The Allen Sports Association, the volunteer-run youth league that has organized games for local children since 1976, marks its 50th anniversary with a free party Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center.
The city's November events guide describes an afternoon of sports-themed inflatables, children's activities, photo spots, desserts and what it calls anniversary surprises. The headline item is the official unveiling of the association's mascot name. The group ran a "Name Our ASA Mascot" contest on its anniversary website, which has also been drawing weekly winners from families who fill out a survey about their ASA memories.
The association, known as ASA, says it was started by a group of Allen residents who believed every child should have access to quality sports programs. Today it describes itself as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Allen, Lucas, Fairview and nearby communities, with more than 3,000 volunteer coaches and more than 18,000 participants a year across nine sports.
A volunteer board runs it with help from sport-specific boards, four committees and paid staff. Registration is open now for winter basketball and volleyball, according to its website.
The anniversary year has included monthly newsletters that each spotlight one sport in the order it joined the league, along with social media features on former players. The association's anniversary page calls the day a Saturday, but Nov. 8 falls on a Sunday this year, matching the city's listing.
