|
|
|
Alumni Bring Pro Basketball Back to San Francisco
When he's not practicing criminal law, Damone Hale '87 serves as CEO of the San Francisco Rumble basketball team.
Feb. 26, 2008 -- The rumble you hear isn't an earthquake, it is the newest professional sports team to hit San Francisco. The San Francisco Rumble, which played its first game as a member of the American Basketball Association in November, is led by CEO Damone Hale '87 and President Gina DeVito '87.
But to the owners, who include Hale, DeVito, and her husband, Jim, this is much more than a basketball team. "We want the team to be part of a program to support high risk youth, to integrate sports into youth services, and to give back to the community by sharing revenue with local nonprofit organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club, RumbleBox Coalition and Peace Games," DeVito said. "The players also will be in a position to be positive role models for young people in the community."
Many of the players on the team hail from San Francisco, particularly the Bayview-Hunters Point and Western Addition neighborhoods. The Rumble, which plays its games in Kezar Pavilion, gives local players a new venue to showcase their athletic ability and be seen by other professional organizations. The 48 teams in the league represent cities in Canada, Mexico, China, and the United States.
Both DeVito and Hale have long records of community involvement, dating back to their student days. DeVito recalls teaching in the Street Law Program. Hale was a student of the Academic Support Program, where he met DeVito when he hired her as a tutor. For many years, Hale practiced at Community Defenders in Bayview-Hunter's Point. Today, he has his own criminal defense practice. DeVito is a partner in the DeVito Law Group.
"As soon as I closed the deal on the team, I knew I wanted Gina as president," Hale said. "She has proven management experience and we share the same dream. If we succeed, it will be more than a dream; it will mean real benefit for the community."
|
|
