Individuals ready to get their stars
There will be some familiar faces with years of experience and dedication who will be honored at 9 a.m. Oct. 11 at the annual Burbank Athletics Walk of Fame induction ceremony at Olive Park’s Bill Burton Field.
This year’s group of inductees are Mike Acosta, Steven Beardsley, Al Davis, Al Fredrickson, Debbie Ludwig, Don Ludwig, Linda Oseransky, Laurie Patterson and Patrick Patterson.
Sponsored by the Burbank Park, Recreation and Community Services Department, the Walk of Fame was established to acknowledge the contributions of athletes, coaches, volunteers and staff members who have shown dedication and commitment to the department.
In recognizing the value of sports and athletic activities within the community, the tribute highlights individuals who, in their roles as participants, volunteers or professional staff, have furthered the excellence of the local organized sports programs.
Inductees are permanently honored with their names chiseled on individual bricks that adorn a walkway behind Diamond No. 2 at Olive Park. Complete with inscriptions, the walk has room for hundreds of future honorees.
The event is free and open to the public.
Annual holiday hoop camp scheduled
Athletes who would like to improve their basketball skills will get an opportunity to do just that at the sixth annual MVP Holiday Basketball Camp.
The camp will be held from 1-4 p.m. Dec. 29-31 at Luther Burbank Middle School.
The event is open to boys and girls in the fifth through eighth grades and the cost is $65. Space is limited to 60 athletes, and the registration deadline is Dec. 19.
The event is run by longtime Burbank Park, Recreation and Community Services, Catholic Youth Organization and high school Coach Mike Graceffo. Graceffo has more than 25 years coaching experience and was an instructor at camps run by Michael Jordan and B.J. Armstrong.
Graceffo also coached in the American Roundball Corp. and has won championships at many levels.
Along with learning basketball fundamentals and skills, participants will receive a profile card outlining a player’s strengths and weaknesses, a self-help booklet, a gym bag, a T-shirt and a certificate of participation.
Athletes will play several pickup games, participate in basketball drills, take part in free throw and shooting contests, watch basketball videos and get a chance to win prizes.
For more information, or to sign up, call (818) 238-5390.
Report your youth sports results
To get in youth sports results, whether it’s soccer, football, baseball, basketball, etc., please drop off or e-mail results by 2 p.m. Mondays.
The Leader encourages any and all teams to turn in their results weekly. Even high school freshmen, junior varsity and other teams’ results will be published (as space allows).
E-mails can be sent to jeff.tully@latimes.com. For more information, call (818) 637-3245.
Looking for athletes beyond high school
In order to provide the most comprehensive coverage possible, the Leader sports department is constantly trying to keep tabs on area athletes beyond high school.
If you know of any area athletes playing at the collegiate or professional level, please let us know.
Feel free to call Sports Editor Jeff Tully at jeff.tully@latimes.com or call (818) 637-3245. You can also fax information to (818) 241-1975.
