COLONIAL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2014 MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP CHARITABLE PARTNERS

COLONIAL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2014 MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP CHARITABLE PARTNERS

CAA to support local community organizations and programs, including Special Olympics Maryland, the Casey Cares Foundation, Associated Black Charities & Sports Boosters of Maryland

(Baltimore, Md.) – The Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) today announced its 2014 Men’s Basketball Championship charitable partners, including Special Olympics Maryland (SOMD), the Casey Cares Foundation, Associated Black Charities (ABC) and Sports Boosters of Maryland.

Special Olympics Maryland (SOMD) provides year-round sports training and competition for more than 6,500 Maryland children and adults with intellectual disabilities. In partnership with SOMD, the CAA will provide tickets for Special Olympics athletes and their families, in addition to hosting a half-time shooting exhibition between Special Olympics basketball players and CAA fans during one of the tournament games on Saturday, March 8. 

“Special Olympics Maryland is thrilled to partner with the CAA surrounding this year’s Men’s Basketball Championship,” said Jim Schmutz, Special Olympics President & CEO. “Our athletes, families and volunteers are excited for the opportunity to not only attend the tournament, but to have the chance to show off their basketball skills on the court alongside other fans. We are thankful to the CAA for supporting our mission of transforming SOMD athletes’ lives through sport.”

The Casey Cares Foundation provides personalized, uplifting and fun-loving programs with a special touch to critically ill children and family members throughout the Mid-Atlantic States. In partnership with the Casey Cares Foundation, the CAA will provide tickets for Casey Cares Foundation families, in addition to inviting Casey Cares children to serve as ball runners during several of the tournament games.

“We are excited to partner with the CAA for the Men’s Basketball Championship this year,” said Casey Baynes, Founder and Executive Director of the Casey Cares Foundation. “It is incredible that so many of our families will have the opportunity to attend the games, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some  of our children who will serve as ball runners on the court and truly be a part of the tournament.”

Associated Black Charities (ABC) is an organization dedicated to creating more inclusive avenues of success through advocacy and grant-making in areas such as higher education, workforce development and training, financial management, and healthcare. The CAA will provide tickets to ABC for use in various career workshop and health screening programs for its members.

"ABC is delighted to partner with the CAA as we continue to work toward removing structural barriers to economic growth for all members of our community,” said Diane Bell McKoy, President & CEO of Associated Black Charities. “We are thrilled to welcome the Men's Basketball Championship to Baltimore!”

The Sports Boosters of Maryland provide local children with the opportunity to participate in sports through grants and fundraising events. The CAA has donated soccer balls and basketballs to local recreational leagues across the Baltimore region in need of sports equipment.

“The board and members of the Sports Boosters of Maryland are thrilled with our continuing partnership with the CAA,” said Alvin Levi, President of the Sports Boosters of Maryland. “For the past several months, the CAA has been wonderful in helping to us instill the values of sports into the children we assist.”

“The CAA is honored for the opportunity to work with these remarkable organizations surrounding our 2014 Men’s Basketball Championship,” said Tom Yeager, CAA Commissioner. “Special Olympics Maryland, the Casey Cares Foundation, Associated Black Charities and the Sports Boosters of Maryland all share in our vision to make a profound impact for the betterment of our communities, and we look forward to supporting their missions through sport.”

Tickets for the 2014 CAA Men’s Basketball Championship can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com, or through the Baltimore Arena Box Office at 410-347-2020. 

The 2014 CAA Men’s Basketball Championship will be held March 7 – 10, 2014 at the Baltimore Arena. The nine CAA member institutions, including reigning champion James Madison University, College of Charleston, the University of Delaware, Drexel University, Hofstra University, the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Northeastern University, Towson University and the College of William and Mary, will battle in eight exciting games over the course of four days for a bid to the 2014 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.

For additional information on the CAA Men's Basketball Championship, visit www.CAAsports.com.

About the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA)

The Colonial Athletic Association is a nine-member Division I athletic conference with a geographic footprint that stretches from Boston to Charleston, S.C. and encompasses several of the nation’s largest media markets. The CAA conducts championships in 22 sports and has produced 16 national team champions in five different sports, 33 individual national champions, 13 national Players of the Year, 12 national Coaches of the Year and 13 Honda Award winners. Member institutions include the College of Charleston, the University of Delaware, Drexel University, Hofstra University, James Madison University, the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Northeastern University, Towson University and the College of William and Mary.

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About Special Olympics Maryland (SOMD)

Special Olympics Maryland (SOMD) is a year-round sports organization dedicated to providing quality sports training and competition opportunities to Maryland’s children and adults with intellectual disabilities and/or closely related development disabilities.  SOMD currently provides thousands of sports experiences annually for athletes statewide, and offers 24 sports, all at no cost to the athletes or their families.  For more information about SOMD visit www.somd.org or call 410-789-6677.

About the Casey Cares Foundation

The Casey Cares Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides personalized, uplifting and fun-loving programs with a special touch to critically ill children and family members

throughout the Mid-Atlantic States. Programs include Celebration Vacations, Family Festivities, Kami's Jammies, Birthday Blasts, Caring Connection Parties and Better Together. Visit: www.caseycaresfoundation.org       

About Associated Black Charities (ABC)

Associated Black Charities (ABC) is a public foundation that facilitates the creation of measurably healthier and wealthier communities throughout the State of Maryland through       responsible leadership and philanthropic investment. Through its “More in the Middle” initiative and its health disparities work, ABC acts as a convener, advocate and grantmaker to address issues impacting Maryland communities. For more information on Associated Black Charities, visit www.abc-md.org.

About Sports Boosters of Maryland

The Sports Boosters of Maryland is a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization dedicated to making a difference in our community by supporting children’s sports programs. Sports  Boosters maintains that sports play an important role in the shaping and maturing of young boys and girls. By bridging the budgetary gaps in children’s sports programs, the Sports Boosters of Maryland assists in allowing more children to participate in sports. For more information, visit www.sportsboosters.com/.

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