Coach "Hammer" Stevens - Douglass Panthers
Sure, it’s great to win a game but, in the world according to Coach Marvin “Hammer” Stevens, winning and losing take a back seat to the sheer fun of playing and the self-esteem kids develop through social interaction and academic achievement. Retired from a career in basketball, he has been coaching The Children’s Aid Society’s girls’ basketball teams, including the trophy-winning Douglass Panthers, for 20+ years. Thanks to his expert guidance and passion for the game, the teams represent New York City’s best in girls’ basketball.
Honor the Game
Hammer, along with his brother and founder of the youth basketball program, Kelsey Stevens, is dedicated to mentoring kids, encouraging them to strive for excellence and teaching them a keen sense of respect for themselves and others. The results speak for themselves: three high school seniors on this year’s Panthers have won Division I scholarships, and a former player plays for the WNBA. Sport is an integral part of The Children’s Aid Society in New York, offering year-round action, serving boys and girls ages 5-18. It’s all about teamwork, fun – and honoring the game.
Tags: "Hammer" Stevens, Children's Aid New York City, Division I scholarships, Douglas Panthers, girls basketball, Kelsey Stevens, The Village Voice, WNBA, youth basketball
By Heather
Our teen Sports Management team has been busy. On a chilly day in January, our teens had the opportunity to manage the score boards at the Eastern Regional Championship at City College, sponsored by Gatorade and the NBA/WNBA. The NBA had specifically requested our teens manage the boards for that one day, all-day tournament. There were 16 teams at the tournament with 4 games playing simultaneously. Two teens monitored the boards for each game.
In mid-March, our team managed four courts at Fordham University for the two-day True Hoop Event tournament. Later that month, Children’s Aid’s director of sports and recreation, Kelsey Stevens, found more springtime action for the youth; he arranged to have the team manage middle school tournaments at 10 sites in Manhattan and the Bronx through the C.H.A.M.P.S. Junior High School basketball league. “These youth come in with skills,” Stevens said. “Our students shine.” Children’s Aid’s Sports Management team comprises 15 youth (10 females, 5 males), 15 to 20 years of age, culled from the city’s high schools. Interested teens should contact Kelsey Stevens at Children’s Aid’s Frederick Douglass Center, 212-865-6337.
And to learn more about the team Hammer and Kelsey Stevens who run this program, read this blog entry from the Village Voice by Graham Rayman.
Tags: C.H.A.M.P.S., Children's Aid New York City, City College, Fordham University, Frederick Douglas Center, Gatorade, Kelsey Stevens, NBA, The Village Voice
By Ellen
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