Blazers Participate in Habitat for Humanity's 600th House Groundbreaking in WV; New Players Learn About WV Culture
By Richard “Apple Butter” Brown# 4, West Virginia Blazers
It was a privilege for me to travel through the beautiful countryside of West Virginia to the 600th Habitat for Humanity ground blessing ceremony (groundbreaking was called a “ground-blessing”, as volunteers will not break ground till spring of 2010). As I traveled to this historic event, I learned...
Read more
The Blazers a Hit at the 2009 West Virginia State Fair!
The WV Blazers, partnering with Community Connections, exhibited at the 2009 WV State Fair in Fairlea, WV from August 14 to August 22. The Blazers provided 
"Blazer Beads" to state fair attendees, and Blazer pencils to the youth attendees.
The theme of the 9 day presentation was Tobacco Prevention. Community Connections works with the tobacco prevention (WV Quitline) and tobacco cessation (WV SaveFace Program) for the state of WV. The Blazers are proud to partner with Community Connections on this program and were pleased to visit with thousands of State Fair participants.
Blaze, the Blazers mascot, was very popular, visiting with youth of all ages and helping the BMX riders with their performances at the Fair. Members of the Blazers team also had the opportunity to provide thousands of schedules for the upcoming 2009-210 season, and autographs. Several Blazers were also interviewed on WV Metro news during the week (Blazers Greg Pucket and DeNelle Hale pictured left speaking with Hoppy Kercheval).
Plus, check out the YouTube video of a BMX biker jumping his bike over Blaze at the '09 WV State Fair. Don't try this at home!
Blazers Participate in WVNS TV CBS 59 and Fox 59 and Health Fair
The WV Blazers participated with WVNS/CBS59/FOX WV to bring a series of health shows to Southern WV.
The Blazers, accompanied by Blaze, the mascot, will appeared at the Mercer Mall as a part of their series of health shows. The Blazers gave out stick-on tattoos for kids and prizes to some of the participants. The Blazers were invited by WVNS/CBS/FOX to be part of these events to help promote health in southen WV.
Blazers Participating in the Energy Express Program as Celebrity Readers
The WV Blazers have been invited to participate at various sites in southern WV in the Energy Express program for you.
Energy Express, sponsored by West Virginia University, is a six-week summer program promoting the school success of children living in rural and low-income communities across West Virginia by:
- Providing summer learning experiences focused on reading.
- Serving two nutritious family-style meals each day.
- Engaging college students in service through AmeriCorps.
- Developing strong partnerships involving parents, schools, communities, and state agencies and organizations.
Visit the Energy Express Program online at www.energyexpress.wvu.edu.
The Blazers will be serving as role models by reading to students, having lunch with them, and talking to them about the importance of staying in school and away from drugs and crime.
The Blazers are honored to participate in the Energy Express Program.
Blazers participate in Mt. Hope Elementary Career Day
Members of the WV Blazers participated in Mt Hope Elementary Career Day on May 29, 2009. Mt Hope Elementary school is in the small town of Mt Hope, WV. Players provided WV Blazers tattoos for kids and mini-balls were used for prizes and games. "The kids really loved them" said Edie Davis, school Secretary ... "they played with the kids and were great role models for them". The Blazers continue to participate in community events during off season.
Blazers help raise money for United Way of Southern WV and the Womens' Resource Center
Garfields Restaurant at the Crossroads Mall offered more than food and service on Thursday, May 28th. Members of the WV Blazers and other local Celebrities participating in "Celebrity Night" were serving up food and beverages to help raise money for the United Way of Southern WV and the Women's Resource Center. The Blazers were invited by Crossroads Mall to participate in the fundraising event. Players and other celebrities served tables and tips for the evening went to the United Way fund, which supports the Women's Resource Center. The Blazers paired with WOAY-TV for the event. Having fun while helping the community is a favorite pastime of the Blazers!!
Blazers participate in the Multicultural Festival in Beckley, WV
In June, members of the WV Blazers participated in the Beckley Youth Museum's Multicultural Festival. This is the 5th year for this celebration and is a day to celebrate youth. Kids had free food, musical entertainment and games. Blazers were on hand to help the kids have fun and promote a drug and crime free message.
Blazers help with Spring Carnival
This past May, The WV Blazers helped with the Spring Community Carnival at the Lewis Community Center in Oak Hill, WV.Members of the Blazers played games, signed autographs, provided merchandise for auction, and interacted with kids at the event. Blazer DeNelle Hale jumped in when a dunking booth participant was needed and helped to raise money by allowing himself to be 'unseated' in the booth several times! The event was hosted by the St Peter and Paul Catholic School. Sponsors included McDonalds of Oak Hill, Opossum Creek Retreat, Confluence Resort, GFWC, Wild Blue Adventures and Plateau Medical Center. The Blazers were please to be part of the spring carnival.
