This past Monday I had the incredible opportunity to participate in an Adopt-A-School ceremony between Edison Elementary School and the South Bay Lakers. It was such a fun day with members of the South Bay Lakers interacting with students, teachers lining the hallways of the school courtyard wearing purple and gold and posters welcoming this new partnership.
The South Bay Lakers’ identity is inspired by the prestigious brand of the team’s parent club, the Los Angeles Lakers, while honoring a community that has served as a headquarters to the D-League affiliate since 2006. In 2017, the name change to the South Bay Lakers commemorates a heritage of achievement that has produced 35 player and staff call-ups to the NBA, all while looking forward to the franchise’s bright future.
At the core of the brand is a desire for the franchise to strengthen its bond as the premiere team in the South Bay. The team shares the UCLA Health Training Center with the Los Angeles Lakers, moving there in August 2017. The state-of-the-art facility keeps both teams in El Segundo, giving the South Bay Lakers an opportunity to be a staple in the community for years to come.
Edison principal Jayne Okazaki did an outstanding job as master of ceremonies. One of the highlights of the morning was listening to students pose questions to the players and hearing the player’s responses. The South Bay Lakers plan to participate in reading programs with the students, campus beautification projects and coordinate basketball clinics.
Congratulations to the South Bay Lakers and Edison Elementary School on their partnership!