John H. Bower Concept Still Keeps Youth RunningThe "Oldest and Largest Church League in America" is well into its 86th year. Its namesake, John H. Bower, died in 1962, but even in the hands of others the purpose remains the same- to give youth something to do and keep them out of trouble.Since the gentle probation officer organized his Sunday School cage loop, at least 47,000 youth have benefited from the competition and they're still coming out in full force, with 98 teams playing in the 2006-2007 slate. John Bower loved the game of basketball. He loved boys even more. He wasn't a very big man, but he was quite a player in his day. In fact, he was considered one of the best athletes ever to compete in the Williamsport area. "I used to help when John ran it at the high school, "recalled Rollie Myers, former supervisor and treasurer of the circuit. "He'd get every boy he could get a hold of and spend his own money to pay their fee at the "Y". It is kind of spirit and dedication which has kept the league thriving. Volunteers like Myers, who was there every night to referee or sell candy at the concession stand. There were others -Bernard Levinson, Max Border, Harry Shemery, A.K. Patterson, Harry Brunner and Grant Buck, now deceased and others, living and dead. Lori Baer, president, said that the average is 8 players to a team. That gives the Sunday school league almost 1,000 players. That's a lot of youth playing at Curtain Middle School, Roosevelt Middle School and YMCA Arena. There's no sign of loss of enthusiasm, either among youth or officials. The stock answer to the question, How long will the John H. Bower Basketball League continue to exist? |