Over 40 basketball players and area coaches gathered at Sharon High School on June 2nd to team up with Sharon High School's Varsity Team to hone their skills and scrimmage in the 1st-Annual Julie Cox Basketball Skills Camp. The idea for the 1 day Camp was organized by Tracy Schliep, (who collaborated with Penn State Athletic Director Andre Smith) to honor her sister; Julie Williams Cox, who passed away last February. While searching for a creative way to honor her sister's memory, Tracy came up with the idea of incorporating her family's love of basketball with Coach Smith's passion of serving others in the community.
The idea then sparked the interests of others, like; Sharon Tigers' Assistant Coach Terry Shernisky, who (along with his entire Men's Varsity Team) volunteered to participate in the event and donated the utilization of the SHS Gym for the day. The event also got the attention of the Slovenian Athletic Club Charitable Foundation, (who provides funding for athletic activities for individuals with Developmental Disabilities) which assisted with not only funding the event, but also provided volunteers. Former area coaches, including Nick Cannone, George Chomos, Jack Banick, Tom Snyder and (current) Sharon Head Coach Zach Sarver were also on-hand to volunteer and teach skills to the participants, while Penn State Coach Dave Jackson served as the Head Coach for the day.
Several area ID/DD support providers were invited to participate in the camp, which had a pretty positive turn out for the 1st year of the event. All participants enjoyed learning and sharpening basketball skills, taking those skills to the court as teams toward the end of the day. Afterward, the players and coaches gathered for a pizza party and participation ceremony, where everyone received a certificate presented by Tracy Schliep. Tracy also took a little time to speak about her sister Julie, for whom the event was created and personally congratulated and thanked each player for their participation.
In light of the event's initial success, members of the JCBSC Committee unanimously voted to hold the event again next year and hope to attract even more supports and participants. Everyone had a great time and Julie's family looks forward to having the skills camp become an annual event.
Photos By: Laura Kahl Photography
Video By: Get 2 Work Productions
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