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UC hosts CPS basketball All-Star Showcase event March 26 to benefit charity

Watch basketball stars from CPS display skills. Event includes an education and career fair.

headshot of Angela Koenig By Angela Koenig 513-558-4625
3 minute read January 18, 2022

Event Information (passed)

Date: - Location: UC's Fifth Third Arena Ticketing: CPS Basketball All-Star Showcase

In partnership with Cincinnati Public Schools, the University of Cincinnati’s sports administration program will host the first annual CPS All-Star Showcase on Saturday, March 26, noon to 5:30 p.m., at UC’s Fifth Third Arena.

The event is representative of the university’s CPS Strong initiative, which works to establish an institution-wide model to engage and empower Cincinnati Public School students.

The sports administration program at UC operates within the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, and students from the college will assist with organizing and overseeing the event.

"CPS Strong is an incredible initiative and being involved in its development through our work on the CPS Basketball All-Star Showcase has been enjoyable,” says Ricky Miller, assistant district athletics manager at CPS. Events like this bring our city together and strengthen our community in a major way and on behalf of Cincinnati Public Schools, we're very thankful for the University of Cincinnati and the new opportunities that are being created through this collaboration.” 

Basketball player Paul McMillan IV, a senior, at Woodward High School shown at the Dennis Bennet Classic. Bennet is wearing a Dawgs jersey and appears to have just dunked the basketball.

CPS student Paul McMillan IV, a senior at Woodward High School, will participate in the All-Star Showcase. McMillian is shown here at the Dennis Bettis Classic. Photo/ CPS athletics.

The day’s activities will include two CPS all-star basketball games and individual competitions between CPS basketball players from most of the Cincinnati high schools. Activities include a three-point contest, slam dunk contest and a skills competition. In conjunction with the athletic events, an education and career fair will also take place inside the arena.

There will be a nominal cost for admission, with discounted tickets for students, and proceeds from this event will go to CPS Project Connect, a program founded in 1996 that helps provide CPS students experiencing homelessness with backpacks, school supplies, uniforms, transportation, after-school tutoring and more.

“Having my UC sport administration students involved with the All-Star event, in addition to the education and career fair, is a win-win for everyone involved. I am beyond thrilled in coordinating this to generate funds that will make an impact on those students within CPS experiencing the distress of homelessness,” says UC’s David Kelley, associate professor and online sports administration program coordinator.  

“We are all united to alter that reality, and it's my hope and desire to make this an annual event," says Kelley.

CPS serves about 1,700 students whose families are homeless. Project Connect offers help by clearing obstacles to enrollment and attendance, arranging transportation and additional enrichment opportunities as well as many other resources.

For more information, or to provide a sponsorship, contact UC’s David Kelley or CPS’ Ricky Miller.

Featured photo collage at top of CPS basketball players. Photo/CPS athletics. 

 

CPS Strong

Our city is only as strong as our public school system. CPS Strong is working to establish an institution-wide model to engage and empower Cincinnati Public School students. By aligning programs and services to ensure readiness, create access, and foster success, we can achieve educational transformation and positively impact the future of our university and our city. Next Lives Here.

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