December 1, 2009
An All-Star Performance
An All-Star Performance
The NKSP Basketball Team Takes a Gold Medal at the Western States Police and Fire Games
by L.C. Collins, Director WSPFG
North Kern State Prison could grab the attention of an NBA scout. I wonder if the Department and the fellow officers and staff at NKSP know of the athletic talent walking around their institution.
The North Kern basketball team has once again demonstrated a very high level of play in winning the Western States Police and Fire Games Division I basketball championship. The team was awarded the Gold Medal after defeating some very competitive teams representing athletes from around the western United States - thanks to the leadership of team captain Officer J. Henry and fellow players Officers R. Earnest, C. Haggins, R. Price, E. Jackson, M. Martin, D. Akins, J. Perkins, R. Wood, and J.R. Walker.
For years, the North Kern basketball team members have demonstrated to other law enforcement agencies that they not only walk the toughest beat in the state, but they are also the toughest on the hardwood floors. They've beat out favored agencies such as LAPD - a team some thought was unbeatable, and they've taken down other formidable basketball giants over the years, such as Oakland PD, Orange County, Portland Fire Dept., San Jose PD, and San Francisco FD.
And in the spirit of true sportsmanship, the North Kern State Prison basketball team has always maintained the grace of a good winner - something the facility and the Department should be very proud of. This team should be congratulated and encouraged to continue to represent the profession in the Western States Police and Fire Games.
I would like to thank them all for their participation - and I would like to challenge them to bring their athletic abilities to the World Games.
I think if they play at the level that they are all capable of, the NKSP basketball team should have no trouble bringing home a medal. The next World Games competition will be in New York in August 2011. I hope to see them there.
Again, thanks to all the team members for a job well done. Congratulations!
If you like HOOPS - we're looking for you!
Get out your whistle and lace up your tennies! The ELK GROVE POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE is looking for officers to serve as youth basketball coaches for their upcoming season.
We know that many of CCPOA's fine officers live in and around the city of Elk Grove and we would love to have you join us in this worthwhile endeavor. The Police Activities League, which is running in conjunction with the NBA's Sacramento Kings Jr. Kings program, is set to begin play in mid-January and will run for approximately 10 weeks.
This is a co-ed league with two divisions: 4th-6th graders and 7th-9th graders. The time commitment is two (2) one-hour practices per week at local elementary schools, and one (1) two-hour game commitment on Saturdays at Albiani Middle School.
Playoffs will consist of one local playoff game and a championship game to be played at Arco Arena - the home of the Sacramento Kings - prior to a Kings game that night.
Also, a Q & A session with the Kings coaching staff and players, and a ticket to the April 10 Kings game against the Dallas Mavericks (after our championship games) will be included for the participants.
We have secured many practice locations around the city, and coaching assignments and practice schedules will be made with flexibility and officer convenience in mind. You do not have to live in the city limits to participate.
Take advantage of this opportunity to be a mentor and sports coach to the youth of Elk Grove. You don't have to be John Wooden (or even know who that is*) to be a good coach and make a positive impact on a child's life. Other coaches will be provided on a volunteer basis and you may not even have to be a head coach.
If you are interested, we'd sure like to hear from you. Please contact Elk Grove PD Officer Manuel Saenz (msaenz@elkgrovepd.org) as soon as possible.
* John Wooden is the legendary former UCLA basketball coach. He recently celebrated his 99th birthday.
