That kid hugging me in that photo is not my daughter, but that's why I fell in love with coaching. The bonds you build and the love you feel. As my time as director of the Upward program has come to an end, I want to thank you all for the opportunity to serve this community and I want to share a few thoughts about this program.

Nearly 10 years ago, when I first enrolled my oldest daughter in Upward Basketball, I was here for the basketball experience. That was it. It was just basketball for me. I can remember that some of the bible teachings, devotions and spirituality attached to this program had me a little uneasy at first, a little cautious. Who are these people? And why are they trying to convert us to their religion?

Over the years, I watched first-hand the impact that the lessons and devotions had on my kids and their teammates. I heard things at the dinner table coming out of my kids mouths that made me realize that this was more than basketball. The program was working and the kids were getting much more out of this then how to run a pick and roll. And that’s what I want to talk about today…

I have coached in a lot of leagues and a lot of sports. I have been around youth athletics for nearly 20 years in all different kinds of capacities. And what I can tell you is that there is nothing like this program…anywhere. PERIOD.

To walk the halls in The ROC on a Saturday is to see smiling children, wearing different color jerseys, home and away teams playing together and high-fiving in the tunnel. Kids running out to their names being announced doing their best WWE entrance through a cloud of smoke. Prayer circles before games. Music playing and coaches and parents screaming at the top of their lungs. What I’m saying is that the energy this place brings is contagious, it’s positive and it’s uplifting. I can tell you that, on a personal level, this has been medicine for me. I want to thank you for letting me be a part of this experience as a director for the past several years. It has truly been a honor of a lifetime and I will cherish the memories made here for the rest of my life.

B.J. Koubaroulis

I wanted to take a moment to thank all of the volunteers that have made this season possible, including our coaches, referees, student volunteers, parents and others. Without them, this season simply cannot happen. But it's important to recognize that my Co-Director Blair Ross was the backbone of Upward this season. Blair led the effort to get new hoops, he managed our coaches, rewrote the rulebooks, faciliated great communication among our referees and coaches and did whatever it took to keep this program on track. Thank you Blair.

At our end of season celebration, we honored a few White Star Campaign winners. The White Star Campaign honors those that exhibit Christ-likeness. This year's award-winners were the McKinstry family, Erik Adamson and Chase and Casie Kuntz. Their dedication to the program and commitment to doing things the right way is special and we are so grateful to have these great people as part of the Upward program.