Bears Men's Basketball Reaches Out With Youth Clinic

MACON, Ga. – Several members of Mercer University’s men’s basketball team recently played host to boys from the R.O.O.M. 141 program for a basketball clinic at the University Center. The Bears’ players instructed the youngsters in some basketball fundamentals, as well as spending bonding time with them.

“I think that it is important for our team to give back to the community,” said Brendan Walker, a guard for the Bears from 2006-10 and who sported the team’s top grade point average last season. “We are very blessed to have the opportunities we have through attending college and through sports. It is always great to be able to share our skills and experiences with kids and maybe say or do something that will help them to pursue their dreams, as well.”

R.O.O.M. 141 – the acronym meaning “Reaching Out to Our Males” and “1” day a week “4” “1” hour – is spearheaded by James Moore and supported by Harvest Cathedral church in Macon.  The non-profit program is designed to combat school drop-out rates, gang activity, low self esteem and disrespect for authority. Moore’s program targets 3-5^th graders, but also has various steps four young men all the way through the high school level.

“I continue to see the struggle of young men at the high school and middle school level,” said Moore. “I believe we need to work with and influence these children at an earlier age; we need to prevent the fire, instead of fighting the fire. My goal is to take the matches out of children’s hands before they are surrounded by fires.”

From Walkers’ perspective, it was an ideal match for the MU basketball players.

“We were honored to be able to be involved with R.O.O.M. 141,” said Walker. “Their mission of helping to promote education, respect, discipline, leadership and purpose with these kids was something we could all get behind.”