About Us

Managed by Jambalaya Sports & Entertainment (JSE), the Midnight Basketball League/Program, Inc. (MNBLP, Inc.), Nashville Chapter is an educational, crime prevention program that focuses predominately on high-risk youth and young adults. Although sports as a whole are used to amass a target audience, contingencies will be applied as the participants must attend a series of educational awareness sessions before “hitting the hardwood”; i.e. Health & Wellness, Leadership Empowerment, High School Diploma/GED and Employment preparation. Academically, our focus will be centered on Economic Development. The areas of basic finance are not as strong, particularly with our targeted group. Modeled after the Midnight Basketball League Program in the Western Regions, it provides recreational activity as a link to connect to outreach youth and young adults. The pilot program was/is extremely successful, which began in March, 1986.

In addition to individual support, MBLP, Inc. hosts three events throughout the year to assist in its fundraising efforts to keep the program growing; “Who’s Got Next?”, “The BasketBall”, and the “1-2-3 Roundball Tourney”.

MNBLP, Inc. Board Members
Executive Director:  Ms. Denise Farrell - Professor; Belmont University, Sport Science 
Yvonne Bertrand – Quality Engineer, Zeledyne, LLC
Terry Bulger – Sports Anchor, Channel 4
Tonisha Jones – Financial Advisor, Edward Jones Investments
Kamadi Camp - HCA Healthcare 
Ronnie McMahan – Assoc. Dean of Students, Montgomery Bell Academy
Drew Maddux – Head Boys Varsity Basketball Coach, Christ Presbyterian Academy
Shavicka Newsom – Program Director of USSAA, Northwest YMCA
Jerry White – Chief Financial Officer, Mt. Zion Church
Advisor:  Isaac Conner – Attorney, Partner, Exec. VP, A3Athletics

Ms. Denise Farrell, Executive Director
Nashville Native, graduating from Hunters Lane High School, received a full basketball scholarship to Belmont University. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science & Physiology in May, 1999. From there she went on to gain mounds of experience working in professional sports such as the Nashville Kats, Nashville Sounds, and Vanderbilt University (Sport Marketing Dept) before relocating and accepting a position as an Account Representative in the NBA. After 5 years, she gladly moved back to her hometown to be with her family as she served as Director of Sales & Marketing for the Nashville Rhythm of the American Basketball Association (ABA), then General Manager/Director of Operations the following season.

Passion for youth was developed after numerous hours were spent mentoring 150 student-athletes across Middle Tennessee with youth sports in a program based out of the Northwest YMCA called Urban Services School of Academics and Athletics (USSAA). Simultaneously, she worked for one of the South’s largest youth organizations, West Nashville Sports League (WNSL), serving over 3,500 in basketball and baseball while completing a Masters in Sport Administration from her Alma-Mater in May, 2007. She is currently at Belmont University in the Sport Science Department, professing to undergraduate students. Denise is currently single, with no children. Her favorite pastime is watching DVD movies and watching college basketball.

“I always perceived myself to be the business woman in a suit working the corporate 9 to 5 type opportunities post graduation (which I did).  From there, God lead me to several different positions from Marketing, Advertising, Community Development, PR, to Recreational Organization and other.  Little did I know, He was preparing me for Midnight Basketball.  Everything that Midnight Basketball entails, I have gone through myself.  My Bishop always says, you gotta go thru to get too!  This is how I know I am doing God’s work!
-Dee43