SAN FRANCISCO – Following up the event's successful debut in 2021, Academy of Art University Athletics once again collaborated with the United States Navy and Marines, the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, the San Francisco Police Activities League, BSN and Nike, Professional Charter Services, and the San Francisco Rotary Club, and others to present year two of "ART U Hoops With The Troops" on Oct. 4 during San Francisco Fleet Week. More than doubling in size from its first rendition, the event saw nearly 100 inner city youth partake in a free basketball clinic hosted by Urban Knights from the men's and women's basketball teams alongside the USS Princeton (CG 59) before all ventured on a tour of the U.S. Navy missile cruiser.

"After we came up with the concept with the U.S. Navy in 2021, we're excited to see the event has grown to double in size in one year," said Director of Athletics Brad Jones. "With a free clinic hosted by our collegiate teams and coaches, a chance to explore life on a naval destroyer, plus free food and t-shirts, this is a unique opportunity to partner with the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Francisco, the San Francisco Police Activities League, and other teams. We are proud that other Fleet Week organizers around the country have looked to replicate it."

Originating from a discussion between Fleet Week organizers, Jones, and Academy of Art Vice President of Campus Safety and Lab Resources Michael G. Petricca, "ART U Hoops With The Troops" quickly gained steam with the involvement of the Urban Knights' men's and women's basketball coaching staffs.

In 2022, Head Coaches Scott Waterman and Lindsey Foster worked to strengthen the department's partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF), San Francisco Police Activities League, and others along the way, building on the distinctive idea of learning basketball against the backdrop of a warship once again during the 41st edition of a week of events that annually celebrate the Bay Area naval tradition while honoring members serving in the U.S. armed forces.

"ART U Basketball is really proud to be part of the second annual 'Hoops With The Troops' event," Waterman said. "It has been great to see the event grow and for the fact that we get to play basketball in front of a battleship, and afterward we get to get out on it. It's a really unique experience and there's not many events like this in the country so it's really exciting to be part of."

Preparations for the day involved the literal movement of Academy of Art University's outdoor basketball court down over a mile from 601 Brannan to the pier where the USS Princeton lay docked. Resilient efforts in the days leading up ultimately allowed ART U student-athletes, local youth, and naval officers alike to conveniently descend upon the venue.
 
"It's been a great experience out here in San Francisco and I'm glad to bring my Marines out and participate with all the youth," said USS Princeton (CG 59) First Lieutenant Matthew Demaro. "As a kid I really enjoyed going to camps like this so it has been great having the kids out here. I know they don't have a lot of opportunities to play basketball next to a ship. I would have loved this as a kid."

Prior to the children's arrival, Academy of Art coaches, student-athletes, and staff embraced the opportunity to mingle with the Navy's service members. Stories were exchanged and laughter shared as all prepared for the event to begin.

"For us as student-athletes and coaches, we do something that not a lot of people can say they do," Foster said. "There's something really cool and rewarding about that and that goes for the Navy as well. They're doing something for us as a country that is incredible and that not a lot of people can say they do. So ultimately the word that comes to mind is just 'gratitude.'"

After some warmup time, the aspiring basketball youngsters split up into a series of groups led by Urban Knights. The rotating stations focused on teaching and learning the fundamentals of dribbling, passing, and shooting before ultimately putting all skills into practice during small competitive games.

"Personally, I was a Boys & Girls Club kid myself so giving back to the kids is always a fun thing," said senior guard Klay Brown. "Seeing a ship like this in real life isn't an everyday thing. At the end of the day, you have to thank the Navy for their service all the time. Doing this during Fleet Week is always important and showing gratitude for the veterans is always great."

"It has been interesting to speak to all these different people and I don't know much about the Navy so it has been nice to talk to see what they do, how they do it, and what their experience has been like," said junior guard Ashana Hinds. "Just being here and seeing the city; it's good the kids can get out after the pandemic and see everyone out here."

At the clinic's conclusion, all participants came together for an energizing and appreciative talk then began exclusive tours of the USS Princeton (CG 59) which has navigated waters for over 30 years.

"The more kids that we can get to come out and just experience this would be super fun," said BGCSF Vice President of Development Jamin McVeigh. "I think to get to play basketball and see the naval ship is so different and such a unique opportunity so more kids able to attend would be great."