Our Program
History
The Rising Stars program was first established in 1992 as a basketball camp-based program. Camps were offered to players ages 6-15. On September 9, 2006, the Rising Stars of Clarion AAU Basketball teams were established by Rogers Laugand, Joseph Deas, and Angelo Anderson. It offered youth a safe place where skills such as hard work, dedication, teamwork, and determination can be learned and embedded into their daily lives. The program started with 11 players and two boys' teams, a 10/11U team, and a 12U team. In 2007, a 13U girls' team of 10 players was established and coached by Fred Port and Amy Shannonhouse. At its peak, there have been as many as 70-80 players in the program. Typically, there are about 60 players in the program.
In 2009, the Rising Stars 17U boys team won the NAYS National Championship. In that same year, the team was named the Grand Marshall for the 2009 Clarion Autumn Leaf Festival Parade. In 2011, the Kiwanis Club and the VFW Club of Clarion became big supporters of the Rising Stars program. In 2015, Rising Stars became an Adidas-sponsored program. Two years later, in 2017, the 15U team won the Adidas Invitational National tournament in Indianapolis, IN. Between 2008 and 2020, Rising Stars teams qualified or played in AAU National tournaments in Orlando, FL, and Hampton, VA. Also, during that time, the boys’ and girls’ teams have played in national and NCAA certified events in Louisville, KY; Charlotte, NC; New York, NY; State College, PA; Las Vegas, NV; and Cleveland, OH.
Rising Stars has established itself as one of the premier basketball programs while also providing guidance and life skills for today's youth to help ensure opportunities for success. They have had many players from their program who have played at either the Division I, II, or III college levels. A high percentage of their players attend college or further their education after high school. The Rising Stars organization believes that sports can benefit individuals in many aspects of life. The same skills that it takes to be successful in life are also required to be successful on the basketball court.
Mission/Vision
The Rising Stars AAU Basketball Program would like to establish itself as one of the elite programs in the United States while providing guidance and life skills for today's youth to help ensure opportunities for success. Most of all, the Rising Stars would like to serve the youth of Western Pennsylvania by providing a balanced, stable, and consistent regimen of life skills taught through the game of basketball. The Rising Stars organization envisions a place where youth can come to hone their basketball skills and become proficient athletes while receiving proper instruction from qualified coaches and mentors. This will give youth a safe place where skills such as hard work, dedication, teamwork and determination can be learned and embedded into their daily lives. It will also give them an opportunity to reap the rewards of being dedicated and goal oriented early in life.
With these skills the organization believes these young men and young women will have a great opportunity at being successful in life. The Rising Stars organization believes that sports can benefit individuals in many aspects of life. The same skills that it takes to be successful in life are also required to be successful on the basketball court.
Financial Commitment
The Rising Stars basketball organization is operated by funds from various sources. Coach Laugand was able to fund the initial start-up from his basketball camps, speaking engagements and a minimal fee paid by each family. While Coach Laugand continues to invest in the organization, fundraising has become a vital part of sustaining the quality of the organization. Therefore, Rising Stars are always looking for opportunities to help support the program. Fundraising and personal contributions has helped to provide the following:
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Team Uniforms
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Tournament Fees
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Rent for Practice Facilities
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Team Camps
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Supplies: Basketballs, Agility Training Equipment, Jump Ropes, and other Miscellaneous Equipment
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Coach Clinics (Continuing Education)
