TOP STORY
Featured in NBA News: From Hoops to Hope. WNBA star Alana Beard and Crossover Basketball visit Delhi with a mission to change young lives through basketball.
01-02-2024
Crossover Basketball Receives a Grant from Nike, Made to Play
On outdoor concrete courts in India, almost 2,000 children—58 percent of them girls—are part of the Crossover family………. Read more …
03-16-2023
Crossover Basketball is Crossing the Gender Divide
Crossover is proud to receive a grant from Nike, as part of its Made to Play commitment to get kids moving. We’re excited to put these funds to use to scale and expand our Hoops Creating Hope efforts in India, which helps increase gender equality and the education rate for kids in marginalized communities………. Read more …
12-27-2020
Shaun Jayachandran Is Using The Power of Basketball To Empower Young Women In India
The Tufts Daily by Arnav Sacheti
The desire to resurrect that love and purpose is part of the reason why Jayachandran founded an international non-profit organization called Crossover Basketball and Scholars Academy in 2012………. Read more …
12-21-2020
Caring changes communities with Crossover Basketball
Tamil Culture by Gaya Navaratnam
Shaun Jayachandran, CEO at the international non-profit Crossover Basketball and Scholars Academy India, which brings student athletes from the U.S. to a program in India aimed at encouraging students to stay in school through teaching pillars of growth through athleticism and basketball………. Read more …
6-22-2019
The Rise of Asian American Basketball
A GetSports Focus Feature by Pranav Iyer
Together, this group of tight knit Crossover coaches have been able to serve as the role models that they never had growing up through their public presence and activism for their community.…….. Read more …
3-5-2019
Indian American hooper Shayna Mehta lighting Ivy League circuit on fire
Off the court, Mehta is a big proponent of volunteer work, having spent nearly three weeks in Chennai, India, working with Crossover Basketball & Scholars Academy, a non-profit organization dedicated to impacting the education rates of marginalized communities in India through the use of basketball as a vehicle of change…….. Read more …
2-6-2019
Cracks in the Concrete with Crossover
How Crossover Academy is impacting gender equity and education rates in India……… Read more …
2-6-2019
After the Bell Rings Podcast: More Than Just a Game, Episode 5
Hear one man’s story of teaching character to kids from India and how he’s using basketball as the vehicle. ……. Read more …
January 2019
Women’s National Basketball Players Association Supports Their Players Participating in Crossover Basketball and Scholars Academy.
Crossover Basketball and Scholars Academy has received the support of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) surrounding their “Hoops Creating Hope” initiative with players including Alana Beard and Marissa Coleman. …….. Read more …
1-22-2019
Diya TV News Headlines
WNBA Players Support Non-Profit Crossover Basketball. ……. Read more …
5-8-2018
“IT WILL NEVER WORK! GENDER EQUALITY AND EDUCATION THROUGH BASKETBALL – NO CHANCE!”
