SPAR’s Safe Summer Basketball League (formerly Midnight Basketball League) has become one of the most popular summer programs in Shreveport, with 60 teams and over 8,000 players, coaches and spectators participating. Youth and adults, ages 10-24 are provided an opportunity to learn life skills and athletically compete in a supervised safe environment during the summer evenings.
“SPAR’s Safe Summer Basketball League is one of our most popular athletic leagues in the summer, providing a true safe haven environment for Shreveport youth during peak crime hours,” said Shalon Lewis-Division Manager of SPAR Athletics Division.
The league season runs June 3 th – July 26 th with games set on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Youth games start at 7:00pm. Adults play until midnight. All games are played in area SPAR community center gyms (Bill Cockrell, Lakeside and Southern Hills and Valencia Park). For the first four weeks of the league, the majority of teams are required to attend a 30 minute life skill workshop presentation prior to their scheduled game. Presentations topics include: substance abuse prevention, peer pressures, conflict resolution, anger management, bullying, character values, self-esteem, teen gang prevention, healthy eating habits, dating violence, healthy relationships, domestic violence awareness, HIV prevention, diversity, understanding your rights and responsibilities, academic success, careers in the military, and how to manage money and job readiness.
Representing agencies participating as life skill presenters include:
Alpha Media (Local DJs)
American Heart Association
Caddo Parish Parole Office
Centenary College Administration
Demard Llorens- NSU Alumni Football player
Epilepsy Alliance Louisiana
Gingerbread House CAC
Greek Fraternities
Kendrick Farris (Olympic Weightlifter)
LA Dept. of Health
Philadelphia Center
Shamp TMT
Shreve Library Bookmobile
Shreveport Fire Dept.
Shreveport Police Dept.
SUSLA Agricultural
For league game schedules, go to www.myspar.org and click on Athletics.