Playground Rebound Revitalizes More Than Just Backboards

Sixers Director of Player Development Doug Overton and rookie guard Louis Williams give autographs to local kids. Sixers Photos

Growing up as an athlete you are taught that “winning isn’t everything”. However, when The Philadelphia 76ers, The Philadelphia Department of Recreation and the Pepsi Bottling Group join forces in support of the 76ers Playground Rebound program, how can you lose?

On Wednesday afternoon, the only thing more refreshing than the crisp autumn air was the new sense of hope of those attending the 76ers Playground Rebound Backboard Revitalization Project ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Francisville Recreation Center at Francis and Shirley Streets. The ceremony hosted by Sixers rookie Louis Williams, Director of Player Development Doug Overton, and Sixers Play-by-Play Announcer Mark Zumoff, kicked off this season’s commitment to put up 40 new backboards at 11 Philadelphia neighborhood playgrounds. In the past five years, the Playground Rebound initiative has replaced a total of 128 Backboards and rims at 45 different playgrounds.

All who collaborated in this project, including Zumoff, are aware of the vast impact that this seemingly small deed provides.

“Well I think, if you take 128 backboards which is what the 76ers are ultimately refurbishing, and if you figure 1,000 kids will play on a backboard through a given year, that is 128,000 kids who are doing a healthy, physical, worthwhile, activity; that not only am I proud to be a part of but I know the folks at Pepsi-Cola are proud to be a part of as well,” said Zumoff.

Additionally, officials from the Department of Recreation and Wrenton Wright, the Director of Urban Marketing for Pepsi Bottling Group, joined the Sixers to contribute to the success of Playground Rebound by acting as a corporate sponsor.

“Our goal is to focus on youth and give them safe activities to get involved in," stated Wright. "So, if it’s basketball, if it’s the arts, if it’s academics, however we can keep our youth in the community, in a safer environment, than having to deal with the evils on the street, those are type things we want to do.”

Rookie Louis Williams was actively involved and helping with Overton’s Basketball 101 Clinic which followed the ribbon-cutting ceremony. He helped coach the youngsters in drills and exciting, competitive shoot-offs to a large group of ecstatic youths. As the clinic commenced Williams happily autographed an item or two for every child in the massive crowd that surrounded him. Williams inspired the children to achieve their full potential through hard work and dedication.

It is no secret that growing up as a Philadelphia youth entails many obstacles to hurdle and many temptations to resist. A healthy, active community is undeniably the greatest weapon to combat such negative pressures forced upon today’s youth. Overton feels great helping today’s youth, as his roots are also that of a Philadelphia youth. He is certain that community played a major role in achieving his goal to play in the NBA.

“I mean I love Playground Rebound because one, you see it’s something new. It means a lot to these kids that they can come to this playground and have the Sixers logo on it and know that we came up to put something up there," Overton said. "You feel good about it. I mean, sometimes this is all you have, is your playground.”

It was a fun filled day at the Francisville Recreation Center with an even brighter outlook on tomorrow.

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The Philadelphia 76ers and the Philadelphia Department of Recreation have once again joined forces to revitalize Philadelphia area playgrounds as part of the Sixers Playground Rebound program, presented by The Pepsi Bottling Group. This season, 40 new backboards and rims at 11 city playgrounds will be installed. Over the past five years, the Playground Rebound initiative has replaced a total of 128 backboards and rims at 45 playgrounds in Philadelphia.

The 40 backboards, adorned with a 76ers and Pepsi logo, were made available by a donation to the Philadelphia Department of Recreation through Sixers Charities. A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of all 11 playgrounds will be held at the Francisville Recreation Center at Francis and Shirley Streets on Wednesday, Oct. 19. Sixers rookie Louis Williams, Director of Player Development Doug Overton and Marc Zumoff, the Sixers Play-by-Play Announcer, will be accompanied by officials from the Department of Recreation and Wrenton Wright, the Director of Urban Marketing for The Pepsi Bottling Group. Overton will conduct a Basketball 101 clinic at the site following the ceremony.

The 76ers backboard revitalization project aims to refurbish area playgrounds, recreation centers and athletic facilities by providing grants and basketball equipment. The goal of the program is to give children of the Delaware Valley the opportunity to enjoy the game of basketball with new equipment. The Sixers launched the Playground Rebound program at Old School Park and Playground on Franklin Avenue in Woodbine, N.J., on Friday, Sept. 1, 2000, marking the only site outside of Philadelphia.

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2004-05 Playground Rebound

2003-04 Playground Rebound

2002-03 Playground Rebound