ST. PHILIP’S COLLEGE HOSTS SILVER STARS BASKETBALL CAMP FOR GIRLS

Parents and kids applaud as college hosts free clinic

SAN ANTONIO (July 14, 2009) --- St. Philip’s College hosted a free Junior Silver Stars League basketball camp July 13. St. Philip’s College is the 2009 Official Education Sponsor of the San Antonio Silver Stars and also is the 2009 presentation sponsor for the entire Junior Silver Stars League.

"Our daughter is having a great time,” said parent Jessica Alva. “She’s been made aware of the dual credit programs where she can earn her college degree and her high school diploma at the same time before she leaves home to go to a four-year college,” Alva said. “Events like this let kids know that college is talked about as an option outside of our family discussions,” said Alva.

The 2009 Junior Silver Stars League summer program for 400 girls ages 9-16 continues at eight participating sites on Friday and Saturday evenings in the metro San Antonio area. The basketball league is funded by the Spurs Foundation, and Kids Sports Network is the nonprofit sports education organization operating that league.

The college hosted an inspiring Junior Silver Stars League Kids Clinic for girls ages 9-16 on July 13 at its Health and Fitness Center, home to the college’s Kinesiology degree program. This event exposed youth to college life was free and open to any children whose parents wanted them to attend.

“St. Philip’s College is pleased to host the clinic as a valuable extension of our partnership with the Silver Stars,” St. Philip’s College President Dr. Adena Williams Loston said while observing the clinic. “We use the clinic to get girls focused on activities, working in teams and developing character,” said Dr. Loston. “This clinic is a way to make sure that students are introduced to St. Philip’s College as a path for opportunity and empowerment,” Dr. Loston said.

The Kids Clinic team included Silver Stars assistant coach Sandy Brondello, rookie team member guard/forward Megan Frazee and the Fox mascot, a silver fox wearing a Stars uniform, in an energetic evening.

“It’s great to be a role model who comes out and shows girls how being a professional basketball coach is something you can do if you have a passion to do so,” Coach Brondello said with a smile as the clinic wound down. “I’m taking them where they want to go,” Brondello said of the girls who attended her clinic.

“I really enjoy working and giving back at the same time,” Frazee added. “I am glad I could show that I care to a group of girls who look up to us,” said Frazee.

The college’s remaining 2009 education signature events with the Silver Stars occur during the team’s regular season games July 17, Aug. 13 and Sept. 12 at the AT&T Center. Please note that the Sept. 12 Silver Stars game theme is both Education Night and Back to School Night with St. Philip’s College. Photo 1 | Photo 2 (Digital images by Valerie Grivas)

Websites/Resources related to this story include: 1)1) Alamo Colleges --- St. Philip’s College; 2) Silver Stars in the Community: the Junior Silver Stars, presented by St. Philip’s College; 3) San Antonio Silver Stars; and 4) Kids Sports Network Junior Silver Stars Basketball League.

About St. Philip’s: Bishop James Steptoe Johnston of the St. Philip’s Episcopal Church of the West Texas Diocese founded Alamo Colleges—St. Philip’s College in 1898. Today, Alamo Colleges—St. Philip’s College is a multi-campus institution of the Alamo Colleges and serves a semester enrollment of nearly 10,000 credit and more than 6,000 continuing education students. Alamo Colleges—St. Philip’s is a Historically Black College and Hispanic Serving Institution and is the only college in the nation that carries this dual designation. As “A Point of Pride in the Community,” Alamo Colleges—St. Philip’s College is among the oldest and most diverse community colleges in the United States.