Tupelo Police Athletic League Holds Sports Banquet

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – It was an opportunity to thank community members who have helped Tupelo’s Police Athletic League expand and reach more youth.

The first “PAL Sports Banquet” took place at the Link Centre.  Awards were given out to those who have helped PAL.

Some of those receiving awards included Mayor Jason Shelton,  Retired Police Officer Robert Hall, and Melanie Deas, executive director at the Link Centre.

Organizers say PAL is making a huge difference in the lives of many young people.

“We recognized very early on, 2005 that we needed to do more in the community, to get to know our community, our youth, work with partners in the community and so for the police department this has been our way of building that bridge within the community and our youth since 2005.  Since that time we’ve had over 5 thousand youth come through our program,” said Lt. Michael Russell, executive director of the Tupelo Police Athletic League.

This summer, PAL’s traveling basketball teams were invited to the National tournament in Kentucky.  Athletes and coaches were also recognized at the banquet.