UC's Miller, Merriweather to be in Big 12 Rucker Park program Tuesday
The University of Cincinnati's two head basketball coaches will be participating in a new Big 12 program reaching out to young players in the Conference's Rucker Park program called "Big 12 Hoops in the Park" this coming Tuesday.
Bearcat men's coach Wes Miller and women's coach Katrina Merriweather have been selected to be a part of the inaugural clinics which were a brainchild of current commissioner Brett Yormark. Only six men's and women's coaches were chosen to make the trip to New York City to lead the clinics.
Harlem's Rucker Park has had a legendary basketball reputation for their summer leagues featuring top players. The Big 12 announced the formation of the program in March.
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“Rucker Park is one of the great landmarks in basketball and is a cultural icon – we are excited to be able to bring Big 12 Basketball to its court,” Yormark said then. “We are committed to growing the Conference’s footprint in a variety of ways, and we want kids across New York City to experience Big 12 Basketball first-hand.”
In addition to UC's representation, Baylor's Scott Drew, BYU's Mark Pope, Kansas State's Jerome Tang, TCU's Jamie Dixon and Oklahoma State's Mike Boynton will participate. On the women's side, BYU's Amber Whiting, Houston's Ron Hughey, Kansas State's Jeff Mittie and Texas Tech's Krista Gerlich will attend.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to represent the Big 12 in New York,” UC's Merriweather said. “The opportunity to teach and create meaningful moments with youth at the historic Rucker Park is an incredible honor and having a homegrown New Yorker with A’riel Jackson in our program makes the event even more special.”
Said Oklahoma State's Boynton, a Brooklyn native, “I look forward to representing the Big 12 in NYC. It’s an incredible opportunity for our conference to pour into a community with such a rich basketball tradition. I’m honored to be selected and can’t wait to see the type of impact we can have on the youth of my home city.”
Big 12 Hoops in the Park will be held on Tuesday, July 18, in partnership with New York City Parks. Additional partners for Big 12 Hoops in the Park include Hard Rock Hotels, Gatorade, and WHOOP, which will provide fitness bands for each basketball coach. Following drills and clinic sessions, coaches will participate in a Q&A with participating youth. Big 12 Hoops in the Park will also feature live DJs, food trucks, and more according to the conference website.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Wes Miller, Katrina Merriweather of UC tabbed for Big 12 program
