KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Andre Sigler Jr. knew what kids needed at the Linwood YMCA and helped make it happen.
Basketball is back for the first time since 2019.
“Even before that, when COVID hit, we didn’t have sports," said Andre Sigler Jr., associate executive director at Linwood YMCA. "That’s the one thing I wanted to bring back because this community really needs that."
Sigler's been with the Y for more than eight years but came to Linwood only last year.
“I don’t have any children of my own," Sigler said. "I always say I have 2,000 children from all the kids that I’ve worked with. When this opportunity came and I wanted to serve my community, the people that look like me, I took that opportunity."
Bitty Basketball, for children ages 3-5, ran for six weeks, from April 3 to May 8, thanks to assistance from Carlos Colston.
Colston, sports director at the North Kansas City Y, said the reception was "outstanding" — 50 kids from Linwood participated.
“To see people here being able to have that opportunity and be exposed to other things outside of what they see at their front door, it always brings a smile to my face," Sigler said.
Parents were smiling, too.
“It’s not just Black and Brown," said Felicia Crabtree-Haywood, whose son played in the league. "It’s very diverse, and he’s learning the fundamentals of basketball at an early age."
Crabtree-Haywood tells KSHB 41 her son immediately noticed the kids who looked just like him.
Responses from participants like Crabtree-Haywood and her son thrilled Lauren Smith, Bitty Sports coordinator.
“I love seeing them have fun, the excitement and it’s just an amazing experience," Smith said.
Smith says the community created in the space was built on a shared love of basketball.
"They all run to the wrong goal, and every parent is telling them, 'Other way, other way, other way,'" said father and coach Christopher Bell. "To see people like us out here celebrating their kids together, making sure their kids are doing something constructive and positive, putting them on the right direction, and just to see us out here getting along and doing something that’s positive — I love it.”
Sigler says the Linwood Y needs volunteers as they work to expand the list of sports offered to kids.
For information on how to support their efforts, click here.
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