The Sports Spectacular "Championing Causes for America's Youth" : We are America ... too!



Official presenters were: Kinyarose Stewart (3), Imani Davis (4). Jose Delgado (5),  Demetrius Hooks (6) , Trevion Hookks (7)
Renaldo B. Sanders & Virginia Davis, (Teaching Staff, Not Shown)
Sports Spectacular SuperStars meet at military base, San Pedro, assist in honoring children of our Life-Saving Heroes, The U.S. Coast Guard. Sander's Creative Kids Display 1st Place contest ribbons and present "Honorary 2012 Banner" to children who have active duty partents. Joining in the celebration and representing Sunny Cove, City of Compton, are most recent event winners.
Coast Guard Day 2012 consisted of multiple celebrations: First, the celebration of the 222nd year of the Coast Guard; Celebrating Coast Guard Day itself; and finally, honoring Coast Guard children and families by Sports Spectacular SuperStars: Some 900 excited children representing cities of Compton/Sunny Cove, Corona Del Mar, Laguna Beach, Long Beach, Riverside, and family participants at the Coast Guard Day Celebration. More than75 top participants won ribbons in the sack race, hula hoop, running, etc. The day concluded with recognitions and presentation of a banner honoring our Life-Saving Heroes. "Children, Be Proud of Your Parents. They Help Keep Our Country Safe." 


Events: Sports Spectacular taking part in Coast Guard Day, August 3

Photo shown was taken from the Lighthouse Newsletter-Coast Guard Day 2010 Showing Jim Hawkins, Sports Spectacular Founder and 'Little Miss Hula Hoop Spectacular for 2010 (Name not used)
August 3rd is officially designated as Coast Guard Day, so that all Americans may be reminded of the very special work that done by the United States Coast Guard.  During the past six years, Sports Spectacular has joined in to help show appreciation to the men and women of our Coast Guard. This is  in-keeping with requests made by  our "First Lady's Request", Mrs. Michelle Obama,  that we all do more to welcome our military back home.


This year, Sports Spectacular,s young SuperStars  are vying for the right to represent their respective areas at the Terminal Island Base, on Coast Day.  Young SuperStars are expected to compete with other representatives from (Santa Barbara, Marina DelRey,
Santa Barbara, San Pedro, Los Angeles, Compton, Laguna Beach, Long Beach, Corona Del Mar, other) in events like hula hoop, sack races, rope walk, photography, running, handwriting, weight lifting..


The closing ceremony include a banner presentation reminding all the children to "...be proud of your parents, they work to keep America safe!usugt 3rd is officially designated as Coast Guard Day, so that all Americans may be reminded of the very special work that done by theUnited States Coast Guard.  During the past six years, Sports Spectacular has joined in to help show appreciation to the men and women of our Coast Guard. This is  in-keeping with requests made by  our "First Lady's Request", Mrs. Michelle Obama,  that we all do more to welcome our military back home.

This year, Sports Spectacular's young SuperStars  are vying for the right to represent their respective areas at the Terminal Island Base, on Coast Day.  Young SuperStars are expected to compete with other representatives from (Santa Barbara, Marina DelRey,
Santa Barbara, San Pedro, Los Angeles, Compton, Laguna Beach, Long Beach, Corona Del Mar, other) in events like hula hoop, sack races, rope walk, photography, running, handwriting, weight lifting ...

The closing ceremony include a banner presentation reminding all the children to "...be proud of your parents, they work to keep America safe!

Sports Spectacular Baby Races: A photo finish

The Department of Child Development
 Compton College, October, 2012 (Halloween)
Sports Spectacular understands daily exercise can greatly benefit the health of adults, kids as well as babies.  According to the National Association of Sports  and Physical Education, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, all need to spend 60 minutes a day in physical activity.  Moreover, "studies show that if children grow up having exercise as part of their daily regimen, they are less likely to become obese or suffer from obese-related problems as older children or as adults." We at Sports Spectacular are always excited when mothers and their toddlers show up and participate in the baby races. The babies really take over and the special event is always a fan favorite. The baby races are held at most Sports Spectacular events and the great moments are captured with pictures that will be cherished forever. 

