Monthly Archives: July 2024

An Open Letter to Josh Verlin and City of Basketball Love

July 30, 2024 By in City of Basketball Love, Fall Classic Leave a comment

July 30, 2024

Josh Verlin

City of Basketball Love

Dear Mr. Verlin:

I am writing on behalf of Black Cager Sports Media regarding the unauthorized use of our trademark, “Fall Classic”. We have recently become aware that your company, City of Basketball Love, is using a mark that is identical or confusingly similar to our trademark in connection with scholastic pre-season basketball events, without our permission.

The late great Tom Konchalski worked the 2017 & 2018 Fall Classic events

Black Cager Sports has established common law rights to “Fall Classic” in connection with scholastic pre-season basketball events as a result of using the trademark in the ordinary course of trade over the past decade. As you know, Black Cager Sports has used “Fall Classic” while organizing, marketing and promoting scholastic pre-season basketball events for nearly ten years. Black Cager has established the Greater Philadelphia Region as the geographic scope of the “Fall Classic” trademark. Indeed, Black Cager “Fall Classic” events have been held at the following locations:

West Berlin, NJ – Peak Skills Basketball
Philadelphia, PA – Girard College
Springfield, PA – Cardinal O’Hara HS
Wynnewood, PA – Friends Central School
Wilmington, DE – Chase Fieldhouse
Morrisville, PA – Charger Nation
Allentown, PA – William Allen HS, East Side Youth Center and Executive Field House

We have worked diligently to build public recognition and association between “Fall Classic” and Black Cager Sports Media. This was achieved through nearly a decade of marketing, advertising and consistent use of “Fall Classic.” There are literally hundreds of examples of these advertisements still available on various social media platforms.

Black Cager Sports has kept thorough records of the first use and continuous use of the “Fall Classic” in commerce involving scholastic pre-season basketball events. This includes advertisements, team registrations, invoices, and any other documentation that shows “Fall Classic” has been used in connection with our scholastic pre-season basketball events.

We are requesting that City of Basketball Love discontinue use of “Fall Classic” in connection with your scholastic pre-season basketball events in the Greater Philadelphia Region. Your use of “Fall Classic” causes or is likely to cause confusion, deception or misunderstanding. Moreover, even if there is no direct competition or likelihood of confusion, your unauthorized use of “Fall Classic” to promote scholastic pre-season basketball events in the Greater Philadelphia Region diminishes its uniqueness and value constituting trademark dilution.


We respectfully request that you immediately:
1. Cease and desist from all use of “Fall Classic” or any other mark that is confusingly similar to “Fall Classic” in connection with your scholastic pre-season basketball events.
2. Remove all instances of “Fall Classic” from your websites, social media accounts, marketing materials, product packaging, and any other public-facing platforms.
3. Provide a written assurance within three (3) days from the date of this letter that you will comply with these requests and that you will not use any confusingly similar marks in the future.

Please be advised that if we do not receive a satisfactory response within three (3) days of your receipt of this letter, we will have no choice but to take your lack of response as a continued “Fuck Black Cager Sports Media.” We will respond accordingly.

We hope to resolve this matter amicably. We trust that you will understand the seriousness of this matter and act promptly to address our concerns.


Sincerely,
Delgreco Wilson


Black Cager Sports Media


From Court to Classroom: Villanova’s Eric Dixon Inspires Camden Students at H.B. Wilson Family School

July 29, 2024 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , Leave a comment

CAMDEN, N.J. — On a bright Saturday morning, the gymnasium at H.B. Wilson Family School buzzed with excitement as Eric Dixon, star basketball player from Villanova University, made a special visit. The scene was a testament to the school’s commitment to student engagement and holistic development, a mission spearheaded by Principal Nicole Harrigan. Dixon, known for his resilience and remarkable journey from a top high school prospect to a standout college athlete, came to share his story with a group of 4th through 8th grade students.

Dixon’s visit was more than a meet-and-greet; it was an interactive session where he not only spoke about perseverance but also took to the court to play basketball with the eager young students. As he moved among them, the palpable excitement in the room mirrored the inspiration they drew from his presence.

In his address, Dixon detailed his transition from a top 100 high school player to the challenges he faced at Villanova University. “When I first arrived on campus, I was told I wasn’t good enough,” he recounted. His journey took a pivotal turn when he chose to redshirt his freshman year, dedicating himself to strength and conditioning. This decision laid the foundation for his emergence as a repeat All-Big East performer.

