The Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx in partnership with U.S. Bank last week unveiled a renovated court at Hospitality House in North Minneapolis as part of the “Our Courts. Our Future” program, now in its sixth season. The program’s mission is to unite communities through the power of sport, while also supporting youth development programs on and off the court.
“I think this is really significant for us,” Tru Pettigrew, Timberwolves and Lynx Chief Impact Officer told the MSR prior to the unveiling ceremony. He, Wolver Center Rudy Gobert, Lynx Guard Rachel Banham, and others participated in the October 23 ceremonial ribbon cutting and a short basketball clinic for local youth in attendance last week.
“To be able to do this, to give back to this community in which we all live, work and play. Our players come from communities such as this,” Pettigrew added.
The new Hospitality House court is the fourth court unveiled—East Side Boys & Girls Club, Jerry Gamble Boys & Girls Club and Southside Village Boys & Girls Club also received refurbished indoor courts.
“We have been given a huge platform in sports,” Pettigrew said. “There is a lot of responsibility that comes with that. I’m so happy we get to do this.”
Restore the Vote returns
In other Timberwolves and Lynx news, the teams’ annual Pack The Vote initiative, a nonpartisan voter education platform aimed at increasing voter registration by supplying voter resources and inspiring civic engagement, will kick off this week. The teams will host a special “Community Conversation” focusing on the Restore the Vote bill on Friday, November 3 at All Square (4047 Minnehaha Ave. in Minneapolis) from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Central time.
The Timberwolves will host the non-partisan ACLU, who will share voter registration information and educate fans on the Restore The Vote bill on the arena’s main concourse during their games leading up to Election Day: November 1, November 4, and November 6.