In March, $1 billion-asset Katahdin Trust Company (KTC) in Houlton, Maine, teamed up with Big Time Hoops to host its All Star Weekend. The event features a free youth skills clinic that gives young athletes across Maine a chance to sharpen their basketball skills.
Big Time Hoops hosted its first in-person All Star event in 2022, highlighting top basketball players from across the state and showcasing their talent in games and three-point shootouts. As part of the event, the organization also introduced its free youth skills clinic to expand its reach to athletes in elementary school.
When Tom Bard, director of Big Time Hoops, approached Katahdin Trust to help sponsor the free youth skills clinic in 2023, the community bank embraced the opportunity to support the young athletes, who vary in age from grades three through 12.
Thanks to Katahdin Trust, the three-day event was packed with excitement, complete with provided uniforms, prizes, drawstring backpacks and KTC water bottles. “It’s all because of Katahdin Trust’s commitment to help fund [the event] that we’ve been able to expand,” said Bard. “The positive energy [the kids] bring just makes it all worth it every time.”
According to Sam Clockedile, VP and marketing officer at Katahdin Trust, wintertime basketball is a big deal in Aroostook County. “We were excited to provide kids—regardless of financial background [and] regardless of location—throughout the state [with the opportunity] to go to something for free,” he says.
With Katahdin Trust’s support, nearly 200 kids left the free clinic equipped with new basketball skills to bring home and practice.
“What that clinic has been able to add to our event is that those kids come excited to participate,” said Bard. “But they also stick around and watch the rest of the festivities, and [we have] a gym full of kids at the end of the night for the All Star game.”
