Sports

New Strategy for MBU Men’s Basketball Team

October 4, 2007

By Christa Graham

This past Saturday morning, when many MBU students were probably catching up on their sleep, the men’s basketball team was traveling to Compton Baptist Church in downtown St. Louis. The purpose of their trip was to host a basketball clinic for kids who live all around the St. Louis area.

About 40 kids showed up to learn from MBU’s athletes. The clinic began at 10:30 a.m. with the team members showing kids their techniques and skills. After this, the basketball players had the opportunity to sit down and eat lunch with the children. After lunch, a few different MBU players spoke to the audience on topics such “Achieving Goals” and “Working Hard.” To end the clinic, Raymond Farrell, Jr., head coach of the men’s basketball team, presented the gospel message to the kids.

Later in the day, the team returned to MBU to host another clinic for home-schooled children. “[The basketball team] did a tremendous job; we had numerous compliments from the leaders and parents,” said Farrell.

Farrell is already planning similar events for the months to come. His goal is to involve the men’s basketball team in a community service or outreach event at least once a month. Every member of the team has been given great opportunities just to go to college, said Farrell. “We want to give back to the kids,” he stated.

Farrell’s philosophy for the men’s basketball team is “to be a family; it’s all about family.” Farrell feels that these services to the community help in establishing such a connection, and at the end of the day it is the MBU players that have the most fun—even more fun than the kids.

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