Monday, February 29, 2016

The battle for the title of Police Athletic League’s (PAL) Crosstown Champion returns to Trask Coliseum on March 3. The Community and Brigade Boys & Girls Clubs all-star teams will face off at 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. 

The league’s championship game is sponsored by the Wilmington Police Department, UNCW’s School of Health and Applied Human Sciences (SHAHS) and UNCW Athletics. This is the third year the championship has been held on the UNCW campus.

“We strive to create meaningful relationships and serve as a resource for human service organizations in our community and are thankful for the opportunity to work with local law enforcement in serving youth from the Wilmington area,” said SHAHS director Chris Lantz.

As part of the UNCW College of Health and Human Services, SHAHS is dedicated to helping individuals, families and communities live healthier, more prosperous and more productive lives.

The Wilmington Police Department’s PAL program promotes gang resistance and awareness through competitive basketball. Officers serve as coaches and are assisted by volunteers from the community, including SHAHS students, faculty and staff. 

The goal of the PAL program is to create positive relationships between police officers and the youth. Its concept is based on the belief that if kids are reached early enough they can develop strong positive attitudes toward police officers in their journey through life toward the goal of maturity and good citizenship.

-- Venita Jenkins

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#Athletics