East Lansing Offering Buddy Basketball Program This Winter

The ELi team is looking forward to getting back to normal sports reporting in 2021, when (we hope) the public health emergency lets up. In the meantime, as the ELi team fundraises to be here for East Lansing in 2021, we have this:

“Buddy Basketball,” a co-ed program run by the City of East Lansing to introduce kindergarten and first-grade students to basketball, is tentatively slated to go ahead this January and February.

According to a City press release announcing the program, it “emphasizes fun and skill development in dribbling, passing, shooting and other ball-handling skills as well as group coordination and sportsmanship.”

The registration period ends Jan. 8, 2021, and the program is slated to run six weeks, from Jan. 23 to Feb. 27. Sessions take place on Saturdays at the Hannah Community Center (819 Abbot Road) and each child will be assigned for a 50-minute session, either in the morning or early afternoon. Each child will also get a basketball to keep.

Find out more from the City sports webpage and the registration form for Buddy Basketball. The cost is $65 for East Lansing residents and $70 for non-residents. 

The press release also notes that the program is subject to Covid-19 public health orders, like other educational and sports programs. If it is cancelled, fees will be reimbursed. 

To keep everyone safe, during each session, there will be rules about the number of spectators and a procedure for the children to follow.

“In the interest of the children’s and coach’s health, ELPRA will be limiting the number of spectators to one per child,” the press release said. “Additionally, each child will have their temperature taken and will be given a COVID-19 screening questionnaire. Participants will also need to wear a clean face covering for each session.”  

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