The
purpose of Virginia Elite Hoops (VEH) is to encourage young men
to make good decisions utilizing basketball as
a channel to teach life- skills. VEH is dedicated to helping young men develop the
necessary skills to achieve their maximum potential academically
and athletically.
Our goal is to build character and self esteem through education
and sports at the highest level. Our programs will provide the
foundation for academic achievement and guidance needed for the
college selection process.
Team concepts
are an absolute
necessity for our athletes. We encourage a style of basketball that
requires tremendous intensity on defense and total unselfishness
on offense. We demand that our student athletes be in great
mental and physical condition and that they excel on and off the
basketball court.
Grassroots
Basketball - VA Elite Hoops provides
grassroots opportunities to promote youth basketball in the
state of Virginia, at the highest level of competition. Our
coaches, and staff members are equally committed to providing
quality coaching and skill development for
student-athletes to fulfill their dreams…
Academically,
Socially, and Athletically.
Virginia
(VA) Elite Hoops (VAElitehoops.com)
is recognized as the premier Grassroots and Next Level
basketball information websites in the Washington, D.C. area (Virginia,
Washington, D.C and Maryland). VA Elite Hoops mission is to
provide a complete basketball experience with quality information for
parents and players as well as provide the best information to high school
and college coaches.
Thomas Gadson,
Founder created VA Elite Hoops to fill the void
of recognition and exposure for players that haven't had the opportunity to
attend national exposure camps and/or events or that are not privy to information about
what is needed to compete at the highest level. Through camps and events VA
Elite Hoops mission is to bridge that gap so that players from all areas
of VA can have an opportunity to get the exposure that they have earned
and deserve while helping them to fulfill their dreams. Although basketball is an intricate part of our grassroots program we pride ourselves
on standing by our athletes and creating a platform for excellence.
VA
Elite Hoops Basketball Program was established to enhance the character of
each player by developing their appreciation of teamwork, commitment, and
personal success. Through the development of a strong work ethic,
commitment to team, and personal successes; we hope to prepare each
participant for success on the court, in the classroom, and for the ever
changing challenges of life.
Thomas
Gadson, CEO and President of Virginia Elite was founded in 2008. The organization’s mission
then and still remains the same, to choose top basketball talent, boys and
girls 8-17 years of age in the Northern Virginia Metropolitan area. While
basketball is an intricate part, VA Elite prides itself on standing by
these young men year round, providing academic assistance to enhance their
growth in the classroom as well as on the court. We provide tutoring, from
local college students that volunteer their services, for SAT and ACT
preparation.
A
native of Savannah, Georgia, Thomas Gadson has been involved with
basketball for many years from his youth days playing basketball and
football in the YMCA and Police Athletic Leagues (PAL) youth leagues in Savannah through
high school and college. After high school he attended Livingstone College in Salisbury,
North Carolina which competes in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic
Association (CIAA). After his freshmen year he transferred and graduated from Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina. Mr Gadson holds a
Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and a Masters in Computer
Information Systems as well as several technical and professional
management certifications.
The
Vision for VAEliteHoops.com is to provide the best platform for amateur
athletes to be recognized for their accomplishments on the hardwood and in
the classroom.
Bernaldo
Ormond,
Managing Sports Editor & Director of Communications
Bernaldo
Ormond joined VAEliteHoops in 2009 when he submitted a web article titled
"KENDALL MARSHALL: WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT HIM? that was applauded
by local High School Coaches. Mr. Ormond has a B.A. degree in Mass Media
Arts/Print Journalism and a M.S. degree (4.0 GPA) in Quality Systems
Management (QSM) and is currently a software\network engineer for the
federal government. Mr. Ormond, a native of Chicago, Il. ("The Jordan
Mecca"), credits basketball from keeping him safe and steering him in
the direction of education.
Mr.
Ormond has over fourteen+ years of experience in youth athletics and has
held several positions; Boys & Girls Club Head Coach, Recreational
League Head Coach, Prince William Pacers AAU Assistant Coach, Gainesville
Recreational League Commissioner, Gainesville Travel League Commissioner,
Fairfax Christian School High School Basketball Coach, GBA-Hoop Magic
Tournament Director, and served on the Fairfax County Youth Basketball
Council Advisory Board. Mr. Ormond feels passionate along with the other
VA Elite staff that this organization will give the high school athletes
in our area the exposure they need to become more marketable to colleges
and universities. "There are a lot of young talented athletes in our
area that just need to be given exposure and an opportunity to showcase
their talents."
Dexter
Cummings, General Counsel and Organizational Advisor
Mr.
Dexter Cummings joined VA Elite in 2009 as General Counsel to oversee any
and all contract and business opportunities for VA Elite. A native New
Yorker, Mr. Cummings grew up playing basketball in the famous New York
Gauchos Youth Basketball organization. Mr. Gadson and Mr. Cummings met in
1996 to form an artist management company that provided undiscovered
musician a platform to become signed record label artist.
Mr.
Cummings holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Howard University.
Dr.
Debra Fortune, Director of Educational Program Development
VA Elite Hoops is proud to announce that
Deborah Fortune, PhD, CHES, Professor at North
Carolina Central University (NCCU) and NCAA NCCU
Committee Educational Advisor along with Erek Perry,
Director of the University Scholars Program at George
Mason University (GMU) has joined VA Elite
Hoops (VEH) to develop and implement educational
programs for the student-athlete. The initial program
is being design to offer student athletes the
opportunity to gain exposure to colleges and
universities through an integrated educational program
administered through VEH. Student-Athletes will be
selected from a nomination and solicitation process
once the programs are firmly coordinated between VEH
and the institution of higher education.
Deborah
Fortune, PhD,
CHES, University of Tennessee
Erek
Perry: Director, University Scholars Program. BA
1992, Shawnee State University; MEd 1995, Ohio
State University
VA
Elite Hoops and TrueAP has come together to begin offering a unique
combination of athletic and basketball
combination training programs specifically designed
for basketball players wanting to take their
game to the next level.
TrueAP
has trained on 10,000 athletes in
and around the metropolitan area. Most notable
Northern Virginia
alumni of TrueAP, Scottie Reynolds formally of
Herndon High School, 2006 McDonalds
All-American and former
Villanova point guard University; and Jasmine Thomas of
Oakton High School, 2007 McDonalds
All-American and current player at Duke
University. Theses are just two of the many
players that have gone on to excel at the next
level of collegiate basketball as well as
others who have gone on to professional
careers in other sports.
Thomas Gadson,
Co-Founder of VA Elite Hoops has been involved
with TrueAP for over 12 years
and has seen first hand the importance and positive
results of EP strength and conditioning programs. Working
with Rob
Rose, Director and Kris Johnson, Director the collaboration of both programs
will be employed by both organization, offering
players looking to increase their speed,
power, agility, reaction and quickness. VEH
will leverage EP's years of athletic training through
our camps, clinics and player development
programs.
TrueAP
trainers are strength and condition certified
as well as SPARQ certified bringing over 30
years of athletic training experience to our
programs. Go to our Events and Camps
page to find out more about our events.
Thomas
Gadson, Founder and President
VA
Elite Hoops and TrueAP has come together to begin offering a unique
combination of athletic and basketball
combination training programs specifically designed
for basketball players wanting to take their
game to the next level.