John Antioco grew up at the Boys’ Club in Long Island, N.Y., where he learned values and leadership skills that have been invaluable to his success in the business world. In 2006, he was inducted into Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Alumni Hall of Fame. John has been a strong supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs, both nationally and locally. Following a disastrous flood in Bandera, Texas, for instance, he played a critical role in ensuring the survival of that community’s Club. He has also served on BGCA’s National Board of Governors, where he provided vision and leadership in support of our national marketing efforts. John’s commitment to and support of the Alumni Hall of Fame will ensure that we continue to honor and recognize those who represent the spirit of Boys & Girls Clubs for years to come.
A Lasting Legacy: The Alumni Hall of Fame When the Boys & Girls Club of Mount Vernon, N.Y., opened its doors in my neighborhood, I couldn’t wait to be a part of it. I joined the moment I turned 6, and I can’t imagine what my life would have been like if I hadn’t. At the Club, I found guidance and support from one of the directors, Billy Thomas. I found great sports programs, like football and track, and learned the importance of discipline. The Club took me outside Mount Vernon, with field trips to Yankee Stadium and to museums. By displaying the flags of colleges attended by former members, the Club gave me the confidence and ambition to attend college myself. And when I was starting my acting career, I remembered something I learned at the Club: luck is where opportunity meets preparation. Billy Thomas taught me that lesson, and I have applied it throughout my entire adult life. All across America and on U.S. military installations around the world, children are finding the same great experiences and opportunities at Boys & Girls Clubs. I believe that just a few successful alumni would be proof enough that Clubs change lives. Instead, there are thousands. In these pages, you’ll meet the distinguished members of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Alumni Hall of Fame. The Alumni Hall of Fame recognizes the accomplishments of former Club members who’ve gone on to make major contributions in their field, from sports and entertainment to business and medicine, from politics and justice to art and education. Their stories are very different, but all start out the same: with the life-changing programs, caring and attentive staff, and fun and safety of a local Boys & Girls Club. There’s no doubt about it – Boys & Girls Clubs change lives. And as you look through these pages, I think you’ll agree that Club alumni are changing the world. Sincerely,
Denzel Washington
“ Every child needs somebody to be crazy about them. Every child needs a place. I had a place – it was the Boys & Girls Club.” – Walter Anderson
Rhett Akins Valdosta, Georgia
At the Boys & Girls Club of Valdosta, a young athlete named Rhett Akins learned lessons about sportsmanship, teamwork and playing to win. As a struggling musician in Nashville, Tenn., Akins drew upon these lessons – and found success. Bursting onto the country scene in 1995, Akins was named one of the year’s Top New Stars by Country America Magazine and nominated for an American Music Award as New Country Artist of the Year. In addition to climbing the charts, he has served as a national spokesperson for Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Walter Anderson Mount Vernon, New York
The editor of Parade magazine for more than 20 years, Walter Anderson was named chairman, CEO and publisher of Parade Publications in 2000. After dropping out of high school, he eventually became valedictorian of his class at Mercy College and is now a national spokesperson for the GED program and a director of the National Dropout Prevention Fund. An alumnus of the Boys & Girls Club of Mount Vernon, he fondly remembers his Club days and has featured Boys & Girls Clubs in Parade cover stories on Gen. Colin Powell, National KidsDay and Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s “Come on Home” alumni campaign.
Chief Justice Harry Lee Anstead Jacksonville, Florida
Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Harry Lee Anstead grew up in Jacksonville’s Brentwood Housing Project, not venturing outside his small community until receiving a Boys & Girls Club scholarship to summer camp. That experience showed him “there is no limit to what people can do.” Anstead went on to receive bachelor and juris doctor degrees from the University of Florida and a master of law and letters degree from the University of Virginia. After 13 years as a lawyer, he was elected to Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal in 1976, serving there until his appointment to the Florida Supreme Court in 1994. He became chief justice in 2002.
John Antioco
Long Island, New York John Antioco spent many of his formative years at the Boys Club in Long Island, where he developed the values, confidence and skills that later helped him become a major influence in the business and entertainment world. Antioco’s business acumen is legendary. He has engineered the financial turnaround of three major corporations: Circle K, Taco Bell and Blockbuster. An all-around supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs, Antioco has served on BGCA’s Board of Governors, contributed his time and money to Clubs locally, and worked with the national organization to strengthen marketing outreach.
Darrell Armstrong Gastonia, North Carolina
Orlando Magic guard Darrell Armstrong credits his Club experience with teaching him the value of hard work, a positive attitude and fair play – both on and off the court. Armstrong spent several years honing his skills in the Central Basketball Association, the U.S. Basketball League and the Global Basketball Association before achieving his dream of playing in the NBA. The only Magic player to become a two-time recipient of the Rich and Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award, he is an active supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, having adopted the Southwest Branch and frequently hosting dinners for Club members.
James Barker Kingsport, Tennessee
An alumnus of the Kingsport Boys & Girls Club, Clemson University’s president graduated from Clemson in 1970 with a degree in architecture. The successful architect returned to his alma mater in 1986 to serve first as dean of the College of Architecture, then of the new College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities. In 1999, he became the university’s 14th president. In this capacity, Barker has worked with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to establish the Strom Thurmond Boys & Girls Club Leadership Institute at Clemson, linking two institutions that have made a positive impact on his life.
Mayor Michael P. Bell Toledo, Ohio
Raised and educated in Toledo, Michael P. Bell has devoted his entire 30-year career in public service to his hometown. In 1990, he was named chief of the Toledo Fire Department at 35, making him the youngest chief in the country and the first African-American to lead an Ohio city fire department. He was elected mayor of Toledo in 2009. The mayor’s office isn’t far from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo, where he says his success began. “The Club made you feel you could do anything if you put your mind to it,” recalls Mayor Bell. “It helped make me who I am today.”
