HISTORY OF NABI

2002

  1. Mark West Vice President Players Programs /Phoenix Suns, Scott Podleski/Arizona Rattlers, and GinaMarie Scarpa/Former Executive Director/AC Green Youth Foundation form POD Productions, creators and organizers of the NABI tournament

2003

  1. NABI debuted in July 2003 with the Phoenix Suns supporting and sponsoring the event
  2. NABI immediately got the attention of global sporting apparel giant Nike and Nike becomes a major sponsor.
  3. NABI hosted 24 all Native American teams comprised of high school student athletes
  4. Championship Games played at American West Arena, home of the Phoenix Suns
  5. Tex G. Hall/President National Congress of American Indians becomes NABI’s Honorary Chairman
  6. Ernie Stevens/President National Indian Gaming Association becomes NABI’s Honorary Vice-Chairman
  7. NABI helped create opportunities for five NABI athletes to receive college scholarships

2004

  1. Ak-Chin Indian Community, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community along with Phoenix area tribes sponsor NABI.
  2. NABI hosted 45 all Native American teams.
  3. Championship Games played at American West Arena, home of the Phoenix Suns.
  4. NABI is officially considered the largest all Native tournament in the U.S. & Canada
  5. April 2004: NABI receives the “President’s Leadership Award” from NIGA
  6. NABI creates another nine college scholarship opportunities

2005

  1. Fort McDowell becomes the title sponsor of NABI 2005
  2. Nike, Ak-Chin Indian Community, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Seminole Tribe of Florida and local and national tribes commit again to sponsoring NABI.
  3. NABI breaks a record of 97 teams applying in the first two weeks of tournament registration opening.
  4. NABI hosted 64 all Native American teams
  5. Championship Games played at American West Arena, home of the Phoenix Suns.
  6. NABI is televised live on AZTV
  7. NABI  is mentioned on front page of the New York Times
  8. NABI creates another six college scholarship opportunities
  9. NABI donates $25,000 to the NABI Fund under the Arizona Community Foundation
  10. NABI awards two grants to Native American students through the NABI Fund

2006

  1. Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community becomes NABI 2006 Title Sponsor and commits to playing host to NABI games.
  2. NABI hosted 64 all Native American teams
  3. Nike, Ak-Chin Indian Community & Fort McDowell again commit to sponsoring NABI
  4. NABI awards five grants to Native American students & Native American scholarship funds through the NABI Fund
  5. Championship games televised live on AZTV at U.S Airways Center, home of the Phoenix Suns, Saturday July 15, 2006.

2007

  1. NABI announces 2007 dates;  July 8-14, 2007
  2. Nike commits to NABI for 2007 along, with a new sponsor, Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians.
  3. NABI announces it will seek NCAA Certification for the July 2007 tournament, making NABI the first all Native American tournament certified by the NCAA
  4. Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community commit again to become title sponsor of NABI 2007
  5. NABI hosts 86 teams (46 boys & 40 girls) for the 5th Anniversary tournament.
  6. NABI implements “NABI Career & College Fair” for athletes participating in NABI 2007
  7. Diana Taurasi /WNBA/Phoenix Mercury becomes NABI’s Honorary Commissioner
  8. Through NABI’s urging, the NCAA announces that all Native American tournaments are exempt from the NCAA “same state rule”. A monumental advancement in protecting tribal sovereignty.
  9. NABI becomes the first all Native American Tournament certified by the NCAA.
  10. Legendary LSU Coach Dale Brown makes a speaking appear at NABI 2007
  11. NABI continues to grant scholarship to NABI athletes through the NABI Fund
  12. NABI Alumni & 2003 MVP Anthony Brown/Cheyenne Arapaho signs pro with Spain.

2008

  1. NABI announces Native American Baseball Invitational, in partnership with the Arizona Diamondbacks, to feature 16 boys’ baseball teams and 16 girls’ softball teams; July 2-6, 2008.
  2. NABI will seek NCAA certification for the July 2008 basketball tournament; July 21-26, 2008
  3. University of Phoenix becomes NABI 2008 title sponsor of NABI Basketball and Baseball
  4. Nike commits to NABI for 2008
  5. NABI hosts 80 teams (46 boys & 32 girls)
  6. NABI donates $41,445.00 to Native American scholarship funds and national youth non-profits

2009

  1. NABI announces “Chasing the Sun 10K & Pow Wow”, in partnership with the Arizona Cardinals & University of Phoenix. First ever Pow Wow hosted at an NFL Stadium.
  2. NABI will again seek NCAA certification for the basketball tournament; July 7-11, 2009 and implement a men’s division for 18 & older and 35 & up.
  3. NABI will again partner with the Arizona Diamondbacks to organize the Native American Baseball Invitational  July 12-16, 2009

2010

  1. Launch NABI Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) youth organization: Create a scholarship fund & programs to serve Native American youth.



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