Basketball in the Barrio to Return Via Zoom Saturday June 20th

El Paso's longest running summer sports camp will return this weekend but with a new twist. The 28th annual Basketball in the Barrio camp will take place this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. via Zoom. This year's theme is "The Show Must Go On." The first 100 kids between the ages of 6 and 10 will have an opportunity to receive a free basketball, t-shirt, and book on the street side of the Armijo Recreation Center, 700 East Seventh Avenue on a first-come, first-serve basis and while supplies last. Pick up times will be this Friday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

"Basketball in the Barrio has been an important part of all of our lives for 3 decades, " Rus Bradburd told 600 ESPN El Paso. "We wanted to keep the good will going by giving as much as we could to the community, despite the challenges. I hope everyone in the neighborhood with a 6 to 10-year-old kid will drive by and visit us at the proper times!"

Steve Yellen has also been associated with Basketball in the Barrio since its inception and he says that there are two major points for the camp. First, it is about helping a kid grow confidence. "The most powerful tool you can give a kid is to teach them a skill, that through repetition and hard work, they can show off in front of family and friends," Yellen said. Second, it is not just a basketball camp. They bring in all types of arts, music, literature and border culture to really open the eyes of the youngsters in the camp. "Our campers realize that they are not from a low income neighborhood but rather one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the country, the metric being culture," Yellen added.

Household Furniture is sponsoring the camp for the first time ever after Price's Creameries had been the sole sponsor since it debuted in 1992. Former New Mexico State basketball player Shawn Harrington will be the special guest volunteer for this year's camp. The point guard played for the Aggies from 1995-96 and he is profiled in Bradburd's latest book "All The Dreams, We've Dreamed."

On a personal note, I am thrilled that Bradburd and Yellen are able to continue with the virtual camp this summer despite the pandemic. It is one of the best kids events that you will find anywhere in the country and both individuals have given an enormous amount of time and effort to making it the success that it has become over the last 28 years.

Join Zoom Meeting, open to all!
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88498612548?pwd=b2o0UFh6WmoxcG9mQWxZY1NGL3hvdz09

Meeting ID: 884 9861 2548
Password: 678259

Household Furniture’s Basketball in the Barrio Zoom Agenda
Tip off Saturday 11:00 AM Mountain Standard Time

11:00 AM MST
Tip off with Tim Hardaway 5-time NBA all star & the UTEP Two Step Killer Cross.

11:10 MST
Bobby Byrd El Paso Poet Laureate

11:20 MST
Current street baller Bennett Shiring - Ferris Wheel Station

11:30 MST
Art Station With Xochitl Rodriguez

11:40 MST
San Diego Asst and basketball magician Coach Lance Lavetter will spin the basketball
on the end of his razor while simultaneously shaving his beard.

11:50 MST
Rus Bradburd intro of Shawn Harrington

12:00 Noon MST
Coach Shawn Harrington

12:10 PM MST
UTEP all time leading scorer Stefon Jackson teaches the Bongos and the Stefon Step up Special

12:20 PM MST
John Cox of Southern Miss and Jon Teicher, Voice of the Miners; their storied broadcasting careers.

12:30 MST
Q&A for John Cox and Jon Teicher

12:40 MST
NMSU Point Guard Tennessee Owens two ball station !

12:50 MST
Ed Holland Tunes!