Sharon Sayles Belton St. Paul, Minnesota
Mayor of Minneapolis from 1994 to 2001, Sharon Sayles Belton, the city’s first African-American and first female to hold the post, brought citizens and government together to clean up neighborhoods, fight crime, and develop local business and industry. As a community leader and activist, she has advocated for children’s and women’s issues, leading efforts to improve services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. As a senior fellow at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, Sayles Belton works on anti-racism initiatives and improving information sharing between community organizations and research institutions.
Brooke Bennett Tampa, Florida
Three-time Olympic gold medallist swimmer Brooke Bennett first visited the Jim Walter Interbay Boys & Girls Club with her grandfather, James Lane, when she was 5 years old. Bennett was immediately drawn to the Club pool and was soon the fastest kid in the water. When she was 9, she began work with renowned coach Peter Banks, competing in the 1994 World Championships just five years later. At 16, Bennett earned a spot on the 1996 Olympic team, bringing home the gold in the 800-meter freestyle. She returned to the Olympics in 2000, earning gold medals in both the 400- and 800-meter freestyle events.
Larry Bossidy
Pittsfield, Massachusetts An alumnus of the Boys Club of Pittsfield, Mass., Larry Bossidy is one of America’s most admired business leaders. In his stellar 34-year career at General Electric, he rose to vice chairman and brought the company back to doubledigit growth. In nine years as CEO, he turned Allied Signal into a company admired worldwide. He later presided over the historic merger of Allied Signal and Honeywell. Bossidy retired as chairman and CEO of Honeywell in 2000. He is now a sought-after speaker and author. The Boys Club provided early inspiration: “At the Club, I began to think about how to be a leader.”
Thomas C. Brasuell New York, New York
At the Harriman Clubhouse of the Boys Club of New York, Tom was an active member and a peer counselor to other Club youth. After college, Brasuell went into public service, becoming chief of staff to legendary New York City councilwoman Miriam Friedlander. Brasuell joined Major League Baseball in 1994 as a program manager for MLB’s Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) leagues. His many initiatives for baseball in the community led to the formation of MLB’s Community Affairs office. As Vice President, Community Affairs, Brasuell was instrumental in MLB’s 1997 decision to designate Boys & Girls Clubs of America as the official charity of Major League Baseball.
William R. Bricker Reading, Pennsylvania
William Bricker joined the Olivet Boys & Girls Club when he was just 8 years old. After serving as a Navy pilot during World War II, Bricker began a 40-year Club career as program director of the Lancaster, Pa., Boys & Girls Club. He later served Clubs in Manchester, N.H., Binghamton, N.Y., and Milwaukee before being appointed the Movement’s national director in 1972. During a record-setting 16-year term, he introduced strategic planning to Clubs and led the effort to secure grants supporting delinquency prevention and youth employment. A longtime champion of Boys & Girls Clubs, his service on behalf of children everywhere has made a lasting and significant impact.
David Brugger
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Public television leader David Brugger’s professional career began in 1965. After gaining experience as a producer, director and administrator, he became general manager of WUFT-TV in Gainesville, Fla., in 1977. A decade later, he became president of the Association of America’s Public Television Stations, serving nearly 13 years, the longest presidential term in association history. Brugger constructed an advocacy structure that provided support for public television and spearheaded initiatives to maintain a place for public broadcasting in the news media. He has also broadcast his support of Boys & Girls Clubs, assisting his local organization with alumni outreach efforts.
Joe Burton
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania The youngest of six children, advertising executive Joe Burton grew up in an inner city neighborhood of Pittsburgh. When he was 9, he discovered the Shadyside Boys Club, which provided his “second home” and bridged major gaps in his schooling. Through the Club, Joe traveled, played sports, learned right from wrong and gained the courage to succeed. The first in his family to attend college, he later completed graduate studies at Harvard Business School. Today, Joe is executive vice president and COO of McCann Worldgroup in San Francisco – and manages the agency’s pro bono advertising for Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
“ This is the making of a champion: going somewhere where people give instruction and show you fair play. At the Club, it didn’t matter how good a player you were – if you didn’t have good sportsmanship, you couldn’t play.” – Evander Holyfield
Mike Carey San Diego, California NFL referee Mike Carey is respected throughout the league for his professionalism, preparation and sense of fair play – values made real at the William J. Oakes Boys Club, which he joined at the age of 8. Beginning his officiating career with Pop Warner games in 1972, Mike was hired by the NFL in 1990. In 2008, he was selected to officiate Super Bowl XLII, becoming the first African-American to referee the Super Bowl. In addition to his NFL career, Mike co-owns Seirus Innovation, a snow sports accessories company he founded with his wife, Wendy, in 1979.
Gary Carter
Fullerton, California Major League Baseball catcher Gary Carter played 18 years with the Montreal Expos, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers. He was on the National League All-Star Team 11 times, including eight as a starter. In 1981 and 1984 he was named the league’s Most Valuable Player. Before joining the major leagues, Carter was active in sports at his hometown Fullerton Boys & Girls Club, where all of his trophies are on display, including his 1968 Athlete of the Year award. He is founder and president of the Gary Carter Foundation, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of children.
Swin Cash
McKeesport, Pennsylvania WNBA forward Swin Cash joined the McKeesport Boys & Girls Club at age 7, taking part in Club activities – especially athletics – until high school. By then, it was clear she had the makings of a basketball star. After graduation, Cash headed to the University of Connecticut, where she helped the Huskies win two national championships. In 2002, she was the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, and was named most outstanding player of the NCAA Final Four. Less than a month later, the Detroit Shock made her the second overall choice in the WNBA draft, and Cash has since led the team in points and rebounds.
