Community Unity Tournament underway in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — Chad Fortenberry with the Community Unity Tournament joins us in the studio to talk about the upcoming basketball tournament.

On July 27 & 28, 2019, the first annual Community Unity 2 on 2 Basketball Tournament will be held at The Gym, 1823 Camp Lincoln Road, Springfield, Illinois. The tournament was created to bring together the various races, ethnicities and genders in a fun, cross-cultural team-building atmosphere.

This is an opportunity for the community to practice what we preach in terms of diversity and community, says Al Klunick, former Sacred Heart-Griffin basketball coach and coowner of The Gym. “I want to encourage the next generation of Springfield leaders to value diversity in teams and leadership. Basketball provides a perfect forum for it.”

In addition, to fostering unity among diverse players, the event will raise funds to assist two not-for-profit organizations in the community. 100 percent of the funds raised through the tournament will be divided equally between St. Martin Deporres and Compass for Kids.

“Not only will this event celebrate the diversity of our community, the unity demonstrated by this event will benefit organizations that are working every day to improve the lives of the entire Springfield area,” says co-organizer Letitia Dewith-Anderson of Anderson Legislative Consulting.

The tournament is a fun, family event. With a registration fee of only $25 per person, players will receive a t-shirt, basketball, towel, draw string gym bag, water bottle and a meal. Each team must be made up of diverse players who are intent on fostering crosscultural understanding and teamwork.