Basketball, mentorship organization looks to build Logansport facility

A local basketball dynasty is working toward cementing its legacy.

The Penny Way — a training and mentorship organization operated by Antonio Penny, his siblings, mother and uncle — is looking to construct a facility in Logansport that would expand athletic opportunities in the area.

Speaking with the Pharos-Tribune, Penny explained plans for the facility would include two large basketball courts and spaces for off-court mentorship programing and events such as job fairs.

A daycare room and park for toddlers could also be included at the facility, Penny added.

The Penny Way building would be built at 2225 S. 150 East, just across the street from the McClure gas station on the Hoosier Heartland highway coming into town. The founder hopes to have the facility up and running within the next 12-18 months.

The planned development comes on the heels of several busy years for Penny and his siblings who were each 1,000-point scorers in high school playing for the Berries.

The basketball camps they began in 2022 have grown in popularity. Penny explained hundreds of kids are now in the Penny Way training program and the family has started to dive further into mentorship and community outreach programs with events like the Father & Son Ballout.

The Penny Way also hosted a basketball tournament last summer that brought 3v3 teams from as far as Chicago to compete in Logansport. Penny wanted to make sure kids had something to look forward to throughout summer vacation that would keep them out of trouble — he made sure there was free food or drinks during the events to help anyone who might be facing food insecurity.

He plans to bring the event, titled Ballout for the Kids, back this summer.

A full-circle moment

Penny and his siblings left Logansport when it came time to go off to college. Their grandparents still live here, and the organization has kept the City of Bridges close to its heart with camps and other events.

Penny said the potential for a full-circle moment is appealing. He likes the thought of his family being able to look at the planned facility and know that they returned to Logansport to leave a legacy. He doesn’t plan on hogging the legacy, either.

“You can come here to create your legacy,” Penny said. “You won’t come in here just to play basketball. “You may come in here and find your future job. Things like that. Setting kids up for success for the future is what I’m big on.”

Seeing the growth of diverse communities in Logansport, Penny said it’s important children have trusted, unbiased coaches and mentors to guide them.

“I think it’s so important to give these kids someone who they can look up to that trust the fact that they will become a pro in something,” Penny said. “It may not be your sport, but something.”

Penny noted Logansport’s young athletes often play multiple sports. He wants to provide more opportunities for them to cut travel costs while bringing in athletes from larger cities.