Big Sioux Basketball

A COMMUNITY SUCCESS STORY

BIG SIOUX BASKETBALL & VOLLEYBALL LEAGUES

There are times when the status quo is simply just not good enough. This was the reality in the spring of 2007 when several Harrisburg parents wanted more opportunities for their children to play basketball. At the time, there was really only one league for elementary age kids and that was at the YMCA in downtown Sioux Falls. For decades “The Y” had offered a league option for kids, but over the course of those years Sioux Falls’ population grew substantially and the number of kids who wanted to play exceeded the capability of what that organization could handle. Subsequently, the realities of gym space, practice time, referee availability and overall quality of the product was not at a high standard.

This is when Harrisburg residents, Blaine Corlett and Jon Klemme, both parents of elementary-aged boys at the time, started talking on Blaine’s porch. “We simply knew we could do better for our kids than what was currently available,” said Blaine. This was also at a time when a sharp curve for population growth in Harrisburg was on the horizon. More and more and more kids would be facing the same issue that Blaine and Jon’s kids faced.

So they called their friend Bill Allen of Showplace Cabinetry. Bill is a lifelong Harrisburg resident who has been active in local sports as an athlete, coach and supporter his entire life. He was well aware of the situation regarding youth sports in the community. So the three of them started talking and put together a proposal of what they thought an elementary-aged, community-based league might look like. Bill took the idea to then-Showplace President Tony Bour and presented the plan. Showplace has always understood their role in community leadership and strives to support initiatives that promote youth, recreation and community engagement. Consequently, the idea for the league was a natural fit for them.

After reviewing the proposal, Showplace gave seed funding to get the league off the ground in the fall of 2007. Once the support set the wheels in motion, the real work started as Blaine and Jon started spreading the word around Harrisburg and surrounding communities. Phone calls were made to Canton, Tea, Sioux Falls Christian, Hawarden, Lennox and others. The response from these communities was great and teams were quickly assembled. That first season 23 boys teams grades 3-6 committed to play.

The initial funding from Showplace went to uniforms, scoreboards, referees and gym space.

“Our goal that first year was to provide a great value for the families and the best possible product for the kids,” Blaine said. “We wanted referees to show up on time, teams to have nice uniforms and gyms that were good for kids to play in.” The second year of the league the number of teams doubled and the year after that the girls league was started which again greatly increased the number of kids involved in the program.

The early years of the league paralleled the period when the Harrisburg School District was opening a new elementary or middle school almost every year. This additional gym space was a great resource as the league grew and more courts were needed. The school district also bought into the vision of Big Sioux. Support from the district, it’s building administration, and work done by the building and grounds staff, played a huge part in the league’s success. The Harrisburg District and its activities directors have supported Big Sioux’s mission to ensure all kids have a fun, safe place to play recreational sports.

Initially, concessions were run by the league, however over time this became too great an undertaking with multiple gyms and many trips to Sam’s or Costco. The board eventually partnered with area organizations and other entities to give them the responsibility for concessions which also turned into a fundraising opportunity for many groups.

As the years went on, more community members got involved and helped as the organization grew. These growing pains were eased by the vision of key contributors in leadership

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Big Sioux Basketball Association founders Jon Klemme, Bill Allen and Blaine Corlett such as Matt Van Holland and Kyle Hanisch. Initially, schedules and game locations were done on paper and spreadsheets but, with Matt and Kyle’s guidance, the use of better technology and communication infrastructure has improved this important task. The Board of Directors have also played an invaluable role to the success of Big Sioux. The Board has included volunteers such as Colin McKenzie, Tammy Harms, Pat Knecht, Wendy Knecht, Jeremy Decurtins, Brent Aday and Ronette Costain. It’s taken an army of volunteers to build the program to what it is today.

Over the past 15 seasons, teams from communities as far as Mitchell, Pipestone and Sioux City have brought teams to play in the league. The basketball league is for boys and girls in grades 2 through 6. Big Sioux also offers a volleyball league September through November. It is estimated that over 30,000 kids have played in Big Sioux leagues, and now there are over 3,000 players playing basketball and volleyball each season.

Big Sioux Basketball and Volleyball are two great examples of what can happen when a community works together to find solutions. The road to build the organization to what it is today didn’t happen on its own and it wasn’t easy. Many volunteers and board members put in countless hours of work to make it all happen. The organization operates as a nonprofit and truly is a community founded and run entity. If you’d like to learn more about either the volleyball or basketball leagues for the upcoming season, check out www.bsyvl.com and www.bsybl.com.

Both leagues continue to epitomize the community spirit that Blaine, Jon and Bill set out to build when they first started talking on the porch in 2007. Big Sioux is an organization the community should take pride in; it epitomizes an example of a community working together to improve opportunities for kids of all skill levels and backgrounds both locally and regionally. Big Sioux will continue to make impacts on youth and the community far beyond after the games are finished.

Ashley Mayland, DC

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DON’T LET TIME OR MONEY DEFINE YOU

Which would win in an arm wrestling match between your wallet and your alarm clock?

This is a strongly individual question that everyone can weigh in on. It is not a lifeor-death situation so please don’t bet your firstborn on this match, but it is important so make sure the stakes are high. Let’s see – I’d bet my very last quart jar of my friend Lorna’s homemade salsa and a bag of the thin and tasty Tostitos that my alarm clock would win.

Your turn. Which is more important in your life – time or money? The two run proportionally through the streets of our lives. The job is overwhelming, and it takes all your time but the bills are paid. Meanwhile, all those thoughtful things that run through your mind are just thoughts really. You meant it when you thought about visiting your sick friend or spending time playing scrabble with your kids. Those are important things and certainly you would do them if you had the time.

Imagine if you had one of those part-time jobs. The pay is low, but the flexibility is fabulous. You can pay your mortgage if you only buy what is on sale for groceries and you have plenty of time to plot and plan how to scrimp and save to help you get by. The world is a brighter place because you come along side your friends in need with thoughts and words and random acts of kindness. All that time you spend with those kids, they love it but you feel guilty because a trip to Disney World is definitely not in the budget.

Those are two very different worlds, but there is a place where they converge for almost everyone. Time and money are of absolutely no consequence when it comes to your health. When your doctor’s nurse calls and the news is bad, then all of your time and money are spent improving your health. It is the obvious decision.

So let your alarm clock and your wallet wrestle. You don’t need to pick a side – neither one has arms! Do the best you can with your time and your money. Do what is right for your family. Learn to live within your means – budget time and money but don’t let them define you.

Jane Klemme

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