Fort Schuyler Magazine

“I enjoy playing basketball with them and I like when they ask me all kinds of questions. It’s a good reminder to be grateful for what you have; sometimes we forget that.” — Theo Noble ’24

ATHLETICS CoachingYouth Sports

E ach year, members of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) – a group comprised of a few athletes from each sports team – prepare for and participate in New York City’s Saturday Night Lights program. Launched in 2011, Saturday Night Lights is a partnership between the NYC Police Department and NYC’s Department of Youth and Community Development. It provides youth ages 11-18 from every borough in NYC with access to free sports and sports programs on Saturday nights. Maritime College is one of over 130 sites participating in the program and has hosted 75 students. Athletics Director, Michael Berkun noted that SAAC members manage the program for the College and when students arrive on campus, athletes from the various teams share time playing with, coaching and teaching students about Maritime College and the maritime industry. “We’ve offered students a basketball clinic and other sports clinics, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive for our athletes and the students. They have a chance to learn about the College, eat a good meal, and spend time having fun with our athletes who are responsible for running the program,” said Berkun. SAAC President Theo Noble, third year student in the International Transportation and Trade degree program, and member of the men’s basketball team has participated in the Saturday Night Lights program as a coach in the basketball clinic. “When the students come to Maritime, they get to see a beautiful campus that’s right by the water, and the ship – that’s something they don’t get to see often – so they’re really excited to be here,” Noble said. The Bronx native who is thrilled to play basketball for Maritime looks forward to the bonding he experiences with students. “I enjoy playing basketball with them and I like when they ask me all kinds of questions. It’s a good reminder to be grateful for what you have; sometimes we forget that.”

Fall 2022 Fort Schuyler 19