TicketsHARLEM, N.Y. – The Big 12 Conference's Rucker Park initiative had a distinct Cincinnati flair to it when it kicked off on Tuesday with the inaugural "Big 12 Hoops in the Park."
The event featured a local youth clinic that included various head coaches, student-athletes and league representatives at the historic venue in Harlem, N.Y.
Within the cast of head coaches and student-athletes from the Big 12 were Cincinnati head women's basketball coach Katrina Merriweather, head men's basketball coach Wes Miller and women's basketball sophomore guard A'riel Jackson – a Brooklyn, N.Y., native.
The event, which was a collaboration between the league and partners New York City Parks Department, Hard Rock Hotels, Gatorade and WHOOP, was the first of a variety of planned activations by Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark to partner with the basketball-rich area.
"Rucker Park is one of the great landmarks in basketball and is a cultural icon – we are excited to be able to bring Big 12 Basketball to its court," said Yormark. "We are committed to growing the Conference's footprint in a variety of ways, and we want kids across New York City to experience Big 12 Basketball first-hand."
Following drills and clinic sessions, the coaches participated in a Q&A with local youth. The event featured live DJs, food trucks and more.
While inclement weather ended the festivities early, for many in attendance it was the experience of a lifetime. For Jackson, the event also served as a reminder of the importance of her platform as a student-athlete.
"'The 'Big 12 Hoops at the Park' event was awesome to be a part of," Jackson said. "Especially being from New York, I was one of these kids not too long ago, so I am thankful to the Big 12 and Coach Merriweather for opportunity to be able to use my platform as a student-athlete to not only be a role model, but also to give back and create meaningful memories in my community."
The event featured a local youth clinic that included various head coaches, student-athletes and league representatives at the historic venue in Harlem, N.Y.
Within the cast of head coaches and student-athletes from the Big 12 were Cincinnati head women's basketball coach Katrina Merriweather, head men's basketball coach Wes Miller and women's basketball sophomore guard A'riel Jackson – a Brooklyn, N.Y., native.
Teaching. Learning.#Bearcats | #TheMovement pic.twitter.com/r2GC039WNH
— Cincinnati Men's Hoops (@GoBearcatsMBB) July 18, 2023
The event, which was a collaboration between the league and partners New York City Parks Department, Hard Rock Hotels, Gatorade and WHOOP, was the first of a variety of planned activations by Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark to partner with the basketball-rich area.
"Rucker Park is one of the great landmarks in basketball and is a cultural icon – we are excited to be able to bring Big 12 Basketball to its court," said Yormark. "We are committed to growing the Conference's footprint in a variety of ways, and we want kids across New York City to experience Big 12 Basketball first-hand."
Following drills and clinic sessions, the coaches participated in a Q&A with local youth. The event featured live DJs, food trucks and more.
For the next generation.#TheSisterhood | @Big12Conference pic.twitter.com/3lL0OUxtsa
— Cincinnati Women's Basketball (@GoBearcatsWBB) July 18, 2023
While inclement weather ended the festivities early, for many in attendance it was the experience of a lifetime. For Jackson, the event also served as a reminder of the importance of her platform as a student-athlete.
"'The 'Big 12 Hoops at the Park' event was awesome to be a part of," Jackson said. "Especially being from New York, I was one of these kids not too long ago, so I am thankful to the Big 12 and Coach Merriweather for opportunity to be able to use my platform as a student-athlete to not only be a role model, but also to give back and create meaningful memories in my community."