Shock, Pistons Go to Work in the Community During 06-07 Season

During the 2006-2007 season, the NBA Detroit Pistons and WNBA Detroit Shock completed five substantial renovation projects within a nine-month span. The renovation projects, or “Live, Learn and Play Centers” as they are called, are a part of NBA Cares and Read to Achieve, two league-wide initiatives devoted to education and overall social responsibility.

As part of the NBA’s global community outreach initiative NBA Cares, the league's Read to Achieve program vows to donate $100 million to communities, provide 1 million hours of community service and renovate 100 Live, Learn and Play Centers. The Pistons and Shock have set the bar for all NBA and WNBA teams by completing 15 of these renovations, currently a league-high.

Lewton Elementary School in Lansing, Mich., was the season’s first site for the Pistons and Shock’s Live, Learn and Play Centers. This marked the 11th renovation project by the Pistons since the NBA Cares initiative began in 2001. The Pistons completely revamped the school’s library by adding new books, computers, carpet, a fresh paint job and brand new furniture. Additionally, a one-hundred foot mural of the state’s capitol building and Pistons players and personalities was added to the room to bring it to life.

Lewton Elementary

First Live, Learn, and Play Center outside of metro Detroit One-hundred foot mural of state capitol building & Pistons players Governor Jennifer Granholm in attendance

“In the past, we’ve kept our Read to Achieve ‘Live, Learn and Play Center’ projects in the metro Detroit area,” said Pistons player, Lindsey Hunter. “It’s great to be able to go out to the state capital and support some of the schools there as well. There are high need areas all over Michigan, and to be able to help out in Lansing is something we’re proud of.”

The Pistons also created a “Sports Reading Corner” decked out with Pistons and Shock graphics to provide students with a comfortable setting for learning. Lindsey Hunter, President & CEO of Palace Sports & Entertainment, Tom Wilson and other Pistons staff were in attendance for the unveiling ceremony on Tuesday, September 26th. Lansing’s Mayor Virg Bernero and Governor Jennifer Granholm were also present to tip-off the event.

“Since the library has been renovated, teachers have had to schedule extra library time because the kids want to be in there,” said Principal Teri Bernero.

Madison Middle School

Entire Pistons team in attendance Historical Halloween Rally to celebrate influential Michiganders U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow in attendance

One month after the renovation of Lewton Elementary School, Madison Middle School made way for the Pistons to complete their 12th Live, Learn, and Play Center. On Friday, October 20th the entire Pistons team visited Madison Middle School in Pontiac, Mich. to participate in the opening ceremony for the renovation of the school’s library. Madison’s library received books, thirteen laptop computers, new carpet, paint and furniture.

“It’s great to do something like this right in The Palace’s own backyard,” said 2006 NBA All-Star and Pistons team captain Chauncey Billups. “The library will be there long after my teammates and I are gone, serving as a great motivator for the students to read, learn and improve their education.”

Eton Academy

Renovated four rooms for the project Eton Academy is a school for students with learning differences Provided state-of-the-art software and hardware for students with learning differences

For the 13th Live, Learn, and Play Center completed by the Pistons, the organization stepped up to not only renovate the library at Eton Academy in Birmingham, Mich., but also develop a literacy lab and resource room. Eton Academy is a school for students with learning differences, such as ADHD, dyslexia, sensory challenges and others. Flip Saunders, Dale Davis, Ronald “Flip” Murray, Elaine Powell and other Pistons staff were there on March 19th, 2007 to unveil each of these renovations. Like the other Live, Learn and Play Centers, Eton’s library received new books, furniture, carpet, paint, computers and a redecorated special room in the library that was dedicated to former student, Tressa VanAnda, who had passed away from leukemia. The Detroit Pistons Literacy Lab, formerly a storage room, houses a very unique area for students with learning differences to learn through the use of computers that have specific software to accommodate the students.

“Our students will now have access to Michigan’s best literacy lab to process and decode,” said Pete Pullen, Eton Academy’s Head of School. “This software will undoubtedly help our students to read and learn more effectively.”

Habitat for Humanity

One of ten homes being built and sent to a Hurricane Katrina victim by the NBA TNT, NBA, Habitat for Humanity and the NBPA collaborated to make this possible Built the home right outside the Palace in the parking lot

Lastly, the Pistons created a resource center that is open to the public. This room is made to be very comfortable with new furniture so that parents and others interested are able to browse through the hundreds of books or use the computers to educate themselves on learning differences.

For the first “Live” project of the year, the Pistons teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to build a home for a family in Hattiesburg, Miss. This would be one of ten homes built by an NBA club alongside Habitat for Humanity to be given to victims of Hurricane Katrina. Antonio McDyess, Lindsey Hunter and Ronald Dupree all volunteered to help out with the project, which took place on The Palace parking lot and utilized dozens of Palace employees. This project would mark the fourth Live, Learn, and Play Center during the 2006-07 season.

Flint Teen Center

Flint Mayor proclaimed May 15th as “Detroit Shock Day" Entire Shock team in attendance Rock & Shock Teen Center largest renovation project completed by organization to date

Finally, on May 15th the WNBA champion Detroit Shock teamed up with Rock Financial to present the organization’s 15th Live, Learn and Play Center in the form of the “Rock Financial and Detroit Shock Teen Center.” Much excitement filled the gymnasium at the Boys & Girls Club during the ceremony as students marveled at the completely revamped teen center with a new paint job in Shock colors and wood flooring designed after the Pistons/Shock. Two local club members, Jonathon Ferguson and Stacey Bush, spoke at the ceremony on how the club had help them and their thoughts on the newly designed teen center.

“I was speechless when I came into the teen room,” Bush said. “I wasn’t able to pick up my jaw. It’s just incredible that we have something so magnificent. What Rock Financial and the Shock team did was just awesome.”

Deanna Nolan and Patrick McInnis at the "Rock and Shock" Teen Center. Allen Einstein (NBAE/Getty) Two Flint natives, Patrick McInnis, President of Rock Financial, and Deanna Nolan, Detroit Shock guard, spoke during the ceremony as well.

“We wanted to get involved with a project that would have a significant and lasting impact on the city of Flint,” McInnis said. “With this renovation project, we are providing resources that are in great need by teens in this community, and we are proud that the Rock Financial and Shock Teen Center will undoubtedly affect the youth of this city in a positive way. It’s a great opportunity to create hope for young kids and give them a safe learning environment.”

As a result of the project, the teen center received a Pistons pool table, resources to prepare for college, new furniture, TV’s, video game systems and a 1000-watt stereo system. Larger-than-life Shock and Pistons player graphics were spread throughout the room as well.

“Growing up in Flint, I know firsthand that the teens here need this new center,” said Nolan, the Shock’s guard and three-time WNBA All-Star. “The Rock Financial and Detroit Shock Teen Center will be a safe place for teens to hang out, have a good time and know that they have choices in life.”

Within the past nine months the Pistons and Shock have been able to complete five Live, Learn and Play Centers. Though each project was a little different, the renovations truly impacted area youth.

The 2006-2007 Detroit Pistons Read to Achieve sponsors include: Rock Financial, Sprite, Ticketmaster, National City, Absopure, Belle Tire, Detroit Medical Center, Bowling Centers Association of Southeastern Michigan, Metro PCS and Tim Hortons.

The 2007 Detroit Shock community sponsors include AirMaster, Lennox, Belle Tire, Detroit Medical Center, T&C Federal Credit Union, Medical Weight Loss Clinic, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and National City.