HISTORY OF NABI

2002

• 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

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

2004

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

2005

• Fort McDowell becomes the title sponsor of NABI 2005
• 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.
• NABI breaks a record of 97 teams applying in the first two weeks of tournament registration opening.
• NABI hosted 64 all Native American teams
• Championship Games played at American West Arena, home of the Phoenix Suns.
• NABI is televised live on AZTV
• NABI  is mentioned on front page of the New York Times
• NABI creates another six college scholarship opportunities
• NABI donates $25,000 to the NABI Fund under the Arizona Community Foundation
• NABI awards two grants to Native American students through the NABI Fund

2006

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

2007

• NABI announces 2007 dates;  July 8-14, 2007
• Nike commits to NABI for 2007 along, with a new sponsor, Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians.
• NABI announces it will seek NCAA Certification for the July 2007 tournament, making NABI the first all Native American tournament certified by the NCAA
• Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community commit again to become title sponsor of NABI 2007
• NABI hosts 86 teams (46 boys & 40 girls) for the 5th Anniversary tournament.
• NABI implements “NABI Career & College Fair” for athletes participating in NABI 2007
• Diana Taurasi /WNBA/Phoenix Mercury becomes NABI’s Honorary Commissioner
• 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.
• NABI becomes the first all Native American Tournament certified by the NCAA.
• Legendary LSU Coach Dale Brown makes a speaking appear at NABI 2007
• NABI continues to grant scholarship to NABI athletes through the NABI Fund
• NABI Alumni & 2003 MVP Anthony Brown/Cheyenne Arapaho signs pro with Spain.

2008

• 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.
• NABI will seek NCAA certification for the July 2008 basketball tournament; July 21-26, 2008
• University of Phoenix becomes NABI 2008 title sponsor of NABI Basketball and Baseball
• Nike commits to NABI for 2008
• NABI hosts 80 teams (46 boys & 32 girls)
• NABI donates $41,445.00 to Native American scholarship funds and national youth non-profits

2009

• 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 May 1-3.
• NABI will again seek NCAA certification for the basketball tournament; July 7-11, 2009
• Phoenix Sun Amar’e Stoudemire and Phoenix Mercury Diana Taurasi becomes NABI’s Honorary Commissioners.
• NABI will again partner with the Arizona Diamondbacks to organize the Native American Baseball Invitational  July 12-16, 2009
• Launch NABI Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) youth organization: Create a scholarship fund & programs to serve Native American youth.
• Nike donates $10,000 to the NABI Foundation