MIAMI – The Miami HEAT will be hosting a HEAT Youth Basketball Clinic presented by Gatorade at the AmericanAirlines Arena on Thursday, February 28th at 2:00 p.m. HEAT players Chris Andersen and Jarvis Varnado will join former HEAT Trainer Ron Culp in conducting the clinic. They will also be joined by In-Arena Host, Dale, as well Burnie and the Xtreme Team. The event will include 100 fifth grade students from the HEAT Academy programs at Riverside Elementary, Paul L. Dunbar K-8 Center, and Jesse J. McCrary, Jr. Elementary School.
This clinic is in accordance with NBA FIT, the league's comprehensive health and wellness program that encourages physical activity and healthy living for children and families through programs, events, and products year-round. Through a nationwide network of more than 1,100 community-based organizations, NBA/WNBA FIT reaches more than 2.5 million youth and families each year.
The HEAT Youth Basketball Program, presented by Gatorade, will supply each participant in this clinic with a free HEAT Youth Basketball jersey, membership card for a discount at The Miami HEAT Store, as well as a HEAT Youth Basketball bookmark and a commemorative 2012 championship team mini-poster. Select league members are also afforded the opportunity to gain excellent on and off-court basketball training and instruction from HEAT players and coaches at special basketball clinics.
HEAT Academy, an after school program that provides elementary school students with extra exposure to academics, particularly math, reading, writing, and science, is the flagship community initiative of the Miami HEAT. Celebrating its 14th year of existence, HEAT Academy, presented by Carnival Cruise Lines, has been implemented at three local inner city schools: Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center, Jesse J. McCrary, Jr. Elementary and Riverside Elementary. In addition to a curriculum geared for success on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT), students receive assistance with homework, have a safe place to be when their parents are not available, and learn from positive role models who inspire kids to excel. HEAT staffers volunteer their time throughout the year to assist HEAT Academy students. Additional sponsors of HEAT Academy include Florida Blue and C1 Bank.