The History

The first attempt to start a Basketball Program on Barclay Street was unsuccessful. We played 5 games. Lost each one and our team folded. We had no commitment. We had no understanding of what it meant to play on a basketball team. So I started from the bottom. I wanted to build a program on Barclay Street that taught our scholar athletes how to compete (athletically and academically), so that they could be successful in high school.

The Bulldog Program owes it all to these Fab Five. Courageous. Tenacious. Relentless.
The Bulldog Program owes it all to these Fab Five. Courageous. Tenacious. Relentless.

We started a Basketball Club (4 third graders and a fourth grader) in the Spring of 2005 just practing everyday in our hot little gym.

The next year we actually played a neighborhood game… vs. Margaret Brent and got trounced 52-0. Ouch! but these ‘Dogs didn’t give up. Didn’t point fingers. Just went back to the lab. The following year we picked up a few 7th and 8th graders and played in a league down at Lombard Middle. We won a few games, but sub .500 for sure.

Back to the Lab, we started raising money in the Community to send our guys to summer camps, Calvert Hall, Morgan, St. Frances, St. Paul’s and HARDWORK PAID OFF!

CardinalHoops2010 BBall Camp 2011CHC 2014

 

In 2009, the team rounded out and won a Championship down at KIPP Academy and came in third place at the BCP Lombard Middle League.

This group of parents did everything from drive the bus to sell the hotdogs. Great Parents create great children.
This group of parents did everything from drive the bus to sell the hotdogs. Great Parents create great children.
Championship
These boys refused to lose. Many went on to play Varsity high school sports and graduate from schools like City, Digital, Mervo, ACCE and Southwestern.

Those first teams have inspired a wave of talent and hard work on Barclay Street. Today the Bulldog Progam is a force in Baltimore City Basketball Leagues. Devoting itself to intelligent play and tenacious defense. Academics and behavior are key parts of the program. To perform on the court, you have to perform in the classroom.

This group took it to heart and won the most games in school history, 23! Scholar Athletes from this team have gone on to Calvert Hall, St. Frances Academy, Dunbar and Digital Harbor!
This group took it to heart and won the most games in school history, 23 in 2013! Scholar Athletes from this team have gone on to Calvert Hall, St. Frances Academy, Dunbar and Digital Harbor!

Basketball is the vessel but character, hard work, determination are the qualities the boys learn from the Program. Bulldogs always come back to volunteer at the school, cheer their alma mater on and play in our Annual Alumni game.

The Alumni Game is a favorite on Barclay Street. We welcome back all the Old Dogs and cheer on the young ones.
The Alumni Game is a favorite on Barclay Street. We welcome back all the Old Dogs and cheer on the Young Ones. Can you pick out three of the original Fab Five in this picture? I think about the resources and opportunities they created for their younger classmates and smile.