by Shawn Nowlin
Just a few hours of an adult’s time can have the biggest impact on a child.
It’s not every day that Roanoke City youth get to interact and receive guidance from successful basketball players. Such an opportunity, however, recently presented itself to approximately 60 youth at the Roanoke Minnick School.
A special education day school that serves students ages five to 22 with multiple disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, or intellectual disabilities, the Minnick School’s supportive environment helps pupils learn about their behaviors and navigate challenging situations.
On May 23, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) basketball players and other college athletes made the hours-long drive to teach the students valuable lessons, both in the field of competition and real life. One by one, the Minnock School students played tug of war, asked questions, raced on the track, and shot hoops with the athletes.
A win-win for everyone involved, Rebecca Bays and Esteban Barrett, the Minnick School’s principal and physical education teacher, respectively, actively participated in the event. Also present was Cindy Adams, the EnCircle Senior External Relations Coordinator.
The event only lasted for a few hours, but in that time, the athletes signed basketballs, gave the students some pointers, and cheered on every lay-up and jump shot that was attempted.
“The Minnock School is one program under the larger umbrella of EnCircle. The students were in absolute awe, and I think the players were equally as excited. Knowing the impact they can have on others, you could just see their faces light up,” Adams said. “Big, strong guys tend to be generalized and stereotyped. Seeing up close just how engaging and sincere they were made a profound statement.”
The smiles were as real as the made jump shots. In the student’s eyes, the VCU athletes might as well have been LeBron James or Nikola Jokic. Nothing about the event surprised Adams, not even some of the students matching the players shot for shot.
The Rams, led by first-year head coach Mike Rhoades, compiled 27 victories and eight losses last season, advancing to the NCAA Tournament. Along with the school boosters and season ticket holders, the students who bonded with the players last week will also be rooting for the team next year.
The time shared with the children went beyond shaking some hands and posing for pictures. Adams believes that the experience will have a lasting impact. “Not that long ago the athletes were the same age as the students. That’s why I think their words carried such weight. As soon as they walked through the doors, they had everyone’s attention. What a beautiful event this was to be a part of,” she said.