That phrase, or something similar, is what Shaun Jayachandran heard constantly from the moment he created the idea of Crossover Basketball and Scholars Academy – India in the summer of 2010 through 2013…… Read more …
1-23-2018
“Empowered to Make Change”: George Washington University Brother Creates Program That Uses Basketball as Tool for Learning for Children in Need
A painful sting sharply drew Shaun Jayachandran back to consciousness. He rolled over on the old sofa, one that belonged to his extended family whom he and two other colleagues were staying with in India……. Read more …
12-13-2017
Feature: Mehta Discusses Summer in India with Crossover Basketball
In the summer of 2017, Brown junior Shayna Mehta spent 18 days from June 22 to July 8 in Chennai, India with Crossover Basketball & Scholars Academy…… Read more …
11-24-2017
Indian achievers deliberate on prejudices at Detour India Fest 2017
Indian achievers from cultural, social, entertainment and political backdrops gathered under one roof to talk about their path-breaking journeys and their take on issues concerning India…… Read more …
11-21-2017
Boston University students hear it from India: From intolerance to toilets in Dharavi
From ethnic intolerance and cricket to movies and beauty pageants – prominent Indian celebrities (and those of Indian origin)…….. Read more …
11-7-2017
Brown Girl of the Month Shayna Mehta Breaks Barriers in Basketball at Brown University
Last year, I spent 18 days in Chennai as a volunteer with Crossover Basketball Sports Academy, a non-profit organization dedicated to impacting education rates of marginalized communities in India through the sport of basketball…….. Read more …
09-5-2017
Tikkun Olam and Crossover
As a coach for Crossover Basketball & Scholars Academy, I set out to empower girls in India to repair the world…….. Read more …
08-5-2017
Inspired by: Shaun Jayachandran
The organization is called Crossover Basketball and Scholars Academy. It works towards changing the pathway of low-income, marginalized students in India, by engaging educators and schools, to participate in a program designed to teach leadership, gender equity, and critical thinking……. Read more …
08-4-2017
World Runners: India’s Crossover Academy is providing kids with life lessons through basketball
Chennai, India – Nate Seelan, a former fashion designer and current Teach for India fellow at the Vidyaniketan School enters the schoolyard…… Read more …
07-21-2017
#HoopsCreatingHope: Women’s Basketball’s Mehta Spends 18 Days in India with Crossover Basketball
Brown University women’s basketball rising junior Shayna Mehta spent 18 days from June 22 to July 8 in Chennai, India with Crossover Basketball & Scholars Academy, a non-profit organization dedicated to impacting the education rates of marginalized communities in India through the use of basketball as a vehicle of change……. Read more …
06-5-2017
Shaun Jayachandran Gives Kids in India a Chance at Education Using Basketball
Shaun Jayachandran is the founder of Crossover Basketball and Scholars Academy (aka Crossover Academy/Crossover), which works towards changing the pathway of low-income marginalized students in India by engaging educators and schools…… Read more …
04-14-2017
In Africa, India & the Caribbean, organizations use basketball for development and peace
In Africa, India and throughout the Caribbean, basketball is a popular tool used to educate individuals, empower entire communities, and offer peaceful and engaging programming where conflict may exist…… Read more …
04-2017
Good Sports: HOOPS CREATING HOPE
Boston-based Shaun Jayachandran founded Crossover Basketball and Scholars Academy several years ago to help marginalized students use basketball as a vehicle to do better in the classroom—and in life overall……. Read more …
03-28-2017
Phillips Academy Student Athletes to Coach Basketball, Mentor Children in India
The regular season is over for the Phillips Academy boys and girls basketball teams but some of the players are getting ready for another one in India….. Read more …
02-26-2017
Life lessons by shooting hoops
How fantastic would it be to turn one’s hobby into a job, especially one that has a big influence on the lives of others? By joining Crossover Basketball and Scholars Academy, 20-year-old Shane Leander Roy did just that…… Read more …
02-23-2017
I M BOSTON: From Hoops to Hope
We all get our drive and passion from someone or something that has touched our lives. A great example of this is the founder of Crossover Basketball and Scholars Academy, Shaun Jayachandran….. Read more …
02-16-2017
EXCLUSIVE: Meet two of the first American Desi women ever to play College Basketball
Meet Crossover Volunteer Shilpa Tummala and Shayna Mehta, Indian-American women that are not just grade A students, but NCAA Division 1 basketball players as well at Harvard and Brown respectively……… Read more …
