By The Waterbury Times|Published Jan 16, 2026

Waterbury- On Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Day, basketball will be the vehicle—but community, leadership, and mental health will be the mission.

The AIΞ Academy will host its MLK Unity Day Clinic on Monday, January 19, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, bringing together student-athletes, coaches, educators, and community leaders for an afternoon designed to develop more than just on-court skills.

Branded under the message “Do What You Do – Peace Starts With Us,” the clinic reflects a growing movement in Waterbury athletics: using sports as a platform for unity, accountability, and personal growth.

A Full-Circle Approach to Player Development

The clinic opens with breakfast, provided by Dunkin’, welcoming athletes into an environment centered on preparation and purpose.

The first keynote address will be delivered by Paul Harris, Coach at the University of Hartford and former Syracuse Men’s Basketball player, who will share his personal basketball journey while speaking on motivation, mindset, and setting the tone for excellence. Harris’ message is expected to resonate deeply with young athletes navigating pressure, expectations, and self-belief.

Following the opening remarks, participants will take part in dynamic stretching and warm-up sessions, emphasizing activation, mobility, and injury prevention—reinforcing the importance of caring for the body as part of long-term athletic success.

Skill Work Led by the College Level

One of the highlights of the day will be the skill development stations, led by members of Post University’s basketball program. Athletes will rotate through stations focused on shooting, passing, dribbling, rebounding, and strength and conditioning, receiving instruction directly from college players who have already navigated the next level.

Midway through the clinic, Sean Mosley, Waterbury Board of Aldermen member and local high school assistant principal, will address participants on leadership, responsibility, and the importance of giving back to the community. Mosley’s presence bridges athletics, education, and civic engagement—three pillars central to Waterbury’s future.

Competition, Teamwork, and Mental Health

The afternoon will shift into competitive drills and team-building exercises, including three-man weave, three-on-two and two-on-one drills, defensive rebounding, full-court dribbling challenges, and competitive shooting games. These drills are designed to build toughness, communication, and trust—qualities that translate beyond basketball.

Athletes will then compete in small-sided games, split by age level, including 1-on-1, 2-on-2, and 3-on-3 play, emphasizing sportsmanship and teamwork in a competitive setting.

The clinic will close with a powerful message from E.J. Hunter, LPC, LADC, a licensed professional counselor and licensed alcohol and drug counselor. Hunter will speak on mental health awareness, balance in athletics and life, and the importance of developing life skills beyond the court—an increasingly vital conversation in youth sports.

More Than a Clinic

The AIΞ Academy MLK Unity Day Clinic represents a growing commitment in Waterbury to holistic athlete development—where performance, character, mental health, and community responsibility intersect.

On a day dedicated to unity and service, the message is clear: peace starts with us—and it starts now.

Waterbury CT Local News