JOY OF THE GAME TO HOST SECOND ANNUAL SCOTT PIPPEN SKILLS CAMP FOR YOUTH BASKETBALL PLAYERS
DEERFIELD, IL (JUNE 10, 2014) - After an amazing response to its first Scottie Pippen Skills Camp, Joy of the Game (JOTG), the North Shore's premier basketball facility, is proud to host the second annual Scottie Pippen Skills Camp. The camp is open to boys ages 8-15 and girls ages 10-14 and will be held in two sessions, the first from June 10th-13th, and the second from August 11th-14th at Joy of the Game (158 S. Waukegan Road). Additionally, Joy of the Game is hosting a shorter, 3-day camp from June 11th-13th, due to an extended school year from snow days. Run by Scottie Pippen himself alongside JOTG staff, participants will be on the court with Pippen to learn new basketball techniques and tips at these fun four-day camps!
"I am excited to bring this camp around for the second time. Last year was a great success and this year won't be anything short of that. The kids are a blast to work with and they have a lot of potential," says Scottie Pippen, one of the top 50 greatest NBA players of all time and one of Chicago's own. "JOTG primes them for a great athletic career and I'm honored to help."
"Scottie is very involved in our community and is a great resource for the kids. We are truly thankful he wants to continue this camp and stay involved," says Josh Carl, owner of Joy of the Game.
The camp curriculum will concentrate on fundamental basketball skills such as ball handling, free throws, footwork and rebounding. Players will also learn that although scoring is exciting and fun, the key to winning any basketball game is good defense and teamwork. Additionally, the camp will focus on the fast break and transition defense and offense.
Throughout the days, Pippen will run the camp and work directly with the players on the floor. Pippen will teach his techniques and instill in them the true meaning of teamwork on the court. His goal is for each attendee to gain a greater understanding of the game while having a good time.
Other exciting camp highlights include:
• Personal instruction from Scottie Pippen and JOTG's highly qualified staff
• Developmentally appropriate training for all players. Players will be divided by age, and pushed to become a better all-around player
• Team concepts focusing on the fast break, transition defense and offense, and the true meaning of teamwork
• Individual and team competitions. This is a chance for attendees to put what they just learned into live game situations
• Every camper will get a camp photo with Scottie Pippen
• Question and answer session with Scottie Pippen: Find out what it takes to get to the NBA, how hard he worked, and what some of his favorite basketball moments are
• Free camp Nike shirt, and other great giveaways
The 4-day camps will be offered in half sessions for $275: in the morning from 9-11:30am, or in the afternoon from 12:30-3pm. The full session runs from 9am-3pm for $525, with an hour lunch break from 11:30am-12:30pm. The special 3-day camp from June 11th-13th will be offered for $210 for half sessions and $395 for a full session. Visit http://www.joyofthegame.com/ for more information on these events and to register online. Space is limited; sign up today to save a spot! Payment in full is required on the first day of a session to participate.
ABOUT SCOTTIE PIPPEN
One of the most versatile and talented players, Scottie Pippen orchestrated an offense like a point guard, rebounded like a power forward, scored like a shooting guard, and defended on the perimeter like few others. The seven-time All-Star was a vital component of the Chicago Bulls' six NBA Championships in the 1990s. Pippen is a two time gold medal Olympian (1992, 1996). He was an eight-time member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team (1992-1999) and 1994 NBA All-Star MVP. In 2010, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall-of-Fame.
ABOUT JOY OF THE GAME
Founded in 1993, Joy of the Game has evolved from a small basketball clinic based in the North Shore of Chicago to the premier basketball facility and teaching center in the Chicago area. Joy of the Game offers a full array of programming that lends itself to players of all ages and skill levels and taught by a top-notch staff of expert, caring and qualified coaches. It is also the home to the nationally recognized Rising Stars travel basketball program. Joy of the Game believes that sports are not only about competition, but are an outlet to teach life's valuable lessons. The ultimate goal of Joy of the Game is to give each player the skills to deal with life's challenges in a positive and fun environment while instilling a sense of pride for his or her individual and team accomplishments. To learn more about Joy of the Game, visit http://www.joyofthegame.com/ or call 847-498-6646.