On Saturday, April 21, the Cheyenne River Youth Project® in Eagle Butte will host the 2012 Youth Basketball 5-on-5 Tournament in its Cokata Wiconi Teen Center gymnasium. The tournament is open to boys and girls, ages 8-13; Cokata Wiconi’s doors will open at 9:30 a.m., with the games to begin at 10 a.m.
According to Tammy Eagle Hunter, CRYP’s wellness coordinator, the tournament was designed with two important goals in mind: to provide an exciting competitive event for Cheyenne River’s young people, and to raise funds to support the nearly 24-year-old, not-for-profit youth project.
“We’re always looking for creative ways to raise additional funding to support our youth programming,” she explained. “A basketball tournament is a win-win. The players and spectators have a great time, and proceeds from admissions, concessions and team sponsorships support our community youth organization.”
Spectators may attend the event for $5 per person at the door. Interested teams may participate for a $25 sponsorship fee, which can come from the players themselves or from community members and businesses that wish to serve as team sponsors.
“We’re asking all teams to register no later than 6 p.m. on April 20,” Eagle Hunter advised. “That way, we’ll know exactly how many teams will be participating before the doors open the next day.”
Julie Garreau, CRYP’s executive director, encouraged the local community to get involved and support youth teams — either with sponsorships or simply with filling the stands on game day.
“This year, we have a matching grant from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux (Dakota) Community in Minnesota,” Garreau said. “That means every dollar contributed to CRYP is doubled, giving us a wonderful opportunity to raise valuable funds in a still-challenging economic climate.”
To register your team for the youth tournament, to ask questions and to get more information, call Tammy Eagle Hunter at (605) 964-8200 or send an email to tammy.cryp@gmail.com.
To learn more about the Cheyenne River Youth Project® and its programs, and for information about making donations and volunteering, call (605) 964-8200 or visit www.lakotayouth.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, visit the youth project’s Facebook “Cause” page. All Cause members will receive regular updates through Facebook.
The Cheyenne River Youth Project®, founded in 1988, is a grassroots, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing the youth of the Cheyenne River reservation with access to a vibrant and secure future through a wide variety of culturally sensitive and enduring programs, projects and facilities that ensure strong, self-sufficient families and communities.