In many cases, councils enlist the help of professional basketball players or other sports personalities to present trophies to winning contestants. In Georgia, for example, local Knights have a longstanding relationship with the National Basketball Association (NBA) team the Atlanta Hawks and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) team the Atlanta Dream. In some cases, star players from pro teams are asked to present awards to contest finalists. It’s a moment of excitement that makes for lasting memories and generates plenty of goodwill toward K of C organizers. Georgia Knights enjoy a solid record of achievement with the program. The state council reports that some 179,000 players competed in 3,000 events last year alone. State free throw program director Mike Gozdick is a member of Danny McMichael Council 12984 in Jackson, Ga. A long-time basketball fan, Gozdick was attracted to the Free Throw Championship’s focus on working with young people. “I think that every child should take part in some sort of sporting activity,” Gozdick said. “All you have to do is help with one free throw contest and you will be hooked. To watch the children and see the excitement in their faces — these are things that words cannot explain.” Gozdick added that the support of professional teams lends additional excitement and buzz to the program. “Everything that they do for us is at no cost to the Georgia State Council,” he said. This includes hosting the state competition at Philips Arena, the home court of the Atlanta Hawks. “I had a parent come up to me and tell me that it did not matter if her child won,” Gozdick said. “What was most important to her son was being able to take part in the competition on the same court that the Hawks play on.” COMMITTED LEADERS It’s not just the American South that enjoys such success with the Free Throw competition. In Ontario, Joseph Cinti has served as director of the Ontario Knights’ free throw program since 2002. A member of St. Gregory Council 9399 in Cambridge, Cinti reports that some 65 percent of Ontario councils take part in the program, translating to a total participation of more than 827,000 young people. “Our councils are encouraged to promote the program in the schools of all denominations, in community sports organizations and in the parish churches in all their districts,” Cinti said. He added that the free throw program remains an excellent “motivational tool” to enhance young people’s physical education and extra-curricular programs. It is also an excellent recruitment tool. “The free throw program is a working tool for growth in membership,” Cinti said. “It’s a key opportunity for meeting brother Knights and their families, to share ideas and to set goals for the year.” Immediate past state deputy of Ontario, Natale “Nat” Gallo, is
Daniel J. Baker (left), immediate past state deputy of Georgia, and Mike Gozdick, state chairman of the free throw program, stand with one of the winners of the state championship competition hosted in Atlanta’s Philips Arena last April. 20 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦
SEPTEMBER 2009