| Mission | | Background | | | Who We Are | | | Statement of Need | | | Effectiveness | | | Director | | | Staff |
Background
In 1995 Mr. Floyd “Skip” Branch Jr. and Mr. Matthew Watson started the program under the name “N.Y.C. Bomb Squad Classic” with 15 kids ranging in age from 10 to 12 years old. Their passion for basketball and love of mentoring kids was the impetus, which led them to form the summer program. At that time they sought to provide an alternative to hanging out in the streets for the youth of Harlem. That first year, three teams with five kids each were formed. The teams played every Saturday for the entire summer. In the face of meager financial resources, game T-shirts and trophies were purchased with personal monies. Game T-shirts were issued to each child upon joining the league and at the end of the summer a trophy was awarded to each of the fifteen participants.
The next summer when the “N.Y.C. Bomb Squad Classic” program resumed in the park kids from the previous year returned and brought friends. Attendance doubled in size and once again all the costs to operated the program were made possible out of pocket. Purchases included game T-shirts, trophies, basketballs, whistles, flip score boards, score books, tables, chairs and refreshments. Due to the high cost of Official League Referees, the staff, parents and other volunteers refereed. Additionally in the past, thanks to Mr. Bernard A. Bowen (a basketball Recruiter/Assignor and of B-Ball Referees Inc.) Official League Referees donated their time during the playoffs and championship games.
In an effort to take the program to a higher level, in 2003, Skip and his wife Carole restructured and incorporated it as a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. To further the mission they had the program rebranded and they renamed it the “N.Y.C. Bombsquad Basketball Classic, Inc.” league (aka – NYCBBC).
Today, the NYCBBC league has grown to more than 275 boys and gilrs ranging in age from 6 to 18 years old. Since being incorporated there are now five divisions: the Learning & Fundamentals division (6-12 year olds); 10-12 year old (full court) Division; 13-15 year old division; the Senior Division; and the All Girls Division. Each player is placed on a team in one of the five divisions based on their age and individual skill level.