Squadron, a G-league professional basketball team affiliated with the New Orleans Pelicans, is more than a group of basketball players trying to win games and move on to the NBA. They are very service- and community-minded.
Leslie Claybrook, Squadron’s new general manager, joined the organization in July 2022. The former University of Alabama player has been a coach and athletics director at several colleges — experiences that have motivated her toward community service.
“We’re not just a team that plays 24 games at Legacy Arena. We’re a team that wants to be involved and engaged in the Birmingham community in several different areas — schools, churches, outreaches. We do a lot of community service and engagement,” Claybrook said.
She continued, “Our coaches and players are more than basketball players. They’re young men who want to be a part of the community here in Birmingham and engaged in the community and give back in a meaningful way more than just playing basketball.”
Opportunities
One event that emphasizes this focus is an annual Faith and Family Night. Several churches, including First Baptist Church Leeds, came out this past season for the Squadron’s Faith and Family Night.
Matt Robinson, minister of youth at First Baptist Leeds, brought his youth group to the game.
He explained, “I chose the Squadron game because I am always looking for fun inexpensive ideas to spend time together as a youth group. Events like the Birmingham Squadron basketball game is a fun outing for students to invite their unchurched friends so they can have a laid-back opportunity to get to know our church.”
Claybrook is encouraged by those kinds of stories.
“Having these types of theme nights like Faith and Family provides organizations which we work with in the community to see our guys, not only having worked with them in a service opportunity but also see them participate in their passion and their growth,” she said.
Squadron’s head coach, T.J. Saint, is on board with a life-is-more-than-basketball emphasis, Claybrook said.
“[He] is really involved with community outreach. He wants his players to be involved in community outreach because he wants them to understand that they are part of the community; that there is more to basketball,” she said.
One way Squadron serves the community is by partnering with local nonprofits. One of these is Grace Klein Community, a group who works to “meet physical and spiritual needs both locally and globally.”
Annie Stewart, who works with community volunteer recruitment at Grace Klein Community, has great things to say about the Squadron players and organization.
“The Squadron team and staff have been truly amazing. Not only have they volunteered at our drive-thru (food giveaway), helping make food boxes and passing them out, they’ve also created personal connections with hundreds of people through caring and encouraging interactions,” Stewart said.
Giving back
Another way Squadron gives back is by providing tickets to community partners, including churches.
Grace Klein has used this promotion to both help their clients and give back to their volunteers.
“These amazing people have also treated many of our hardworking volunteers and food recipients with opportunities to watch their intense and fun-filled games,” Stewart said.
“The long list of joyful, hopeful and thankful stories that come from those blessed with their time with the Squadron, either at the games or at the drive-thru, helps show the amazing impact they’ve had on so many,” she added.
“The example of sharing shows the amazing effort that the Squadrons are willing to put in to help build a community of joy and unity. Grace Klein Community and our food rescue initiative FeedBHM is blessed to partner with them and we look forward to continuing to impact Birmingham together.”
Squadron also has players on the team who share their testimonies. They enjoy speaking to church groups of all kinds, including programs like Upward.
“We just need to know what those opportunities are,” Claybrook noted. “We just need people to ask us, to tell us, ‘Come out and do this.’”
Churches or nonprofits who would like to partner with Squadron can contact Sam Beck at Samantha.Beck@Pelicans.com.
For Squadron’s schedule or more information about the team, go to birmingham.gleague.nba.com.
Share with others: