Announcing the 2010 Challenge Life Triple Threat Basketball Camps! Tuition for the 2010 camps is FREE! August 4th – 6th at West Valley High School in Fairbanks. Official sign up day is July 6th at 10:00 AM at the Era ticketing counter in the Fairbanks International Airport. Contact hajduke@mac.com with questions.
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The Spring 2010 Challenge Life Rock ‘N Run! Rock music clinics May 18th – 21st at Barrow High School. The Spring Whaling Walk and Run is Saturday May 22nd @ 10AM, leaving from Barrow High School. Everyone who attends will get a long sleeve Challenge Life T-shirt!
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Carvers Hand
Words and Music Matt Lewis Band
Vocals Crystalynn Tulai
North Slope Night
Words: Crystal Tulai, Matt Lewis and Camron Levanger
Music: Matt Lewis Band
Children’s Voices: Fourth Graders at Fred Ipalook Elementary School in Barrow, Alaska
Midnight Sun
Words and Music: George Kaleak Sr. “TK” and Matt Lewis Band
Native Pride
Words: Mac Rock Jr.
Drums: Kaktovik Dance Group, Nuiqsut Dance Group
Beat Arrangement: Camron Levanger
Breath of a Whale
Words: Based on a Poem Written by Rainey “Nasugraq” Higbee
Music: Matt Lewis Band
Whale Sounds: North Slope Borough and Chris Clark at Cornell University
Kaktovik Dance Group is:
Stephanie Aishanna. Katheryn Aishanna, Fannie S, Persilla K, Ellis T, Mary S,
Charles L. Flossie, Bailey A, Daniella S, Ruby R, Georgianna T, Kalea R, Alecia
F, Sheldon B, Jonas M, Flora R, Crystal K, Courtney K, George Kaleak Sr.,
Betty B, Sheldon B
Nuiqsut Dance is:
John Ipalook, Michelle Ipalook, Laura Kunaknana, Beverly Sielak
Artwork: Rex Rock Jr. and Anitfreeze Design
Musicians
Matt Lewis: Guitar,Vocals
Camron Levanger: Guitar, Vocals, Beats
Ryan Graves: Drums
Chad Bates: Bass Guitar
*Full Web Album Player, and Hi Definition downloads of the entire album are coming soon. Stay tuned for more updates too!
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DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM HERE: 2010 3on3 State Tournament Registration Form
The 2010 Midnight Sun 3on3 State Basketball Tournament. June 20th, 2010 in downtown Fairbanks, AK. Hosted by Mike Hajdukovich and Al Sokaitis. Print registration form from this website, or pick up a form at Play t Again Sports. Make sure your registration forms are turned in by June 18th to Play It Again Sports.
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Download the flyer here: Alaska Peak Teamcamp flyer 2010
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Registration forms for the Barrow 3 on 3 Tournament, and the Fairbanks 3 on 3 State Tournament will be online Friday 05/07/2010. There will be two (2) options for registration: a) Fill out and submit the registration online – or – b) Download the PDF registration form, fill it out by hand, and turn it in as instructed on the form.
Mike and I wanted to take a quick moment to remind everyone of some of the exciting activities
we have in store for this summer. I am sure we will add to the list and honor as many requests
as possible but for now, here it is:
This past April, Coach Sokaitis took a group of men and women high school basketball players to compete against
college athletes in Oregon and Washington. The trip demonstrated that many of the athletes from the Slope
could compete at the next level if they enhanced their skill level and became bigger, faster and stronger athletes.
Challenge Life will be offering an advanced camp for high school players who would like to, one day, compete at
the collegiate level. The camp will take place at Barrow High School at the following times and dates:
Challenge Life will offer a basketball camp for Junior High School boys and girls that would like to raise
their level of play. The camp will focus on:
One on one skills.
Position play to include the post play, point guard play and wing play.
Transition basketball – offense and defense.
Team and individual defense.
Shooting.
Rebounding.
Ball handling.
Passing.
There will also be games and contests.
Challenge Life will run a basketball camp for elementary students in Barrow this August.
Would you like a two or three day basketball camp in your village this June, July orChallenge Life will be holding a music camp in Barrow under the direction of Matt Lewis and
Cameron Levanger. The dynamic duo will focus on voice, guitar and music production.
Lace em up! Old and young, short and tall, get a couple of friends to join you for two exciting nights
of three on three basketball competition. Details will be posted around town or contact Noe in the
Borough Building.
On Saturday May 22 at 10:00am, Mike is going for a run. I know, you think we lost it but bear with me.
Would you like to get in shape, lose a few pounds or develop a more effiecient heart? Well, as the Chinese
say, “a journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step.” The first step on the Slope begins when Mike
takes a two mile jog starting a Barrow High School. Join Mike in a fun run and receive a “First Step” tee
shirt and workout plan. The rest is up to you!
Many of the top players in the state will gather at Luman Christi High School in Anchorage for this
high level, competitive position play camp. Slope residents who wish to attend will not be charged a
camp fee but must contact Coach Sokaitis by May 15th. A brochure will be emailed on request.
Join many of the top high school teams in Alaska as they compete in the State’s number one team
camp. Slope teams are admitted tuition free, compliments of Challenge Life. Contact Coach Sokaitis
for further information.
Come and compete against the State’s best on June 20th in Fairbanks. A variety of divisions offer the opportunity
for all to stake a claim as Alaska’s top 3 on 3 hoop team. It not just basketball, however, as numerous events
are running to celebrate the sommer solstice, including, foot races, live music, parades and baseball. Contact
Mike at hajduke@mac.com or call 907 322-0626 for further information.
The Point Hope men’s and women’s cross country teams are selling baked goods and saving their bread (oops,
I mean money) for an exciting week long trip to Colorado. Coach Sokaitis will be hosting the teams as they take
advantage of 8,000 feet in altitude to train alongside of some of the nation’s elite runners. The team will also
tour the rockies, whitewater raft, hike, bike and visit some of the colleges in the area.
Next report will have a listing of Slope athletes on their way to study and play college basketball next year.
See you soon,
Mike and Al
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“Challenge Life” with the help of GCI, ASRC, the Mayor’s Healthy Communities program, BP and CH2M took 27 boys and girls to the Pacific Northwest to visit schools and play basketball in front of college coaches last week. The roster included the following Slope residents:
Jalene Kanayrak Barrow
Lynette Hepa Barrow
Nicole Smith Barrow
Ruth Nash Point Hope
Carrie Ann Kowunna Point Hope
Michelle Lane Point Hope
Lillian Weber Anaktuvuk Pass
Mary Hugo Anaktuvuk Pass
Rhoda Mekiana Anaktuvuk Pass
Tyler Adams Barrow
Victor Unutoa Barrow
Adam Sage Point Hope
Zach Lane Point Hope
Ebrulik Lane Point Hope
The trip included stops at St Martin’s College, the University of Puget Sound, Pierce College, Western Oregon State College, Concordia College, Green River College, Skagit Valley College and the University of Washington. In addition to visiting schools, the student-athletes discussed topics ranging from history and health to the variety of school affiliations, NCAA, NAIA or Junior Colleges to
drug and alcohol abuse.
It is a difficult chore, as we speak to sponsors, educators and parents, to express the value of the Challenge Life tour. Perhaps it is
best to read the words of the young men and women who traveled to the Pacific Northwest for the answer.
“This is a big opportunity for kids like us. I never really thought I would be able to play basketball at a college.
Now that I have come here, I think anything is possible.”
“My dream is to become a preschool teacher in my hometown, teaching at the same school I attended. I want to
show my community that I came from the same place, experienced the same things and went to college to
reach my goals. I want to be a positive example for my community and help lead the younger generation on the right path
to further their education.”
“The Challenge Life program has taught me perseverance and to never give up on my dreams. Some people may think
this program is based on basketball but it’s not. This program helps a person lead a healthier, smarter lifestyle.”
Mike and I would like to give a sincere thanks to the students, parents and sponsors who made this trip possible, especially,
Rob Galosich, John Quarterman, Rex Rock Jr., Sarah Nicely and Noe Texiera who served as chaperones.
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Championship Week and More
The Arctic Slope boys and girls basketball teams provided an outstanding display of skill and sportsmanship at the Alaska State High School Championships last week.
The Point Hope boys won their second consecutive title under Coach Rex Rock, led by Ebrulik “Skittles” Frankson, Zach Lane and Adam Sage. They became the first 2A team since 1989 – 1990 to repeat as State Champions. The Point Hope girls, with one of the youngest teams in the State, managed a sixth place finish and gave notice of a bright future.
