Celebrating our 25th season of Upward Basketball at First Baptist Muskogee!

Why choose Upward Sports?

We think Upward Basketball makes sense. Players have ONE practice and ONE game per week in our gymnasium all while striving to provide a positive sports experience for every boy and girl. How do we do that?
• We teach fundamentals.
• We use Upward Sports’ unique drafting system to create balanced teams.
• We use Upward Sports’ substitution system to produce equal playing time.
• We seek out volunteer coaches and referees who truly want every child to have a fun and positive experience.
• We utilize Upward Sports’ Bible-based practice devotions to teach life lessons.
• We include a quality, numbered, reversible jersey and t-shirt in our registration fee.
• We include an end-of-season award at our Awards Night Celebration.
• We are setup for inner-league play. Parents do not have to travel for games.
So, join us for a FUN-FILLED season where children can learn how to play basketball, be competitive, and honor God all at the same time!

About Us

For the past 24 years, First Baptist Muskogee has had the privilege of offering Up-ward Basketball to our community and surrounding area. It’s more than a game. It is a ministry! This season will mark a quarter of a century of providing a place where children can learn to love the game and learn about the love of Jesus. In the Fall of 1997, First Baptist Muskogee became the first church west of the Mis-sissippi River to organize, in partnership with Upward Sports, our very first Upward Basketball League. This was all due to the vision cast by then Christian Life Center Director, Shirley Pike, after spending time with the founder of Upward Sports, Caz McCaslin, at Rec Lab in Glorietta, New Mexico. She knew immediately that Mus-kogee, Oklahoma needed Upward Basketball, and First Baptist Church had the facili-ties and the abilities to launch this ministry. Twenty-five years later, we are now min-istering to the children of former players! We are thankful for the opportunity to serve families in our community and the sur-rounding areas. We hope to have the privilege of connecting with your family!
Lower divisions play half-court games on Friday evenings OR Saturday mornings. It will vary week to week.
Upper divisions play full-court games on Saturdays.

Our divisions are as follows:
LOWER DIVISIONS Kindergarten & 1st grade coed **NEW**
2nd & 3rd grade coed
UPPER DIVISIONS 4th - 6th girls
4th - 6th boys 7th - 12th girls **NEW**
7th & 8th boys
The registration fee covers the reversible jersey, coordinating t-shirt, and Upward wristband.

Early registration fee $65
Late Registration $90
Optional shorts $15

KEY DATES:
Early Registration ------------------------------------Sep 23 - Oct 31
Late Registration-------------------------------------Nov 1 - Nov 11
NO REGISTRATIONS AFTER NOV 11.

Evaluations Lower Divisions                                                    Nov 1  OR  Nov 3
Kindergarten & 1st Coed ------------------------------6:00-7:30 p.m. drop-in
2nd & 3rd Coed --------------------------------------6:00-7:30 p.m. drop-in


Evaluations & Scrimmages Upper Divisions                        Nov 5 (NOT drop-in)
4th-6th boys-----------------------------------------9:00 a.m.
4th-6th girls-----------------------------------------10:30 a.m.
7th-12th girls ----------------------------------------1:00 p.m.
7th & 8th boys ---------------------------------------2:30 p.m.

*Mandatory Coach Training (pick ONE)
Nov 10 @ 6:00 p.m.
Nov 13 @ 4:00 p.m.
Nov 29 @ 6:00 p.m.

Mandatory Parent  Meeting/Meet Your Coach                 Dec 3 @ 10:00 a.m.
First Practice Week-----------------------------------Dec 5
First Game Weekend ---------------------------------Jan 6 & 7
Upward Awards Night Celebration --------------------Feb 27"

* All coaches and assistant coaches MUST attend ONE Coach Training session.
* All coaches, assistant coaches and team hosts must pass a complete background check AND complete the Ministry Safe training in order to receive your team roster

For more information, call 918-682-2301 (8:00 am - 5:00 pm)
or email ksmith@fbcmuskogee.org