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By Grant Wieman
bobcats.com
October 21, 2009
With the help of a teammate, Bobcats guard Raja Bell stepped up after taking a charge on Wednesday. He smiled at the Charlotte child who knocked him over, having just demonstrated the proper technique to draw an offensive foul. The 15 children looking on then mimicked his action, throwing themselves back onto the court of the recently refurbished Greenville Recreation Center, located at 1330 Spring Street.
Bell, along with Bobcats guard Raymond Felton, Lady Cats Jordan, Dawn, Amanda and Jessica, and Head Athletic Trainer Steve Stricker helped put on a basketball clinic for the kids in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Activities League (PAL).
"Everybody kind of came together to make this a pretty cool event for the kids, as well as for Raymond and myself and everybody else who participated," Bell said. "It was not too long ago that I grew up playing in the Police Athletic League."
Coca-Cola and the Bobcats brought together their partners PAL, Circle K and Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department to put on the free clinic.
"I think the common denominator with all of them is that they’re so great in the community and they do so much for the youth in Charlotte," Bell said. "To come together and put on events like this is something pretty special. Any time I get (an opportunity to be) involved with it, I’m happy to do it."
There were over 60 area children at the clinic, which ran from 5:30-7:30 pm. "It’s great to have a partner like the Charlotte Bobcats in the Charlotte community," said Coca-Cola Promotional Execution Manger Jenny Miller. "We just have such a big opportunity with a brand like Coca-Cola and a great team like the Charlotte Bobcats bringing the community together, and this is just one big example."
Bell and Felton relished the opportunity. "I was a kid once who used to look up to people at camps, look up to the people who came and spoke to me. It’s just something about the smile on these kids’ faces that just does something to me," Felton said. "I do this all summer, working with kids, doing camps. I have my own AAU program. I really enjoy it."
Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department Chief Rodney Monroe said seeing the Bobcats players showed the kids who have spent time in the PAL program see what they can become if they keep working hard and doing the right things.
"We’re out here trying to teach them that there are so many more positive things out here in life that they can be involved in than out there in those streets," Monroe said. "I think a lot of times they only see these guys (the Bobcats) from afar, and to have an opportunity to see them up close and personal (helps make them seem real). They come from similar backgrounds and have had similar types of experiences, and it lets them know that they can succeed in life as well."
The clinic showcased kids who have shown a commitment to PAL by doing well in school, attending the 2-7 pm after-school activities program regularly and participating in the recreation center’s basketball and football programs.
The kids were broken into four groups that each spent time in stations run by the Bobcats. Felton showed the kids proper technique for jump shots, Bell ran them through defense and rebounding drills, the Lady Cats taught a dance routine and Stricker talked to the kids about the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle.
They all stayed late to answer questions the kids had and sign autographs.
"It was a special kind of day for me to come out and give back just a little bit," Bell said. "They really get a kick out of it. Simple things like showing them how to take a charge, showing them how to box out. They really have a thirst for wanting to learn. Sometimes it’s taken for granted. They get out there and just kind of play. But they really want to learn and pick your brain a little bit, and that’s pretty cool."
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