A Coach Who Just Gave a Good Kid a Chance 604.2
Did you hear the sports story that came out of Greece a few years ago? No, it wasn't from the country that spawned the Olympics, though it has an Olympic quality. The story came out of Greece, New York, and it was about Jason McElwain, a 17-year-old autistic kid, and Jim Johnson, a high school basketball coach.
Jason, who didn't speak until he was five and always struggled with learning challenges, was short for a basketball player, only five foot six. In fact, he never made the team. He was the team manager, who kept stats and handed out water bottles.
But Coach Johnson liked Jason's enthusiasm for the game and his unselfish dedication to the team. So he decided to let him suit up for the last home game of the season. If the score permitted, he might even let him play a few minutes.
Word got around and a group of students came to the game with signs bearing his nickname, "J-Mac," and cutouts of his face placed on popsicle sticks.
When Jason was put into the game with four minutes left, they cheered wildly, hoping that he might even score a basket. In Hollywood, he would have done just that, and his teammates would have carried him off on their shoulders. But in the real world of Greece, New York, Jason took a shot and missed by about six feet. His supporters groaned and the coach worried that he may have set this young man up for embarrassment.
But J-Mac took another shot, and another, and another. In fact, he took 10 shots, sank a school record six three-pointers, and scored 20 points in his four minutes of glory.
And, yes, he was carried off on the shoulders of his teammates. And it was the career high point in the life of a coach who just gave a good kid a chance.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
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Comments
I'm hoping this is a recycled entry, as happens from time to time (understandably...) The event Michael references comes from almost 3 years ago 2/16/06! Great message about giving everyone a chance...fortunately, it didn't end up an embarrassment for the student.
Posted by: Andy | February 3, 2009 4:40 AM
In fairness to Michael, Andy, the first line of the piece does say "Did you hear the sports story that came out of Greece a few years ago?"...
Posted by: Eric Nelson | February 5, 2009 5:12 PM
Please see the Lewiston Sun Journal for a similar story that happened at a local basketball game on 2/4/09 in Auburn, Maine.
"Edward Little's Josh Titus holds the game ball at the end of Tuesday night's game against Leavitt Area High School. Titus, the team's senior manager, who has high-functioning autism, scored nine points in his first action as a player."
See: http://www.sunjournal.com/story/302182-3/LocalSports/A_time_for_Titus_to_shine/ for the full story.
A truly heart-warming story!
Posted by: Diane | February 6, 2009 5:15 AM
Happiness begins were shelfishness ends
Posted by: Joe Zurolo | February 6, 2009 5:48 AM
I saw this story on the news when it first happened. There was a short snippet at the end of a national evening news broadcast (I think it was NBC). It not only showed Jason's story, but also that of Coach Johnson and his heartfelt feelings for the opportunity to make a difference in this boy's life. It was an inspiring and moving piece and if possible, it would make a wonderful attachment to your commentary the next time you share this story!
Posted by: Robert Elkin | February 14, 2009 9:56 AM
I also remember this story when it first happened. Let's not forget that the coach and players on the opposing team also showed great character in allowing J-Mac to participate and score. While it is natural to focus on the primary participants, how difficult is it to show this level of maturity when you know you will never be mentioned in any recounting of the event? Hats off to all these young men!
Posted by: James | February 18, 2009 6:19 PM
I think kindness is important so you could make friends. Without friends, you will just be by yourself. That`s why you have to be kindly. Kindness is also important so you could have manners. If you don`t have manners, how are you going to behave at a fancy party? Kindness is also important so you could treat your family with kindness so they could treat you with kindness too. That`s why I think kindness is good for all of us.
Posted by: Gabriel garcia | September 30, 2009 5:46 PM