August 30, 2009
Foster has a new role
Think Carl Foster and the Slam N Jam Youth Basketball Program is usually the next brain image that appears. That’s for good reason as Foster has been involved in the Bay Area basketball scene for decades and Scholar Athletes Incorporated in particular. Now, he’s bringing energy and ideas to his new role.
Foster expand opportunities for kids
Now he is expanding his influence, having taken the position of Athletic Director of the Richmond Police Athletic League (RPAL).
After twelve years with the Soldiers’ organization, Foster has retired as the director of the prestigious Slam N Jam program.
Now, he’s bringing energy and ideas to his new role with program development among the foremost priorities.
Having recently returned this past summer from two separate Christian mission trips (Philippines & Haiti); Foster said, "This is where I wanted to go with my life. I feel God waited until it was the opportune time to open this position. I’ve developed a good reputation in helping kids achieve their dreams and now I can do even more. I want to bring all of my personal experiences, resources, and many of the contacts I’ve made over the last 30 years, to this task."
He envisions offering year-round training, teams, tournaments and/or leagues in basketball, soccer, baseball, volleyball, track, boxing, among other sports, at the RPAL facility.
In addition to the Richmond Bad Boyz basketball squad, a female version, known as the "Bad Gurlz", will be created. Other sports’ teams will carry the same moniker if expanded into club teams.
A tutoring center and a computer center are already in place which includes over forty (40) personal computers for kids to utilize after school.
The goal is to get great people involved, both kids and adults. "We want to find dedicated people with specific areas of expertise to help build the sports programs we offer. This will make the experience better for the young people," Foster said. "We can use volunteers who know how to fundraise, coach, train, and those who can help out administratively. Needless to say, anyone who can be a ‘positive role model’ would be a great asset. We also want to increase our level of corporate sponsorships."
The focus will be on West Contra Costa County kids, but the RPAL Program is open to all youth in Contra Costa County and, per Foster, even some Bay Area kids willing to join up will be able to do so.
An official announcement will be forthcoming, but Foster and the RPAL will be hosting an open house on Friday, September 25. Scheduled to be in attendance are coaches from a myriad of sports and a number of prominent sports and media personalities.
"I had a chance to garner great exposure with Scholar Athletes Incorporated over the years. Plus, we have been able to impact the lives of a lot of great kids over the past twelve years. It was tremendous to have a role model like Calvin Andrews to show me the ropes," Foster said, "and now there is no better place for me to do something positive for the kids of this marketplace and the community where I grew up."