In 1984, Willie Hutch Jones was dedicated to finding a way to combine his Professional NBA experience with the Los Angeles Lakers and his desire to advance the knowledge and self-esteem of children and young adults in his Buffalo hometown. He achieved that goal by creating the Willie Hutch Jones Educational & Sports Program (WHJESP,) providing youth of all racial and socio-economic backgrounds with strong positive influences and special training in sports and educational areas. Now, almost four decades and 10,000 kids later, Jones launched his organization’s 38th summer season on Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Annual Jackie Robinson Day.
“Seventy-five years ago, Jackie Robinson made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut, advancing a legendary career that continues to inspire athletes of all ages and races,” Hutch said recently. “Before that debut, Robinson played baseball against the Buffalo Bisons in Offermann Stadium, as a member of the Montreal Royals. We are here today, at the Johnnie B. Wiley Amateur Athletic Sports Pavilion, to commemorate the iconic Jackie Robinson’s MLB Anniversary and honor his special connection to our city.
“We are also here to look forward, to the promise of future Jackie Robinsons, by announcing the launch of the thirty-eighth summer season of the Willie Hutch Jones Education & Sports Program.
The 2022 Willie Hutch Jones Sports and Education Program is now accepting registration for children ages 6-16 residing in Buffalo and Lackawanna for their FREE summer clinics in baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, crew rowing, chess, steel drums, and dance.
The clinics will run in July and August at Riverside Park (dance, chess, soccer), McMillan Courts at Delaware Park (tennis), Buffalo State College (basketball, volleyball), Johnnie B. Wiley/Masten Park (soccer), Canisius College Koessler Center (volleyball), West Side Rowing Club (crew rowing.) Lackawanna summer clinic locations for chess and steel drums to be announced.)
This year’s baseball and softball clinics will take place in partnership with the Major Baseball Leagues’ Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) Program at McCarthy Park, located at 304 E. Amherst St. The park is dedicated to legendary baseball manager, Joe “Marse” McCarthy who lived most of his adult life in WNY.
These FREE Clinics will run July through August, depending on the activity. Pre-registration is required. All programs are free.
For more information or to register: https://whjsc.org/summer-programming/