The Vancouver Volcanoes, now in their third season in The Basketball League (TBL), are making a focal point of community outreach.
“The season is only three months out of the year, and our goal is to make sure that we’re around for nine months out of the year,” Director of Sales and Partnerships Brad Lesctenberg said. “We’re showing that we’re adding value to the community and are being a central piece of the community.”
To aid in their mission this season, the Volcanoes are hosting youth basketball clinics in Vancouver and making every game a fundraiser in partnership with a local nonprofit.
With the fundraising efforts, Lesctenberg said they split the ticket revenue and promote a 50/50 raffle during home games.
During a youth basketball clinic, the Volcanoes players and coaches are teaching the local youth new skills.
“It’s a different experience than you may get at a city clinic or through an AAU program,” assistant general manager Josh Newton said. “We’re really trying to build that platform where kids can see the Volcanoes players and coaches at a youth clinic and then come to a game and see those same players and coaches and get to interact with them there.”
The coaching staff features returning players, including Calvin Hampton, who started as a player in 2012 and is now an associate head coach for the Volcanoes. Hampton appreciates the on- and off-court talent the Volcanoes’ front office has brought to Clark County.
“Our front office is absolutely amazing. Like, top to bottom, our staff, our interns — they’re some of the dopest people that we’ve been blessed to work with as far as our coaching staff — it’s comprised of all former players,” Hampton said. “... We want to be able to game plan and execute not just from a now standpoint, but for the next five to 10 years of what we want the organization to look like and what type of guys we want to be able to have on the court representing the brand.”
Markus Golder, the Volcanoes team captain, enjoys his role in the community. The 6-foot-6-inch shooting guard from Portland knows the importance professional basketball plays in the region but also recognizes the importance for the Vancouver community to have a home team.
“I think it’s great for them just because we are people that are accessible and do things throughout the community … We’re not too big where we can’t be reached, but we can still make an impact on their lives,” Golder said.
Golder praises the loyal fan base the Volcanoes have in Clark County. With Portland having the Trail Blazers and now the NBA G-League affiliate Remix, Vancouver has the Volcanoes to call their own. Golder believes the fans who show up to every home game make every day special for the team.
To buy tickets and get more information about the team, including youth clinics, visit van couvervolcanoes.com/.
