Positive Message Apparel To Be Tested Locally
Nov 30 | Men's Basketball
Dallas, Texas - In a world of increasingly clever contempt and gratuitous cynicism, seen on everything from t-shirts to television, comes a message of optimism and genuine purpose.
Always Kids, official charity and awareness campaign of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), announces the introduction of a unique apparel line designed to promote solid character and positive self-esteem.
According to Todd Maurer, national executive director of the Salt Lake City-based non-profit, the licensed apparel is being tested at 300 Wal-Mart Stores in select markets throughout the country including Dallas, Texas.
"The test is part of a national roll-out of what will eventually be an entire apparel line, including caps, fleece, outerwear and accessories," said Maurer.
The t-shirts being tested will bear messages such as, "My Dad is My Hero," "Choice, Not Chance, Determines Destiny," and "Generation Positive."
"There are so many negative messages bombarding young people today," Maurer said. "With this line of apparel we hope to deliver upbeat, positive messages within the type of designs considered 'cool' by young people."
SMU men's basketball head coach Mike Dement, who supports Always Kids locally, explains that his involvement is part of a national effort involving NCAA basketball coaches and television stations across the country.
"The Always Kids campaign is designed to raise awareness of how important it is for adults to be involved in the lives of children," Dement said. "Adults need to be unconditionally committed to kids and be willing to spend the time it takes to teach positive principles and provide the leadership kids need to succeed."
The apparel line is a tangible extension to the campaign.
Always Kids was organized in 1995 in an effort to support its sister organization Children's Miracle Network in its missiion to raise funds and awareness to benefit children and children's hospitals. Always Kids has since grown to become a separate entity executing a year-round, integrated community service campaign that motivates adults to spend meaningful time with kids.
The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, adopted Always Kids as an official charity so NABC memebers could pro-actively help kids in the communities in which they live.
The NABC membership includes university and college coaches at NCAA divisions I, II and III institutions with associate memberships available to athletic directors, conference commissioners, faculty members, officials, international federations, high school and junior college coaches. The NABC works to further the best interests of the game of basketball for players and coaches who participate in the sport. They are active in serving their respective communities through programs such as Coaches vs. Cancer, The Children's Miracle Network, National Reading Month, the Coaches Support Network and, most recently, Always Kids.
