By Nancy Marshall

March 19, 2025: The Harlem Wizards returned to the Bronxville gym this past Sunday to “wow” a sold-out crowd of elementary school families with their trademark “tricks, hoops and alley-oops!”

The annual event, brought to the Bronxville School community by the hard work of the school’s Athletic Council, was a huge hit, as well as an important fundraiser for the Council, an arm of the school’s PTA.

The Harlem Wizards got their start in 1962 and, since then, have been entertaining generations of fans across the country. Here in Bronxville, their annual performance has become a much-anticipated tradition.

Each year, the Wizards “compete” against an enthusiastic roster of Bronxville faculty, staff and students. The antics often include audience participation and seemingly unscripted moments, which add to the electric atmosphere and, according to Athletic Council co-president Davis Patterson, allow the young fans to “enjoy a time they won’t forget!” The event also gives Davis and other members of the Athletic Council the opportunity to plan and execute an important fundraiser.

This year, the Council is 70 members strong and is led by an elected Executive Board, chaired by seniors Davis and co-president Maddie Williams. The students are guided and supported by Bronxville School faculty member and Athletic Council liaison Gillian McGovern. Mrs. McGovern is always proud of the many hours of hard work the Athletic Council pours into the Wizards’ event, commenting “It is so nice to see our High School students run the event that makes our Elementary students so happy. We are lucky to have such an amazing group of kids!”

The students are also supported by a parent council, led by junior parents Katharine Outcalt and Maggie Sheehan. Proceeds from the Wizards’ performance support the many community-building events run by the Athletic Council each year, including Homecoming Week and Spirit Days.

Our elementary school students will surely be marking their calendars and counting the days until the Harlem Wizards bring their game back to the Bronxville gym next Spring!