Big Brothers Big Sisters Find Fun At Spurs Game

Last year over 1,300 children in South Texas were matched with Big Brothers or Big Sisters to help them reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships. The role of “big” mentors in this program is to find fun ways to spend time and get to know our “little” who, if they are like most, spent years on the waiting list for a match.

And what better place for fun than a Spurs game? When my friend Chálie received her company’s Spurs tickets at the last minute, we jumped at the chance to take her “little sis” Megan, and my “little brother” Michael. Megan, 9, and Michael, 8, savored the Spurs 121-93 victory over the New York Knicks. The game was Megan’s first and Michael’s third and, though the two met just once a year ago, they quickly became friends. Megan showed Michael how to crack open a peanut shell and Michael showed us all that truly devoted Spurs fans yell “DEEEFENSE” at the top of their lungs during every single opponent possession, no matter how big the lead. And speaking of leads… who knew the score could be a hidden math lesson! We did okay with the subtraction until the Spurs hit triple digits and extended the lead to 34…we had to settle for, “I don’t know, but I think they’ll win.”

When asked their favorite player, Megan quickly replied, “Tony Parker.” Michael found it a little harder to choose. “I like Tim Duncan. And Tony Parker. And Ginobili! Oh, oh and Horry!” After the Knicks game, he said he’s adding Michael Finley to the list.

As adults who are fortunate enough to attend Spurs games on a regular basis, it was fun for Chálie and I to see all the excitement a Spurs game has to offer through Megan and Michael’s eyes. In case you were wondering, that big launcher the Coyote uses to shoot t-shirts into the crowd is the coolest thing any 8 year-old has ever seen.

For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas check out http://www.bigmentor.org/ or call (210) 225-6322.