Page 59 - BusinessWest February 20, 2023

“The money is absolutely needed because we have so many kids, and so many dollars being spent on scholarships,” said Royal, adding that, last year, the Ballers awarded more than $25,000 in scholarships.
Over the years, the agency
has continuously looked for
ways to broaden its mission and its many forms of assistance to make organized sports even more affordable and accessible, said Gee and Royal. It has done that
by adding more sports to the portfolio, and also by extending its geographic reach.
And, moving forward, it will do
this by providing more assistance
with transportation — to practices, games, events, and even visits to colleges by high-school athletes getting ‘looks’ from recruiters. With the help of some grant money, the Ballers will look to add some vans, said Royal, adding that the need is obviously great.
And it is great in many areas, she went on, adding that sports — and the Springfield Ballers —have the ability to meet many of them.
“It’s not just about putting kids on teams so they can play sports, which obviously is important for exercise, health, well-being, and all of that; there’s so much more to it. A big part of it is forming relationships and connections.
“I know that, with a lot of the coaches, they become a really important figure in
James Gee says his life-changing experiences with sports when he was young inspired him to become part of, and now lead, Springfield Ballers.
“When they play together, the best relationships are formed. It’s just people, kids playing basketball or playing sports together; when they finally interact with other, it knocks down barriers and builds so many great ” relationships.
the kids’ lives,” she went on. “And they provide a lot more than just coaching them on the court.”
Crunch Time
As he added up all that sports has provided him in life, Gee said that,
in addition to all those lessons he mentioned earlier and the manner
in which sports helped keep him out
of trouble, they have provided him friendships that have endured for many years.
“I was able to have friends in different
Leah Martin Photography
communities, not just in Springfield, and I have great relationships to this day,”
he said, adding that he’s not sure how his life would have turned out if sports hadn’t intervened, but he’s quite sure he wouldn’t be where he is today.
His goal is to have sports intervene
in as many young lives as possible. Springfield Ballers exists to do just that, and it has created a formula for winning — in every sense of that phrase.
And that’s what makes this organization a Difference Maker in this region. BW
We can change the world and make it a better place.
It is in our hands to
make a difffference. - Nelson Mandela
Congratulations to the 2023 Difffference Maker honorees
Helix Human Services, formerly The Children’s Study Home Nathan Costa, President, Springfield Thunderbirds Steven and Jean Graham, Owners, Toner Plastics Group Burns Maxey, Board president, CitySpace
Claudia Pazmany, Executive Director, Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce Gabrielle Gould, Executive Director, Amherst Business Improvement District
Gary Rome, President and CEO, Gary Rome Auto Group Henry Thomas, President and CEO, Urban League of Springfield
Springfield Ballers
Bringing the news home since 1824.
Providing affordable programs that promote academics, health and wellness to create well-rounded student athletes. Proud to serve the youth in our region – and to be named a 2023 Difference Maker for the work we do.
Congratulations to all of this
year’s honorees!
www.springfieldballers.com 413-315-0036 or 413-563-2145
BusinessWest
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