By WALTER SANCHEZ | news@queensledger.com
The Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) launched a new NIL (name, image, and likeness) partnership with the Long Island University-Brooklyn (LIU) men’s basketball team that included a visit to a CHPE construction site in Astoria, Queens, and a basketball clinic at the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens (VBGCQ).
More than 50 youth were at the clinic at the club, which included hands-on instruction from the LIU men’s basketball starting lineup and the team’s head coach, NBA legend Rod Strickland. Participants split up into teams, learned key basketball skills, and gained an understanding of the life of a student-athlete, something quite important to kids at the club, as many aspire to play sports in school. The children then competed against each other while LIU players served as coaches.
Before the two-hour clinic, members of the LIU men’s team toured a local CHPE construction site near the Rainey substation in Astoria. They learned about the benefits of CHPE, a 339-mile-long clean-energy transmission project that will deliver clean, renewable hydropower to NYC, providing enough clean energy annually to power 1 million New York City homes, and alleviating pollution in disadvantaged communities. CHPE leaders taught players about the direct impact of union labor and grid reliability on the greater New York community.
“Through this community-first partnership, we were able to provide an unforgettable and impactful experience for these kids,” said Hydro-Québec Senior Director of Stakeholder Relations Pete Rose.
“We appreciate members of the LIU men’s basketball team learning about CHPE, and its commitment to uplifting the local community, whether it’s through the benefits of clean energy or reinforcing the value of teamwork by playing basketball with local youth.”
“Paying it forward and giving back is always important, and it was special to share our love of basketball with these local kids,” said Long Island University head men’s basketball coach Rod Strickland.
“Through our tour of the Rainey converter site and our time playing basketball, it was great to hear and see CHPE’s positive relationship with this community.” “This basketball clinic with CHPE and the LIU men’s basketball team created a special opportunity to share our diverse, unique, and robust “give back” ecosystem with kids in the Astoria community,” said WVI DF Founder Jeremiah Schnee. “This shows all the ways that we can give back and provide a positive impact on local youth. Basketball is a far-reaching pastime that can teach kids about the important lessons of teamwork and sportsmanship, and CHPE and the LIU basketball team are wonderful ambassadors for the community.” This Basketball clinic provided a once-in-a-lifetime experience to our kids; we thank CHPE for their continued partnership and commitment to Astoria,” said Costa Constantinides, CEO of Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens.
