Foundation for Excellent Schools Basketball Challenge Kicks Off at SUNY Plattsburgh

November 10, 2004

PLATTSBURGH, NY __ In basketball, a three-point play can refer either to a goal from beyond the three-point arc or to a successful basket when a player is fouled and then makes the ensuing free throw. This season, however, four basketball teams from Willsboro, Westport, Elizabethtown-Lewis and Crown Point will be concentrating on scoring another type of three-point play.

The Willsboro Warriors, the Westport Eagles, the Elizabethtown-Lewis Lions and the Crown Point Panthers will engage in a season-long challenge to score the most points for their schools based on the following three criteria: team grade-point-average (GPA), team attendance and community service.

The kickoff for the 2004-2005 Achievement Challenge will be held on Monday, Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. at the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh in Memorial Hall. Members of the men's and women's Plattsburgh State basketball teams have been invited as special guests for the kickoff event.

Members of the four hoop teams (boys' and girls' junior varsity and varsity) from each school will combine their GPAs, the percentage of school days attended and a variety of community service activities in order to compete with the other schools. The winning school will receive a special trophy at the end of the challenge next spring.

This challenge is sponsored by the Foundation for Excellent Schools (FES), a nonprofit group dedicated to encouraging all students to take "One More Step." FES works with students and teachers across the country to develop and strengthen practices that inspire a culture of achievement. Since 1991, FES has assisted more that 140,000 students in 25 states improve test scores, earn better grades, graduate from high school and pursue post-secondary opportunities.

Through FES, SUNY Plattsburgh is partnered with public schools in high-need communities to raise student aspirations and performance.

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