Red Lake Elementary Basketball

By Chris Jourdain

The Red Lake Elementary School sponsored a basketball program for students from October through December 2004. The club had generated much interest with 102 kids signing up in grades 3-5 alone. There were requirements placed on participation; the children had to be caught up on all their work in school and homework, have no discipline problems and were allowed to miss only two days of the club.

The club was part of the Red Lake Schools after-school programs, which are designed to give our youth opportunities to participate in after school. Chris Jourdain coordinated grades 3-5 on Mondays and Wednesdays, Angel Schultz coordinated grades 1-2 on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Jeff Roy of the Red Lake Nation Boys & Girls Club assisted with both groups Monday through Thursdays. The club ran from 3:30-5:00 and students were given a bus ride home and a snack. It consisted of fundamentals, fitness, scrimmages, team contests and most importantly fun.

The club finished with a pizza party and presentation of certificates and T-shirts and different games were held and prizes given away, courtesy of the Boys & Girls Club of Red Lake. The Club was a success in the eyes of those involved, and was enjoyed by the kids, who didn’t want it to end. There were a few kids who had perfect attendance, which says a lot for those kids, and there were some kids lost along the way due to requirements not being met by the children.

Many thanks goes out to those involved and keep an eye on these kids in the near future as the future of Red Lake hoops (boys & girls) looks very promising.