02-16-2017
NGO uses basketball for empowerment and education in Chennai, India
Research has shown that athletics and education intertwine; the soft skills learnt in the field or on the court – hard work, resilience and goal-setting – translate into the walls of a classroom….. Read more …
01-21-2017
Catching Up With Former Maryland Guard and Fan Favorite Varun Ram
The first time Shaun Jayachandran reached out to Varun Ram about volunteering at “Hoops Creating Hope”……… Read more …
01-18-2016
For Indian American Heritage Night at Philadelphia: 76ers Honour Indian Community for Second Consecutive Year
Going back to the 2014-15 season, the Philadelphia 76ers’ confounding ‘process’ has handed them one of the worst stretches in NBA history… Read more …
02-18-2016
For NBA teams, India was January’s Flavour of the Month
Before the game, the Indian community and the 76ers honoured Indian Americans in Sports at the Wells Fargo Center, notably, Kevin Negandhi, an anchor for ESPN SportsCenter in the USA and Crossover Basketball and Scholars Academy… Read more …
03-04-2015
Philadelphia 76ers to hold Indian American Heritage Night on March 7 vs Hawks
Another bit of good news is that our friends from Crossover Basketball and Scholar’s Academy – who have been holding annual ‘Hoops Creating Hope’ programme in Chennai for several years – have also been invited to attend the event/game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. … Read more …
03-09-2015
Harvard Basketball Player Shilpa Tummala on Perseverance, Culture, and Giving Back to the Community
ESPN Anchor Kevin Neghandi, Crossover Founder Shaun Jayachandran, and Shilpa Tummala being honored at the 2nd Annual Indian-American Night with the Philadelphia 76ers. … Read more …
08-03-2015
Giving Wings, Finding Roots
The Hoops Creating Hope story not only leverages sports to help underprivileged children in India, but also gives second and third generation Indian Americans a way to discover India on their own terms. Read more …
08-03-2015
Crossover Basketball & Scholars Academy- Creating Hope Through Hoops
Every summer, the American International School in Chennai plays host to a unique basketball training camp. Read more …
08-01-2015
Making a Difference Through Student Athletics
Winchendon helped bring hope and inspiration to children in India this summer with the Crossover Basketball and Scholars Foundation. Read more …
07-29-2015
Ram to the Rescue
One summer after Ram competed in the Caribbean, he was shooting hoops in Chennai where his parents emigrated from in 1988….Read more …
07-18-2015
Using basketball to push education levels in Chennai – Crossover Academy
Shaun Jayachandran, an educator who also coaches basketball in the US observed the sports’ development in India and its relation to the low graduation rates of students (under 10%). Read more …
07-17-2015
Mathew, Shastri Teach Hoops, Education in India
Putting smiles on the faces of children who are not as fortunate has always instilled a sense of self-pride. Doing it half a world away is even more gratifying. A pair of Chaminade University men’s basketball players experienced just that. Read more …
06-25-2015
At basketball camp in India, Maryland’s Varun Ram lends a helping hand
Nearly 500 children are expected to attend an after-school basketball camp in Chennai, India, over the next two weeks, and most have likely never heard of Varun Ram. Read more …
06-24-2015
Ram Returns to India for Hoops Creating Hope
Maryland men’s basketball player Varun Ram will volunteer in Chennai, India for Hoops Creating Hope – a program for students to create and develop the link between leadership, character, teamwork and communication with academic success and future goals. Read more …
06-10-2015
Shooting Hoops with Shaun
Indiaspora radio discusses with Shaun Jayachandran about Crossover. Read more …
03-20-2015
Five things to know about Varun Ram, Maryland’s last-second hero
Ram spent two weeks in India in the summer of 2014, working with the Crossover Basketball & Scholars Academy, a program that uses basketball to try to convince kids to stay in school. Read more …
02-16-2015
Culture change: Varun Ram’s journey to Maryland shaped by his Indian heritage
In the classrooms and dining halls at the University of Maryland, and on social media feeds everywhere, many people know Varun Ram as the Indian basketball player. Read more …
03-2014
On the very first game of the season, it was clear that Jonah Travis was ready to make an impact on the Harvard men’s basketball team’s run at an Ivy League championship and March Madness bid. Read more …
11-25-2014
TEDxTalk: Hoops Creating Hope
At a TEDx event, Crossover Founder, Shaun Jayachandran, tells us about his work in India with Crossover Basketball and how the leadership lessons that help kids excel on the court actually help as a student. Read more …
09-14-2014
Crossover Founder Shares his Experiences with Dream About Sports
