Late Night Sports consists of weekly Saturday night basketball games to give youth a safe and healthy alternative to substance abuse, delinquency, and crime. We have targeted high school and college age students. Every Saturday night we have hosted a gymnasium full of youth to engage in Late Night Sports. Here, this diverse group of both males and females are able to play organized basketball during the "prime time party hours," further develop their social skills, receive information regarding issues surrounding alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, listen to a DJ play music, receive free prizes, and engage in some of the South Bay's best basketball games. Late Night Sports averages 80-130 students per night from the hours of 8:00 - 11:30 p.m.
As a result, hundreds of young people in the South Bay participate in a safe, supervised, educational, exciting, and competitive sport activity, as well as create friendships because of their association with Late Night Sports. Through the vehicle of basketball, Late Night Sports has been able to have a profound impact on the lives of many young people.
Late Night Sports' program highlights have been demonstrated through the commitment of participants on a weekly basis. Our objective continues to be to provide a safe and sober place for an estimated 75 to 100 people per night. Dramatic examples of the program's effectiveness and success can be demonstrated by the implementation of an Anger Management and Conflict Resolution protocol for participants who cannot successfully manage their negative emotions.
Late Night Sports is more than a recreational program. It is a safe and sober place to `hang out' on Saturday nights. Each week, participants are given a 5 minute informational speech on alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, related topics, and program rules and guidelines. On occasion, we will provide ATOD trivia questions and prizes for the correct answers. The demographic population of the program is estimated as follows: 3% Caucasian, 3% Hispanic, 2% other, and 92% African American. Late Night Sports promotes a racial, ethnic, and "turf" tolerance. Positive behavior has been demonstrated by the level of respect and invested interest each participant has for the success and continuation of the program.
“Dynamics of this program are so valuable on many fronts ….communication skills, teamwork and a sense of community to name a few. It’s a rare opportunity for so many young people to interact in such a positive way. This could be a model for so many other programs.”
Nate Hobgood-Chittick, #94
Defensive Tackle, Kansas City Chief
“I feel that LNS has helped me in a way instead of “clubbin” w/ the boys. Usually on Saturday nights we go to places where we don’t know if there are gonna’ be fights, guns and other trouble. LNS is safe and an intense place to be. I know when I come to LNS I’m gonna’ be around people who have the same purpose.”
Joseph “Black Magic” Baptise, 25
“I can always depend on Late Night Sports. It keeps me in shape and helps me in college. Everyone here is like me, positive and not using drugs.”
Marques Calcote, 20
“You really gotta’ bring your “A” game to come here -- only come to play, none of that other nonsense. This place helps me stay away from peer pressure….a good reason to not use drugs.”
