Memphis Athletic Ministries

Summer Basketball

Session 2: July 8 - 27;

Deadline to Register Fri, 6/21

Schedule by team (June 15 to June 20)

Schedule by team (June 22 to June 29)

Registration Information HERE

Make Summer League Payment

Overview

MAM organizes and administers four seasons (winter, spring, summer, and fall) of community basketball for boys and girls, ages 7 to 18. Since the inception of MAM community basketball leagues in 2001, sports continue to be the key element in accomplishing our community unification goal. Our basketball program bridges geographic, cultural, and socio-economic differences by offering a year-round high quality athletic program to all youth with games scheduled outside of traditional neighborhoods. Prior to MAM's community sports leagues, there were no sports activities that reflected the county-wide cultural mix, as Memphis recreational sports activities were traditionally neighborhood-based. MAM has successfully combined the principal racial groups in Shelby County, Caucasian and African-American, to participate in youth sports together.

One important component in changing perceptions of people who are traveling to non-traditional neighborhoods is to provide a friendly atmosphere in conjunction with the games. MAM has instated a process to provide a friendly atmosphere at every game in every sport: 1) participants are greeted as they enter the building; 2) pre-game devotionals and prayer are conducted for all interested participants; 3) clear behavior standards are announced to the fans; 4) post game prayers are also conducted and 5) a MAM staff member is present at all times during the competition to enforce the standards. The result of these efforts has been that MAM games have a very low incidence (less than 1/2 %) of behavior issues.

MAM Classic Christmas Tournament
Started in 1991 by Dr. Larry Edwards, a physical education instructor at the University of Memphis, the tournament was created to build community awareness among various areas of Memphis, both urban and suburban. In 1995, Dr. Carl Flinn, a pediatric ophthalmologist, became involved and the tournament was named the Peepers Optical Tournament after his practice. Renamed the MAM Christmas Classic in 2004, the tournament has 150 to 200 recreational, church and school teams for boys and girls ages 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 and under participating every year. Games are played at various urban and suburban locations throughout the county. The MAM Classic is not only our largest fundraiser each year, but is also a Memphis tradition in the world of local youth sporting events.

Complete Tournament Information