Went down to visit East Hartford Middle Schoool and talk with some players and others about the Huskies' weekly program there.
UConn send up to 20 players a week to EHMS as part of a mentoring and character development program every week. The players typically spend time in the class room with the players and talk to them about the importance of going to school and education. They also get to know the students and talk to them about the world of opportunities in front of them.
It's an off day for the players and it's a big commitment. For some players like Donnell Ford and Larry Taylor, they can relate to some of the circumstances that many of these children face. They have a lot of shared experiences and it helps that a non-authority figure can talk to the young kids. It can only help.
It's funny seeing Larry Taylor walk around with them. He is so small you can almost, I said almost, mistake him for a student. He fits right in.
Ford also is active. He helps a lot out with big brothers and big sisters in Connecticut and this type of mentoring is important to him. He is also going to try and become a fireman when he graduates in December. He already volunteered a bit this summer.
There are two things I wanted to be when I was a kid: A pro athlete or a firefighter.
Ford had the same dream. After taking his best shot at the first, Ford is doing the second.
Fireman, that's cool. Does anyone not like firemen?
Edit: ESPNU to broadcast UConn vs. Virginia. 3:30 p.m. start. Finally we know what time it is. they sure took long enough.
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