Gila River Team Plays Hoops Fundraiser Against First Nations Motorcycle Club
Velia Moncada
Gila River Indian News
The engines of more than 60 Redrum MC (Motorcycle Club) First Nations members thundered into the District 3 Service Center on April 6, for a day of basketball games with the Gila River Basketball team, the club’s honorary second-year sponsors.
The Gila River Basketball team showcased their newest jerseys with smiles and waves, as the Chi’Chino Spirit group performed a welcome song to the incoming motorcyclists.
“This is our second year and they (Redrum MC) come out to support the kids and donate. We want to give them a big thank you,” said Brent Escalante, District 3, the head coach of the basketball team.
Cliff Mattias, Taino/Kichwa and the International President of Redrum MC First Nations, called the event a terrific tradition.
“We think these sorts of programs are so important for the kids,” he said. “It creates positive role models, and then also, for them to be off the streets, play sports, and stay healthy.”
Escalante, the coach, told the GRIN that his staff coaches youth between the ages of pre-k to 18, with a total of 70 kids this year. The Gila River basketball team is open to any youth willing to learn and play the sport. There are no charges or fees for parents as Escalante’s staff volunteers their time with the team.
The Redrum MC First Nations commits to showing the essence of being warriors to the people, Mattias explained. The motorcycle club demonstrates this by serving surrounding communities within their Chapters around the globe.
This particular sponsorship provided by Redrum MC will contribute to the team’s purchase of uniforms, equipment, and support for upcoming tournaments and leagues, said Mattias.
“It’s helped us pretty good,” said Jasmine Jay Mendivel, District 3, and a three-year athlete with the Gila River Basketball team.
Mendivel expressed her gratitude for the donation Redrum MC gave to the team as she was able to play through three co-ed tournaments last year from their previous donation. She also really liked that her team got the opportunity to play basketball in their new jerseys.
As a formal thank you to the Redrum MC First Nations club, Head Coach Escalante bestowed the Redrum MC with their very own Gila River basketball team jersey, which included a Redrum MC First Nations patch. The rest of the afternoon consisted of a party with food donated by parents of the players, and games featuring the basketball players versus the bikers.
If you’re interested in connecting a youth to the Gila River Basketball team, contact Brent Escalante on Instagram at @gilariver_basketball. For more information involving the Redrum MC First Nations club, please visit https://redrummc.com.