UB Sponsoring University Heights Basketball Clinic

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo is bringing a positive message to children in the University Heights neighborhood on Saturday through a free basketball clinic being held in McCarthy Park.

Seventy-five to 100 middle school students are expected to attend the Higher Heights Basketball Clinic, which will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon in the park. Rain site is Clark Gym on the South Campus.

The clinic will be free and open to boys and girls in grades 3-8 who are residents of University Heights. It is cosponsored by the UB's Division of Athletics and the Office of Community Relations in the Division of External Affairs.

Directing the clinic will be head men's basketball coach Reggie Witherspoon; head women's coach Linda Hill-MacDonald, who will talk to participants about the value of an education; and assistant men's basketball coach Jim Kwitchoff.

Participants will receive instruction in six basketball skills -- shooting, ball handling, passing, defense, footwork and rebounding -- and will have an opportunity to ask questions of UB coaches and student-athletes.

Expected to visit the clinic are state Assemblyman Sam Hoyt; Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples; Lynn Marinelli, chair of the Erie County Legislature; and Buffalo Common Councilwoman Bonnie Russell, who represents University Heights.

Vincent D. Clark, UB director of community relations, calls the clinic "part of the university's ongoing effort to reach out to our neighbors in a positive and impactful way.

"This particular event will provide another opportunity for UB to engage neighborhood children with messages about the importance of educational achievement," Clark added.

"This all dovetails nicely on the priority that President John B. Simpson has placed on UB's role in pre-K through 16 education."