All parents are asked to select at least one of the jobs below 
to help YOUR basketball league.

A very small group of people do ALL of the jobs listed below. 
All of these jobs are the behind-the-scenes things that make 
it possible for us to have practices and games.
         *Mop gym floor after last game Friday evening
         *Mop floor after last game Saturday afternoon
         *Mop floor at 12:00pm on Saturday
         *Help in the Concession Stand 
         *Serve as Concession Stand purchaser @ Sam's 
         *Pick-up litter in gym
         *Pick-up litter around parking area
         *Trash can - empty and take to dumpster
         *Help Referee - we're NOT talking from the sidelines, but with a whistle!  :)
         *Keep the scoresheet
         *Run the clock

We need EVERYONE to step up and help out our league! 
Contact Laurie Alsobrook to "toe" the line.


An open letter to all MYSA parents:
I was there in the beginning, when MYSA was no more than a few soccer teams 
and a dream to see a sports program in Melrose.  While I was pregnant with my 
third child, Laurie Alsobrook approached me and said she needed another coach. 
 "Ok," I mumbled, "I’ll help you find one,  I know nothing about soccer."  She just 
smiled and said “Heres a video, it will teach you...and the coaches meeting is 
Tuesday at 7pm”.  I was hooked.  

My life changed, my family's lives changed.  We did a lot of things from then on 
as a family, we chalked fields, we planted plants, we picked up trash, and we 
hung out while the others practiced, we worked the concession, we made new 
friends, cheered at their successes, we hung out where it was safe and drugs 
were not cool.  We learned rules, new games and respect for our community.  
We raised money, we saved money, and we did what we could for new 
equipment and fields.  

Our vacations were all-star games.  Our meals were after practice. 
But we were together.  We did it as a family, we believed in the dream.  
We were MYSA.

My kids are grown now and they are giving back what was given to them. 
They coach, they umpire, they pick up trash and they work the concession. 
If Laurie asked them, they would be there.

Now it’s your turn, you’re the new families in the community. It’s time to 
watch your child learn to be part of team, to learn respect and the desire 
to do their best. To be a part of sports family where everyone matters. 

It’s easy to watch someone else do the work and complain it’s not right. 
It takes hard work and commitment to see MYSA continue to be a success. 
I over heard someone say “When are they going to mow the grass?”   
There is NO "THEY"...it's only US, for OUR CHILDREN

Being the MYSA president is not Laurie Alsobrook's job. She could go 
home at 4:00pm like other teachers.  But, t’s her desire to see every 
child have the chance to play, to learn to be part of a team, to believe 
in themselves and to keep children involved and not hanging out in the 
streets. She’s never been paid a dime fot the extra hours and rarely thanked, 
by an adult that is. The children thank her every time they run to her and tell 
her what a great play they made. Their joy is her thanks. 

My son learned when he hit the ball over the fence, his dream was Laurie’s 
dream.  When he received awards in High School, he thanked Laurie for her 
part in his success.

That’s Laurie’s dream of MYSA. Everyone can play a part in it from the 
smallest detail to the biggest. We all have a special skill and talent that 
can play a part in the success of OUR sports program. Instead of complaining, 
you can make a difference! 

Be apart of our dream. Be MYSA.

I has been said, “It takes a whole village to raise a child.”  MYSA is an 
important part of that village, but the villagers also have to be involved.

submitted by an MYSA mom (and now and MYSA grandma)