2011 MARCH MADNESS Youth Basketball Tournament

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tampa, Florida, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) March 7, 2011 -- Success 4 Kids & Families
MARCH MADNESS
Youth Basketball Event
Join S4KF for our annual signature event!

March 6, 2011 TAMPA, FL


*** Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor will be speaking at the Awards Luncheon. ***

The Leonard Shearer 18th Annual March Madness Basketball Tournament has Tampa youth competing to be the best-- come and see some serious ball skills and cheer on the athletic talents of under-served kids in our community!

S4KF's March Madness has become a major tournament for behaviorally-challenged students from various local schools with the help of Tampa businesses such as Caspers Company/ McDonald's Restaurants and the Columbia Restaurant. In order to be eligible to participate in the event, each student must have good attendance, behave appropriately and engage successfully in school. These are kids who don't get the chance to play in any other school sports because they attend specialized school programs.

"These kids are really psyched to finally get a chance to play competitively" says Clara Reynolds, Executive Director of Success 4 Kids and Families, Inc., the non-profit that provides family counseling and numerous social services to over 1000 families in Hillsborough County.

An art and essay contest allows the kids to creatively describe how important this event is in their lives as they answer the question: "March Madness: What would we do without it?" This year, the art & essay contest also lets the kids create Youtube song videos. "I'm gonna show them some real talent!" exclaimed one participant when he heard of the expanded creative guidelines.

The day after the tournament (Friday, March 31st) there is an awards presentation banquet held at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, where the kids receive lunch, hear motivational speeches and are recognized for their accomplishments. This year, Tampa Police Department Chief Jane Castor, former University of Tampa graduate and basketball scholarship recipient, will speak to the youths about the pivotal role that higher education and sports had in shaping her life.

"This is the first time many of these kids have ever been to a ‘sit-down restaurant'- let alone a fine dining establishment like Columbia-you can't help being touched by the experience" says Reynolds, "Chief Castor will be able to help these young folks to understand the value of sports and an education and how they both can lead to a successful future. We are very thankful to Chief Castor and all the organizations that have made this possible."

We hope that you will come and support our youth and the community by attending this free fun-filled family event!

EVENT INFORMATION - Mark your calendars!

WHEN: Thursday, March 30, 2010 (10 am - 2 pm)
WHERE: BOB MARTINEZ SPORTS CENTER @ The University of Tampa 318 North Boulevard / Tampa, FL 33606
ADMISSION: FREE!

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