About Us

The mission of The Metropolitan Basketball League (MBL) is to foster a positive, productive and safe social community through the use of sports and team dynamics.

MBL executes its’ mission through a number of programs and initiatives including sport leagues, skill camps, and Amateur Athletic Teams (AAU). With the knowledge of consistently organizing successful Summer Basketball Tournaments for the past 8 years, the plan for MBL is to advance to the next level. There are several Outdoor Summer Basketball Tournaments in Washington DC.  In 2004, the MBL combined the Summer Leagues located at New York Ave (NW), Fort Stanton (SE), and Barry Farms (SE).  Each Tournament consist of Youth and Adult participants. The MBL has combined these tournaments and created a Unified Summer Basketball League.  We have assisted in the organization and funding for each Tournament.

From the experience, it has been proven that the more organized an event is, the more likely it is to be very successful.  Consistent funding and competent personnel can achieve a higher level of success.  Each tournament consists of a Tournament Commissioner who is directly responsible for the operations of their respective tournament.

The League Office is responsible for but not limited to:

•  Funding for all Tournaments(Personnel, Supplies, Uniforms, etc…)
•  Health & Liability Insurance for all Tournaments
•  Scheduling of games
•  Creation and enforcement of Rules, and Penalties for Violations
•  Advertisement and promotion of the league
•  Programs, Speakers, Skills camps, and other Activities 

With these 3 tournaments, there are over 800 participants (Players and Coaches) and several hundred spectators.  By engaging in a safe and athletic activity during the summer months, the league was able to curb the violence in those areas of Washington D.C during the summer months.   

Over the past eight years in the North Capitol Region, the reduction in violent crimes during the summer has been directly related to the New York Ave Basketball Tournament.  In the year before the tournament existed (1999), there was a high volume of tension among several neighborhoods surrounding the New York Ave. Playground.   Since the existence of the tournament, each of these neighborhoods have entered several teams into the tournament and have learned to work together to significantly decrease the violence.  In 2004, The MBL collaborated with The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department to provide security for each game played during the summer months at each location.  We are pleased to report that there were no major incidents at any of the tournaments during the summer months.. 

 

Goals & Objectives

MBL plans to expand its mission through a number of programs and initiatives including sport leagues, skill camps, and Amateur Athletic Teams. Ultimately, we would like these tournaments to be sanctioned by the NBA & NCAA, allowing all participants to display their talents before coaches of all leagues.

The League will provide stats and tournament information on the Official League website. Tournament participants are able to check their individual and overall team/tournament performances. They can interact with each other on the discussion boards and read recaps of each game. This was implemented in 2003 and became very popular among tournament participants and spectators.

From the Tournaments, we have organized an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Team. Each year, we select several tournament participants to participate in national tournaments, allowing them to display their athletic capabilities before college coaches. In the past, we have had a huge success rate of helping kids to be recruited by Colleges and Junior Colleges. Participation on the AAU team affords the athletes with a dynamic experience. Aside from playing before college coaches and scouts, team members are able to travel outside of their immediate geographical area. Often, playing in these tournaments are the first opportunities for the youth to leave home. Additional funding will enable us to create more teams, purchase necessary materials, and waive entry fees and travel expenses.

Because of the vital role of education and guidance in the athlete’s overall success, we intend to incorporate a Tutoring/Mentoring Initiative. We hope to offer subject reinforcement to program participants experiencing difficulty in a particular subject area.

The Mentoring component of the initiative is intended to provide participants with life, social and career guidance. As many participants are lacking positive male and/or female role models, this component is necessary for continued success.

Concisely, MBL prides itself with making a difference in the lives of youth and adults. Through participation in activities, they are given a healthy, safe, athletic/social alternative to destructive behavior. With the urban blight of drugs, crime, adverse socio-economic conditions, lack of quality education and broken families, our efforts are crucial to the development of a functional community. We hope to continue to contribute to the success and productive lifestyles of many inner city residents.