Dribble for Destiny's 5th Annual Carolina Crusader Classic is now history and once again, we are
thankful to all who made it possible.
Four facilities, six gymnasiums, 37 teams from three states, approximately 550 athletes, 80 coaches, exciting
victories, disappointing losses, and a host of fans.
To you parents who stepped up to the plate to volunteer, to make phone calls, and help do some of the grunt work that goes on behind the scenes, we are extremely grateful. While the main reason behind this tournament is to raise funds for the Carolina Crusader Club Teams, it is important to see from a different perspective the lives that are touched and the differences that are made in young and old alike.
Friday 6:30 p.m. - April 3, 2009 - Dribble for Destiny Gymnasium... A gentleman walked up to me and asked if I remembered him. I regretfully said I didn't and was a bit embarrassed as I do try hard to remember names and faces.
He continued on, saying that he saw me in Watkins, and yet a blank was still drawn. When, what, or where was Watkins?! After apologizing to him, he said, "I saw you and Sherri perform last week-end in the prison yard in Watkins and heard your message! I'm a free man now and am here to watch my grandson play ball." We talked about the message of hope and how he was a free man in Christ. A life touched, a difference made.
Saturday 7:00 a.m. - April 4, 2009 - 1800 E. North Street... A taxi cab pulled up into the church parking lot and
a young kid climbed out of the back, pulled out a wallet, and handed the driver some cash. As he began walking toward the gym, I saw one of our 13U boys in his Carolina Crusader uniform. How badly did he want to belong to something? I cannot even remember the last time I had to call a taxi, and here was a young kid, up before dawn, getting a taxi, and arriving at the gym to meet his coach so he could get to his first game. No parent to get him there, but the inner drive to be a part of something...to belong.
There are surely more stories, but these are a couple that are close to my heart as I reflect and put into perspective what Dribble for Destiny and the Carolina Crusader Club are really all about. More than anything else, we want touch people's lives, make a difference, and challenge our athletes to see things through a different perspective - to look outside of ourselves to a world in need of something bigger than we are. To live a life that is altered toward something good and to then reach out and help alter the life of someone else.
thankful to all who made it possible.
Four facilities, six gymnasiums, 37 teams from three states, approximately 550 athletes, 80 coaches, exciting
victories, disappointing losses, and a host of fans.
To you parents who stepped up to the plate to volunteer, to make phone calls, and help do some of the grunt work that goes on behind the scenes, we are extremely grateful. While the main reason behind this tournament is to raise funds for the Carolina Crusader Club Teams, it is important to see from a different perspective the lives that are touched and the differences that are made in young and old alike.
Friday 6:30 p.m. - April 3, 2009 - Dribble for Destiny Gymnasium... A gentleman walked up to me and asked if I remembered him. I regretfully said I didn't and was a bit embarrassed as I do try hard to remember names and faces.
He continued on, saying that he saw me in Watkins, and yet a blank was still drawn. When, what, or where was Watkins?! After apologizing to him, he said, "I saw you and Sherri perform last week-end in the prison yard in Watkins and heard your message! I'm a free man now and am here to watch my grandson play ball." We talked about the message of hope and how he was a free man in Christ. A life touched, a difference made.
Saturday 7:00 a.m. - April 4, 2009 - 1800 E. North Street... A taxi cab pulled up into the church parking lot and
a young kid climbed out of the back, pulled out a wallet, and handed the driver some cash. As he began walking toward the gym, I saw one of our 13U boys in his Carolina Crusader uniform. How badly did he want to belong to something? I cannot even remember the last time I had to call a taxi, and here was a young kid, up before dawn, getting a taxi, and arriving at the gym to meet his coach so he could get to his first game. No parent to get him there, but the inner drive to be a part of something...to belong.
There are surely more stories, but these are a couple that are close to my heart as I reflect and put into perspective what Dribble for Destiny and the Carolina Crusader Club are really all about. More than anything else, we want touch people's lives, make a difference, and challenge our athletes to see things through a different perspective - to look outside of ourselves to a world in need of something bigger than we are. To live a life that is altered toward something good and to then reach out and help alter the life of someone else.
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