely responsible for providing countless inner city youth with positive outlets to express themselves and grow through their participation in sports. In recent years, Cecil was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree from Adelphi University and selected as a finalist for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's Mannie Jackson-Basketball's Human Spirit Award. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame for NYS Basketball, NYC Basketball, ELMCOR and Adelphi University.

Most importantly, he made a difference in the lives of so many people. Cecil was a gentle giant who transformed communities with his uncanny genius and touched the hearts of those who knew him with his candor, his humor and his generosity.

Memorial Service

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 3:00 in Adelphi University's Center for Recreation & Sports.

Directions: http://www.adelphi.edu/visitors/directions.php
Campus Map: http://www.adelphi.edu/visitors/campusmap_2009.pdf

Memorial Contributions

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cecil K. and LeRoy J. Watkins National ProAm Foundation, 7001 Brush Hollow Road, Suite 214, Westbury, NY 11590.

CECIL WATKINS' MEMORIAL SERVICE SET FOR NOVEMBER 1

The Memorial Service for Cecil Watkins, the Governor of New York Metropolitan AAU, will be held on Sunday, November 1 at 3:00 PM at the Adelphi University Gymnasium.

Cecil passed away on October 10. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. Cecil was a legend in New York City Basketball and served the AAU for three decades.

We regret to inform the AAU Family that our Governor, Cecil Watkins, died this morning after being seriously ill for several months. Up until literally his last days, Cecil made every effort to contribute to the mission of AAU'

We will post the funeral arrangements as soon as they are made available.

2009 METROPOLITAN AAU BOYS BASKETBALL REPORT

Despite the challenges posed by the economy, 2009 proved to be a record breaking year for NY Metropolitan Boys Basketball teams.

A total of 294 teams competed in the District Championships. The breakdown was as follows: Division I - 103 teams, Division II – 157 teams, Division III 34 teams.
This was a 12% increase over 2008.

A total of 75 teams competed in the Division I, II, III, National Championships and National Showcase events. The breakdown was as follows:
Division I 29
Division II 17
Division III 14
Super Showcase 15
NY Metropolitan realized tremendous success as reflected in the following accomplishments:
? Westchester Hawks won the 12U Division III Championships.
? The City won the 12U Division I Classic bracket.
? LI Lightning finished second in the 16U Gold Super Showcase.
? NY Gauchos finished third in the 15U Super Showcase Gold bracket.
? Riverside Church finished third in the 9U Division II Championship bracket.
? NY Gauchos finished third in the 17U Division I Championship bracket.
? GOSH Warriors finished third in the 17 Div II Championship bracket.
? Westchester Hawks finished fourth in the 16U Division I Championship bracket.
? Orange Country Crusaders finished fifth in the 17U Division II Championship bracket.
? Minutemen White finished eighth in the 17U Division II Championship bracket.
? NY Gauchos finished ninth in the 13U Division II Championship bracket.
? NYC Jaguars finished ninth in the 15U Division II Championship bracket.
? Team Underrated finished eleventh place in the 13U Division II Championship bracket.
Other teams reaching the Sweet Sixteen were Rockland Rockets in the 14U Div II, Juice All Stars/LI Trotters in the 13U Div I, Rising Stars in the 16U Division I, and the NY Gauchos in the 13U Div I.

The highest number of teams that each NY Metropolitan club sent to the Nationals was as follows:
(1) NY Gauchos 11 teams
(2) LI Lightning 10 teams
(3) Westchester Hawks 4 teams

2009 was a year when several records were broken including the number of teams competing in the District Championships (75), National Championships (75), as well as our membership which reached an all time high of 6,521, an increase of 6% over 2008.

Finally, Coach John Wooden consistently warned his teams that “success breeds satisfaction and satisfaction breeds failure.” The words of Coach Wooden will stand as a constant reminder that we all must work even harder in 2010 to improve our AAU organization.

Submitted by Jim Fox