Events: Sports Spectacular at Community Family Fun Day

Sports Spectacular hosted fun events for some 350 kids at the Community Family Fun Day, which took place June 16, Carver Park, 1400 East 118th Street, Los Angeles, CA. The winners of each event were awarded special prizes, such as books and toys. Each were also earned the opportunity to select the book of their choice, with the promise to go home and read it. 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place ribbons were awarded to first three event winners respectively and each first place winners earned special status as the “Sports Spectacular Superstars.”

Sports Spectacular an Intricate part of Black History, a positive contribution to American History by Black Children...

First Sports Spectacular Organizing Committee (Shown above) was compose of
young community leaders and members of the Southeast Youth Council, 
directed by Mrs. Betty Clifford and Sponsored by Sports Spectacular. As
 the Sports Spectacular was extremely successful and addressed  multiple
 community needs, the group won the Los Angeles Vision  Award and within 
the same month, won the National Freedom Foundation Award for Service. 
Above are Southeast Youth Council Members and students of Freemont 
High School.  Seated are Ms. Betty Clifford and Los Angeles County 
Supervisor,  Kenneth Hahn. (1667).
Organizing and planning, for Sports Spectacular, first began during the month of May, 1966, with a group of black youngsters from the streets of Southeast and South Central Los Angeles, Watts and Park Village in Compton. The elementary, junior high, and high school students were brought together by Jim Hawkins, a young college student and Assistant Staff Manager for Pacific Telephone Company and U.S. Coast Guard Veteran. 
Sports Spectacular original incorporators:
Sharon Hardwick, Harold Gant, Beverly Fuqua, 
Wanda Sisco, (Fremont High School)
Palma Reed (Compton High School), Roy Allen
(Carver Jr. High), Renee Tabscott, Jim Hawkins, 
Staff Manager Pacific Telephone Co.
Most of the kids were either disadvantaged or foster children wanting to improve their conditions and also improve respective communities by uplifting the spirits of their friends and neighbors. At that time, the whole nation--the world--was inspired by the stirring words and dedication of great leaders and people. John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Eldridge Cleaver, Robert Kennedy, Malcolm-X.  Also, there was little available to help young people progress. The country was also fraught with racism and hatred. This particular group of children were inspired by Jim Hawkins. They desired to do better. "Ask not what you country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country." It was as if everyone heard and reacted to these words, at the same. Finally, something to believe in. Loads of people got involved in doing positive things for the nation.  

Sports Spectacular first girls dance drill 
team preparing to enter  their first 
Watt’s Parade (1967).
The young students (ages 6-14) spent their summer vacation time and after school hours with Jim, while he taught them about Good Sportsmanship and Fair Play, the World Olympic Games, Health, Nutrition, Physical Fitness, Community Organization and Leadership Skills, Management, Electronics, Telephone Circuitry, Mores Code, Semaphore, Flashing Light, Journalism, Seamanship, Scuba Diving, Search and Rescue and Public Speaking. Most children were students at one of the following schools: Trinity Elementary School; Carver, John Adams Junior High Schools; Fremont, Jefferson, Whidney, Dorsey, Compton, Manual Arts, Verbum Dei and Jordan High Schools.
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History in Acton: The beginnings of Sports Spectacular

Shown above is Jim Hawkins, Founder of Sports Spectacular, and several of the organization's young members.  From one of the first Sports Spectacular events, August 23, 1967,  Los Angeles Wrigley field.


Sports Spectacular was established in 1967 by the young people of South Central Los Angeles, with the promise to create programs and activities for youth, senior and disabled citizens. Activities involve children of all ages, the family and entire community in positive, competitive contests. Participants focus on having fun.

Events: Sports Spectacular at Coast Guard Day, August 3

We at Sports Spectacular are excited to announce our participation at the upcoming Coast Guard Day event, Friday, August 3, 2012, located at the Coast Guard Base on Terminal Island, San Pedro, CA.  During the past five years Sports Spectacular has "Honored the children of Our Life-saving Heroes" by providing added fun sports activities and awards. Sports Spectacular plans to continue that tradition this coming August. This annual event, brings the whole Coast Guard family together--all across America-- in an annual national salute to the U.S.C.G. "Always Ready."

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