Rise Above, a Seattle-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Native youth, is gearing up for its annual SportsFest on June 22nd. This exciting event will feature sports and wellness clinics for local youth, with coaching and mentorship provided by renowned sports hall-of-Famers and celebrities.

SportsFest Details

The SportsFest will occur at Seattle University, 550 14th Ave, starting at 10 am. The event promises a day filled with basketball, floor hockey, tennis, and pickleball training clinics, all led by experienced coaches from various local community organizations. Following the clinics, an educational session will feature celebrity athletes and coaches sharing insights on the importance of wellness and mentorship. Over 150 enthusiastic kids are expected to participate in this year's SportsFest.

VIP Appearances

This year's SportsFest boasts an impressive lineup of VIP guests, including NBA Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens, former NBA coach and Hall of Famer George Karl, Seattle Mariners broadcaster Bill Krueger, former NBA All-star Dale Ellis, former Seattle Storm player and current Force4Change Director Crystal Langhorne, and Rise Above Ambassadors Freddy Brown III and Emma Worgum.

In addition to the sports clinics and celebrity appearances, Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Vin Baker and former SuperSonic and longtime NBA coach Nate McMillan will lead a support huddle and talkback session for parents and community members. This session will focus on crucial topics such as mental wellness, mentorship, and education pathways, providing valuable resources and guidance to attendees.

Rise Above's New Partnership with Seattle Storm

As Rise Above approaches its 10-year anniversary, the organization is thrilled to announce its new partnership with the Seattle Storm WNBA team. This collaboration includes co-sponsoring the June 22nd SportsFest and joining forces for the Jr. Storm Community Hoops program. Together, they will host one free basketball camp and five free basketball clinics for youth throughout 2024. The Seattle Storm will provide expert coaching and training for all of these events, ensuring that participants receive top-notch instruction and support.

Thanks to the generous support from Jr. Storm Community Hoops partners Providence Swedish and Starbucks, each young participant will receive a t-shirt, basketball, and two tickets to an upcoming Storm game, creating lasting memories and fostering a love for the sport.

About Rise Above

Rise Above was founded by Native sports legend and Nez Perce tribal member Jaci McCormack with a mission to address the challenges faced by Native American communities, including high rates of unemployment, poverty, substance abuse, and mental illness. By providing education, prevention skills, sports clinics, mentorship, and other essential resources, Rise Above aims to empower Native youth and create positive change, one life at a time.