South Jersey Basketball:
Mid-Atlantic Sports Academy Keeps Basketball Rolling

Sunday, April 9, 2000

By Art Redd
SJSports Staff Writer

Dawud Abdur Rahkman and Perm Pitman formed the Mid Atlantic Sports Academy Inc. with a simple goal in mind. "We want to assist our student athletes in using sports to help them further their education, to assist them in becoming better people." They held a tournament at Rutgers-Camden University which included teams made up of high school players from Pennsauken, Trenton, Deptford, Haddonfield, Highland, Vineland, Holy Spirit, Camden Catholic, Camden, Allentown (PA), William Allen (PA), Delaware, Maryland, Pleasantville and Saucon Valley (PA).

This three day event, which started on Friday, came down to Saucon Valley defeating the players from Highland 79-69. But with this tournament, everyone was a winner. The combination of players from Pennsylvania and South Jersey has been beneficial to the players and the MASAI program. "The boys get to know each other as people and bond as a team. They get to learn from each other and understand that there are other styles out there and players need to know that," mentioned Coach Pitman. "Exposure to those styles and the ability to adapt is what will take them to the next level."

Both Rahkman and Pitman stress to the participants of the program that there's nothing wrong with playing for a Division II or III college, or playing for a team that plays against those better teams. As long as they get their education and become a productive member of society, they have done what they set out to do...save as many of their young men as they can.

It was reported that the A.A.U. coaches have come under fire lately for helping some of their players financially. Some coaches get involved with agents and others who want to lure the players with gifts and other things they know disadvantaged players would want to have. MASAI has gone to great lengths to assure parents and players that they are above board in those areas. The Mid-Atlantic Sports Academy is a registered, non-profit organization. They will not be influenced by the lure of gifts or money. They only seek sponsors that are committed to the integrity of the sport. They do receive support from parents and small businesses, plus whatever they themselves can contribute.

If you would like to get in touch with the Mid-Atlantic Sports Academy, contact Dawud Abdur Rahkman or Perm Pitman at (856) 401-2034. You can also write to them care of Mid-Atlantic Sports Academy Inc., P.O. Box 501, Allentown, PA 18105-0501.