H.B. Wilson Family School is part of a growing movement across the nation, integrating mindfulness into the classroom. The Saturday morning program, developed and implemented by Principal Harrigan, aims to foster an environment where students can thrive both academically and personally. Mindfulness, defined by Jon Kabat-Zinn as “the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally,” is becoming a cornerstone of the school’s approach, yielding benefits such as reduced stress, increased focus, and improved academic performance.

“Eric is a wonderful role model for our students,” Harrigan stated. “He shared stories about overcoming adversity and the process of becoming a leader. The kids were really engaged and asked great questions. I look forward to having Eric present to our full student body in the fall.”
Dixon, reflecting on his visit, said, “I am grateful for this opportunity to talk to kids that are making an effort to improve themselves and do better in school. My core message to the youth is to find your ‘thing,’ whatever it may be, and focus your energies on becoming the very best in that area. Good things will happen if you do that.”

The impact of Dixon’s visit extended beyond the gymnasium walls, resonating deeply with the students. As H.B. Wilson Family School continues to champion mindfulness and holistic education, moments like these underscore the importance of community and the enduring power of personal stories to inspire the next generation.

Black Cager Fall Classic Moves to State-of-the-Art Venue at Executive Education Academy Charter School

July 15, 2024 By in Black Cager Fall Classic, Black Cager Grassroots Hoops, Roman Catholic Basketball, St. Frances Academy Basketball 1 Comment

PRESS RELEASE

Monday, July 15, 2024

ALLENTOWN, PA – In a significant move aimed at accommodating its expanding reach, the prestigious Black Cager Fall Classic, one of the nation’s premier pre-season boys’ basketball events, will be held at the newly opened Executive Education Field House in Allentown, PA. This marks a new chapter for the beloved fall tradition, now celebrating its 10th year, with team registration currently open for the event scheduled on Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6, 2024.

Previously hosted at William Allen High School and the East Side Youth Center since 2022, the Black Cager Fall Classic has outgrown these venues, which hosted the event after its initial eight-year stint in Philadelphia. The move to the Executive Education Field House, a 28,200-square-foot facility, signifies a commitment to future growth, with expectations to host 96 teams in its inaugural year at this new location.

“The continued success of the Fall Classic is a reflection of Allentown’s pride and commitment to providing youth with first-rate modern athletic facilities,” said Delgreco Wilson, Executive Director of Black Cager Sports. “Participating coaches and players were blown away by the accommodations. With four brand-new hardwood regulation courts and highly visible scoreboards for each court, the basketball facilities are on par with high major Division 1 programs,” Wilson added.

The Executive Education Field House is uniquely equipped to handle such a large event, boasting over 2,000 parking spaces and elevators for disabled or injured patrons. The collaboration between Executive Education Academy Charter School and Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) has resulted in a facility that serves as a major asset not only to the school and Allentown but the entire region.

“The Field House hosted the Black Cager Pre-Live Summer Classic featuring over 30 teams in June. The positive feedback from that event confirmed that this facility is perfect for our growing needs,” Wilson noted.

The Fall Classic is renowned for its family-friendly atmosphere and has a storied history of featuring players who have gone on to become McDonald’s All-Americans and NBA draftees, including Jalen Duren, Seth Lundy, and Bub Carrington. Since 2015, over 100 participants have progressed to play NCAA Division 1 basketball.

For more information on the tournament, including visitor details, ticket sales, schedules, team information, sponsorship opportunities, and more, please visit delgrecowilson.com.
Media Inquiries and Sponsorship Opportunities:

Delgreco Wilson, Founder, Black Cager Sports

Email: blackcager@gmail.com

Phone: 856-366-0992

Follow Us on Social Media:
Instagram: @BlackCagerPress
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Black Cager Sports Media continues to lead in promoting and celebrating high school basketball excellence. Through events, media coverage, and community engagement, they foster the growth and development of young athletes, providing a platform for their talents to shine.

About Black Cager Sports Media: Black Cager Sports Media is dedicated to promoting, covering, and celebrating basketball excellence at the high school level. Through a combination of events, media coverage, and community engagement, Black Cager Sports Media aims to foster growth and development among young athletes while providing a platform for their talents to shine.

For more information on the Black Cager Fall Classic and related events, visit delgrecowilson.com.