Bucknell University Athletics
Bison bounce into center for b-ball
10/2/2007 8:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 2, 2007
By Andrew Zechman, Standard-Journal
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LEWISBURG -- With a rash of recent NCAA Tournament wins, the Bucknell University men's basketball has achieved star status locally, especially to the younger set.
Over the last two weeks, the Bison have stepped out of the spotlight and into a local community center to offer basketball and life lessons to area youth.
The team held a clinic last week and Monday at the Donald Heiter Community Center, Lewisburg. The Bison will hold one more session from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8, in the community center.
On Monday, participants played a variety of games with the Bucknell players and shared a good deal of laughter.
"It is nice to come here to the community center and hang out with the kids," said Rob Thomas, a senior guard from Houston, Texas. "A lot of the kids come to all the games, so it is a good opportunity for us to come here and shoot some baskets with them and answer any questions they may have."
While imparting some basic basketball skills is on the "to-do" list, Thomas said, the Bison also hope to leave the young hoopsters with an understanding of how important it is to be a good teammate.
Thomas said the clinics are a chance for the kids to get to know the players outside the spotlight cast on the Sojka Pavilion court.
"They get to see us in a different light," said Thomas. "It is always interesting to talk to the kids because they say some of the craziest things. It is just a lot of fun for everyone."
Dan Bowen, an assistant coach for the team, said he remembers taking part in the clinics when he was a student "back in the day."
"It is exciting for the kids to interact with the players they see out on the court and it is a great way for the team to give back to the community," said Bowen. "The clinic is pretty informal and more than anything else, it is about showing the kids how to have fun playing basketball."
Andrea Tufo, Heiter Center executive director, said the center and Bucknell have been holding the program for years now and every year it has been a success.
"I think it gives local kids an opportunity to interact with Bucknell students on a level that they can understand, appreciate and not feel intimidated by," said Tufo.
Tufo said the program helps to show kids what it means to be a completely rounded student athlete.
"I think the program shows the kids what it truly means to be a healthy athlete and the fact that school, manners, the way you carry yourself and the way people perceive you are very important," said Tufo. "We do a lot with our youth groups where we follow up with that, and we ask students, `Did you hear the Bucknell basketball players cursing?' You can make kids realize that the way you present yourself to the world really matters."
For more information on the Donald Heiter Community Center call at 524-5000 or visit www.donaldheiter.org.