Jim Caufield
Oakland, California Jim Caufield has devoted his entire life – since the tender age of 6 – to Boys & Girls Clubs. At his Oakland, Calif. Club, Caufield was the quintessential Club kid who spent all of his waking hours there when he wasn’t in school. Caufield quickly became a junior staffer and eventually served as a Club director. For the last quarter century, Caufield has been keeping BGCA national headquarters running smoothly and well as senior vice president of the organization. Reflecting on his early Club years, Caufield says, “I had some great mentors in my life. They gave a poor kid a chance.”
Gen. Wesley Clark (Ret.) Little Rock, Arkansas
West Point graduate, Rhodes Scholar and highly decorated Army general, Wesley Clark embodies the mission of the Boys & Girls Club Movement. Gen. Clark’s global professional assignments have ranged from leading military negotiations for the Bosnian Peace Accords to serving as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. Yet his first leadership experience came more than 40 years ago in Little Rock as a member of his hometown Boys & Girls Club. He would later remark, “I always go back to lessons learned at the Club. We discovered there was something higher than ourselves, and that giving back to others was what really mattered.”
Jim Collins
San Francisco, California Writer and business researcher Jim Collins has authored several best-selling books, including the classic Built to Last, about how great companies endure. Endurance is a familiar subject to Collins, who grew up in San Francisco’s HaightAshbury neighborhood during the 1960s. A gathering place for intellectuals and artists, the area also was home to drug dealers and criminals. After a man was shot to death on his doorstep, Collins sought a place where he could feel secure. He found the Boys & Girls Club, which gave him a safe place to play and taught him lessons about friendship and commitment.
Ray Combs Hamilton, Ohio
Host of television’s Family Feud from 1988 to 1994, Ray Combs was raised in Hamilton, Ohio, where he attended the Hamilton Boys & Girls Club. He was voted the Club’s Boy of the Year in 1974, an honor he was always proud of. After a college speech professor suggested a career in comedy, Combs moved to Los Angeles. He made his first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1986 before coming to the attention of Family Feud producers. After achieving celebrity, he continued to visit the Hamilton Boys & Girls Club, where he helped with fundraising.
Dave Condon Shelton, Connecticut
Dave Condon didn’t choose to attend the Club – a judge sent him there. Young Dave was troubled in school, acting out his frustrations. After a particularly severe incident, Dave was offered the choice of jail or the Shelton-Derby Boys’ Club in Connecticut. Once at the Club, Dave met the executive director, who took the young man under his wing. As a result, he has distinguished himself in music, academics and the professional world. Today, Dave is chairman & CEO of DNS, which helps nonprofits enhance their resource development efforts. In Dave’s words, the Club showed him “what one person can do to change the life of another.”
Lee Corso Miami, Florida
Born in Orlando, Fla., Lee Corso was known as “Sunshine Scooter” at Florida State University for his speed on the football field. His coaching career began in 1959, and took him from college athletics to the pros. In 1987, Lee signed on as an analyst for “College GameDay” on ESPN, where he has been a fixture ever since. As a youngster, Lee attended the Boys’ Club of Miami, and learned how influential caring adults can be in the lives of children. He still practices this value today as the national spokesperson for Coaches Curing Kids’ Cancer.
Algernon “Alge” Crumpler Wilmington, North Carolina
A four-time NFL Pro Bowl selection, Alge Crumpler has football in his blood. The tight end’s father was a Buffalo Bill, and his brother played for the Seahawks and Vikings. The Crumpler family was as equally focused on education as on football. At his boyhood Club in Wilmington, N.C., Alge learned to love reading. He liked nothing more than finding a quiet corner with a good book. Today, he supports his local Club in Greenville, N.C. “My family, spirit and Club are my base,” says Alge. “I need all three to be able to stand strong.”
Willam M. Daley Chicago, Illinois
As the youngest son of renowned Chicago mayor Richard J. Daley, young William Daley was to be no stranger to public life. Growing up on Chicago’s Southside, William attended the Valentine branch of the Boys Club of Chicago. He graduated with a B.A. from Loyola University then earned a law degree from John Marshall Law School. In 1997, Daley became secretary of commerce in the second administration of President William J. Clinton. Daley was also chairman of Vice President Al Gore’s 2000 presidential campaign. He is now president of SBC Communications, USA, one of the largest providers of local phone and DSL broadband services in the country.
Eric Davis
Los Angeles, California A member of Lou Dantzler’s original “pick-up truck recreation center,” right fielder Eric Davis spent many hours at the Challengers Boys & Girls Club in Los Angeles, learning lessons that helped prepare him for a baseball career. Combining great speed with consistent power, Davis distinguished himself on several winning teams, including the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles. In 1986, he became one of a handful of players in MLB history to hit 20 home runs and steal 80 bases. A year later, he joined the elite “30/30 Club” when he hit 37 home runs and stole 50 bases.
Frank DeVito
New York, New York This Brooklyn native was a member of the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club, where his artistic talent and creativity showed itself. After graduating from the Pratt Institute and serving in the Army, DeVito took his first advertising job in 1965. Starting as assistant art director, he moved through the ranks of some of New York’s most venerable firms, joining Lintas Worldwide in 1984. While managing accounts for such major clients as IBM, Coca-Cola and Eastman Kodak, he found time to design several impressive advertising campaigns for a client close to his heart – Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Evan S. Dobelle Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Hailed as a visionary college leader, University of Hawaii President Evan S. Dobelle is an alumnus of the Boys & Girls Club of Pittsfield. While president of Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., he led a successful college-community partnership to establish the first Boys & Girls Club adjacent to a college campus, in the city where Boys & Girls Clubs began. In addition to the innovative leadership of four colleges, Dobelle’s distinguished career in higher education and public administration has included service as chief of protocol for the White House under President Jimmy Carter and two terms as mayor of Pittsfield.
