Coaches Clinic Brings Great Atmosphere To First Four Week

 MAKING MEMORIES COACHES CLINIC PROVIDES GREAT BOOST FOR DAYTON, FIRST FOUR 

Top Coaches, Former College & NBA Legends Bring Wealth of Knowledge, Great Vibes To March Madness in Dayton 

By Deon Cash

Cedric Howard, a avid endorser of raising funds for finding a cure for Alzheimers, decided in January that he wanted to do a coaches clinic to coincide with the annual First Four Basketball event that is held in Dayton, Ohio.

The First Four is the basketball kickoff to the March Madness tournament which captivates the entire country as college athletes push towards the ultimate goal of winning a college basketball championship. 

Howard, who hosts the popular Making Memories Golf Classic, wanted to host a event that will compare to the golf outing but in a different realm.

“I had no idea how this would turn out, but I wanted to put together as many great minds and coaches to be apart of this. We’re so grateful for the turnout.” Howard would state.

Well, as it turns out, the event and dinner fundraiser would be a huge hit as guest host Faith Daniels, the star Host from WROU (92.1) would host the event and  keep the crowd engaged until coaching legend Mike Jarvis would take over. 

Coach Jarvis would reveal some great moments from his coaching career and personal life which resonated with the nearly 400 participants at the dinner.  

The next morning was the Making Memories Coaching clinic, which was the same day as the start of the NCAA Tournament.   

With the likes of Dale Ellis, Dennis Hopson and Sedric Toney, there was a NBA vibe which wasn’t expected, but was welcomed with open arms. Add Anthony Corbitt, the Dayton Legend, and you have a great combination of elite basketball minds coming together in Dayton, Ohio. 

With some great college coaches such as Hopson (Lourdes), David Greer (Detroit & Youngstown State, Jamall Jackson (Kentucky State), Mike Huger (Bowling Green) and various HS coaches as well (Duane Hutchinson, Thurgood; Coach Quinton Smith, Trotwood), the Clinic turned out great. 

Comedian and youth coach Mike Jackson MC’d the event while DJ Ron Hunter was on the 1s and 2s, giving the event a great vibe and energy from start to finish. 

Don Sellers, a longtime and current NBA trainer, directed the Coaches Clinic, which would feature different scenarios in which Sellers would call different coaches, officials, and players from the stands to give their opinions on the scenarios and how they would deal with each one.

With assistance from Flight CEO Brandon Harper and the Dayton Flight hoopers in showcasing the drills, it really felt like a new experience that most coaches don’t ever get to be apart of.  

“This was a great clinic to be apart of, and to be able to get knowledge from some of the best coaches and players to do it? It's invaluable.” Quinton Alstork, assistant coach of Clark State, said after the clinic. 

 After the Clinic, Coach Jarvis, Dale Ellis, Coach Jackson, Sellers, Howard and a few more coaches attended the Hoopla, where they ran into the likes of Dayton legend Roosevelt Chapman,

Commissioner Debbie Lieberman and other prominent Dayton figures before heading to the First Four games for the experience. 

“It was great to meet them and we want to see how we can incorporate this clinic with the Hoopla and what it entails for next year.” Liebermann stated. 

Lieberman is on the Dayton Hoopla board. 

“I want to give a thanks to Ty Fields, our great staff, the great group of coaches, owners, ADs, and players who attended the event. We are truly thankful for the support. We are already working on ideas for 2024.” Howard would speak about. 

“We were able to raise over $20,000 so we feel very good about the results.” Howard stated.

Go to Ced Howard Social Media or the Making Memories Coaches Clinic Group Page on Facebook. There is also a website as well.