The Vare Summer Basketball League (VSBL) is a City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation program. The league is organized and operated by the Vare Recreation Center professional and community-based staff and is wholly funded by the Vare Advisory Council.
In addition to its own funds, the Advisory Council receives generous donations from area businessmen that are specifically earmarked for the league.
This is the tenth season and eleventh year for the VSBL. In 2014, the league did not play. That year, the Advisory Council withdrew funding for the league because of safety concerns in the Grays Ferry and Point Breeze communities.
The VSBL was founded eleven years ago during a particularly violent summer in Grays Ferry. Then Vare Facility Supervisor, Jerry Boligitz, conducted an informal poll to determine what summer activity the 18 and over age group wanted. There were a number of answers but, by far, the overwhelming response was a basketball league. Jerry tapped four young men to form the league--Maurice "Bleak" Taylor, Eugene Williams, Warren "Boobie" Abbott and Rashon "Doo Doo" Goodin.
The first two years for the VSBL were a struggle. Because of a lack of funds, the teams played "shirts vs skins" and took up a collection to pay the referees. In the third season, the Vare Advisory Council took over funding for the league and the rest, as they say, is history.
In prior years, the VSBL had anywhere between 18 and 22 teams. This summer, the league limited itself to 14 teams. Most are from the general South Philly area but some are from other areas of the city. All of the league's games are played on the outdoor court at Vare Recreation Center, 26th & Morris Streets.
The teams are divided into East and West Conferences. The top 5 teams from each conference makes the play-offs. The quarter-final and semi-final play-off games are one and done. The championship games are best of three.
The VSBL awards personal achievement awards for Total Points, Total Rebounds, Total Assists, Highest Score For Game, Most Steals, Most Blocked Shots. The league also awards subjective awards for 6th Man Award, Most Valuable Player, Coach of the Year and Play-Off Most Valuable Player. The league will also award by final score, East Conference Championship trophy, West Conference Championship trophy and VSBL Championship trophy. Each player and the coach of the championship teams receives a trophy. Awards are presented at half-time of the second game of the championship series.
The VSBL is free. There are no fees or costs for players or coaches.