Night Flight 2018

Congratulations to our regular season champions, Weaver 2!

By: Shannon Teamer, Recreation Assistant Supervisor - Teen Coordinator

Night Flight is our inter-departmental teen basketball league. Each center has its own team that plays in the league. This year was my first year overseeing the league and I was impressed with the investment that the department and each individual center had in each of the teams. Games this season were played every other Friday night beginning in October and running until the beginning of March.

Overseeing the league this year, allowed me to go to each of the centers and get a chance to meet evening staff and see existing equipment and space that each site has to offer. In addition to visiting sites, this program also allowed me to work closely with other Recreation Assistant Supervisors and Recreation Specialists across the department.

This season we had some barriers that the league has not faced in a few seasons, several forfeitures due to poor participation and bad weather. With that in mind, going into the playoffs, I wondered what could be done to revamp the program to generate interest and consistency among the teens we serve already?

Congratulations to our post season tournament champions, EJRC!

Playoffs came and went and I was stumped. During the games I had a chance to speak to the staff and some of the teens participating and received feedback on what changes they would like to see. After taking some thought on that, I met with the staff (Recreation Specialists, Recreation Supervisors, Recreation Assistant Supervisors) from each site and we came up with the plan.

The league will now be played in the spring. This decision was made in an effort to increase participation and shorten the season. In an effort to increase participation, the site staff and I thought this concept would work better than the one in place. Times are changing and we have to be open and willing to do what it takes to make sure our programs are meeting the needs of those who we serve. See the new changes below!

2019 Night Flight Season

• Games will begin February 22, 2019 and played every Friday through May 3, 2019. 
• All Star Break will be March 25-29 
• All Star Game Friday, March 29, 2019 
• Game on Thursday, April 18, 2019 – Good Friday on April 19, 2019 (City Closed) 
• Playoffs will begin May 1, 2019 
• Championship game on May 3, 2019