Bay Area Magic was formed in the Fall of 1997. It’s origin stem from a small Parrish school located in East Oakland named St. Bernard’s and from a North Bay AAU team named Solano Magic. Rae Jackson, Program Director was coaching 7th and 8th grade boys who came from troubled backgrounds with-in the community that surrounds St. Bernard’s. Through his success and dedication to this community, the reputation of Rae Jackson with-in the community began to grow. He taught the youth of that community how to incorporate discipline and commitment to achieve their goals, which attracted many more youth in the community to join his St. Bernard’s basketball program. A bond was formed when a few select players from the St. Bernard’s Girls Team joined forces with a few select girls from the North Bay Solano Magic team to compete for an AAU National Title in the girls 14 & Under Division. Due to the team’s goals of achieving national prominence with-in the AAU association, Bay Area Magic was born!
The program (based out of Oakland) has brought a variety of communities together as Bay Area Magic players come from Fairfield, Vallejo, Benicia, Pittsburg, Antioch, Crockett, Richmond, Berkeley, Oakland, San Leandro, Hayward, and San Francisco. Through this involvement with-in various cities around the East Bay, Bay Area Magic truly “Represents the Art of Being Productive”.
Each Bay Area Magic season adds to another successful year of teaching and training girls in a college environment to prepare them for the next level. We have assembled some of the finest players in Northern California; these are talented young ladies, both academically and athletically. We currently field teams at the following age groups: GIRLS 17U, 14U, and 10U. BOYS 15U, 12U and 10U. It is important to note that Bay Area Magic existed as (1) team for 4 years (17U level), but due to the demand from parents and players our program growth was eminent.
Besides basketball instruction, we provide our players with educational resources and support, as well as tutors and mentors. This makes our players more competitive and marketable for college scholarship opportunities in athletics as well as academics. Our heavy travel schedule to Oregon, San Diego, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, etc. provides scholarship opportunities through exposure to college coaches and recruiters.
