Coach Larry Daniels began “Hoop Hard or get off the Court” to give the youth in Englewood a place to go in 2000. Twenty-one years later, the program has outreached numerous individuals — from young children to young adults — giving them “a safe haven and a basketball court to call home.”
Daniels has teamed up with local pastors and the Chicago Police Department (CPD) to help keep the city’s youth safe. His goal is to be able to create a safe haven for all youth. For over the past five years, he has been hosting basketball tournaments in Chicago.
The last event he hosted — at St. Sabina Church with support from Father Michael Pfleger — was held on Nov. 28, 2021. During this event, youth were able to shoot hoops with some of the Chicago police officers.
After the event, 6th District-Gresham tweeted “St Sabina’s ‘Hoop Hard or get off the Court’ basketball tournament turned out to be a major success! Not only did the youth have an opportunity to compete against one another but they were also given a chance to engage with officers on and off the court. See you next time!”
Daniels is hoping his program “Hoop Hard Or Get Off the Court” not only provides a safe haven for the youth but bridges the gap between CPD and the community. He strives “hard to make sure children in the community and across the city can benefit from every opportunity I provide.”
The next “Hoop Hard or Get Off the Court” event is scheduled for Jan. 15, 2022, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The founder of “Hoop Hard Or Get Off the Court” has offered other outlets to Chicago’s youth, including softball tournaments. His program is for all youth no matter where they live.
Daniels has a dream of opening a community center for the youth to “study, shoot a hoop or do homework and feel safe while doing so.” He has a GoFundMe campaign to raise $100,000 to “build an iconic indoor basketball court” that will be open 24/7. Currently, Daniels has been able to raise $3,105 of the $100,000.
Written by Sheena Robertson
Sources:
Interview: Nov. 29, 2021, with Larry Daniels
WGN-TV 9: Chicago man uses basketball as way to spread positivity among youth in community; by Gaynor Hall
Block Club Chicago: His ‘Hoop Hard’ Basketball Leagues Are A Hit In Englewood. Now, He’s Fundraising For A Community Center; by Maia McDonald
Inset Image by IvoShandor Courtesy of Wikimedia – Creative Commons License
Featured Image Courtesy of Karl Baron’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
