Programs & Events
Athletics
If I had been invited to a hardcore Bible study, I wouldn't
have gone. 
The paraphrased quote above is from a young man whose life was touched by Urban Impact. In one honest sentence, he exemplifies the challenges of spreading the Word of God to a sometimes unresponsive audience through traditional means of discipleship. It’s the reason why Urban Impact makes an initial connection with the youth of Pittsburgh in ways that are relevant to their lives.
Depending on the night of the week and the time of the year, chances are there’s a sports program going on where kids are having fun and learning about the Lord.
If you would like to learn more about our athletic programs, use the links below and you will be taken to a corresponding description.
If you would like to register for one of the programs below, please check back in August to download the current registration form.
High School Travel Basketball Teams
Middle School Travel Basketball Teams
Boys' HS & MS Basketball Leagues
Athletics Volunteer Opportunities
Intramural Basketball
The big picture: Basketball serves as a tool to build relationships with participating youth and communicate and demonstrate the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.
Program activities: Dinner, devotions, relationship-building and basketball
Season: September - March
Time commitment: Gyms meet 1 day/week on Monday evenings
Age group: boys and girls in grades 3-12
Venue: North Side gyms (Allegheny Traditional Academy, Martin Luther King, Perry High School and the former Oliver High School)
Have questions? Call or email Nathan Glover at 412.321.3811 or nathan.glover@urbanimpactpittsburgh.org.
High School Travel Basketball Teams
The big picture: This program is geared toward young men and women who desire to grow both as ball players and Christ followers. Players grow closer to their teammates and God as they practice, compete, study the Bible, and receive Options academic/career assistance.
Program activities: The fall and winter boys' teams compete in the Urban Impact and Greater Pgh. Independent Leagues, respectively, with each league culminating in a season-ending tournament. A fall girls' team competes in an East End High School League. Spring AAU teams for both boys and girls practice during the week and compete in 5-6 weekend tournaments. Each season consists of Bible studies at practices, with the Fall High School Boys' League also including devotional messages before or after each game.
High school boys can play in one or all three seasons:
Fall Season: August - November
Time commitment: 1-2 practices/week; 1-2 league games weekly
Age group: boys in grades 9-12, by invitation only
Venue: practices and games at North Side gyms
Winter Season: December - February
Time commitment: 1-2 practices/week; 1-2 league games weekly
Age group: boys in grades 9-12, by invitation only
Venue: practices and home games at North Side gyms
Spring Season (March - June) AAU Team
Time commitment: 1-2 practices/week; 5-6 weekend tournaments
Age group: boys in grades 9-12, by invitation only
Venue: practices at North Side gyms; tournaments in and around Pittsburgh
High school girls can play in one or both of our seasons:
Fall Season: August - November
Time commitment: 1-2 practices/week; league games weekly
Age group: girls in grades 9-12, by invitation only
Venue: practices at North Side gyms; games throughout the city
Spring Season: March - June (AAU)
Time commitment: 1-2 practices/week; 5-6 weekend tournaments
Age group: girls in grades 9-12, by invitation only
Venue: practices at North Side gyms; tournaments in and around Pittsburgh
Have questions? Call or email Nehemiah Brazil at 412.321.3811 or nehemiah.brazil@urbanimpactpittsburgh.org.
Middle School Travel Basketball Teams
The big picture: These teams are designed for middle school boys and girls who desire to grow both as ball players and Christ followers. Each child grows closer to his or her teammates and God as they practice, compete, and study the Bible.
Program activities: The boys' teams compete in the Urban Impact Middle School League in the winter, and in local AAU tournaments in the spring. The girls' teams compete in the BSA League in the fall, play independently and in CYO tournaments in the winter, and participate in local AAU tournaments in the spring. Bible studies are held weekly at practices, with devotional messages given before or after games at the winter boys' league.
