Rising Stars Hosts Knicks Community Clinic on Long Island

Rising Stars proudly hosted the first NY Knicks community clinic on Long Island at Long Island Lutheran Dec.1, 2010.

The Knicks clinic staff was joined by Eastern Conference Rookie of the month and Knick standout Landry Fields along with fellow rookies Timofey Mosgov and Andy Rautins. All three participated in every aspect of the clinic making the day a great experience for every kid in attendance.

Rising Stars director Danny Gimpel observed that all three Knicks were incredible in their interaction with the group. "I have never seen pro athletes get so involved, and add so much to an event. These three made every kid feel special". Gimpel added, "I cannot say enough about the Knicks and the way they conducted themselves".

The Long Island clinic marks three years of Rising Stars & the NY Knicks working together to offer community programs. The partnership was the result of the vision of Rising Stars founder Paul Savramis to bring the Knicks closer to its fans, and to allow the community to share in the magic of a pro event. Savramis was clear on the events objectives, "Being able to bring the Knicks locally allowed Rising Stars to scholarship area kids that would never have been able to travel to the Knicks training facility in Purchase or any other area for that matter."

"Theses kids had the time of their lives. Most had never seen a pro before much less been a part of the fan experience."

Kids scholarship'd for the event were all a part of a Rising Stars yearly intervention program and were selected as a result of excelling in school and community service. The clinic was televised on Cablevision's News 12.

Additional events with the Knicks are planned for 2011 and will be a part of a Frito-Lay grass roots community intervention initiative with Rising Stars.

The goal will be to reach out and get more area kids involved and enrolled in positive yearly after school programs that will keep them active and away from the challenges they could face growing up.