13th Annual Women's Basketball PAL Clinic A Huge Success

Oct. 21, 2000

CORAL GABLES, Fla.–The University of Miami women’s basketball team hosted the PAL (Police Athletic League) Clinic Saturday morning in Knight Sports Complex on the UM campus.

This is head coach Ferne Labati’s 13th season and the 13th year she has hosted the PAL Clinic.

“Being a part of the PAL team at the University of Miami and working with the kids, is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a coach,” said head coach Ferne Labati.

The clinic proved to be a tremendous success. The clinic is part of the “Join a Team Not a Gang” program, who is sponsored by the University of Miami Athletics, Miami-Dade Police Department and Florida Power and Light.

Various police officers from the COPS (Community Oriented Police Officers) sector work with at-risk youth from housing developments around the community. The main goal of the organization is to get at-risk youth involved in sports and different activities rather than fall victim to the streets.

“The officers bring the kids, who other wise would not be able to get here to meet the basketball players,” said Officer Keith Green. “They get here and realize this is possible for me to do someday.”

The groups of girls are placed with UM women’s basketball players and they go over fundamental skills and various drills to improve their play.

“Girls are making the team, because of skills they learn in the clinic,” said Officer Jackie Hardy. “We bring them to the University of Miami, give them the best because we expect the best.”