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SASF Partnering with New York Knicks in Fitness Challenge and Poetry Slam Competition

This exciting partnership with the Knicks and Madison Square Garden will align with SASF's anti-obesity initiative and create opportunities for students to interact with the pros...

We are very pleased to announce a brand new partnership between SASF, Madison Square Garden (MSG) and the New York Knicks!  The partnership kicks off this fall and is strategically aligned with two key SASF initiatives: combating childhood obesity and preparing high school students for college. It is also a fantastic opportunity to co-brand with a renowned organization with significant exposure and benefits for SASF.   Here are some details:
The NBA Fit Challenge partnership will allow hundreds of elementary and middle school kids from our Champions Clubs to participate in a basketball skills competition at the Champions Clubs sites and in a series of events specifically created for SASF.  The NBA Fit Challenge will progress through February 2010 with a number of exciting opportunities for SASF participants and the organization as a whole.  The schedule of events is as follows:
 
  • Knicks Day Local Competition on November 11th (9 am – 3 pm): Taking place at MS 117K in Brooklyn, 250 elementary school students and 250 middle school students from Champions Clubs across the city will compete in age-specific basketball skills challenges.  The top 130 performers will go on to compete at the SASF Regional Competition on January 18th.  Also the Knicks Groove Truck will be on-site to provide games and activities for the kids (with a possible appearance by a Knicks Legend.).  Finally, the middle school participants will attend a Knicks game that evening where SASF will be featured on the jumbo-tron and the camera will pan the kids. 
  • Regional Competition on January 18th: Top 130 performers from Knicks Day will go on to compete in the next stage of the competition on the floor of Madison Square Garden after the Knicks game.  Also, competitors will join in a pre-game “shoot-around” with Knicks ballplayers.  The top 6 winners from the Regionals will be recognized at the Garden on February 22nd.
  • SASF Recognition Day on February 22nd: The top 6 SASF performers from the Regional Competition will be recognized with their families and school principals on the floor of Madison Square Garden during halftime of the Knicks game.  Again there will be opportunities for brand exposure through the jumbo-tron, camera-panning and announcements.
The Knicks Poetry Slam partnership will enable Champions Club and SES high school students to participate in the annual Spoken Word and Written Word poetry competitions, as well as one of the largest college fairs in New York City. Details are as follows:
 
  • Spoken Word Open Audition on November 7th (10am – 3pm): The Knicks will be hosting the Poetry Slam Open Audition on November 7th at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan.  SASF program staff is currently recruiting and preparing students to compete against hundreds of New York metro-area high school students. The top 150 performers from the Open Audition will move on to the preliminary finals leading up to the top 10 participating in the finals on February 18th.  Winners will receive cash and other prizes.  We are rooting for SASF participants to be in the top 10! 
  • College Fair on November 7th (10am – 3pm):  The Knicks will be hosting one of the largest college fairs in New York City on November 7th at the Hammerstein Ballroom. (The College fair will be held simultaneously with the Open Audition.)  It is anticipated that 1,200 SASF students will be attending and the Knicks will be providing a separate entrance for SASF students.  College-readiness workshops and entertainment will be included at the Fair. SASF will have a table at the event. 
  • Written Word Competition:  SASF high school seniors have an opportunity to compete against other New York metro-area high school seniors for a 4-year scholarship to the University of Wisconsin and Mercy College.  Requirements include submitting an essay on the topic “Why I Write”, a portfolio of poetry and extra-curricular activities.  Participants must be accepted in to the University of Wisconsin or Mercy College prior to entering the competition.  The SASF program staff is currently recruiting students to participate in this competition.
  • SASF Recognition Day on Feb. 22nd: SASF students who move on to the preliminary finals will be recognized with their families and school principals on the floor of Madison Square Garden during halftime of the Knicks game.  Again there will be opportunities for brand exposure through the jumbo-tron, camera-panning and announcements.