The 2024-2025 East Side Escalades Fall Season is in full swing!

Since our founding in 2011, the East Side Escalades has been one of the premier travel/AAU competitive basketball Programs in NYC for girls’ and boys’ ages 8 to 17. What differentiates us from other Programs is that every team runs a progressive system that gets more advanced as the teams get older. No one player is the focus, we are about ball movement and team play. Many of our long-time players have joined the rosters of top academic colleges and we strive to help our athletes find colleges and prep schools that fit their unique skills. Our Program is also very diverse and provides substantially more gym time that other Programs in the city. 

In 2024, we decided to refine the Program to meet the needs of our diverse players:

• We reduced our overall team numbers but not gym time to focus on each player and their development.
• We have 2 coaches at every practice.
• We are providing a very competitive opportunity for players who are not interested in the intensive and mostly unneeded travel some programs tout. Our group was invited to a 4th grade “exposure “ tournament this past week out of town and I laughed out loud. Pre High School players need to work on their game, not play 5 games every weekend. There are about 300 players in the whole country at each age group that need to leave their area to get sufficient competition. 

We continue to be challenged to balance the needs of all our players along with the rising cost of gyms and tournament enrollment. 55-60% of our revenue is through player registration fees, but the rest comes from supporters and sponsors like you. 

To fill our gap, we need to raise $75,000 by December 31, 2024. Your support can make a substantial difference in the lives of our athletes and your generous contribution can help us achieve the following:

1.       Scholarships and Equipment: there are 3 or more scholarship players on each of our teams. Your support provides registration and uniforms for those families in need.

2.         Coaching and Mentorship: continuing to expand our coaching staff and offer additional mentorship programs to guide our athletes.

3.      Facility Costs: cover the increasing cost of the gyms we use for our practice as we provide more gym time and flexibility than other Programs.

4.        Tournament and League Participation: get the teams into increasingly costly tournament and league play that will increase their skills and competitive spirit.

We understand that your time and resources are valuable. That's why we assure you that your donation will be used efficiently and transparently, directly impacting the lives of these young athletes and will go directly into the Program. We currently provide full or partial scholarships to approximately 35% of our families.

All the families who can afford it, please donate now and watch your generosity improve our team’s skills all year. We would also greatly appreciate spreading the word of our fundraising efforts by sharing the information below.

 Donate:

1.             Visit the donation link tab: https://www.escaladesnyc.org/donate

2.             Checks made out to: East Side Basketball Club: Mail to: ESBC, 102 Skillman Ave, Brooklyn NY 11211 

East Side Basketball Club is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization (tax id 47-2557836). Federal income tax law requires us to inform you that no goods or services were provided to you in return for your gift. Therefore, within the limits prescribed by law, the full amount of your gift is deductible for federal income tax purposes.

Here is an article regarding the inequity in youth sports you may find interesting: 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354486841_Disparities_and_Inequities_in_Youth_Sports

Thanks in advance for your support in making a difference in the lives of our athletes. The positive impact on their physical health, character development, and academic performance is profound.

Mike Finnen

Program Director

East Side Escalades Basketball Club

917-204-5486