BARRY BRADFORD NAMED ONE OF 'TEN OUTSTANDING YOUNG PEOPLE OF ILLINOIS' BY JAYCEES ORGANIZATION

 Barry Bradford, owner and head coach of the Kankakee County Soldiers and owner of Example Sports was recently selected as one of the Illinois Jaycees' Ten Outstanding Young People of Illinois for 2013. He was nominated by the Kankakee Area Jaycees. This is the 48^th year that the Illinois Jaycees have selected and honored outstanding young people from throughout Illinois.

The Ten Outstanding Young People of Illinois honorees are the leading examples of the highest qualities of citizenry in the state of Illinois. The Jaycees' mission is to empower young people to create positive change. The actions of each honoree demonstrate the Jaycees' slogan, “Service to Humanity is the Best Work of Life.”

Bradford was nominated for the award by the Kankakee Area Jaycees based on his outstanding achievements throughout the community from his involvement in cultural achievement and athletic accomplishment. Bradford's active involvement in developing today's youth and community pride set him apart as a leader in the community.

This year's Ten Outstanding Young People of Illinois Honors Program will be held on Saturday, May 4 at the Springfield Hilton in conjunction with the Illinois Jaycees' Spring General Assembly Meeting.

JERICE CROUCH RETURNS TO RAZORSHARKS AND

THEY ADD NAYAL “MAC” KOSHWAL TO ROSTER

The Rochester RazorSharks of the IBA-PBL are happy to announce the return of the team’s all-time assist leader Jerice Crouch and the addition of Nayal “Mac” Koshwal to their roster.

Crouch makes his return to the ‘Sharks for his 6^th season. A native of Syracuse, Crouch has a career average of 13.7 ppg and 4.1 apg in 116 games played for Rochester. Crouch is coming off a season in the NBL (Canada) where he averaged 18.1 ppg and 5.1 apg in 42 games while earning 2^nd Team All-League and was named to the All-Star team. Crouch says about his return to the RazorSharks, “I’m just happy to be back to try and help this organization win a Championship. I’m looking forward to playing with the guys and playing for Cliff.”

Nayal “Mac” Koshwal, a 6’8” forward was born in the Sudan, and grew up in Chicago where he attended Julian High School before playing his college basketball at DePaul University. He was named to the Big East All-Freshman Team in 2008. Koshwal averaged 16 ppg and 10 rpg in his Junior year at DePaul before leaving school early to declare for the NBA Draft. Going undrafted, Koshwal has played in professionally in Spain, the NBA D-League, and has spent two summers playing in the NBA Summer League (Detroit Pistons & New Orleans Hornets).

Head Coach Cliff Levingston says of Crouch’s additions, “I’m very excited to have Jerice join the team. He is a RazorSharks fan favorite and he knows how to win.” Levingston adds, “I think Mac Koshwal is the final piece of what we need to position ourselves to play for a Championship.” 

Legends franchise continues to grow in the newly merged IBA-PBL league, plans in development for 2014 Schenectady Legends, Armory Arena bound!

The Legends, now in their 4^th year, have once again been busy in the off season and so has the IBA. This time, like never before!

The Legends are thrilled to also announce that we are in detailed planning discussions with Ray and Jeff Legere of Legere Restorations, Inc. of Schenectady. Legere Restorations has taken control of the historic armory and are in the early stages of turning the Armory into a multipurpose, entertainment and sport’s facility in time for a winter/spring 2013 or 2014 Legend’s Spring Season. Get ready for the Schenectady Legends (new logo attached)! In addition, the IBA announced for the current Spring 2013 season that the IBA would be merging with the PBL (Premier Basketball League) and with it comes even greater long term stability, greater regionalization of divisions and of course, the highest quality of independent minor league basketball in the USA.

“This is a very exciting time for the Legends. We are committed to our community and the long term success of our organization in the greater Capital Region and now Schenectady. We get stronger every day. Not only has the league dramatically improved with recent merger but we now have an opportunity to partner with a first class professional facility in Schenectady, consistent with what our fans expect for a professional basketball experience. Ray and Jeff have been great to work with and we look forward to a long term home and partnership in Schenectady. Our commitment to our fans, our community and to our player’s will not change. Fans can continue to expect the best from the Legends and a new enhanced experience, thanks to the Legere brothers.

TEEN DAUGHTER OF FLEX™ OWNERS LAUNCHES ‘FLEX IT FORWARD’

BLOOMINGTON, IL — She wasn’t doing it to launch a movement.  But that’s just what happened when Grace Henderson, the 15-year old daughter of Bloomington Flex™ owners Scott and Katie Henderson, did when she took to heart a challenge from her church youth group to give back to others.

“We watched the movie ‘Pay it Forward’, and then the leaders gave each of us $100 to find a way to pay it forward into the community,” said Grace. “I decided that because that was the price of ten tickets to my parents’ basketball team, I would buy a 10-ticket package and then donate the tickets to a local youth center so kids who wouldn’t ordinarily be able to afford to see a game, could come and experience what Flex Basketball is all about,” she said.

But Grace wasn’t done.  She decided to send an e-mail to all of her family, friends, friends’ parents and other family friends asking them to consider doing the same thing.  In a matter of just a couple weeks, Grace secured the sale and donation of nearly 400 tickets.  She and her mother, Katie, decided to call the idea “Flex it Forward.”

When word of Flex it Forward spread among team officials, they were inspired to take Grace’s idea and run with it.

“We decided that community service was going to be part of our mission from day one,” said Katie, the team’s Vice President of Public Relations. “We had a couple other worthy programs already in place, but Grace inspired us to think bigger,” said Katie.