Coach uses basketball camp to give kids structure, funWill Jones strives to provide wholesome experience By Edward C. Fennell (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Sunday, July 6, 2008
PROVIDED Will Jones, 27, is a former Berkeley High School and South Carolina State University basketball star. He's now an assistant coach at Okaloosa-Walton Junior College in Niceville, Fla. His annual youth basketball camp is his way of giving back to the community. Believing that mentoring plus time on the hardwood can help youths avoid hard times later in life, former Berkeley High School basketball star Will Jones helped organize a summer basketball camp in his hometown. Jones, 27, played for South Carolina State University after high school and is now coaching in Florida. He returns home each summer to conduct the Will Jones Future Star Basketball camp. Though the camp has helped some young athletes reach and excel at the college level, Jones said the camp's real purpose is to provide girls and boys with a wholesome experience where they are nurtured by successful adults. Jones recalled how his parents and coaches from school and recreation programs kept him moving in the right direction. And that's what keeps him motivated today. "I was able to see them pushing me to be successful. I just want to give a little back to the community," he said. "Today's kids need a place they can go that's structured, where they can have some mentoring and stay out of trouble." The camp stresses the importance of education, and brings in guest speakers including regional high school and college basketball coaches and local community leaders. "Every one of the kids that comes through, it's beneficial to them," he said. Now assistant basketball coach at Okaloosa-Walton Junior College in Niceville, Fla., Jones graduated from S.C. State in 2002. His coaching career has taken him to Tennessee as well as Florida. In those states, he said, he saw far more recreation programs for youths than exist back home. Nothing like the basketball camp could be found in Berkeley County before Jones and his friends, including Moncks Corner-area recreation program coach Travis Fludd and Willis High of Delta Pharmacy, organized the first camp in 2003. The camp founders enlisted commercial sponsors to keep camp costs low for kids. High, who is now an assistant coach at Bishop England High School and no longer involved with Jones' camps, recalled the camp's founding. "We got a lot of people to help and give the kids something to do. They need that kind of stuff," he said. High said the camps instill the message "that if you work hard and do the right thing, you can do it." He said he's seen the camp make positive differences in the lives of many kids. Jones "is doing a heck of a job, he's doing great things for them," High said. Catrena J. Britton of Columbia, Jones' sister, said her brother worked with some of the top basketball camps around the country before opening his own. "He felt the need to create a college-style camp and provide instruction and experience at a much more affordable price. In four years he has given over 200 children that opportunity," she said. Jones tells each one of them that "if you believe, you can achieve," she said. Jones' 2008 camp was held June 16-19 at Berkeley High School. Preparations are being made for next year's camp. Ages 7-16 are invited to enroll. Applications will be available at Delta Pharmacy in Moncks Corner. For more information call 803-378-5757 or e-mail coachwilljones@yahoo.com. Reach Edward C. Fennell at efennell@postandcourier.com or 745-5865. |
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Comments
This article has 8 comment(s)
Posted by MRSCVS on July 6, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Jones you are truly a blessing to those children as well as to your family and community.
Keep up the good work we need more committed people like yourself.
Thanks for sharing your blessing with the children!
Now P/C this is an exceptional article about giving back to the community, and I for one am very grateful that you publish it.
It is just a dishonor that there are no more comments on this magnificent article.
Posted by DCartisan on July 6, 2008 at 11:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great article! We need more articles recognizing those who give back to their communities.
Posted by yeayea on July 7, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
good man.
Posted by icunvme on July 7, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am proud to say that we graduated together from SCSU!!!!! GO BULLDOGS!!!!!!
Posted by prosperous_hb on July 7, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yep, another Berkeley Stag doing great things! Keep up the good work Will.
Posted by eyfigueroa on July 8, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"It is just a dishonor that there are no more comments on this magnificent article."
Because the 'regulars' would have to admit to there being decent, educated, successful Blacks in America.
They would have to acknowledge that and it would counter what they normally post about on this board.
Any article showing a Black or Hispanic person in a positive light is almost invariably ignored by people like The Mouth of The South, Early and others of their kind.
It's a shame though. They think of themselves so much better than the masses but they are no better than the Black race baiters out there who make excuses for bad behavior.
Though posters like them get on my nerves, I have a deeper problem with the Post & Courier. I know of many people of color who contribute to society and are never profiled by this newspaper.
However, let a black or brown person do something wrong and it's title is bolded for emphasis.
Posted by drp7773 on July 8, 2008 at 6:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Eyefigueroa,
I read this article twice and nowhere did I see anything about race stated, Why do you take this time to bring the race card into a good story? Lets see some guy that went to Berkeley and did well then came back and wanted to teach kids, ok thats great but its not about race its about giving. oh is it because his picture shows he's black? or are you trying to say only blacks play basketball? or are you just another racist.....And what does a latino have to do with THIS story? OHHHHHHHH I went to Berkeley and I'm white so I know your not saying only blacks go to Berkeley.mmmmmmm Racism can not end till all get over being racist.Good Luck
Posted by eyfigueroa on July 9, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
drp7773: I stand by my assertion. If you don't like or agree with it so be it. You obviously have reading comprehension issues in regards to my post. I cannot help you with that.
"what does a latino have to do with this article"
Well, now haven't you just shown your true colors!
Unlike others I comment on various articles on this website regarding many ecclectic subject matters. Race is hardly a deciding factor in my choice of articles in which to post a comment.
By the way, your assertion that I'm racist clearly shows your lack of understanding of the definition of the word. I in no way consider myself genetically/racially/ethnically superior to others.
Nor am I a bigot. My family both by blood and marriage is extremely ethnically/racially diverse and I've been fortunate enough to be raised by a family that strictly adhered to the policy of judging people by the content of their character and not the color of their skin.
Which is what my original post did.