Community Partner: Santa Cruz Warriors

Four years ago, the Golden State Warriors called the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County to form a partnership with a Development League team the Warriors wanted to bring to Santa Cruz. Since the team made Santa Cruz their new home, more than 1,000 kids have participated in the program.

Warriors players have visited the Downtown Clubhouse on several occasions and the Warriors host the Basketball Program’s annual tourney at Kaiser Permanente Arena. Last year, Warriors Head Coach Casey Hill and former President Jim Weyermann spoke at the Great Futures Breakfast,  and the Warriors also organized “Lunch with the Legends,” an event with NBA Hall of Famers Jerry West and Rick Barry.

“These types of partnerships, especially with the Boys & Girls Clubs, are not just about how it affects the club — it’s about how it affects our team,” said current President Chris Murphy. “A lot of our players grew up playing in Boys & Girls Clubs and so it’s great to be able to get back and visit with these kids.”

Murphy said it’s fun to watch kids play in the big arena.

“It gives them a moment on the big stage, with their families there to cheer and see their score on the scoreboard,” he said. “It’s the pinnacle for them, the end of the season when they worked hard.”

The end-of-season celebration for the Basketball Program will start at 3 p.m. March 13 at the Downtown Clubhouse and end with a visit to the Warriors game. Click here for tickets.