Shooting Touch, Inc. Celebrates Sabbatical Program Launch

SATURDAY, APRIL 24th, 2010

Shooting Touch, Inc. Celebrates Sabbatical Program Launch

at Reebok International Headquarters

BOSTON – The non-profit Shooting Touch, Inc. will celebrate its newly established, first-of-its-kind, ‘Sabbatical Program’ that will grant select graduating college seniors the rare opportunity to experience a 10-month international, independent work program outside of the United States. The program’s mission to use the sport of basketball to give back to the global community, influence positive social change and convey life saving skills to 3rd world communities. The first recipient of this grant is Tome Barros, a BC High and Hampton University Graduate, Dorchester, Massachusetts native and Cape Verdean immigrant.

WHO: Jay Troiano (Head Coach for the NBA’s Toronto Raptors), Kenny Atkinson (Assistant Coach of the NBA’s New York Knicks), Mark Recchi (Boston Bruins), Pete Philo(International Scout for the Minnesota Timberwolves) Coach Bob Hurley (2010 Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee and National Championship High School Coach), Fran Fraschilla (ESPN Commentator) and Lenny Clarke(Actor, Boston Comedian).

WHERE: Reebok Headquarters 1895 J.W. Foster Boulevard, Canton, MA 02021

6:30 pm                                    Silent Auction Cocktails & Dinner

8:00pm                                       Silent Auction Tables Close

Guests Proceed to the Basketball Court

8:15pm                         Presentation

                                         MC, ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla

9:00pm                         Live Auction Begins

                                          Daniel J. Flynn, Auctioneer

                                          Lenny Clarke, MC

WHAT: Shooting Touch, Inc. is a basketball non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization based in Boston, MA founded in 2007 by Justin Kittredge, a basketball footwear executive. The organization is based on the premise that basketball’s positive influence on the lives of children can make the world a better place. Shooting Touch, Inc. has three goals: to help EDUCATE young people about life skills including setting and achieving goals; to MENTOR all players and give support whenever needed; and to COACH the fundamentals of basketball to improve individual confidence both on and off the court. 

The Board of Directors for Shooting Touch Inc.’s Sabbatical Program include:

• Kenny Atkinson            Assistant Coach for the NBA’s NY Knicks
• Dee Brown                   Former NBA Star
• Wayne Embry              NBA Hall of Fame Inductee & Former General Manager of the Cleveland

                                                    Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors

• Danilo Galinari              NBA star for the NBA’s NY Knicks
• Coach Bob Hurley        National Championship Coach for the St. Anthony Friars & a 2010 NBA

                                                    Hall of Fame Inductee

• Bobby Hurley, Jr.         Former Duke University and NBA Star
• Pete Philo                      Director of International Scouting /Player Personnel for the Minnesota Timberwolves
• Jason Terry                  NBA star of the Dallas Mavericks
• Jay Triano                   Head Coach for the Toronto Raptors

With the awarded $25,000 stipend from Shooting Touch, Inc. funding his journey, Tome will be working in Brazil, Senegal, Cape Verde and South Africa through his newly created entity B.O.U.N.C.E, Basketball Outreach Unifying Neighborhoods & Communities Everywhere. With Tome leading the B.O.U.N.C.E team, people will learn important life lessons on and off the court. Along with teaching fundamentals of basketball, B.O.U.N.C.E is prepared to educate on AIDS/HIV, healthy eating and exercise. B.O.U.N.C.E has devised a plan to use the sport of basketball as a platform to influence positive social change and improving the awareness and importance of physical activity to underprivileged communities.