Lubbock’s annual Youth vs. First Responders Game returns
LUBBOCK, Texas — For 6-years running now, Hub City Street Hoops founder Leditt Butler and his amazing after school street ballers ranging in ages from 12-17 have hosted the annual Youth vs. First Responders Game right here in Lubbock. What started out as the Youth vs. Police game (an idea originally fostered by Butler to bring the community together in a new and unique and way) has now grown to include local firefighters too. What’s even more exciting is that the youth side of the game is now inclusive of ten LISD schools to participate this year.
Butler’s initial vision of giving local kids around town a safe environment to dwell in after school for recreation and mentorship is growing fast into something truly special for the Lubbock community. “Our goal is to get more kids the opportunity to play in the game against the police officers and firefighters. This year ten new LISD schools have the opportunity to play, whereas before it was only for kids in the community.” The newly added LISD youth participants will have organized practices from 4-6pm in preparation for the big Street Hoops event in March. “Everyone gets to play,” says Butler, “and all the kids will be in brackets that will ensure they get to play against first responders.”
The game brings together police officers and firefighters from all over Lubbock together with area youths to make up this truly special annual event. “The kids have a great time playing against the first responders,” says Butler, “and since playing the game at the Dream Court a lot of area kids have taken notice and wanted to get involved.”
Butler’s original vision for the game as a positive way to bring the community closer together has developed into an impressive reality. “The whole message behind the game is to build relationships between our first responders and our youth,” says Butler, “you can see the enjoyment on the faces of both the first responders and the kids who come to play too—respect and camaraderie through competition is what it’s all about.”
Over the years the game has produced some great memories for both the youth and first responders. A few years ago one of the kids crossed over and scored on the police chief, last year one of the kids dunked and a great new tradition was started where the youth squads get to pick a first responder MVP. “Last year ,” says Butler, “we gave the youth the opportunity to pick the first responder MVP and they picked one of the police officers, which really says something about the spirit and progress of both the annual game and the community relationships that it establishes for both now and the future.” Butler is ever appreciative of the first responder’s willingness to come out and play the game over the years, “the kids really look forward to it, and the spirit of that game is something that’s truly needed in our society right now.”
The event will be held this year on March 11th from 10am to 4pm. The gym at Project Intercept can facilitate up to 1,500 spectators and fans—so come out and join the fun and support the community. Anybody can attend. “It’s free and open to the public,” says Butler, “the more the merrier–we want everybody to come out, enjoy the games and create opportunities to see how we can better our program and see in person all the good it does for our community.”
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