Does the Chicago area need any more basketball leagues/camps/training grounds for its youth? The people from USA Youth Basketball think so.
The 7-year-old organization based in Milwaukee is in 50 cities around the country, but its first Chicago branch has just been established for the 1993 summer season.
George Turner, a former assistant men`s coach at Elmhurst College who played at Wheaton Central and Central College in Iowa in the `80s, is trying to get the summer-league program off the ground in the seven-county area.
Aimed at both fostering fundamental skills and fielding competitive teams, USA Youth Basketball accepts girls and boys from 5th through 12th grade on a no-cut policy, but they must be recommended by their school.
”We provide equipment, coaching and a positive atmosphere,” said founder John DeBeck.
”What we want to do is establish a feeder program for the schools,”
added Turner. ”Sure we want the best kids, but we want other kids to have an opportunity to play, too.”
Though the area already is full of a variety of summer leagues, Turner thinks USAYB can make its quickest impact through inroads at the pre-high school level.
Signup for the league, which includes a $70 membership fee, ends Jan. 30. Practices begin in mid-April for the June-July leagues. Call George Turner at 312-281-0796 for more information.
– Entry blanks are available through Chicago Team Tennis for the Nov. 20-22 Chicago District Tennis Association/Team Tennis tournament, featuring professional and top tournament-level players. The eight-field, two-men, two- women teams (maximum six members) will showcase the winter-league format for the CDTA/Team Tennis traveling league beginning Jan. 1 (though
participation does not guarantee they will be part of the league). Entry fees are $100 per team, and play will be divided among three area racquet clubs. Call 312-245-5300 for more information.
– The first Chicago-area TAC-sanctioned cross-country meet takes place Saturday at the Oakbrook Polo Grounds, 31st Street and York Road. The 5K all- comers race begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by a seniors 8K race. Call Illinois TAC at 708-833-7303.
– A co-ed volleyball tournament benefiting the Guatemala Missions Trip will be Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Harkness Recreation Center, 64 S. Fourth St., Aurora. Six-person teams, plus subs, can enter for $60 ($5 per sub), and each team is guaranteed five matches. Entrants receive T-shirts. Call Jeff Gilsdorf or Jim Iverson at 1-708-844-0050.
– Area runs this weekend include the following: the Lincolnwood Turkey Trot, 10K, 5K, 5K walk, at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, call Ray Williams, 1-708-677-9740;
Thanksgiving Classic in De Kalb, 15K, 5K, 5K walk, at noon Sunday, call Deb Owen, 1-815-753-9420.