“ You always want to feel like you belong. Boys & Girls Clubs help to make that difference.” – Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Ashanti Douglas Glen Cove, New York
Nicknamed the “Princess of Hip Hop,” Ashanti performed for the very first time on the stage at the Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club, where her mother, Tina Douglas, taught dance. She began writing songs in high school. Her 2002 debut album, Ashanti, landed at the #1 spot on both the Billboard Top 200 and R&B album charts and received a Grammy for best contemporary R&B album. She has released three hit studio albums since. In 2008, she partnered with jeweler Cartier on a “Love” bracelet benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Recently she recently joined the organization’s BE GREAT campaign to inspire young people to pursue their dreams.
Sean Elliott Tucson, Arizona
At the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson, Sean Elliott was a familiar face on the basketball court. His basketball career flourished in high school and later at the University of Arizona. Elliott joined the San Antonio Spurs in 1989, soon winning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, and later placing on the Western Conference All-Star Team. In 1997, Elliott faced a professional and personal challenge when he was diagnosed with kidney disease. In 2000, he staged a successful NBA comeback, returning to the court seven months after a successful kidney transplant. He has since become a tireless educator for the cause of kidney disease prevention and treatment. In 2002, Elliott joined ESPN as an analyst for NBA coverage.
Damon Evans
Omaha, Nebraska, and Gainesville, Georgia Damon Evans was a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Omaha, Neb., and, later, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County, Ga. His Club experiences taught him about mentorship and competition, qualities he employs today as athletics director for the University of Georgia (UGA). As a student at UGA, Damon earned two degrees and played football. In 2003, he assumed his current position at age 34, making him one of the youngest professionals in his field. Today, Damon supports the Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens, near UGA. As chairman of its capital campaign, he helped facilitate a new $4.6 million Clubhouse.
Jamie Farr Toledo, Ohio
Born in 1934 in Toledo, Ohio, actor Jamie Farr and his friends used to walk to the downtown Boys Club, where Jamie enjoyed swimming, basketball and arts and crafts. Jamie’s acting career got its start at California’s Pasadena Playhouse, where he was discovered by an MGM talent scout. This led to his first movie role in 1955, and his professional beginnings as an actor. In 1972, Jamie won the role of Corporal Klinger on M*A*S*H, one of the most popular programs in the history of American television. In recent years, Jamie has appeared in feature films, television, on Broadway and in numerous road shows; he also founded a charity golf tournament that contributes millions of dollars to charities in Ohio, including Boys & Girls Clubs.
Craig Fitzgerald Nashua, New Hampshire Craig Fitzgerald joined the Boys Club of Nashua in 1985, taking part in sports and leadership programs. He enlisted in the Air Force after high school in 1995, serving first as a survival training instructor, then a pararescuer. In 2003, he was leading a rescue reconnaissance mission in Afghanistan when insurgents attacked. Severely wounded, Craig underwent 11 surgeries and was medically retired in 2004. Wanting to give back to other injured veterans, he and a friend hiked the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail in just four months in 2006, generating more than $150,000 on behalf of severely disabled veterans and their families.
Raymond Flynn Boston, Massachusetts
Few who know former Boston Mayor Raymond Flynn would guess he was a shy kid who sat in front of the South Boston Boys & Girls Club as his friends played basketball inside. Club staff encouraged him to join the game, and young Flynn broke Club scoring records. As an adult, Flynn left that shyness behind, and his natural way with others drew him to politics. He was elected to four terms in the Massachusetts legislature and subsequently served on the Boston City Council. He served three terms as the city’s mayor before becoming U.S. ambassador to the Vatican in 1993.
Steve Foley
Boston, Massachusetts As a Navy pilot with thousands of flight hours, hundreds of carrier landings and a solid record of excellence, this Club alum reaches new heights every day. In 2004, Cmdr. Steve Foley was named commander of the Blue Angels, the famous Navy flight demonstration team. Steve has traveled the world, but he has never forgotten his beginnings at the Charlestown Unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston. Steve has flown missions in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Enduring Freedom; his decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, and four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals.
Rear Adm. Earl Gay Atlanta, Georgia When Earl Gay joined the Bellwood Boys Club in Atlanta at age 9, he discovered new activities and people from different backgrounds – while gaining the confidence to tackle new experiences with ease. A 1980 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Rear Admiral Gay now serves as Commandant of Naval District Washington and the National Capitol Region Joint Force Headquarters Deputy Commander. It’s a demanding post, but he still finds time to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, D.C. “Giving back is not a job,” he says. “It’s everyone’s responsibility to assist when and where you can.”
Ben Gazzara
New York, New York Ben Gazzara is living his – and any actor’s – dream. Throughout an impressive 60-year career, Ben has accumulated scores of film, stage and television credits, and worked with the best in the business, including David Mamet and Spike Lee. Nominated for three Tony Awards, two Golden Globes and four Emmys, Ben credits his success to the Madison Square Boys Club. “Without the Club, I never would have become an actor,” he says. Ben spent more than 10 years at the Club, where he played sports, studied photography, worked in the kitchen and, at 11, joined the drama club. “It changed my life,” he says.
Michael Goldberg New York, New York
When he was 9, Michael Goldberg paid 50 cents for a “neat little card” certifying his membership in The Boys’ Club of New York. In return, he received adult guidance and access to positive recreational opportunities. “It was like walking into a candy store of activities,” remembers Michael. In a rough neighborhood, the safe, supervised Club engendered a “great sense of belonging.” Since 1980, Michael has been executive director of the NBA Coaches Association. In 2008, he played a pivotal role in creating a partnership between BGCA and the Association, which has provided free NBA tickets to more than 65,000 Club members and their families.
Tony Gonzalez
Huntington Beach, California Raised by a hardworking single mom, Tony Gonzalez looked to the Boys & Girls Club of Huntington Valley, California for a safe place to go after school and a positive learning environment. Tony’s athletic talent stood out during his teen years: in high school, he lettered in both football and basketball. Gonzalez entered the National Football League in 1997. As part of the Kansas City Chiefs, this seven-time Pro Bowl player has established himself as one of the elite offensive performers in professional football. The Club experience, says Gonzalez, taught him “how to believe in myself and follow my dreams – nothing was off limits on what I could achieve and accomplish.”
