By Rose Crawford

Mar. 23, 2016:  The Athletic Council of Bronxville High School once again sponsored the annual Harlem Wizards Basketball Event. This event, which was held on March 13, is a very special tradition, offering entertainment by the Harlem Wizards to the community, as well as providing a rewarding service opportunity for the many high school student athletes who run the event.

For at least eight years, the Athletic Council has brought the talented Harlem Wizards (a more modest version of the Harlem Globetrotters) to The Bronxville School to compete in a fun-filled, action-packed basketball "performance." Over 560 tickets are sold each year, packing the gym with a sold-out crowd. Young and old alike were in attendance again this year, families from the Bronxville School and St. Joseph School communities, as well as many Bronxville teachers and their children.

"This year's show was especially entertaining, with outstanding teams competing against the Wizards," reflected Matt Fisher, the teacher liaison for the Athletic Council. "Our teams of teachers and student-athletes were all great sports and had a lot of fun. Seeing the young kids cheering for their teachers and the older students was priceless."

Between quarters, the Wizards and Athletic Council members brought many elementary school students down to the floor and held contests and gave out prizes. Lange's Delicatessen sponsored the players' T-shirts, and Citrine Jewelry sponsored the ticket production.

"The kids really love the Wizards, and it's an ideal family event," shared Athletic Council co-president Taylor Sears. "They go crazy over the tricks and games. This is one of my favorite AC events because it gets the largest number of elementary students involved, and it is so rewarding to see their happiness after all our hard work."

Proceeds from the game support the many events of the Athletic Council, including homecoming weekend, Bronco Bonanza, and Spirit Week. Community service projects and sports awards nights are also supported with proceeds from this basketball event.

The Athletic Council is an arm of the PTA and is run by elected student-athletes, chaired this year by co-presidents Matthew Bettino and Sears. The elected executive board is 24 students strong this year--its largest membership to date. The council provides the student-athletes a great opportunity to develop leadership skills and the art of "giving back," all while promoting and providing school spirit around athletic events and other service events.

"It is especially rewarding to become the student leaders who run this Harlem Wizards event, as we can remember attending it as the kids with wide-open eyes, laughing so loudly," shared Bettino. "It is great to see it all come full circle and to be the student-athletes who are giving back."

Next up for the Athletic Council is Spirit Week, which will take place in late April and includes school spirit activities, a community service day for all interested high school students, and fan days or service events for each spring sport, all of which will support a chosen charity.

"We are really excited for our spring fan days and activities," said Bettino. "Look out for more information as April unfolds."

Pictured here (rotating):  The Harlem Wizards Basketball Event at the Bronxville School gym.

Photos by George Daskalakis