Quality youth sports programs with knowledgeable leadership are critically important to the development of young people in any city. Minneapolis is no exception. From basketball to tennis, there is a continued need for affordable sports at the community level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Heritage Youth Sports Foundation (HYSF), is a local organization focused on giving youth a chance to play sports, make friends, improve social skills, and serve the community– all while learning various aspects of the sports business. Mike Shelton, the foundation\u2019s Executive Director, and former youth athlete, has taken the lead by providing youth with camps, clinics, tournaments, and opportunities for leadership. Now that the weather has warmed-up, \u2018Team Path<\/em>\u2019, catered to grades K-12, will start practicing basketball, football, golf, soccer, and tennis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Youth are able to participate in all sports free of charge (except basketball) if they participate in what Shelton calls a \u2018Serve to Play\u2019 model. Under this model youth are expected to spend one hour per week (before or after a game), giving back to the community. Serving can be done by cleaning parks or handing out food and goods to those in need. Heritage Youth Sports Foundation believes in \u2018Strengthening Lives and Community Through Sport\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For older youth athletes, the foundation has leadership opportunities in grades 7-12. These mentors are called \u2018Athleaders\u2019. They are currently hand-chosen and can earn up to one $1,000 in a five-week period as a mentor. Considering these \u2018Athleaders\u2019 are busy playing sports; they currently only serve during summer programming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Born and raised in North Minneapolis, Shelton is a husband, father, and an Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach for North Community High School in Minneapolis. As a self-proclaimed lover of the community, he says, \u201cWhat we learn on the field in terms of social skills and being a team player, crosses over into real life.\u201d Shelton wants his players to be good stewards on the field and in their daily lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Until age 18, Shelton attended Jerry Gambles Boys and Girls Club in Minneapolis. He remembers always wanting to own a club or be involved with one. When a friend who had a similar club plan decided to pursue another career path, Shelton asked to take over the plan. The friend agreed and in 2012 HYSF started holding basketball camps; in 2016 it became an official nonprofit 501c3 adding baseball, football, soccer, and golf for grades K-6. Sessions are held in 6-week increments. The program is at various locations including, La Creche Early Childhood Center, Jerry Gambles Boys and Girls Club, and Beacon After School Programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shelton wants his foundation to give inner city youth a chance to have fair representation; knowledge of the ins and outs of different sports leagues; and the understanding of different sports careers. He wants youth to understand, \u201cYou can be more than just a player. If you want to stay in sports, there are other ways, like refereeing, life guards, and agents\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shelton has a background in programing and was also a multi-sports participant growing up. From soccer, to baseball, to basketball, Shelton stayed in a sport each season of each year. He told Insight News<\/em>, \u201cI played baseball at North High and we did not win a game in four years. I knew I was good enough to play in college, but I did not have anyone to help me. This is another reason I started this [foundation]. I wanted to make sure that children who have goals and dreams to play sports after high school have the help they needed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taking his support role seriously, he has written letters, spoken to scouts, and made numerous calls to coaches, all to help his players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To help youth reach their sporting potential, Shelton is working with Mikey Grant for Golf; Crystal Taylor for Tennis; Mario Wimberly and Karen Foundation for soccer programming. The Foundations numbers have increased since 2012, beginning with 24 youth served annually to 150 youth served in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Heritage was also featured on the \u2018Today Show<\/em>\u2019 with Al Roker. Shelton says in summer of 2021, he got a mysterious call asking if the show could spotlight the foundation. Months later, he got a follow up call and was featured on the show along with some of the youth from his program. Gatorade has also contacted him to do some partnership work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With participants and partnerships growing, this sports foundation is sure to make continued waves. With a leader like Shelton, who is humble, reserved, and likes to serve his community, his vision of Strengthening his community through service and sports, is soon to be actualized. By providing quality and affordable sports programming to the community, everybody wins. Heritage Youth Sports Foundation has something for every youth interested in sports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information, contact Mike Shelton at 612-229-7901.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Quality youth sports programs with knowledgeable leadership are critically important to the development of young people in any city. Minneapolis is no exception. From basketball to tennis, there is a continued need for affordable sports at the community level. 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