James “Lou” Gorman Providence, Rhode Island
Growing up in Providence, R.I., James “Lou” Gorman was a proud member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence and a “dyed-in-the-wool” Boston Red Sox fan. He has pursued his love of baseball throughout a legendary career in baseball management, holding key positions with the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners and New York Mets before joining the Red Sox as general manager. After serving as GM and vice president, and later as executive vice president for baseball operations, he became the Red Sox’s executive consultant of public affairs in 1996.
“ The only thing we can do for our kids is to give them knowledge about their decisions. Kids today have to make important decisions about things that I never had to think about growing up.”
Dennis Green
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Dennis Green, one of the most successful coaches in NFL history, still remains loyal to Boys & Girls Clubs, which he believes made a positive impact on his life. A star halfback with the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, he became a legendary college coach before coaching in the NFL. During the 1990s, Green had the most successful record in the NFL with the ninth best winning record in league history. Yet he still found time as coach of the Minnesota Vikings to serve as a board member for the Boys & Girls Club of Minneapolis, organize fundraisers, and star in television and radio public service announcements on its behalf.
Barry Griswell Atlanta, Georgia Barry Griswell was only 4 when his parents divorced, forcing his mother to work two jobs. He found support at the Joseph B. Whitehead Boys Club, where he joined the 10-and-under basketball team and won the “most improved” award. He attended Berry College on academic and athletic scholarships. Though he hoped to play basketball professionally, an economics course changed his plans. Barry entered the financial services industry, ultimately becoming chairman/CEO of Principal Financial Group. Currently president of the Des Moines Community Foundation, he founded the nonprofit Harvest Initiative, which supports Clubs on South Dakota’s Crow Creek Sioux Indian Reservation.
– Joe Morgan
Dan Haren Monterey Bay, California Many alumni thought of their Club as a “home away from home,” but in Dan Haren’s case, the comparison was literal. His father was executive director of the Monterey Park Boys Club, which Dan joined at age 6. A natural athlete, Dan played indoor hockey, soccer, basketball and flag football at the Club, learning valuable lessons about teamwork. He went on to play baseball for Pepperdine University and was drafted in 2001 by the St. Louis Cardinals, making his Major League debut in 2003. Dan later played for the Oakland Athletics and was the American League’s starting pitcher in the 2007 All-Star Game. He joined the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008.
Maj. Gen. Charles Hines (Ret.) Washington, D.C.
An alumnus of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, Maj. Gen. Charles Hines held a wide variety of important command and staff positions from 1962 until 1992, including commanding general of the Army Chemical and Military Police Centers, Fort McClellan, Ala. Hines served in Vietnam and has received numerous awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and the Parachutist Badge. After retiring from military service, Hines, who holds two master’s degrees as well as a doctorate in sociology, served as president of Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas.
Chamique Holdsclaw Queens, New York
WNBA basketball star Chamique Holdsclaw credits the Variety Boys & Girls Club with teaching her the persistence she needed to achieve her goals. The Washington Mystics player’s achievements – from a gold medal at the 2000 Olympics to playing in three consecutive All-Star games – are impressive. The University of Tennessee’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder, she led the Lady Vols to three NCAA championships – all while volunteering in the Knoxville Boys & Girls Club’s Summer Reading Program. The 1999 WNBA Rookie of the Year has also published a book, Chamique: On Family, Focus, and Basketball.
Timothy Holland Omaha, Nebraska Renowned architect Tim Holland found a blueprint for success at the South Omaha Boys Club, which he joined at age 9. Club staff encouraged Tim to pursue higher education, even arranging a college interview for the aspiring architect. A board member gave Tim a scholarship and his first job after Tim received his master’s degree from Harvard University in 1985. Four years later, Tim started his own firm, Holland Basham Architects. He serves as chairman of the board for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, which includes Omaha’s Clubs, and his firm has built or renovated several area Clubhouses.
Maureen Holohan Troy, New York
Three-time Big-10 basketball player Maureen Holohan earned a full scholarship to Northwestern University, where she played basketball and studied journalism. When injuries cut short a promising professional basketball career, she returned to writing – and looked to her days on the court at the Troy Boys & Girls Club for inspiration. Holohan’s book series, The Broadway Ballplayers, draws on her Club experiences and conveys a positive message about girls and sports. A strong advocate of involving girls in athletics, Holohan has led school assemblies and writing workshops, and donated more than 50,000 books to Boys & Girls Clubs across the country.
Evander Holyfield Atlanta, Georgia
Four-time world heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield first stepped into the ring at the Warren Unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta when he was 8 years old. Three years later, he qualified to compete in his first Junior Olympics. Through an honorary membership, he continued to box at the Club until making the 1984 U.S. Olympic team at age 21. Through wins and losses, Holyfield never forgot the lessons he learned at the Club; he has given back to the cause that helped get him started in life by donating $1 million to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta.
Joe Horn
Fayetteville, North Carolina After 11-year-old Joe Horn won a basketball trophy at his local Club, there was no stopping the young athlete. At his high school in Fayetteville, N.C., Joe played on the football team, ran track and lettered in basketball. He joined the NFL in 1996, and made the Pro Bowl four times. During his seven years with the New Orleans Saints, Joe became part of a close-knit community. Following Hurricane Katrina, he was the public face of the Saints team, personally visiting shelters and comforting his fellow citizens of New Orleans. Says Joe, “I wanted to let them know that I really cared.”
