By Bob Holmes
About three dozen 13- and 14-year-old boys seemed a little nervous and talked in low voices as they took their seats in CIU’s Pamplin Auditorium, not quite sure what the next 20 minutes would bring. Most of the kids didn’t seem to know many of their peers around them. So, the man at the front of the room decided to use the time constructively and instructively until the late comers arrived.
The man introduced himself as “Mr. Garrett” and asked the teens to get up, introduce themselves to each other as they shook hands. Garrett Hays Sr., who is with the local ministry “Strong Young Minds of Our Block,” demonstrated to the youths that they can change the “energy” in a situation by the way they meet and treat people they don’t know.
This was a breakout “station” that was a part of the weeklong annual “Hoop for Hope” event organized by the CIU Rams men’s and women’s basketball teams drawing nearly 100 youth, ages 9 to 14, from around the Columbia area. It features life lessons, Christian testimonies, Bible devotions, and of course basketball and other fun games.
Hays, who said he grew up “in the hood” went on to say some people are taught “The Love-Hate Thing.”
“Love was in your house; hate was outside of your house,” Garrett explained. “They can’t identify love outside of the house, so they can’t identify when someone is trying to show them genuine energy, and genuine love. And that’s what we’ve got to start getting away from. (Instead), how will we respond? …
“Don’t let anybody fill you with hate for someone else of another color or another neighborhood because you’re going to end up where you’re not supposed to be.”
“I’m their mentor”
While overseeing an outdoor game, the Ram’s Zyrell Williamson, a sophomore, said he sees himself as a positive example to the youth and wants to make sure they don’t experience troubled teenage years like he did.
“Because I know how it is. I was there,” said Williamson, who was one of 47 CIU athletes assisting in the program. “I’m their mentor. It’s my job to help them make friends while they’re here. I want these kids to get better with their peers.”
“Basketball is my ministry”
One person who is hard to keep up with during Hoop for Hope week is the man who has made the event happen for nine years. That’s Men’s Head Basketball Coach Tony Stockman who is continually making sure things are running smoothly and even arranging transportation for youth in lower-income neighborhoods. During a moment of rest, Stockman reflected on the seventh year of the program.
“A big reason why I came to CIU was because I knew I could have a bigger outreach. Basketball is my ministry,” Stockman said. “The resources we have at CIU allows us to bring the kids here.
“We want these kids from the community to see successful young men who are going to college and playing a sport,” Stockman continued. “Because sometimes in the neighborhood they are seeing a different of guy — selling drugs and things like that. We want them to see positive role models and strong young Christian men and hopefully give them something to strive toward.”
Because Child Evangelism Fellowship was having training on campus during Hoops for Hope week, Stockman said students from that ministry would be taking what they’ve learned to share the gospel with the basketball campers.
“(We’re) just trying to love on them … but ultimately showing the love of Christ,” Stockman said. “The ultimate goal is for them to make a decision for Christ.”
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