Men's Basketball

 

The month long series of clinics held by the Bethel College men’s basketball team in cooperation with Zion Missionary Church were completed on June 6th as former NBA All-Star A.C. Green capped off the event as the main speaker.  

 

The Pilots and Zion Missionary Church used the clinics as a tool to reach out to the local community which has been hit hard by the economic downturn.  NAIA player of the year William Walker and Ryne Lightfoot along with local coaches and teammates were the clinicians for the free series of clinics that took place over a month.

“When you look for a role model for kids you cannot find a better example than A.C. Green", stated Bethel Head Coach Mike Lightfoot. "All the principles and standards we shared throughout our clinics were emphasized again by A.C. He hit a homerun with the kids and spent the day "hanging out" with the campers.  I feel using basketball as a tool has really impacted the city of Elkhart, Ind.  Elkhart has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation right now and we felt it would be fun to bring something positive to the community.”

 

The Bethel basketball players were also impacted through their community involvement as they found that giving back to the community can be reward enough in itself.

"Basketball has blessed my life in so many ways and it is just an honor to give back to the community”, said Ryne Lightfoot.   “I was impressed on how receptive the kids were in learning the fundamentals.  More importantly I think we were able to impact lives.  That is really why we came.  I was impressed on how personable and real A.C. Green was and his character is impeccable.  We had a great time."

 

Player of the year William Walker added, "We have travelled to Ecuador and China to share our faith and teach basketball but we also can also do this in our own community.  Basketball attracts people and as athletes we can use our gifts and talents to help others.  I believe we were able to make a difference.”