Ben Howland
Santa Barbara, California It was at the Goleta Boys Club in Santa Barbara that Ben Howland first found his calling. An ardent UCLA basketball fan, he routinely told Club staff and friends of his plans to be a college basketball coach. Ben was a Club regular, arriving every day at 3:30. He’d play basketball, take a dinner break at home, and return for more practice, a routine he followed for years. By nurturing his passion and instilling a sense of discipline, the Goleta Club helped Ben realize his ultimate dream. He was named head basketball coach of his beloved UCLA Bruins in 2003.
Cathy Hughes Omaha, Nebraska The projects of Omaha, where Radio One founder and chair Cathy Hughes grew up, didn’t offer “a lot of positive reinforcement.” The Boys Club was an exception, providing safe supervision and encouragement from staff. In 1979, Cathy and then-husband Dewey Hughes created Radio One. Now the nation’s largest African-American owned and operated radio chain, Radio One launched a new cable channel, TV One, in 2004. Under Cathy’s leadership – and in honor of Denzel Washington – TV One and its cable affiliates recently installed entertainment centers, complete with programming libraries and computer systems, in Clubs in Los Angeles, Mount Vernon, N.Y., and Omaha.
The Hon. Tim Irwin Knoxville, Tennessee
As a juvenile court judge, Tim Irwin believes that “half the problems he sees” could be solved by participation in a Boys & Girls Club. His endorsement comes from experience – he attended the Caswell Avenue Boys Club for five years. Tim went on to a successful football career, playing 14 seasons in the NFL, 12 of them with the Minnesota Vikings. While still in the NFL, Tim pursued a law degree; he was appointed Knox County Juvenile Court Judge in 2005. Tim continues to give back to his Club in many ways, including through the annual Tim Irwin Bass Tournament, now in its 21st year, which benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley.
Michael Jordan Chicago, Illinois
Michael Jordan is the most admired player in NBA history. The former Chicago Bulls guard has won every major award in basketball, including the league MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, All-NBA First Team, All-Defense First Team and All-Star Game MVP. He enjoyed a record-shattering season in 1986-87 when he became the top scoring guard ever in NBA history. Jordan also gives of his prodigious talents off the court: with the Chicago Bulls organization, he founded the James R. Jordan Boys & Girls Club and Family Life Center in 1994 to honor the memory of his father and serve the residents of Chicago’s West Side community.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee East St. Louis, Illinois
A former member of the Boys & Girls Club of East St. Louis, Olympic gold medallist Jackie Joyner-Kersee wanted to give back to her hometown. The six-time Olympian track and field star did just that in 1999, when she established a new Club facility to provide young people in East St. Louis with the same experiences she had enjoyed. Often regarded as the world’s greatest all-around female athlete and the all-time greatest heptathlete, JoynerKersee has also established herself as a champion of youth, serving as spokesperson for a NIKE initiative that brought sports and fitness to Club kids nationwide.
Dr. Patrick Kelly East Aurora, New York
Years before becoming a distinguished neurological surgeon, Patrick Kelly joined the East Aurora Boys & Girls Club seeking refuge from a chaotic home life. There, he found friends and role models, particularly then-Club director H. Kenneth Whitney, who taught him compassion, courtesy and respect. The only person in his family to finish high school, Kelly joined the Navy during his final year of medical school, requesting assignment to a surgical unit in Vietnam. Dr. Kelly’s numerous honors include the prestigious Van Wagenen fellowship from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and his appointment as chair of New York University’s department of neurology.
Bob Kersee
San Pedro, California One of the most successful track and field coaches in the world, Bob Kersee has coached athletes to more than 20 Olympic medals. Although he retired from professional coaching at UCLA in 1993, he continues to coach as a volunteer. An alumnus of the Boys & Girls Club of San Pedro, he credits the support of Club staff with helping to get him where he is today. With wife Jackie Joyner-Kersee, he helped to establish the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Boys & Girls Club and serves as board president. In this role, he can coach young people to live up to their full potential.
“ Like many Club alumni, I can honestly say I don’t know where I’d be today without the Club. Thanks to Boys & Girls Clubs from the bottom of my heart, for all you have done for me, and for so many others.” – Jennifer Lopez
Kool & The Gang
Khalis Bayyan (a.k.a. Ronald Bell), Robert “Kool” Bell, George “Funky” Brown, Charles “Claydes” Smith and Dennis “DT” Thomas
Jersey City, New Jersey Five men, united by a common background, a love of music and a Boys & Girls Club: it’s the Grammy Awardwinning R&B group Kool & The Gang. They started as musical teenagers in the Jersey City projects, singing in basements and community centers, and rehearsing at the Boys & Girls Club on Ash Street. They made their first album while still in their teens. Now, 30 years later, the group has sold more than 70 million albums worldwide, working in their own unique style that incorporates jazz, R&B, funk and pop.
Joe Lamond
East Aurora, New York Growing up in the Boys & Girls Club of East Aurora, N.Y., young Joe Lamond always had music in mind – and he made it his career. In 2001, Joe became president & CEO of NAMM, the international music products association, a nonprofit representing the interests of more than 9,000 retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of musical products worldwide. NAMM’s mission is to unify and strengthen the music products industry and increase the number of active music makers. Bringing music to others has always been dear to Joe’s heart. He’s sponsored a number of innovative programs for young people, including MusicMakers, the first-ever national Club curriculum for after-school music education, created by NAMM and BGCA.
Bob Lanier
Buffalo, New York Basketball great Bob Lanier sought solace at the Boys & Girls Club of Buffalo when cut from his high school basketball team. After working with Club staff, he made the school team, later becoming the first overall pick in the 1970 NBA Draft and, ultimately, an NBA Hall of Famer. During his 14-year career, Lanier made the all-time scoring list. He was named All-Rookie Team member in 1971 and All-Star MVP in 1974. A former board member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Lanier continues to give back to Boys & Girls Clubs.
