January 12, 2004

By Tracy Martin-Henry

The weather outside was cold but Night of the Champions in Downtown Detroit was on fire as Laurie Byrd headlined an electrifying event that honored 350 youth athletes for their athletic achievements at Think Detroit's Annual Girls Basketball Awards on January 6, 2004, at Consortium College Preparatory Academy.

The night opened with a rousing rendition of the National Anthem sung by Krista Callaway, 15. Detroit Shock mascot Zap pumped up the crowd by shaking hands dancing in the aisles and passing out snappy prizes as sports tunes played in the background.

Master of Ceremonies Fred Hunter, current Think Detroit Athletic Director and former U of M basketball captain, introduced Coach Byrd who delivered the keynote address. Laurie Byrd discussed what it was like to be a part of the coaching staff that took the Shock from the worst to the first in the WNBA. She also thanked Shock Head Coach Bill Laimbeer for giving her the opportunity to work with the team and the entire organization.

"Laurie Byrd's words were very inspiring and informative, " said Lamont D. Satchel. Satchel's daughter Kristin Satchel, 10, attends Friends school in Detroit and is a member of the Waldorf-Friends Warriors, which placed first in the junior varsity division. "Coach Byrd emphasized that she had to work hard both on and off the court to achieve success and the importance of doing well in school," said Satchel.

Players were likewise impressed with the coach's speech. "I liked the way Coach Byrd made us feel good about playing basketball," said Amber Henry, 14, of the George Crockett Rockets. "This was her second time visiting us and after hearing her speak I felt like if you believe in yourself anything is possible," said Henry, who was the co-captain of her team.

Coach Byrd's speech drew thunderous applause. Afterwards, Fred Hunter presented Laurie Byrd with a special award called the "Honorary Double Goal Coach of the Year," which Think Detroit, Inc. presents to sports figures who set good examples and demonstrate a work hard, play hard philosophy on and off the basketball court. "Think Detroit strives to recruit coaches who reflect such goals, " said Fred Hunter. "Laurie Byrd exemplifies what a double goal coach should be in real life, so the award was very appropriate."

In a post-event interview Laurie Byrd said she was taken aback and was close to tears after receiving the award (a black and gold plaque set against a wood-grain backdrop.) "I felt very honored to be recognized by Think Detroit's basketball league," said Byrd. "Night of the Champions was a positive and fun event and it was great to see the enthusiasm of the girls shine through."

As an added surprise, Sheri L. Washington presented Ms. Byrd with a "Legends of Basketball" award in the form of an engraved crystal basketball. Washington said Coach Byrd is her longtime friend and mentor and she wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you for everything she's done for the sport of women's basketball. Washington is editor-in-chief of Triple Threat High School Hoops, a Detroit-based publication that covers girls high school basketball in the Midwest region.

The athletes then received gleaming trophies and special awards to recognize their athletic achievements during the 2003 basketball season. The Waldorf-Friends Warriors won the Junior Varsity Championships and the Consortium College Preparatory Academy Lady Cougars won the Varsity Championships for the third year in a row. However, everyone who participated in the league was a winner. "Think Detroit focused on the fact that all the players were champions and that was very positive, said Lamont Satchel.

The "everyone's a winner" theme carried over to a special picture show projected onto a giant screen that featured season highlights of every single athlete in action on the basketball court. The presentation drew cheers and applause from the audience.

The event wrapped up with a special raffle where six lucky athletes won Detroit Shock memorabilia, courtesy of the Shock, that included pennants, basketballs, posters and Zap bobbleheads that Zap, himself helped to pass out to the players. "I won a prize and got Coach Byrd to autograph it," said an excited Chiane Charles, aged 10, who played in the junior varsity division and won an honorable mention for making the Wolverine All Star Team.

The event concluded with athletes getting an opportunity to meet Laurie Byrd, shake her hand, get autographs, pose for pictures with her and marvel at the WNBA championship trophy. Attendees also enjoyed three huge championship cakes and punch from a three-tiered lighted fountain.

"Thanks to Laurie Byrd, Zap and the Detroit Shock, this event was a memorable experience for the athletes," said event organizer Tracey Martin-Henry. "I've been involved with Think Detroit as a parent/volunteer/coach for four seasons now and every year the league expands and gets better and better. Think Detroit is doing a wonderful thing for young athletes and being a volunteer is the least I can do to give back to the organization."

Think Detroit was founded in 1997 by Michael Tenbusch and Dan Varner. Trained as lawyers, the two young men turned down lucrative legal careers to create a nonprofit organization that combines sports and technology. The concept was called "Balls & Bytes" and it was designed to connect children, parents, neighbors and other volunteers through the challenges and rewards of athletic competition and the excitement of computer training. Once children have played on one of Think Detroit's teams, they become eligible for computer training, a reconditioned PC plus one year of Internet access provided through a generous sponsor.

Since its inception, literally thousands of young athletes from under-served areas have benefitted from its programs. The organization currently provides girls and boys with basketball, soccer, and softball programs. Think Detroit recently added a girls winter volleyball program that will launch in January 2004. Last year, Think Detroit moved to the University Cultural Center area and maintains a website at www.thinkdetroit.org.