At an early age, Anthony Branch was fascinated with basketball and football while born and raised in the Bronx of New York.
After graduating in 1979 from DeWitt Clinton High School, Mr. Branch had the opportunity to work with the younger generation. That "drive" he holds dear to his heart, would one day propel him on a journey he couldn't ever imagine.
Joining the United States Navy and retired "honorable" after 20 years, he was able to represent our Military / USA in local "Goodwill Games" in basketball in Europe & Asia playing against Pro Teams. In his last year of military service as the Naval Air Station Oceana Base coach, he won the United States Armed Forces Regional Tidewater Inter-Services Championship and brand the nickname "Coach Tony".
Coach Tony's goal was to always "give back" to the community and the game of basketball. Therefore, he donated his time and money and started a youth basketball club for boys and girls in Merrillville, Indiana to provide a safe enrichment environment. The organization was in place to mentor and empower the children within the community while teaching them discipline through sports. If his students could achieve success in academic and athletics, none of them would lose in the game called "LIFE". The team of girls brought back and ranked #2 at the 2009 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) National Championship Tournament in Orlando Florida; in the HS Girls 19U (19 years and under) in the Open Division.
Coach Tony's next challenge happened on March 20, 2011. His commitment to give back to his community was publicly honored as 10.3 million viewers watched him on ABC's hit television reality show called "Secret Millionaire". There he would develop a great friendship with Mr. James Malinchak, who was featured in the episode.
From there, Coach Tony inspired and became a keynote speaker at Mrs. Katherine Jackson's event honoring her son Michael, at the Michael Jackson's 4th Anniversary Block Party Celebration that took place in Gary Indiana on August 29th, 2013.
Finally, on July 2014, the man that the students loved, retired from coaching with a personal record of 600-134 (after a total of 31 yrs of coaching) with numerous championships. 162 students he personally coached or directly developed went to college on basketball scholarships. Presently, a few are now branded "coaches" thanks to Mr. Branch's commitment to his students.
Coach Tony now delivers his own unique message to the youth around the country about respect, education, and knowing self-worth.
Mr. Anthony Branch's greatest satisfaction comes from watching the children he mentored - go off to college and succeed in life. As tears engulf his eyes, "Coming back to the community as college graduates and becoming positive role models is all I ever wanted for my students...".
After graduating in 1979 from DeWitt Clinton High School, Mr. Branch had the opportunity to work with the younger generation. That "drive" he holds dear to his heart, would one day propel him on a journey he couldn't ever imagine.
Joining the United States Navy and retired "honorable" after 20 years, he was able to represent our Military / USA in local "Goodwill Games" in basketball in Europe & Asia playing against Pro Teams. In his last year of military service as the Naval Air Station Oceana Base coach, he won the United States Armed Forces Regional Tidewater Inter-Services Championship and brand the nickname "Coach Tony".
Coach Tony's goal was to always "give back" to the community and the game of basketball. Therefore, he donated his time and money and started a youth basketball club for boys and girls in Merrillville, Indiana to provide a safe enrichment environment. The organization was in place to mentor and empower the children within the community while teaching them discipline through sports. If his students could achieve success in academic and athletics, none of them would lose in the game called "LIFE". The team of girls brought back and ranked #2 at the 2009 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) National Championship Tournament in Orlando Florida; in the HS Girls 19U (19 years and under) in the Open Division.
Coach Tony's next challenge happened on March 20, 2011. His commitment to give back to his community was publicly honored as 10.3 million viewers watched him on ABC's hit television reality show called "Secret Millionaire". There he would develop a great friendship with Mr. James Malinchak, who was featured in the episode.
From there, Coach Tony inspired and became a keynote speaker at Mrs. Katherine Jackson's event honoring her son Michael, at the Michael Jackson's 4th Anniversary Block Party Celebration that took place in Gary Indiana on August 29th, 2013.
Finally, on July 2014, the man that the students loved, retired from coaching with a personal record of 600-134 (after a total of 31 yrs of coaching) with numerous championships. 162 students he personally coached or directly developed went to college on basketball scholarships. Presently, a few are now branded "coaches" thanks to Mr. Branch's commitment to his students.
Coach Tony now delivers his own unique message to the youth around the country about respect, education, and knowing self-worth.
Mr. Anthony Branch's greatest satisfaction comes from watching the children he mentored - go off to college and succeed in life. As tears engulf his eyes, "Coming back to the community as college graduates and becoming positive role models is all I ever wanted for my students...".