The men’s basketball program at CSU East Bay hosted a four-hour basketball clinic on Saturday.

The clinic, in conjunction with All Saints Catholic School and the Catholic Youth Organization, was held to raise money for child abuse awareness advertisements to be placed on AC Transit buses and BART

A donation box was placed outside of the gym for anyone to donate. Child abuse awareness shirts were so,d for $10 as well. They are aiming to raise $30,000 for the advertisements

The coaching staff and players were in charge of running the camp. The camp consisted of coed grade level children between the ages of eight and 10.

This camp gave children the opportunity to enhance their basketball skills. The clinic taught the children how to feel comfortable with their level of play and gave the children an opportunity to engage with the Pioneer men’s basketball program.

Each hour of the camp focused on different fundamentals and techniques. Skills such as ball fakes, behind the back passes, and trick passes were featured at the camp.  The children were able to work on their shooting forms, range, and defensive stance and were separated into different groups based on age.

Most of the children that were involved with the camp are just starting out with their basketball careers and are players for the CYO.

Healthy competition was practiced at the camp as well. They were able to play games like, “Shaq Says,” the basketball version of Simon Says. Coaches and players participated in half court game intervals with the children. There was a 3-point shooting competition emphasizing the correct form of shooting and follow through.

Head Coach Gus Argenal specifically focused on a term referred to as “blesh.” This basketball terminology focuses on bending, lifting, extending, snapping, and holding. These are mechanics that help to correctly shoot a basketball.  The children were astonished by the jump shot fest coach Argenal put on, revealing his polished shooting form; as he made several jump shots from half court with one arm.

Camp participants were assigned to partners to focus on skills such as: chest pass, bounce pass, and triple threat position.

A camp participant and player, Riley Rayas has been playing for All Saints for  three years enjoyed the activities.

“I really liked the coaches, and I really liked shooting a lot,” Rayas said.

Apart from the kids enjoying the camp, parents were impressed and satisfied with how the camp was conducted.

Mrs. Johnson, a parent of two camp participants shared her thoughts about the clinic.

“I thought it was great, I think the coach is great, and the team was great. I was happy and I can tell my children enjoyed themselves,” Johnson said.

The coaching staff and players were quite vocal, descriptive, and encouraging with these young kids. Teamwork is a big motto for the men’s team and they tried to get that across to the children. Campers also learned how hard work and dedication is a vital part in enhancing their basketball intelligence quotient.

“Everyday we are grinding and putting our blood, sweat, and tears out on to the court. Now we are giving kids the chance to do the things we get to do everyday,” said Jacari Whitfield, a guard and junior on the team.

Children had the opportunity to connect with the players and coaching staff in a more personal setting when there was a question and answer session. This gave camp participants the ability to ask players multiple questions relating to basketball and their college experiences.  There was also a dunk contest where the kids cheered on different East Bay players as they made attempts to dunk.

In conjunction with learning the basics of basketball, this clinic was designed to bring awareness to child abuse.

Nkecji, a student at CSUEB who majors in criminal justice presented the idea to the coaching staff about promoting child abuse awareness. She deals with many children that have suffered with child abuse, so that was her motivation to have this type of event.  Nkecji has a son who participated in the camp as well.

“East Bay basketball wants to be apart of something bigger than just the school,” said assistant men’s basketball, Jay Flores.” When kids see people who are doing things that they want to achieve, then its inspirational and motivation to keep going and heading down the right path.”

The men’s basketball program at East Bay wants to continue to host more clinics that bring awareness to child abuse in the community. This camp hoped to inform the youth that they could be survivors against adversity.

“Basketball encourages children to be strong, tough, and to say no. I see the basketball team as role models to children,” Nkecji said.