Page 57 - BusinessWest February 20, 2023

Springfield Ballers
This Nonprofit Helps Young People Get in the Game
BY GEORGE O’BRIEN
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ames Gee grew up in Springfield, in a single-parent household.
He remembers his mother having to hold down several jobs and work very long hours — 70, maybe
80 a week by his count. He also remembers sports, and especially basketball, being ... well, much more than a game at that critical time in his life.
Sports were something to look forward to at a time when there wasn’t much in his life that fell into that category, he told BusinessWest, and something that provided a number of invaluable life lessons — on everything from the value of teamwork to overcoming adversity; from learning from role models to understanding the importance of working hard to achieve one’s goals.
“I had sports as something to keep me engaged and focused,” said Gee, head coach of the women’s varsity basketball team at Central High School, which won the state championship in 2022; a former player at Central himself; and a history teacher at the school. “I had coaches who would pick me up and drop me off and be there
as role models as well. Mom was always there for me and always pushing the importance of academics, but
the reality was, she had to go to work to pay the bills.
I understood that, but when you have that much time, you can get in trouble and find the wrong friends and the wrong crowds. For me, because I had sports, I didn’t have time to get in trouble; my focus was much different.”
It is this basic understanding of the importance of sports in the development of young people that led to the creation of Springfield Ballers, a nonprofit that got its start with an all-girls basketball team (the Lady Ballers) back in 2006 — and also led to Gee to join the effort, become a pivotal force in its growth and development, and become passionate about its mission.
Today, through the leadership of Gee, who now serves as president and CEO of the nonprofit; fellow coach Mike Anderson; and a strong board of directors, the Ballers has expanded its mission in many different ways.
Indeed, there are now 27 basketball teams involving boys and girls of all ages; other sports, including golf, lacrosse, and softball; clinics; competitions; and more. Access to sports and competition is now year-round.
Summing it up, Gee said it’s about making sports affordable and accessible, and thus enabling young people to enjoy the many benefits of sports and competition. But the equation also includes exposure to coaches and other positive role models, support with academics, and much more.
“I believe that sports correlates with life in so many ways,” he explained. “Everything from just being on time to handling adversity, dealing with different situations, dealing with different individuals, learning how to work through struggle; it’s huge. There are so many lessons that sports provide — and it also gives young people something to look forward to.
“With all the challenges people face today, sports gives them something to distract them, especially children in lower socioeconomic and demographic areas,” he added.
Leah Martin Photography
“I had sports as something to keep me engaged and focused.”
BusinessWest
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