Colorado University Athletics

CU, YMCA of Boulder Valley, To Continue Partnership

CU, YMCA of Boulder Valley, To Continue Partnership
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BOULDER - The University of Colorado athletic department and the YMCA of Boulder Valley Wednesday announced plans to continue the YMCA Junior Buffs program.  The partnership, now several years old, combines the YMCA's core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility with the Buffs' 'Your Team' philosophy.

The YMCA Junior Buffs program has been implemented with football, soccer and basketball at the following YMCA of Boulder Valley locations; the Mapleton YMCA at 28th Street & Mapleton Ave. in Boulder, and the Arapahoe YMCA at 95th Street and Arapahoe Ave. in Lafayette. 

As part of the partnership, the CU football and men's and women's basketball coaches conduct clinics for the YMCA youth sports programs and the Buffs assist the YMCA with developing coaches manuals for basketball, soccer and football.  In addition, CU coaches hosted a YMCA Sports Camp field trip, a Prime Time Hoops Clinic, and a Mini-Prime Time Hoops Clinic.  The Buffs also donate footballs and basketballs for the YMCA Junior Buffs program.

Other perks of the program include the YMCA Junior Buffs flag football participants being able to play a season game in the CU practice bubble, special ticket pricing to CU sports events (discounts apply if a YMCA Junior Buffs participant wears their sports jersey) and the opportunity to play in front of large crowds at the halftime of men's and women's basketball and soccer games.

The YMCA of Boulder Valley serves approximately 9,000 youth sports participants per year and has been running youth sports programs in Boulder County since 1955, including basketball, soccer, baseball, lacrosse, football, and hockey. The YMCA of Boulder Valley also offers additional programs in 65 outreach sites, including 22 Boulder Valley School District locations. 
   
The YMCA Strong Kids Campaign is their annual "scholarship fund" which raises money annually to support those that need fee assistance for programs and YMCA membership. The YMCA is a non-profit organization that strives to turn no one away due to inability to pay.