Steve Largent Albany, Georgia NFL Hall of Famer Steve Largent attended the Boys Club of Albany, finding fun activities and a safe, wholesome environment. An All-American at the University of Tulsa, Steve was drafted by the NFL in 1976. During his 14-season, 200-game career as a Seattle Seahawks wide receiver, he held six major career pass-receiving records. He also earned a reputation as one of football’s greatest humanitarians; he was named NFL Man of the Year in 1988. After his NFL retirement in 1989, Steve served seven years as a United States Congressman for Oklahoma. Since 2003, he has served as president and CEO of CTIA – The Wireless Association.
“Sugar” Ray Leonard Washington, D.C.
Ray Leonard was 7 when he joined the Boys Clubs of Washington. Ray developed traits such as pride and independence at the Club. It was also where he first put on boxing gloves – only to put them down after one round with a dominant opponent. At the time, he didn’t know how boxing would shape his future. One of the best boxers in history, Ray won Olympic gold and held the title in five weight classes. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997. Today, he gives back through the “Sugar” Ray Leonard Foundation, which supports education, health care and job training.
Dwight Douglas “D.D.” Lewis Knoxville, Tennessee
Dwight Douglas Lewis credits membership at the Knoxville Boys & Girls Club as a major influence on his life and a driving force behind his successful National Football League career. While at Mississippi State University, the two-time All-Southeast Conference standout was both an All-American linebacker and Defensive Player of the Year in 1967. Drafted No. 6 by the Dallas Cowboys in 1968, his 14-year career included five Super Bowl appearances and 27 playoff games. Lewis continues to give back to local Boys & Girls Clubs, providing volunteer support for charity golf tournaments and other special events.
Jennifer Lopez Bronx, New York
Actress, singer and dancer: in the entertainment world, this is known as a “triple threat.” Club alum Jennifer Lopez is all that and more. Lopez honed her performing skills at the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club where she was an early member of the Club’s Performing Arts Program. Lopez made her feature film debut in 1995. Her 1997 portrayal of slain Tejana singing star Selena won Lopez a Best Actress award from American Latino Media Arts. Also a popular recording artist, Lopez’s albums have sold millions of copies worldwide.
Mario Lopez
Chula Vista, California Before making a name for himself in entertainment, actor and talk show host Mario Lopez was a wrestler at the Chula Vista Boys & Girls Club, earning Club-wide and state championships. His first acting role was in the television series AKA Pablo, but it was as high school jock A.C. Slater on the NBC sitcom Saved by the Bell that he would become best known. Subsequent film credits – as actor and producer – include the thrillers Outta Time and The Courier. Lopez has hosted several television shows, including Pet Star, America’s Most Talented Kid and the talk show The Other Half.
Sid Luckman
New York, New York An alumnus of Brooklyn’s Flatbush Boys & Girls Club, Sid Luckman earned a permanent place in football history. An All-American at Columbia University, he graduated at the top of his class in 1938. During 12 years with the Chicago Bears (1939-1951), the quarterback led his team to four World Championships, the precursor to today’s Super Bowl, and along with Coach George Halas pioneered the T-formation that revolutionized football. Named All-Pro eight times and MVP three times, Luckman went on to coach the Bears and several college teams before leaving the football field for the business boardroom.
Secretary Manuel Lujan Jr. Santa Fe, New Mexico
Manuel Lujan, a former U.S. secretary of the interior and New Mexico congressman, got his start at Santa Fe’s Boys & Girls Club, which was founded by his father. Prior to his appointment as secretary of the interior in 1989, Lujan represented the 1st District of New Mexico for two decades in Congress, where he co-sponsored seven major environmental protection bills, including the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. As secretary of the interior, Lujan presided over a variety of environmental and resource issues, including expansion of economic development on Indian reservations.
A.D. “Al” Mangini Bronx, New York
Al Mangini dedicated most of his life to Boys & Girls Clubs of America. An alumnus of the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, he served as its director of social and group work in 1953 after graduating from college. He became assistant executive director at the Club before moving to the national organization in 1963, serving as assistant director of training and director of administrative services until his 1993 retirement. Perhaps the greatest testaments to Mangini’s influence and dedication are the many Club members who became Boys & Girls Club professionals.
Jerry Maulden
North Little Rock, Arkansas Utility executive Jerry Maulden credits much of his success to a key energy source – membership in a Boys & Girls Club. There he learned the leadership skills that created his “inner drive to do more than is required. With every job I ever had, I took pride in doing more than the person I was working for expected.” Born in a poor rural county of Arkansas, Maulden worked his way through college to become an executive in the electrical utility industry, holding a variety of managerial positions with Arkansas Power & Light and Entergy Corporation. He has remained active with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, serving as a national trustee.
Willie McGinest Long Beach, California
Turning 8 years old was a landmark for Willie McGinest. That year, he started playing football – and he joined the Boys & Girls Club. His football talent took him to the University of Southern California; the NFL’s New England Patriots came next. McGinest helped lead the Patriots to their three Super Bowl Championships in 2002, 2004 and 2005. McGinest credits the Boys & Girls Club with imparting much of his will to succeed. “The Club experience taught me how to work as part of a team.” It was, he says, “a safe place, a positive place, and a great creative learning experience.”
“ Being able to have a dream, a goal, a vision – that starts early, and that’s why Clubs are so valuable.”
– Harold Reynolds
Sgt. Maj. Alford McMichael Hot Springs, Arkansas
In 1999, Alford McMichael, the 14th sergeant major of the U.S. Marine Corps, made history as the first AfricanAmerican appointed to the post. The highest-ranking noncommissioned officer in the Marines, the highly decorated sergeant major advises Congress and the USMC Commandant on issues affecting Marines worldwide, with a personal focus on the needs of Marine Corps families. The sergeant major has come a long way from segregated Hot Springs, where the Boys & Girls Club was the only color-blind place to play. He credits the Club, which he joined at age 9, with giving him a vision of what the world should and could be.