In the 1A ranks, the boys from Anaktuvuk Pass made in all the way to the championship game before dropping a hard fought 43 – 31 decision to Napaskiak. The Wainwright girls captured two victories at State including a 54 – 40 victory over Kwethluk to finish third. The Alak team, similar to Point Hope, returns their entire starting lineup for 2010 – 2011.
At the 3A level, the Barrow girls put on a gutsy performance to capture a victory on basketball’s biggest stage. Their 5th place finish this season should get a tremendous boost next year with the return of five players, suspended earlier in the season, and an outstanding middle school team. The BHS boys will also be a force to be reckoned with in 2011. The Whaler boys captured 3rd place by upsetting Heritage Christian on the opening night and soundly thumping Mt. Edgecombe to finish out the tournament in style.
Sportsmanship at Its Best!
Perhaps the most impressive display of sportsmanship I have ever witnessed came at the hands of the Nunamiut boys. These young men not only, as a team, shook hands with an opponent who fouled out of a contest, they routinely congratulated an opponent for a made free throw. My hat is off to the coach (Homer) and players from Anaktuvuk Pass.
Basketball on the Rise!
Just a few statistics I thought you might enjoy to show the growing excellence of basketball on the Slope in the past seven years:
1983 – 2003 During this twenty year period, the Slope produced 4 State Championship teams in 1A, 2A and 3A, boys and girls combined. They also produced 7 runner-up finishes.
2004 – 2010 The Slope has produced 6 State Championship teams and 6 runner-up finishes in almost one third the amount of time.
Mentoring the Next Generation of Coaches
If you were at the State Tournament you may have seen two young men by my side. Lloyd Pikok and Christian Young of Point Lay spent the week job shadowing last week to learn the ins and outs of coaching. They will now be returning to Point Lay to put some of their new skills to work in organizing youth basketball programs.
Final News and Notes
Have A Great Week!
Mike and Al
“Challenge Life”
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Congrats To Our Regional Winners!
Let’s begin with a big round of applause for the six slope teams heading off to Anchorage to participate
in the 2010 State Basketball Tournament. The Barrow boys and girls, the Point Hope boys and girls, the
Wainwright girls and the Anaktuvuk Pass boys will all be making a bid to bring a state title home to their
communities. I hope to see everyone in Anchorage next week and I can’t wait for the excitement of “March
Madness – Alaska Style.”
March Madness Is More Than Hoops
The past two weeks, not everyone was involved in basketball on the regional level. While the 1A regional tournament
was played out in Point Lay, “Challenge Life” continued to provide excitement in the communities. Sam Sokaitis, spent a
weekend in Atqasuk teaching guitar and providing a basketball experience for the grade school boys and girls and then
headed out to Kaktovik. At Barter Island, Sam provided classroom music demonstrations, gave lessons after school and
played basketball with all grade levels. “Challenge Life” felt it was important, with so many students away at the tournaments,
to provide some educational and healthy opportunities for those left behind.
Mentors To Join Coach Sokaitis In Anchorage
In the continuing effort to develop coaches and mentors from each community, Coach Sokaitis will have Lloyd Pikok and
Christian “Coot” Young of Point Lay join him in Anchorage for job shadowing and training throughout the state tournament.
“Challenge Life” Summer Programs Offer World Class Experience
“Challenge Life” is initiating a series of academic and athletic opportunities for Arctic Slope residents that should prove
a giant step in keeping young adults involved in positive summer fun. One example, currently being developed by Leonard
Barger of Point Hope and the “Challenge Life” staff, is to bring the Point Hope boys and girls cross-country team to Gunnison,
Colorado for a week of training. Gunnison, summer home of Coach Sokaitis, is the training ground of many of the world’s
elite runners. Located at an elevation of almost 8,000 feet and surrounded by mountains, the local college (Western
State College) has won numerous national championships. The Point Hope students would have the opportunity to train
with world class athletes and meet the legendary running coach, Duane Vandenbush. There will also be time set aside for
white water rafting, biking and hiking.
That’s all for now, see you in Anchorage!
Al & Mike
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These students from Chevak all won Challenge Life sweatshirts! Challenge Life understands the value of the arts in the life of children, and in an effort to promote creative writing we have awarded prizes to these classes for their excellent short stories!
…and class 2…
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