Dan Tietz, Assistant Coach of the Cedaredge 5th - 8th Grade Girls Basketball Recreation League is transforming young girls into young ladies. The travel team similar to AAU programs competes in tournaments around the state. Dan knows that while he focuses on competitive basketball play his players gain more than rules knowledge and game strategy.
Dan presented a program to Cedaredge Rotary on February 26 and Rotarians thanked him for his dedication and commitment to the his basketball girls. Dan is a local Realtor with ReMax and the father of girls on the team.
While traveling the girls are exposed to Dan's lessons in good sportsmanship, restaurant etiquette, how to be a polite travel companion and more as they grow into confident young women. Many of the girls come from economically challenged family situations however no one is turned away from the program. Dan raises money to support the girls and eliminate the normal high fees required to play on a travel team. Other similar teams charge up to $1,000 for the year-long program. Dan helps coach three teams with 12 girls per team ranging in age from 9 to 12 or 13 years old. Even the younger girls excel on the teams. Dan estimated that one third to one half of the girls would not be able to play without the generous support from the community. Rotary will be sponsoring one of the upcoming tournaments with their $250 donation and we hope to attend some of the games to cheer on the Cedaredge girls.