Crossover Academy is to use basketball as a vehicle of change in communities in India by combining the ideas of a sport and imparting the values of leadership, character, teamwork, and communication with the goal of inspiring and preparing those students to continue in their educational pursuits through the university level. Read more …
08-26-2014
Clarksville-native Ram takes basketball knowledge to India
On the other side of the globe, in Clarksville, River Hill graduate and Maryland men’s basketball senior Varun Ram never felt the pressures that kids feel on a daily basis in the country where his parents grew up. This summer, Ram was able to experience that disparity firsthand. And, through the Crossover Basketball and Scholars Academy and the “Hoops Creating Hope” program, he was able to work with others in closing the gap through his favorite sport. Read more …
07-14-2014
Ram Volunteers in India for Hoops Creating Hope
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Maryland men’s basketball player Varun Ram is currently in Chennai, India volunteering for Hoops Creating Hope – a two week program for students to create and develop the link between leadership, character, teamwork and communication with academic success and future goals. Read more …
07-10-2014
Four Traits that Help Youngsters Rise in Life
Chennai: Urging students to acquire leadership skills, founder of Crossover Basketball and Scholars Academy, Shaun Jayachandran, said that they should learn to lead. Read more …
07-09-2014
Prefects sworn in at Chettinad Hari Shree Vidyalayam
The chief guest, Shaun Jayachandran spoke about the benefits of sports in enhancing academic performance, character building and team spirit. Read more …
Crossover Basketball: Spreading Hope in India Through Sports
By Brown Girl Magazine
When I heard about the Crossover Basketball program, an international education program, the first non-profit [501(c)3] international education program in India to leverage athletic values and skill to develop academic opportunities for Indian students, I knew I wanted to learn more. Read more …
06-01-2014
Keeping Them in the Loop
US-based teacher Shaun Jayachandran returns to Chennai every year, to conduct free basketball camps for underprivileged children. Read more …
05-17-2014
Crossover Basketball: Spreading Hope In India Through Sports
When I heard about the Crossover Basketball program, an international education program, the first non-profit [501(c)3] international education program in India to leverage athletic values and skill to develop academic opportunities for Indian students, I knew I wanted to learn more. Read more …
04-16-2014
Every Year, This Man Brings Coaches From The USA And Teaches Basketball To Local Children. Hoops Creating Hope
A long time ago, somewhere in Chennai, the kind gesture of a man changed the trajectory of life of an orphaned girl. He decided to support this girl in her education, a simple act of kindness. Read more …
02-28-2014
The Power of Basketball
According to Crossover Basketball and Scholars Academy, these types of basketball skills are just as applicable on the basketball court as they are off the court for many kids in India. Read more …
02-25-2014
Wheelock College Forges into Partnership with Crossover
Wheelock College (Boston, MA) has listed Crossover Basketball and Scholars Academy as a potential Service Abroad location for Summer 2014. Read more …
11-03-2013
Harvard Spotlight: Jonah Travis
During the middle of his internship, Jonah was permitted to take two weeks off and travel to India as part of the Crossover Basketball and Scholars Academy. Read more …
10-03-2013
Crossing Over for Inclusion
Repriya is 10 years old, studying in class five at Chennai Primary School. I ask her what her favourite sport is. She says basketball instantly. Read more …
07-17-2013
Two Pike Students Bring Sneakers, Hope to India
The boys helped out an organization that empowers kids through academics and athletics. Read more …
07-11-2013
Taking a shot on real time court
“Leadership, character, communication, teamwork,” Shaun counts the four elements on his fingers. According to him, a sport like basketball can help kids bring out these values, while teaching them time management as well. Read more …
05-05-2013
Goals Reached Through Hoops
Funds raised at Crossover’s 3-on3 tournament benefit the summer academy. Read more …
Women’s National Basketball Players Association Supports Their Players Participating in Crossover Basketball and Scholars Academy’s
Crossover Basketball and Scholars Academy has received the support of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) surrounding their “Hoops Creating Hope” initiative with players including Alana Beard and Marissa Coleman.
“My favorite part of camp was the teachers. They taught us if we need to achieve something we need to work hard.”