2008 OVERVIEW
A NEW BUILDING WITH NEW IDEAS
As of 2008, Toledo PAL has found a place to call home. The gym at the Old Leverette Junior High School on Manhattan will be the site for many new programs for the PAL programs. Athletic activities, tutoring, and mentoring programs will be offered to youth in Lucas County as soon as this Summer.
A New Soccer Program on the Rise
June 11, 2008 began a soccer program for 4th grade girls. The goal of this program is to teach these girls the fundamentals of soccer in hopes of forming a league in the future. With approximately 20 girls taking part and tremendous parental support, the program was a success. The program is coached by members of the
Toledo Police Department and the Sheriff’s Department. Summer practices took place every Wednesday at Smith Park. Beginning this Fall, the girls will compete in an indoor soccer league.
PAL Baseball Season
PAL baseball started on Saturday May 10 with the annual Opening Day parade. There were two games scheduled that turned out to be a couple of the best games played in all the years of PAL. All players and coaches enjoyed a lunch of grilled hot dogs, chips and pop.
Saturday June 14 was the first End of School party for PAL. All the players and coaches were invited to the Cold Fusion Ice Cream shop for hot dogs, chips, pop, and ice cream. Ian Ostlund, a pitcher for the Toledo Mud Hens, joined us for the outing. He spoke to the youth, answered questions, and signed autographs. There was a raffle for some real cool prizes but the players had to have all their paperwork turned in if they wanted to participate.
That same night, three players and a coach joined PAL staff at Fifth Third Field for the Mud Hens game. PAL was presented with a check that represented the proceeds from the Toft’s Ice Cream score board promotion. Fans could have an acknowledgement posted on the scoreboard in exchange for a small donation.
The entire league attended an anti drug/alcohol/smoking clinic at Fifth Third Field on June 17. Afterwards, we were allowed to stay for the game and were treated for lunch.
The White Sox, coached by Officer Mike Marotta and civilians Steve Boyd and Veronica Wilson, were the champions. They finished the season undefeated…which is only the second time that has happened in the history of Toledo PAL.
The season ended with a banquet at Fifth Third Field. All the players, coaches, and chaperones were treated to an all-you-can-eat buffet, a ball game, and fireworks afterward.
Trophies and plaques were awarded to all the players and coaches regardless of how they finished.
A LOOK AT THE P.A.L PANTHER BASKETBALL TEAM
2008 P.A.L. 6th grade boys basketball team has had a successful season. The team started off going undefeated (10-0) in the Toledo city parks and recreational league and also winning the post season tournament. After ruling the city of Toledo the PAL panthers were ready to put their show on the road. Their first challenge was the “Bean City Challenge” in Lima, Ohio. 16 teams from Ohio and Michigan participated. The Panthers fell 1 game short of participating in the championship losing to the Dayton Airmen 56-48 but still brought home the third place trophy a great accomplishment for their first travel team experience. The Panthers then traveled to Akron, Ohio to play in Lebron James’s “KING JAMES CLASSIC” where 900+ teams from all-over the U.S.A. and Canada showed up to display their talents. The Panthers faced some tough competition winning their first game against a team from Pittsburg, Pa. but losing the next game to a team from central Indiana. The Panthers needed a win in their third to make tournament play. They
had to play the Mansfield Tigers form Mansfield, Ohio. This game went down to the wire where the Pal Panthers missed the go ahead basket at the buzzer, losing 49-48. The PAL Panthers would regroup and go on win their next tournament “The Sylvania Shootout” in Sylvania, Ohio. The team went 5-0 in this tournament beating the Northwest Ohio Saints 61-39 in the championship. After winning their first tournament the Panthers would travel to Dayton, Ohio to play in the Metro Roundball Classic. In this tournament the Panthers record was 3-2 where they finished 5th. After a short break from competition the Panthers played in the St. Johns Jesuit High School summer basketball league, where they finished the regular season in first place with a 5-2 record. Their two losses came from Toledo Glass 8th grade A.A.U. basketball team and McTigue junior high 8th grade team. The Panthers went on to win the St. Johns Junior Titans tournament championship’ in which they beat the Bedford Cavaliers 38-28
Another successful golf outing has come and gone! It was a sunny day at Eagles Landing on June 23rd for the outing. The winning score for the day was a 13 under par 59 shot by a team sponsored by Tom Young and Wellness Buy BMR. After a scorecard playoff Tom Young’s team walked away with the victory and the tailgate grills. The putting green contest was a success with the grand prize going to Chris Jager from Lathrop. Overall the outing was very successful with 32 teams participating, numerous hole sponsorships, and volunteers to help out. We appreciate everyone who took part in making this a memorable day and look forward to seeing you all back next year.
G.A.P.S
Girls Achieving Promise and Success
G.A.P.S., a mentoring program for junior high through highschool girls is off and running for another year. Since May, approximately 8-12 girls have been in attendance in the bi-monthly meetings. Each meeting girls are given the opportunity to listen to female professionals in the Toledo area to find out career options for the future. Community service projects and field trips are also part of the group’s plans.
PAL BOXING AT THE NEW FACILITY
The P.A.L Boxing program started back up mid-September at the P.A.L building. Approximately 50 participants both boys and girls are involved in this program. The kids practice five days a week and are required to go to tutoring on these days. P.A.L staff and coaches hope to have some boxers ready to compete by the beginning of 2009.
OTHER NEW PROGRAMS FOR P.A.L
As of Fall 2008, P.A.L has it’s own volleyball program with consists of 5th and 6th grade girls. The girls practice twice a week and are required to go to tutoring on these days as well. Beginning in November P.A.L has plans of setting up games for the girls to compete. Assistant Program Director, LaShondra Rayford, and Program Director, Brandi Berends are the coaches.
Cubscouts began the week of October 6, 2008. The group currently has approximately 12 boys in grades 1-5 involved in the program. Assistant Program Director, Dana Taylor, along with volunteers run this program. In November, PAL began a cooking program as well. The group of 5th and 6th graders meets once a week.
In 2009, art, dodgeball, bowling, and sewing will begin. As with all other P.A.L programs, all participants will be required to attend tutoring on the days they are involved in a program.
Currently, P.A.L’s tutoring program has approximately twelve tutors. On any given night, 5-7 tutors are at the building to tutor the P.A.L participants.