TONIGHT: Fundraiser to Raise Money for Guilford Youth Basketball League

GUILFORD, CT - The owner of Ashley’s Ice Cream of Guilford, Joe Amatrano is hosting an event called Scoops for Hoops in honor of Coach Scott Markovich who won the national coaching award from the Positive Coaching Alliance

Ashley’s will be donating the proceeds from the event to the Guilford Basketball League fund that allows any kids in Guilford who wish to play basketball but their families cannot afford it the chance to join the league and have a great basketball experience.

The fund is used every year. It will be a family event, complete with a DJ, new outdoor seating at Ashley’s and Coach Markovich himself behind the counter scooping ice cream for the customers. The event takes place on Thursday, May 19th at Ashley’s in Guilford from 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

Here is more info on the award Coach Markovich won:

Scott Markovich, who coaches for the Guilford Basketball League has won Positive Coaching Alliance’s coveted Double-Goal Coach Award presented by TeamSnap for his positive impact on youth athletes.

Markovich is one of 50 national recipients of the Double-Goal Coach award, named for coaches who strive to win while also pursuing the more important goal of teaching life lessons through sports.

Markovich was selected from more than 2,400 nominations nationwide for his positive impact on youth and pursuing winning and the even more important goal of teaching life lessons through sports.

Parent Bernadette LaFrance submitted Markovich for consideration.

The award includes a $200 prize, a certificate, and mention within the websites and newsletters of Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), a national non-profit developing Better Athletes, Better People through youth and high school sports.

“Scott helps his players win on and off the court,” said Beth O’Neill Maloney, Executive Director of PCA-New England, the local Chapter of Positive Coaching Alliance, according to a prepared statement. “By creating a positive, character-building youth sports experience and serving as a Double-Goal Coach, Scott helps youth develop into better athletes and better people.”

Markovich, father of an 11-year-old and a 13-year-old, started coaching five years ago and quickly realized that coaches “really have an opportunity to leave an impression,” he said in the statement. “I remember the impact my coaches had on me 30 years ago – some really good, and some not so good – so I take this role very seriously.”

That has helped shape a philosophy he imparts to his players at every practice.

“First, I tell them that more important than anything is to be a good person,” Markovich said. “Second, I tell them when we play this game we’re going to play it the right way. We’re going to play fair, we’re going to play hard, and we’re always going to give our best no matter what. Our attitude is 90 percent of the effort. Finally, I stress teamwork…we’re all in this together.”

Markovich’s approach illustrates the role coaches can play in the development of youth, O’Neill Maloney said.

“Our Chapter’s employees, board and supporters are thrilled that Coach Markovich is getting national recognition for his work with the Guilford Basketball League. Having Scott as an award-winning Double-Goal Coach in our community provides an example for other coaches to emulate, so thousands more youth and high school athletes in our area can benefit from a positive, character-building sports experience.”