On Tuesday, January 10, Stockbridge Athletic Boosters kicked off the new year by hosting the world-famous Harlem Wizards for an evening of great fun and fundraising! After the event, the numbers were tallied and a grand total of nearly $12,000 was raised!

The day started off with fun-filled, interactive assembly visits by the Wizards to both Smith and Heritage Elementary Schools. That evening, Courtside Plus ticket holders enjoyed a private meet and greet with players, and the first 15 students with “Wiz Kid” jerseys were able to sit on the bench with the Wizards! “Wiz Kids” were also able to warm up with the team! 

The Wizards played an exciting game against the “Stockbridge Strong” team of Stockbridge Community School District teachers, principals, alumni, and community leaders. Jeff Trapp, Jr/Sr High School Principal who helped recruit and coach the home team said, “I’ve been looking forward to this event — we have such a great community — it’s fantastic to see everyone come together and support the Boosters and our athletic programs in such a fun way.” Trapp played in the 2018 Wizards event.  

After selling more than 700 tickets the stands were filled, and the energy was electric! Laughter and cheers floated through the gym all night long, while music pumped both the crowd and players up. The dunks were rim-rattling, high-flying and awe-inspiring. The hoop artistry, ball-handling, tricks, and teamwork were mesmerizing. Stockbridge Strong player, Clyde Whitaker, a life-long Stockbridge resident and 1973 Stockbridge High School Alumni shared, “It was exciting to get out on the court and play with all these great men and women, and I was glad to volunteer. It brought me back to my high school days of getting ready for a Tuesday night game!” Whitaker hit a three pointer that night proving, he’s still got it!

An integral part of the event’s fundraising success was the generous sponsorships received from area businesses including; BelFost Construction; Ransom & Salow Brothers Farm; Polar Insulation; The State Bank; Abbott & Fillmore Insurance Agency; Smokehouse 52 BBQ; The G.U. Crew Powered by Howard Hannah; Jim Coffey & Son Plumbing and Heating; The Red Apron Eatery; Boyd Heating & Cooling; Carney's Complete Auto Service; Print-tech, Inc.; Lori Zick and Roberta & Gary Ludtke for their Memorial gift in memory of Ed Zick; My Body Shop; Five one Seven Salon/Spa; Stockbridge Area Wellness Coalition; Secret Crisis Comics; Brewster Tire and Towing; SRSLY Stockbridge; Mike & Tina's Party Store; Ralph's Gun Shop; TownePlace Suites By Marriott; and Graham's Goodies. Boosters is extremely grateful for their support and would also like to thank Stockbridge Community Schools and their staff (administrative/ teaching/ coaching/ support) as well as the many volunteers, players, and refs that helped make this event a success! Lastly, special thanks to the wonderful community that came out STOCKBRIDGE STRONG to support this event! YOU are the true Hometown Heroes!

See article as it ran in the Stockbridge Community News: 

Stockbridge Community News Online Edition February 2023

Stockbridge Community News Print Edition February 2023

Stockbridge Athletic Boosters is incredibly grateful for the support received from our generous sponsors: BelFost Construction; Ransom & Salow Brothers Farm; Polar Insulation; The State Bank; Abbott & Fillmore InsuranceMichigan.com; Smokehouse 52 BBQ, The G.U. Crew Powered by Howard Hannah; Jim Coffey & Son Plumbing and Heating; The Red Apron Eatery; Boyd Heating & Cooling; Carney's Complete Auto Service; Print-tech, Inc.; Lori Zick and Roberta & Gary Ludtke for their Memorial gift in memory of Ed Zick; My Body Shop; Five one Seven Salon/Spa; Stockbridge Area Wellness Coalition; Secret Crisis Comics; Brewster Tire and Towing; SRSLY Stockbridge; Mike & Tina's Party Store; Ralph's Gun Shop; TownePlace Suites By Marriott; and Graham's Goodies. We would also like to thank Stockbridge Community Schools and their staff (administrative/ teaching/ coaching/ support) as well as the many volunteers and players that helped make this event a success! We are so thankful for this wonderful community that came out STOCKBRIDGE STRONG for the Harlem Wizards FUNdraiser!

#smalltownbigheart

The Harlem Wizards are coming to Stockbridge!

The Harlem Wizards, the most interactive, fun, community basketball event in the world is coming to Stockbridge, Michigan.

The world-famous Harlem Wizards will visit Stockbridge Jr/Sr High School on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 for an evening of great fun and fundraising. The Wizards will play a game against a team of Stockbridge Community School District teachers, principals, and community leaders. The event is a fundraiser for Stockbridge Athletic Boosters.

The energy at a Wizards game is electric. The laughter is infectious. The dunks are rim-rattling, high-flying and awe-inspiring. The hoop artistry, ball-handling, tricks and teamwork are mesmerizing.

What really takes it to another level is the hometown participation from the kids on court experiences, to the teachers, principals and other community leaders who take on the Wizards as the “hometown heroes”. Besides cheering for their teachers, the kids are involved all night long. They will all have a chance to get on the court!

Pre-game, any child or teen with a Wizards jersey can warm-up with the Wizards! Throughout the game audience members will be asked to volunteer in different contests and acts. And the end of night final moments includes an invitation to all students to come onto the court for a dance celebration with the Wizards.

The experience at a Wizards game is the community, the school coming together for a night of good, pure fun and excitement and it’s a fundraiser.

The event will feature a variety of fun interactive extras to complement the Wizards' dazzling demonstration of hoops artistry: Pregame "Wiz Kids" warm-up, contests, comedy, awesome slam dunks, audience participation, merchandise giveaways, and more. The game will conclude with the Wizards' signature dance celebration that will have the parents on their feet and the kids moving to the beat!  

"We are thrilled to host the Wizards again," says Brian Friddle, Stockbridge Community Schools Superintendent. "The last event we did with them was a huge success, and we look forward to more Wizards' magic!"

Founded in 1962, the Wizards have played over 15,000 games throughout the US that have raised over $25 million for schools and charitable causes. The Wizards have also played in over 25 foreign countries on six continents.

To purchase tickets, and for more information, visit www.harlemwizards.com.

Stockbridge Community News December 2022 Print Edition 

*Correction to Stockbridge Community News print article: information was provided by Stockbridge Athletic Boosters not SRSLY as it was printed in this issue.