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Net Gains
Towson University Hall of Famer Kurk Lee leads neglected teens to the basketball court and a better life
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A SENSE OF COMMUNITY
Deciding that he wanted to "do something for the kids," Lee was hired in late 2002 by Diamond Life, a "transitional" home for abandoned and abused teen-agers in need of parental role models — "kids that don't have anywhere to go," Lee said. As one of Diamond Life's mentors, Lee spends each Sunday through Thursday at the group's home on Greenmount Avenue, where he supervises the morning routines of six teens — waking them up, preparing breakfast, helping them get ready for school.
Lee says the work has been an awakening of sorts.
"I had a family growing up. My mom and pop were a part of my life from Day One," he said. "So to see these kids try to make it through life without parents is inspirational. Getting them up in the morning and seeing them carrying their books out the door ... if they didn't have a role model, someone they can look up to, they wouldn't be doing that.
"Some of these kids have been bounced around since they were 4 months old. Their mothers are locked up, their fathers have left them. All they need is some guidance. They need someone to push them, to let them know they can still reach their goals, whether or not they have their mother or father with them."
The teens have so inspired Lee that he plans to open his own transitional home — called "Step for Success" — this fall. A second home will follow, with up to four kids staying in each facility.
They also have inspired him to start the Kurk Lee Foundation, through which he is trying to raise money for a number of worthy causes. One of his first fund-raisers was the Kurk Lee Charity Celebrity All-Star Game, held June 21 at the Towson Center. Juan Dixon, Steven Francis, Nick Van Exel and other NBA and collegiate stars (not to mention local celebrities like Lee's buddy, Cal Ripken) turned out to help raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Diamond Life, Dunbar High and Towson University. Lee hopes to make the game an annual event.
In his spare time, Lee coaches kids 8 years old and younger every Friday and Saturday morning at the Bentalou Recreation Center as part of the Baltimore Neighborhood Basketball League. And prior to the celebrity charity game in June, Lee held what he called the Kurk Lee Kids Kamp, an invitation-only basketball camp (the invitations were based on grades) for kids who play in Baltimore's Police Athletic League.
Lee also has been asked to serve on the board of directors of the Tiger Athletic Fund, a group that raises money for Towson University sports clubs. Some of the proceeds from his charity basketball game benefited the fund.
His work isn't going unnoticed.
"These kids look up to him as a role model," parent Latria Bond said as she watched the June 21 Kids Kamp from the sideline. Lee coaches Bond's 7-year-old son, Timothy. "Kurk is the first coach Timothy has been able to look up to. A lot of kids think basketball is about getting the ball and shooting, but Kurk teaches them that it's a team sport. It's all so positive."
Fellow parent Thomas Pettiford agreed.
"He's doing a fine job with the kids," said Pettiford, whose 8-year-old son Gavin is coached by Lee. "He can be a little hard on them at times, but sometimes that's what they need. Gavin listens to Kurk and likes him, too, so that's a plus."
That kind of influence comes as no surprise to Lee's former coaches.
"I can't think of a better role model for kids," Meil said. "Kurk has always had a terrific interest in kids and the community, and I think his involvement will continue to grow."
"Kurk's the type of role model I think a lot of players would aspire to be," added Towson head coach Michael Hunt, an assistant during Lee's playing days with the Tigers. "Most kids would probably rather be (former Towson Catholic star and NBA draft pick) Carmelo Anthony than Kurk Lee, but how many can ever hope to do the things Carmelo Anthony does? A lot of them can aspire to do the things Kurk does. We need more citizens like him."
NEXT PAGE: Lessons learned ... and taught
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