Community

Youth Referee Organization on the Rise in Oakland

Published

6 years ago

August 4, 2018

Will Smith, founder of Tailor Made Officials Basketball Association, Inc. (TMOBA) with officiates Frank Knight and Kenny Thomas at Jamtown.

Will Smith, founder of Tailor Made Officials Basketball Association, Inc. (TMOBA) trains hundreds of youth and adults the art of referring professional sports events. By offering free trainings, Smith says his organization allows the community to “earn legal money & turn away from the life of crime.” In less than four years, Smith has grown the organization from a solo operation to 50 referees and officials to date.

TMOBA unlike other companies is open year-round and offers free referee/officials trainings throughout the year, three times a week. “Other companies have trainings 2-4 months out of the year & they charge $150 up to $2,000 for trainings,” said Smith. “We don’t just offer referee trainings, we also have a scorekeeping training every Monday throughout the year at Jamtown from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Our trainings are primarily targeting youth and young adults but adults are welcome.”

Smith began his career as a game official in 1997 and finds great skills on the court translate to great discipline off the court. Smith hopes to offer services to high schools and provide scholarships to athletes and students who excel academically. “We would like to sponsor basketball teams in the future and offer basketball camps and basketball officiating camps for our new and current officials.”

TMOBA also has a program for women referees and officials. Through (WEM) Women Empowerment Movement, the program includes 10 women out of 50 referees in the company in the program.

“I’m so happy to work with such a solid organization,” said Elisha ‘Lili’ Davis, Arizona State University Women’s Basketball Alumni. “The opportunities, our network and the leadership of Will Smith are second to none.”

Will Smith, founder of Tailor Made Officials Basketball Association, Inc. (TMOBA) with Elisha ‘Lili’ Davis, Arizona State University Women’s Basketball Alumni and Scholar-Athlete Development Coach for TMOBA pose om the court.

As a Scholar-Athlete Development Coach with TMOBA, Davis said Smith creates a level playing field for participants.

“Games at TMOBA are shared equally amongst each referee and official. There is no favoritism shown. The different levels of basketball games we officiate are indoor basketball leagues, street ball tournaments, wheel chair leagues, birthday parties, continuation high school leagues, middle school leagues, AAU tournaments, adult leagues, semi pro, ABA leagues and fundraisers, added Davis.

TMOBA’s services spread from Yuba City to Sonoma, Marin, Brentwood, Antioch, Pittsburgh, Stockton, Livermore, Fremont and San Jose. With $1 million, Smith says he can begin the development of a 24/7 state of the art sports facility in the Oakland area.

“It’s really important for me to build a 24/7 safe haven that will sustain youth and young adults of all ethnic cultures and backgrounds with opportunities, jobs, mentorships and structure from our adult staff. “I would love to have a current or retired NBA native from Oakland help us out and we will accept help from anyone or company who believes in the vision,” said Smith.

For more information, contact Will Smith at (510) 459-8905 or email willsmith@ tailormadeofficialsinc.org

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

7 days ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.