ABERDEEN, SOUTH DAKOTA --  March Madness is upon us and basketball is the center of attention for many.  Aberdeen First United Methodist Church (UMC) has created a new kind of March Madness for youth age 5 through grade 6 in the community.  Basketball and learning about Christ are part of weekly conversation for over 470 youth in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Photo:  Basketball players, cheerleaders, coaches and referees gather for an opening prayer at the beginning of a game at the UPWARD© program at Aberdeen First United Methodist Church.  Photo by Sarah Suko.

For the past five years Aberdeen First UMC has hosted a youth basketball league.  In 2006, the church broke ground to add on a Community Life Center with a gym.   In 2009, the UPWARD© Basketball and Cheerleading program began under the direction of Laurie Suko.

“It is our chance to invite children to come to know the Lord, Jesus Christ,” explains Laurie Suko, Elementary Christian Education Director at Aberdeen First UMC.

The program focuses on creating a positive environment, a great basketball experience and sharing the love of Jesus.  Suko and others from Aberdeen First attended training in Kansas to get their start.

How it works

The process begins with recruitment and registration.  Members of Aberdeen First have a booth at the Brown County Fair each summer.  They hand out information and a $5 dollar wooden coin.  The coin serves as a discount for the $55 registration fee.

Registration takes place for children ages 5 through 6th grade throughout the community in November through December.   After registration is completed kids attend their first practice where basketball skills are assessed.

Children are divided into teams based on age, grade and basketball skills and experience.  Each team has players with a variety of skills and experience.  A software program is utilized to set up the teams. 

The eleven-week program begins in January.  Coaches will hold three weeks of practices.  After week three the games begin.  Each team will have one game and one practice for the remaining eight weeks. 

A game involves 6 quarters of play and each member of the team plays an equal amount of time.  Coaches are supplied with a set of tables and charts to map out player time each week. 

Game Day

Photo to the left:  Rev. Tom  Hagar referees a girls basketball game at the UPWARD© basketball and cheerleading program at Aberdeen First UMC.  Photo by Sarah Suko.

Every child is a superstar on game day.  At the start of each game, the lights are dimmed and each child steps out into the spotlight as their name is announced. 

The rules of the game are setup to provide a fun and positive experience for every child.  Rules include things like no time outs, no jump balls just a coin toss to determine the team that has first possession of the ball, no league standings, coaches lining up players at mid-court and matching players up according to skills and height without saying a word, only man to man defense is played, and no full court press. 

There are several modifications for kids age 5 through grade 2 including, 4-minute quarters as opposed to 6 minute quarters, the coach can be on the floor to help instruct, and referees call for traveling and double dribbling but hand the ball back to the offender.

Success and celebration

The basketball and cheerleading program has several ways for participants to experience a positive, encouraging environment with individual recognition.

Each player is awarded stars at the end of every game.  Stars are earned for effort, sportsmanship, offense, defense, and chirstlikeness. 

Every participant receives a uniform to wear for games that they keep.  Photos of each team and player are taken.  A Facebook page has been established to display game day action. 

The season ends with a huge celebration of all the teams and players.  Each player is featured in a video that is created. 

Success is not measured by the wins and losses.  Participation and getting to know the Lord are the measures of success. 

The UPWARD© basketball & cheer program at Aberdeen First United Methodist has grown from 70 participating in 2009 to 472 in 2014.

“We have 472 kids and over 150 volunteers all working together to get to know Jesus,” stated Suko.  “That is what is it all about.”

Growth of the program

The program at Aberdeen First continues to grow.  Because of growing numbers more sites, beyond the Community Living Center at Aberdeen First are being utilized for practices and games.  First Baptist Church and Primrose, a senior living community serve as sites for games and practices also. 

The growing number of participants in basketball and cheerleading has called for a bigger venue for everyone to gather at the end of the season.   This year participants will gather at the Aberdeen Civic Center on March 17 to celebrate the season. 

To learn more about the program contact Laurie Suko, Elementary Christian Education Director at Aberdeen First UMC by e-mail or phone 605-225-5680.