The second annual Chris Ford Memorial Basketball Tournament brought the community out to honor a legacy at the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City June 7-9. Raising funds for the programs at the Club, the tournament also netted a surprise donation from Evolution of a bus to be used to transport members of the Club to various program functions and events.
“Evolution is proud to support the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City with the donation of club buses,” said Matthew Mrozinski, Head of Studio, Evolution. “We are firmly committed to the community we live and work in, and we hope that this initiative enables the youth of Atlantic City to fully benefit from the programs and opportunities the Boys & Girls Club creates.”
Cooper Levenson won the eight-team, single-elimination tournament beating Berkshire Hathaway 84 to 79. Cooper Levenson beat Caesars Entertainment in the semi-finals, 69 to 53, while Berkshire Hathaway won their match against Merrill Lynch/City of AC with a score of 76 to 73.
The weekend honored the memory of former basketball player and coach Chris Ford. Liane and Lloyd Levenson and Evolution were presented with the Chris Ford Memorial Award. Members of Chris Ford’s family were in attendance to salute the honorees who are continuing Chris’ legacy.
“The Chris Ford Memorial Basketball Weekend exemplifies the spirit of community and generosity that Chris was known for,” said Dr. Charles A. Wallace II, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City. “The funds raised, and the new bus, will have an immediate impact on our programs and the lives of the children we serve.”
About Chris Ford
An Atlantic City native, Chris Ford graduated from Holy Spirit High School. He attended Villanova University, where he led his team to three consecutive NCAA Tournaments. From there, Ford was drafted to the Detroit Pistons in 1972 and eventually went on to finish his time as an NBA player with the Boston Celtics in 1978. Ford was part of the Celtics’ NBA Championship team in 1981 but is perhaps best known for making the first official three-point shot in professional basketball history. He spent his final years in the NBA as a coach, ending with a tenure at the Philadelphia 76ers.
Chris Ford has a long history of volunteerism with the youth basketball programs at the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City. Throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s, he volunteered his time to coach and mentor Club members who were playing recreational ball in its gym. In 2021, Ford served on the GO HOOPS Committee to renovate the gym into a state-of-art arena. He passed away in early 2023; the Club and community recognize his legacy with the NBA as well as his influence and involvement in Atlantic City and its surrounding communities.
