Mobil 1, the Official Motor Oil of the NBA, today announced a new initiative with non-profit Project Backboard to revitalize local community basketball courts across the nation. The initiative is part of Mobil 1’s recently launched Tune Up program in which the leading Motor Oil brand is helping NBA 2K players tune up their skills, while simultaneously tuning up community courts.
“We’re really excited for the opportunity to be working with Project Backboard this year and revitalize the court at the Merrick House in Cleveland,” said Bryce Huschka, North America Consumer marketing manager for ExxonMobil. “In the same way that Mobil 1 helps drivers keep doing what they love, this initiative is helping communities across the nation to keep doing what they love by updating basketball courts that provide a safe and fun place for people of all ages to go and play.”
The community initiative led by Mobil 1 kicks off in Cleveland, Ohio during NBA All-Star 2022, and celebrates the reopening of the Merrick House basketball court and gymnasium. The space, which serves many purposes for the local community, was completely redesigned and revamped by Cleveland-native artist Dakarai Akil.
“Our mission at Project Backboard is to use basketball courts to create artwork that strengthens communities and promotes multi-generational play,” explained Dan Peterson, founder of Project Backboard. “Thanks to Mobil 1 and Dakarai Akil, and Luis Perez from HERO Flooring LLC, we were able to recreate the court at Merrick House, which is rich in history but was in need of an upgrade. We’re confident the artwork and renovations will have a lasting positive impact on the community.”
Merrick House has been an integral part of the Cleveland community for more than 100 years while offering members a wide range of meaningful services including infant child care, preschool, and youth mentoring to adult education and recreation. The much-needed renovations to the basketball court will help the historic neighborhood center continue to empower its community with confidence.
Former Cleveland Cavaliers player and NBA Champion Channing Frye will join Mobil 1 and Project Backboard at Merrick House on February 18 to celebrate the opening of the new gym and meet the community members who will benefit from the renovation. Frye, who has established various foundations throughout his career to help young children and give back to cities that are important to him, is leveling up his dedication to supporting at-risk communities with his involvement in the Tune Up initiative.
“The work Mobil 1 and Project Backboard are doing in Cleveland is really meaningful,” said Channing Frye. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to return to a city that holds a special place in my heart to help reopen a space that has such a positive impact on the community.”
For more information, visit https://projectbackboard.org/ or and follow @project_backboard on Instagram.