Blazers help with the American Cancer Society Relay For Life
The WV Blazers are proud to be working with the American Cancer Society and helped with the 2008 Relay for Life, held this July in Beckley, WV. The Blazers helped event coordinators with set up and take down, and throughout the two day event as needed to promote the American Cancer Society and the wonderful work they do, as well as the well-known Relay for Life.
The Blazers BOWL FOR MDA
In June, The WV Blazers helped ERA Advantage Realty support the MDA by participating in a Bowl-a-thon. Items were provided by the Blazers for the silent auction, which helped raise over $3,000 for the MDA! Thanks to those who joined the Blazers for fun bowling and to raise money for a great organization!!!
Blazers Host Youth Basketball Camp
In July, the WV Blazers hosted a basketball camp for youth ages 5-18 at the Greater Bluefield Community Center in Bluefield, WV. The camp taught fundamental basketball skills and was conducted by WV Blazer players and coaches. All proceeds went to fund drug and crime prevention programs for youth in southern WV.
Read the Bluefield Daily Telegraph article on the camp here.
WV Blazers Entertain at Heritage Festival
In July, members of the WV Blazers participated in the Heritage Festival in Fayetteville, WV.Youth in attendance at the festival played basketball and visited with the Blazers on Main Street, which was blocked off for festival activities. The Heritage Festival is a community oriented festival which brings thousands to the small community of Fayetteville annually to participate in various events. The Blazers continue to be involved in community activities to promote the message to youth to remain drug, crime and tobacco free.
Blazers Participate in WV High School Graduation and Dropout Prevention Summit
Members of the WV Blazers joined WV’s Governor and First Lady Manchin on July 14, 2009 in Charleston, WV to participate in the High School Graduation and Dropout Prevention Summit. The Summit was coordinated by the Governor’s office in conjunction with America’s Promise. Representatives from the State School Board, local Board of Education offices, Teachers, Principals, Truancy Officers, and many other community members who work with school aged youth were present to work on a solution to the serious problem of high school dropouts. Read more...
Blazers Help Raise Over $150,000 for the American Cancer Society
On July 10th and 11th, members of the WV Blazers helped the American Cancer Society raise over $150,000 working with the Relay for Life! But you didn’t see the Blazes walking in the Relay – and you didn’t see them in the limelight. Instead, the Blazers wanted to help by volunteering to use their strengths to help with the event in other ways. Read more...
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The 2008-2009 season was ‘kicked off’ by Congressman Nick J. Rahall, III, who served at the Blazers “13th Man” for the opening home game on January 4, 2009.Congressman Rahall spoke to the attendees, encouraging businesses and individuals to support the Blazers in their efforts to provide much needed drug and crime prevention programs for at-risk youth in Southern WV. The Congressman’s WV Blazers Jersey, worn by the Congressman during the first home game, now hangs above his door in this Washington, DC office. Read More...
See how the Blazers did in the 2008-2009 Season...
________________________________________________________________________________
BLAZERS MAKE REGIONAL PLAYOFFS
The Blazers earned a place in the ABA Regional Playoffs.Even though the regular season did not reflect a 'winning record', the Blazers were ranked number 11 in the ABA because of stregthof schedule and good competition with top ranked teams.
read the original article...
|
WV Blazers Maurice Davis made 2009 ABA East All Star Team.
 Maurice Davis, number 33, was selected for the ABA Eastern Division All Star team. "Moe" played in the ABA All Star game held on March 22, 2009 in Nashville, TN, in conjunction with the ABA Finals.
read the original article..
|
Don't miss this incredible basketball exhibition featuring the West Virginia Blazers and leaders from around the community! The event is helping to raise money for Habitat for Humanity's 600th house built in West Virginia. Besides the epic, high-flying dunking action, there will be hundreds of prize giveaways for the audience and WQBE 97.5FM and Electric 102.7FM will be there to add to the festivities! 
Welcome Home Blazers!
and take on the Blazers and make sure the crowd got a show - and did they ever! The two teams put on a fast-paced and high-flying exhibition full of dunks, alley-oops and running up the score. The fans loved the big action and the 3D light scoring (a unique ABA scoring feature - 
PRINCETON — Sounds of traffic passing overhead roared through concrete and steel Saturday as volunteers covered graffiti and worked to better the looks of a Princeton area community. 
