10-Mile Tipoff set to bring the community together

August 8, 2018

For immediate release, from Wicomico County Recreation, Parks & Tourism via Vanessa Junkin.

10-Mile Tipoff set to bring the community together
College doubleheader will raise funds for Wicomico Youth Basketball League scholarships

SALISBURY, Md. – The athletic departments at the Lower Shore’s two premier universities have teamed with Wicomico County Recreation, Parks & Tourism for an event to energize their fan bases for the upcoming season, while raising funds to support the recently launched Wicomico Youth Basketball League.

The 10-Mile Tipoff will pit the University of Maryland Eastern Shore against Salisbury University in a men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader and will take place Thursday, Nov. 1, at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. The women’s game will start at 6 p.m., with the men following at 8 p.m.

Proceeds from the event will benefit a scholarship fund for players up to the sixth grade participating in the WYBL.

“It’s huge for the community,” said Eastern Shore women’s coach Fred Batchelor. “But it’s also a tremendous showcase for two great universities within close proximity and a way for the schools to help each other to capitalize and build off of each other’s resources.”

The event will be a renewal of past matchups between the schools and serve as a place for fans to catch all four programs as they are gearing up for the regular season.

“Our entire team is looking forward to the challenge of the exhibition game,” said SU women’s basketball coach Kelly Baskow. “With the short distance between the two campuses, it’s a natural fit for us to play one another.”

Tickets for the event will begin at $10 for adults, with tickets for youth 12 and under priced at $5. Students from Salisbury University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore will receive free admission with their student ID.

“I think this is a great game for the community,” said Sea Gulls men’s basketball coach Andrew Sachs. “Wicomico County really needs another youth basketball league and our hope is that the benefits from this game will be able to give the county and the youth in the area a quality basketball league.”

Athletes from the two schools frequently work with a number of local charities, so this partnership was a natural fit for all parties.

“It’s paramount that we get out in the community and that we can donate to this cause because the youth are our future. It’s important to invest in your future,” said Hawks men’s coach Clifford Reed. “Also, this game can merge the communities, create a nice rivalry and generate interests in both programs as we go throughout the season.”

Registration for the WYBL will begin Sept. 3 and run through Nov. 9. Children in grades K-8 will be eligible to participate in the league.

The WYBL will be partnering with the Jr. NBA program to incorporate playing guidelines developed by experts from the NBA and USA Basketball. This will contribute to future development and offer a first-class experience to each participant.

“We are very thankful that Salisbury University and the Maryland Eastern Shore basketball programs are helping us to reinvest in our area youth and getting them involved in the sport,” said James Simmons, recreation superintendent for Wicomico County Recreation, Parks & Tourism.

Tickets for the 10-Mile Tipoff can be purchased at www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org, and more information regarding the WYBL can be found at http://bit.ly/WicomicoYouthBasketball.