York University held its first annual Joshua Yasay Charity Basketball Tournament to raise funds for the Joshua Yasay Award for Excellence in Criminology and Community Service Monday, July 1 at the Tait McKenzie Centre. It was also to remember a son, brother, friend and York alumnus, an innocent bystander who was tragically killed one year ago on July 16, 2012 in a gang-related shooting.
Yasay’s family, friends and York students put in teams that played in a double 
elimination tournament that would eventually see the winner take on a challenge from the Toronto Police Services recreational basketball team.
Seven teams competed in the tournament to raise money for the Joshua Yasay Award for Excellence in Criminology and Community Service
The winning team from the tournament draw was comprised of players from the Goodfellas Barbershop that Yasay had opened prior to his death. In an exciting final game, the Toronto Police took on the Goodfellas and squeaked out a victory, winning by only one point.
The tournament, which raised $4,000 toward the award, was also an opportunity for the first recipient of the award to speak to the Yasay family, players and attendees about the impact that the award has had. Overall, seven teams competed in the tournament and all funds that were raised went directly towards the award.
The annual award will be given to fourth-year criminology students who have had a positive impact on their communities through civic 
engagement and stewardship. The second one is expected to be awarded in the fall of 2014. Fundraising for the award continues.
Joshua Yasay
To learn more about Yasay, visit the Winter 2013 issue of YorkU Magazine.
To make a donation to the Joshua Yasay Award for Excellence in Criminology and Community Service, contact the York University Division of Advancement at 416-650-8210 or contribute on line at forJoshua.ca
For more information on how to assist in the Second Annual Joshua Yasay Basketball Tournament, contact Susan Barnes at 416-650-8467.