I was disappointed to read Mr. Shirayanagi’s critique of The Coney’s sponsorship of Brooklyn USA Basketball’s summer clinic and tournament taking place in Coney Island. As the Director of Operations for Brooklyn USA Basketball, I can say unequivocally that this program would not be taking place AT ALL were it not for this sponsorship. We are always proud of those who step up and decide to give back to the community and seeing hundreds of kids have an opportunity to do learn, train, and play in a positive setting is a massive win for everyone.
Brooklyn USA Basketball conducts clinics and tournaments around the borough supported by a variety of sponsors who are generous enough to help fund the work that we do. That support ensures that for many of our programs, the children don’t have to pay a single dime to participate. Sponsors also routinely provide us with shirts and other gear for the participants, which helps promote transparency (so it is crystal clear who we are working with).
It also ensures no kid feels left out because they may not have the same level of apparel as the others. No child has ever been turned away from our activities because they didn’t want to wear a sponsor’s shirt, and that policy will never change. At the end of the day, this basketball clinic has been known to change lives, encourage children to seek higher education, and match them up
with mentors who are willing to help with issues outside of basketball. This is bigger than the t-shirts we wear.
This organization offers a place where we foster community and growth, so to see our priority—the children—overlooked and our organization distilled down to who is offering these kids gear is disappointing. I suspect had they sponsored the program in secret we would be accused of colluding behind the community’s backs. We connected with The Coney’s team because they heard the desire from the community for them to be involved and give back.
They wanted to work with us because they knew how beneficial this program would be and how having a long-term FREE summer basketball clinic and tournament for the youth would be a big win for the Coney Island community.
Ken Fitzpatrick is the Director of Operations at Brooklyn USA Basketball
