Former Louisville player Robbie Valentine to host free youth basketball camp. How to join
When it comes to giving back, University of Louisville alum Robbie Valentine has been all in for more than 30 years.
Valentine is set to host a three-day youth basketball camp later this month at the KFC Yum Center at no cost to the participants as part of a partnership with the Louisville Parks and Recreation, with sponsorship provided by Pepsi, Liberty Financial and several others.
A native of the Bluegrass State, Valentine's roots are engrained in the same city that he won a national championship 36 years ago. Now 58, the former Cardinals swingman has hosted a summer youth camp every year since.
“I’m blessed to be able to come to work at the KFC Yum Center, which I think is the best arena in the world, every day,” Valentine said in a release. “My goal is to give that same opportunity to kids whenever I can. They can come to the arena, learn about basketball, take home life lessons, and have some fun.”
You may like: Former Louisville baseball star named Bellarmine's head coach
Valentine has hosted other youth basketball camps this summer. But the three-day event scheduled for the end of June is free of charge for participants. Speaking about the free camp last year, the former Cardinal described the event as a chance to "treat (kids) to some fun they’ve never had in their life.”
The clinic this year is directed towards youth of all skill levels between the age of 5-14, and it's about more than basketball. Attendees will learn the sport's fundamentals, the release said, along with the importance of teamwork and being accountable. Guest speakers from the local basketball community will also be on hand to provide guidance and mentorship to the campers, according to the release.
Valentine has made an impact on a lot of lives over the years through the annual basketball camps, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said in a statement.
"Thousands of kids through two generations have attended Robbie’s camps, and they’ve learned about basketball, healthy habits, how to be a good teammate, son and daughter, and [being a] productive member of the community," Fischer said. "We are deeply appreciative of the partnership with Robbie and the sponsors who have made this program possible.”
More headlines: Kentucky Supreme Court to review Castleman statue's potential return to Cherokee Triangle
The camp is scheduled to run from 5 p.m. 8 p.m. on June 27-29. To register, log on to bestparksever.com and click on the “Robbie Valentine Basketball Camp” link. Potential attendees can call 502-574-7275 as well for more information.
Culture and diversity reporter Jason Gonzalez can be reached at jgonzalez1@gannett.com.
Robbie Valentine's free youth basketball camp
When: June 27-29, 5-8 p.m.
Where: KFC Yum Center; 1 Arena Plaza, Louisville
Apply: bestparksever.com
For more info: 502-574-7275
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville basketball camps: Robbie Valentine hosting free youth event