Middle school boys can play in one or both seasons:
Winter Season: December - March
Time commitment: 2 nights/week; games on Saturdays
Age group: boys and girls in grades 6-8, by invitation only
Venue: North Side gyms
Spring Season: March - June (AAU)
Time commitment: 1-2 practices/week; 5-6 weekend tournaments
Age group: boys in grades 6-8, by invitation only
Venue: practices at North Side gyms; tournaments in and around Pittsburgh
Middle school girls can play in one or all three seasons:
Fall Season: August - November
Time commitment: 1-2 practices/week; Sunday evening league games
Age group: girls in grades 6-8, by invitation only
Venue: practices at North Side gyms; games throughout the Pittsburgh region
Winter Season: January - March
Time commitment: 1-2 practices/week; games and tournaments TBD
Age group: girls in grades 6-8; by invitation only
Venue: practices at North Side gyms; games throughout the Pittsburgh region
Spring Season: March - June (AAU)
Time commitment: 1-2 practices/week; 5-6 weekend tournaments
Age group: girls in grades 6-8, by invitation only
Venue: Practices at North Side gyms; tournaments in and around Pittsburgh
Have questions? Call or email Nehemiah Brazil at 412.321.3811 or nehemiah.brazil@urbanimpactpittsburgh.org.
Boys' HS and MS Basketball Leagues
The big picture: Urban Impact basketball leagues bring together teams from churches and community organizations throughout the city. Designed to promote growth both on and off the court, these leagues help young men grow as they learn more about Jesus and build friendships within a safe and loving environment. Competitive leagues are offered at both the high school and middle school levels.
Program activities: Teams compete in an 8- or 9-week regular season, culminating in an end-of-season tournament and awards ceremony. All games are officiated by PIAA certified referees, with devotional messages delivered before or after every game.
Time commitment: HS League games are on Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons in the fall. MS League games are on Saturdays in the winter.
Age group: boys in grades 6-8 and 9-12
Venue: North Side gyms and Allegheny Center Alliance Church
If you would like to enter a team for consideration in the league, or if you have questions, call or email Andrew Churchill at 412.321.3811 or andrew.churchill@urbanimpactpittsburgh.org.
Baseball
The big picture: Baseball provides the opportunity for North Side youth to compete against other teams from neighboring communities. We offer kids a Christian environment where they can learn the game of baseball, build healthy relationships with peers and adults, and learn ways to positively deal with conflict.
Program activities: Practices include devotions and baseball instruction, while games give youth an opportunity to build character and enjoy the game of baseball.
Time commitment: 2-3 days/week, April - June. Mandatory Saturday clinics in March.
Age group: boys and girls ages 6-14
Venue: Home games and practices at MLK Jr. Field and Richie McCabe Field
Have questions? Call or email Seth Reichart at 412.321.3811 or seth.reichart@urbanimpactpittsburgh.org.
Soccer
The big picture: Urban Impact teams up with AIS (Ambassadors in Sport) to develop soccer skills in boys and girls, teach Bible stories that apply to their lives, and facilitate Bible verse memorization. The 6th-8th grade co-ed team features an even greater focus on spiritual growth and plays in a competitive citywide league.
Program activities: Devotions and soccer
PreK - 5th Grade Intramural
Seasons: September - October and April - May
Time commitment: Saturday afternoons
Venue: Conroy Field (McKnight Park in Manchester)
6th-8th Grade Team
Season: March - May
Time commitment: 2 days per week
Venue: Richie McCabe Field and Conroy Field (McKnight Park in Manchester)
Have questions? Call or email Hannah Reichart at 412.321.3811 or hannah.reichart@urbanimpactpittsburgh.org.
How to Register
If you would like to register for an athletics program, please download the registration form. You will need Adobe Acrobat to view. If you don't have it, you can get it for free here. This form MUST be signed by a parent or legal guardian and returned to Urban Impact upon its completion.
Program-specific Events
Urban Impact Singers/Shakes Retreat
May 31 - June 2
Grove City College
SHAKES PERFORMANCE
July 26-28
Students will perform "Much Ado About Nothing" at 8PM on July 26 & 27 and 2PM on July 28 at the August Wilson Center.
Public events
annual football clinic
June 4
This special event for North Side kids and families will be held at Pittsburgh Oliver Citywide Academy. Registration begins at 5:30PM.
ManUp Pittsburgh Dads' Conference
June 8 at Orchard Hill Church.
Pastor ed's speaking engagements
See the schedule for upcoming speaking engagements or make a request to have Pastor Ed speak at your event or service.