By Elaine Redd | Inside Business
April 6, 2011

On March 26, the familiar laughter of students, the swish of the basketballs hitting the net and the buzzing of the timer rang out at Ballenger Field House as nearly 900 YouthQuest students learned about basketball as well as leadership and teamwork during “Hoops Madness”.

Parents watched excitedly as the students received demonstrations on the finer points of the game from former Women’s Basketball League player and two-time Hall of Fame inductee Linnell McKenney. Additionally, Flint Mayor Dayne Walling also stopped by to show his support.

McKenney, also a YouthQuest site team leader at Washington Elementary in Flint, engaged the eager athletes with instruction on ball handling, shooting and defensive drills, and motivational messages.

“It’s all about the game,” said McKenney. “I want the kids to understand what it takes to be an athlete, on and off the court.”

“In addition to sports and teamwork, YouthQuest helps students with academics, personal issues, development, leadership skills, and health and nutrition” explains Rhetta Hunyady, Vice President, Operations and Employer Education & Training Connection at the Regional Chamber.  “We hope that by teaching them important skills while they are young the students will make good life choices as they get older.”

The objective of “Hoops Madness” was to get kids moving, experience teamwork, and provide lessons in sportsmanship, respect and social skills – all part of the new YouthQuest athletic program. YouthQuest is a free after school program for K-8 students in Flint and Genesee County, managed by the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce. All 15 YouthQuest schools participated in the event.

Ballenger Field House is located on the Mott Community College (MCC) campus.