'Stay in Game' helps place area youths in college
April 13, 1997
| Todd Rosiak On Preps |
The head of Stay in the Game, an organization that helps place area high school basketball players in college, Weathers and a small group of volunteers spend much of their free time helping the players get a college education.
"It's a hobby," Weathers said during a break in the action at the third annual Stay in the Game / Playmakers "I Got Skills" Senior Prep Roundball Tournament on Sunday afternoon at Nicolet High School.
"I do it because I had someone help me when I was young. I had a role model and somebody that I could talk to and just help me get to where I am. So this is my way, and all of our way, of trying to give back to the community."
Judging by the response of the scores of college coaches, scouts and spectators alike at the tournament Sunday, Weathers and Stay in the Game are doing that and more.
"The response has been fantastic from those people who have gone through the program," Weathers said. "We have placed over 80 kids in school over the past three years. We've been successful in attracting some of the better players in the state, and not only that but establishing relationships with them and with college coaches where we can make a connection.
"That's what we pride ourselves on, making a connection for kids."
The player turnout Sunday read like a who's who list of high school basketball talent from the Milwaukee area and across the state. Area stars including Michael Wilks of Milwaukee King, Terry Black of Milwaukee Messmer, Kaspars Kambala of Homestead and Mike Kelley of Milwaukee Pius were joined by Madison East's Roy Boone, Wausaukee's Ryan Duessler, Ladysmith's Brent Larson and Platteville's Will Ryan in two talent-rich games that left the crowd oohing and aahing the lightning-quick moves and rim-rocking slam dunks.
Despite the obvious athletic talents each of those athletes possesses, Weathers and Stay in the Game place the emphasis on academics.
"We're most proud of our academic piece because we tutor kids for the ACT," Weathers said. "It's of no charge; it's free for the kids. They come in and work with our tutor from the fall to however long it takes for them to get the test score.
"We try to make sure that they have everything that they need to be eligible to play athletics in college."
Weathers pointed to the experience of one former Milwaukee City Conference player.
"A great example is Tony Mayfield, who just signed with Purdue University," Weathers said. "He's a young man who didn't even graduate from high school, and we were able to get him his GED, able to find him a junior college where he was able to enroll and excel at and then from there helped him on his way."
Weathers said this event last year helped place 15 student-athletes in colleges. He said he expected similar results this year. The value lies in not what they accomplish on the floor once that first semester begins, but what opportunities they have ahead of them as a result of their academic achievements.
"It's just our way of trying to help kids get opportunities to go to college and be an athlete and realize that, 'I may not make it in the NBA but I have the opportunity to get an education and try to be a productive member of our community.' "