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About Youngsters Incorporated
Dean Street Park in Brooklyn is well known as one of the playgrounds for basketball in the City of New York. For almost two decades, playing basketball at this park every summer Sundays has been a ritual. From all over New York City's metroplitian area, the regulars hold court from 8:00 in the morning until well into the afternoon. A large number of these players have already enjoyed a level of stardom having had distinguished careers on high school and college teams. Many are college graduates. Some are veterans of or are now playing in the Continental Basketball Association or in the International Pro Leagues. A few have played for the National Basketball Association.
More than seven years ago, Dean Street Park regulars Duane Martin, Samuel Wallace and Christopher Dawkins sat down after playing a few games and assessed the wealth of talent that was displayed at the park, particularly amoungst the younger players. They decided that that this talent deserved wider exposure and devised a plan to properly showcase it.
The next year Martin, Wallace and Dawkins formed a team of 18 to 24 year olds, named it Youngsters and entered it into various tournaments. Most of the teams they competed against consisted of older, more experienced players. That made the name "Youngsters" even more fitting for their team. Incredibly, in it's very first year, this team of youngsters advanced to the playoffs in the well-known West 4th Street Summer Tournament. That was just the beginning.
In Noverber 1985, Martin, Wallace and Dawkins decided to make Youngsters more than just a basketball team. They laid the foundation and charted a course for the direction the organization would take. From the start, the trio was resolute in it's desire to impress upon all participants the importance of an education. They knew that this would go a long way in achieving one of the organizations major goals: develop and prepare youths to be productive citizens at home, in their neighborhoods and in the world.
To help reinforce that ideal, they developed the "SCHOOL IS THE MOVE" theme for the organization. One logo the company has developed and marketed from this theme consists of a young boy wearing a basketball uniform while making a strong move toward the basket. In his right hand, he is clutching a textbook. In his left hand, instead of a basketball, he is gripping the globe. Above the logo is the slogan, "SCHOOL IS THE MOVE".
Complementing the emphasis on educational achievement is a plan to provide after school and summer educational programs.
From the outset, another major goal was to create an income - producing entity that would support the organization. Youngsters was incorporated in 1985 as a profit-making clothing retailer, concentrating primarily on selling athletic wear, with plans to expand into many other areas. One of those expansion areas is real estate. The company plans to raise funds to purchase real estate. Once the property is purchased and all necessary construction is complete, it will serve as Youngsters Inc's headquarters. Merchandise will be sold and educational and cultural diversity programs will be offered at this facility.
During the summer months, Youngsters Inc. sponsors various sports teams, including a men's basketball team that has played at West 4th Street Summer Pro League, and the S&S Summer League. Three members of the basketball team are licensed teachers. Youngsters Inc. has also sponsored a softball team in the Red Hook Softball League. Championships were won in the S&S League in 1995 and in the Red Hook League in 1997.
It is a primary intention of the company to create and maintain a basketball tournament for young boys and girls, ages 7 through 14. By sponsoring the men's teamsfor a number of years, Youngsters has gained a great deal of experience in operating tournaments and believes it can successfully design and implement one for this age group. Youngsters Inc. did sponsor the first Dean Street Park Summer Basketball Classic in 1998, which featured boys age 16 years of age and under.
The summer tournaments are paid for through the sale of merchandise and have proven to be of promotional benefit to the organization because they serve as a form of advertisement during these activities. The teams play under the name "Youngsters", and many of the players enthusiastic followers are happy to wear the merchandise that is associated with the teams. Tournament attendees inquire about the merchandise and purchase it while games are in progress. They have not been disappointed.
The official company logo now includes original drawings of ten young boys and girls wearing basketball uniforms. Those drawings/characters have been converted into embroideries and stitched on sweatshirts, hats, t-shirts, socks, jackets, shorts and sweaters. These items are sold and the funds are used to pay the entrance fees for the various teams to enter tournaments. Trademarks are being sought to protect the rights of these original designs. Taking advantage of Martin's experience in the retail market, Youngsters Inc. has paid careful attention to ensure that the merchandise is made from the highest quality cotton and wool.
The line of original logo Characters will soon be expanded to include designs that will have broad appeal to all nationalities. There are also plans underway to develop uniformed characters that will represent other sports, such as baseball, soccer, hockey and football. Plans also include developing Youngsters Inc. logos for non-sports related fields, such as music, arts and finance.
Over the years, Youngsters Inc. has assisted some of its neighborhood basketball players in becoming professional athletes. A major concern for the organization now is to prevent these young athletes from being short-changed in the contract development and signing process of the business. Acting as a representative or agent for the athletes, the company wants to take a strong stand in representing these Youngsters and their welfare.