The main goal of the organization is to give athletes the best possible training without injuries and for them to have fun as children. We want to train, teach and prepare our young athletes for competitions.
BACKGROUND
BYO Track & Basketball Club, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization structured to support highly motivated amateur young athletes who partake in competitive track and field, basketball leagues and tournaments. BYO Track & Basketball Club is an outlet for youth to compete at a higher level at a reasonable price range. The organization has been an avenue to enhance and reach goals for ten (10) years in the community and surrounding area with an open door policy to all children regardless of their family financial status.
BYO Track & Basketball Club was formed in April 1999 by Mrs. Terry A.B. Wilson and Mr. Fredrick Harris. The concept of the organization was formulated from the Big Youth Organization (BYO) founded by Mr. Thomas Ellis. BYO served the community for 13 years with an annual track meet, a read and play football event, and a 3-on-3 blacktop basketball tournament. In 1997, Mr. Ellis decided to expand the track program to an entire track season, however, the organization folded at the end of 1998. To continue the concept, the BYO Track & Basketball Club was born. Our programs are geared to serve children from age 7-17 years old that could not afford to participate on a track club or the local Boys and girls club because of the high registration cost. BYO Track & Basketball Club's fees are way below the average cost of joining one of the local track clubs or the boys and girls clubs. The program's mission is to provide young athletes with a positive training environment in the fundamental techniques and strategies that are necessary to be a competitive track/field or basketball athlete. We provide opportunities for athletes of all ages to pursue excellence in the sport regardless of their family's financial status. However, the main goal is to teach our young athletes the basic skills of the sport and encourage participation in events while promoting good sportsmanship, high self-esteem, independence, team work and friendly competition.
GOALS AND PURPOSE
BYO Track & Basketball Club, Inc., is a family-oriented, non-profit organization located in the Landover Hills-Bladensburg area. Our philosophy is committed to providing young athletes an opportunity to participate in an atmosphere that is based upon good sportsmanship, teamwork, motivation, commitment, and self esteem at reasonable expenses in our Track & Field program or the DEAL Basketball program and tournament.
The purpose of BYO Track & Basketball Club is to: (a) promote and encourage within the territory competition in athletics; (b) promote and encourage physical fitness through track & field and/or basketball; (c) engage in community activities, publicized by appropriate means of physical fitness.
BYO Track & Basketball Club feel the opportunity of many young athletes are overlooked because the parents are unable to afford the cost. Our goal is not self rewarding but the ability to help others to unlock their Olympic potential. To work hard and strive to improve on their personal record each time they compete regardless if they win or lose in competition but also learn discipline and leadership.
