Mar. 19, 2014:  The athletic council of the Bronxville High School once again sponsored the annual Harlem Wizards event in early March. 

This event is a very special tradition, offering popular entertainment by the Harlem Wizards to the whole community, and it is also a fabulous service opportunity for the many high school student athletes who make up the athletic council and run the event.  

For over five years, the athletic council has brought the hilarious and talented Harlem Wizards, a more modest version of the Harlem Globetrotters, to the high school to compete in a fun-filled, action-packed basketball game and performance. 

Over 550 tickets are sold each year, packing the gym with the sold-out crowd. Young and old alike were in attendance again this year, families from the Bronxville and St. Joseph school communities, and also Bronxville teachers and their children from all over Westchester. The Bronxville School Foundation offered its support once again by providing the fun "uniform" T-shirts for the players. 

"This year's show was especially entertaining, with four fabulous teams competing against the Wizards . . . our teams of teachers, students, and parents were all great sports and had a lot of fun," reflected Matt Fisher, the teacher liaison for the athletic council. 

The Wizards' competition this year included a powerful team of Bronxville teachers, Bronxville's varsity girls' and boys' basketball teams, and a team of all-stars from the St. Joseph's Men's League. After four quarters of great fun and tricky basketball, the Wizards pulled out the victory! 

Between the hilarious quarters, the Wizards and athletic council members brought many elementary school students down to the floor, where they held contests and gave out prizes. "The kids really love this event. They go crazy over the Wizards and the tricks . . . it's really a great family event," shared athletic council co-president Bridget Reilly.

"The best part of this event every year is seeing the joy it brings to so many younger kids but also seeing the hard work and reward experienced by the student athletes of the athletic council as they work the event--they really should be proud of themselves," shared Karen Peterson, athletic director. 

Proceeds from the event support the many events of the Bronxville Athletic Council, which include: school spirit and athletic events such as homecoming weekend, Bronco Bonanza, and spirit week; fan days and charitable awareness events throughout the year; community service projects inside and outside the school; and sports awards nights during each sports season.  

The council is an arm of the PTA and is run by student athletes, chaired this year by co-presidents John Flannery, Bridget Reilly, and Jordan Sears. The outstanding staff liaisons of Matt Fisher and Karen Peterson support the student athletic council, along with a committee of volunteer moms. The council provides the student athletes a great opportunity to develop leadership skills and the art and gift of giving back. 

Next up for the athletic council is spirit week, which will take place in late April and includes spirit activities at school, a community service day for all student athletes, and several fan days for each spring sport, all of which will support a chosen charity. Look out for more information as April unfolds.

Pictured here:  The crowd surrounding the Harlem Wizards after the games.

Photo by Rose Crawford