The Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation

Better sports. For a better community.

It's more than a game. It's a better quality of life for the people of our area. That's why the Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation seeks to enhance the sporting life in Tuscaloosa County and West Alabama through volunteerism, fund raising, and education.

Our Leaders | Our Team | Our Objectives | Testimonials

TSF Affiliates

Tuscaloosa, AL-The inaugural Comcast Downtown Slam is in the books. On Saturday, May 15, the Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation, Connect 3on3, First United Methodist Church, Comcast,and numerous sponsors and partners came together to put on the event at the old CityFest lot in downtown Tuscaloosa.Forty-six teams in twelve divisions came together to compete in the city championships.

Area merchants and businesses made the event seem more like a festival than just a basketball tournament by bringing tents and tables to the event.

One could find anything from free food and drinks,various displays from cars to the Tuscaloosa Library's Book Mobile, Maude Whatley Mobile Health RV and the First United Methodist's Family Fun Zone. Overall the community put on a grand event with attendance estimated to be around 1,800 people.

One merchant on hand was McAlister's Deli, who helped to keep people hydrated with their famous sweet tea. Britt Marshall, McAlister's in Tuscaloosa's GM, had this to say, "The Downtown Slam came off as one of the most original and successful community activities in which we have ever had the pleasure to participate.

In organizing local businesses to aid in this,TSF drew people from all walks and ages. I lost count of the number of visitors that were just amazed that they were able to bring their whole family to a day of fun for no charge. You definitely gave us an opportunity to put the "T" in Tuscaloosa! We handed out over 60 gallons of tea over the course of the day...and a big smile was on the other side every time."

First United Methodist of Tuscaloosa, helped to drive the event offering tables, chairs, and several volunteers for the event. Pastor Mary Bendall spoke highly of the experience. "Partnering with the Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation was an exciting and creative way for both of our organizations to bless the Tuscaloosa community. It was an honor for us to get to be part of creating a safe and wonderful day of family fun and recreation. About 85 FUMCT volunteers helped to make the event possible and everyone had an awesome time! "

The Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation anchored the event bringing in Connect 3on3for the experience in putting these tournaments on.The Foundation continued its mission of enriching the West Alabama community through sports events by putting all the parts together to make the event the success it was.

Don Staley, executive director of the Tuscaloosa SportsFoundation,said, "The inaugural Comcast Downtown Slam was a success on many fronts. From the conceptual idea, to the amount of participants, contribution of the volunteers and interns; successful is the only way to describe it. However, most importantly this event brought people to downtown Tuscaloosa."Staley went on to say, "We were blessed to work with several outstanding organizations who could not have been more helpful. Let me reiterate, the event was extremely successful and the Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation was proud to partner with Comcast, First United Methodist, and Connect 3 on 3, along with our other corporate sponsors and 40 other vendors."

The Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation began operation in June of 2008.The Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation seeks to enhance the sporting life in Tuscaloosa County and West Alabama through volunteerism, fund raising, and education.

For more information on the Tuscaloosa SportsFoundation visit www.tuscaloosasportsfoundation.org, or contact Don Staley,executive director Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation, at (205)-394-0070.