2008-09 News and Features

Elton Brand leads assembly to promote NBA Green Week 2009

By Ingram Carpenter

In support of NBA Green Week, Sixers Forward Elton Brand, Sixers Television Play-by-Play Announcer Marc Zumoff, along with Hip-Hop and the Hare Raisers put on a special assembly at The School of the Future. Students at the school were honored for their strides to become environmentally friendly by the Philadelphia 76ers.

After an introduction by Zumoff, a student-produced, directed, and acted film was shown to promote recycling and energy awareness at the school. Hip-Hop and his Hare Raisers, in their usual fashion, got the crowd excited about the Sixers, the NBA Green Week, and their own accomplishments.

Elton Brand then appeared from the wings and the nearly 300 students went wild. He spoke about the Sixers players and coaches efforts to conserve energy and be green in their daily activities, especially during the NBA-wide Green Week promotion.

"Your efforts to help the environment should be commended,” Brand said the excited student body. “You go to the School of the Future and are now making choices that will impact your own future. On behalf of the Sixers and the NBA, keep up the great work!"

To end the presentation, Brand presented the head educator with a pair of his massive basketball sneakers and a green basketball, made with 70% recycled material. Appropriately, students received Sixers hats and t-shirts as a small reward for their positive efforts to help the environment. Brand wrapped up the day by getting a tour from two students who pointed out the unique “green” features of the building.