Eugene McQuade New York, New York
A native New Yorker, Eugene McQuade spent many hours of his formative years at the Boys Club at 10th Street and Avenue A in Manhattan. He began his career in finance in 1971 at KPMG Peat Marwick, eventually becoming a senior manager. McQuade joined FleetBoston Financial Corporation in 1992 as senior vice president. By 2002, he was CEO of the corporation. In 2004, McQuade joined the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation – also known as Freddie Mac – as president and chief operating officer. McQuade is responsible for the finance, corporate strategy and administration, information systems and services, mortgage sourcing, operations and funding, and missions divisions of the company.
Sen. George Mitchell Waterville, Maine
Fourteen-year Senate veteran George Mitchell was born in Waterville, Maine, where he was a member of the local Boys & Girls Club. Mitchell served as U.S. attorney for Maine, U.S. district court judge, U.S. senator for Maine and also as Senate majority leader. During his years in the Senate, Mitchell was a great friend of the Boys & Girls Club Movement, on both the local and national levels. For his service during the peace talks in Northern Ireland (1995-1998), Mitchell received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor.
Sidney A. Moncrief Little Rock, Arkansas
Basketball coach and former NBA star Sidney Moncrief brushed up on his basketball skills at the Little Rock Boys & Girls Club. For 11 years his devastating jump shot and quick moves to the basket earned him a reputation as one of the steadiest and hardest-working guards in professional basketball. He was also well known for his support of Boys & Girls Clubs. During 10 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, he was active in helping the Milwaukee Boys & Girls Club organization, and he has made numerous appearances on behalf of Clubs throughout his home state of Arkansas.
Joe Morgan
Oakland, California Joe Morgan is best known for his achievements as second baseman for the Cincinnati Reds, winning back-to-back MVP awards in 1975 and ‘76 (the Reds won the World Series both years). Born in 1943, Joe began attending the Boys Club in Oakland, California at age 7. A self-described “sports fanatic,” young Joe was active in Club baseball and basketball. His talent on the diamond began to appear around age 14; by age 19, Morgan was in the major leagues. After five Gold Gloves and 22 seasons, Morgan retired from pro baseball in 1984. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame six years later. For more than a decade, Morgan has been an analyst for ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball.
Johnny Morris Long Beach, California
Former Chicago Bear Johnny Morris learned his first lessons in sportsmanship and teamwork at his local Boys & Girls Club. Morris’ football career includes a College All-Star Game, three Pro Bowls and the 1963 World Championship game. He played for the Chicago Bears from 1958 to 1967. In 1964, Morris set a Bears and NFL record of 93 receptions in a single season. Retired from football, Morris has made his mark in another sports arena: he was an award-winning sportscaster for WBBM-TV in Chicago for nearly three decades.
Arthur Myers Newark, New Jersey
Arthur Myers attended the Boys Club in Newark, N.J. continuously from age 7 through high school. Two weeks after high school graduation, he joined the United States Air Force. Twenty years of service to his country and two college degrees later, Myers stayed on with the Air Force in a civilian capacity as Director of Services, the highest civilian rank that can be held in this branch of the service. At the Boys Club, Myers found sports, interaction with other kids and lessons for success. Myers says that going to the Club affected him fundamentally: “There’s no limit to what you can do in life. So much of what I am now is because of the Boys Club.”
Chuck Nelson Everett, Washington
Football drew Chuck Nelson to the Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County. The former NFL place kicker says he and a neighborhood friend joined so they could play together. He went on to an illustrious career at the University of Washington, where the 1982 Consensus All-American set 10 NCAA records. A fourth-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Rams, Nelson has played for the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills and still holds the NFL record for playoff field goal percentage. After leaving professional football, Nelson became an investment manager and an announcer for Fox Sports Net.
Greg Nelson Carlsbad, California Greg Nelson was 9 when he joined the Boys Club of Carlsbad. Separated from his father, his mother worked two jobs and needed safe supervision for her two sons. Greg got his first job doing maintenance at the Club; he eventually became its executive director. While Greg went on to found two successful orthopedic companies, he never forgot the place where he found friendship, fun and mentorship. He spearheaded a campaign to build a new Clubhouse, saying, “If I support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad continuously for the next 100 years, I still will not be able to give back what it has given me.”
Erle Nye
Fort Worth, Texas TXU (formerly Texas Utilities Company) Chairman and CEO Erle Nye has been hailed as a visionary in the energy industry, transforming Texas-based TXU into an international energy corporation. Nye’s commitment to youth is no less visionary. A national trustee of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, he also avidly supports his local Club. The lessons Nye learned at the Fort Worth Boys & Girls Club about character and leadership helped him rise to the top of the corporate world. Nye’s notable career includes serving as chairman of the Nuclear Energy Institute and the Texas Board of Regents as well as numerous leadership positions within the energy industry.
Edward James Olmos Los Angeles, California
Actor, producer and director Edward James Olmos’ experiences at the Eastside Boys & Girls Club in Los Angeles were so powerful that Olmos served as Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s national spokesperson in the 1980s. A star of television’s Miami Vice, Olmos has appeared in such movies as Blade Runner, Stand and Deliver and Selena. He is the recipient of numerous honors, including two Golden Globes and an Emmy, as well as Emmy and Academy Award nominations. A renowned humanitarian, Olmos is a United States Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and executive director for the Lives in Hazard Educational Project, a national gang prevention program.
Shaquille O’Neal Newark, New Jersey
Los Angeles Lakers basketball star Shaquille O’Neal has much to be proud of. The first player to be named the NBA’s Player of the Week after the first week of his career, and the youngest to be named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history, he has also found success in music and film. Yet the Newark Boys & Girls Club alumnus remembers his roots. A national spokesperson for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, he donated $1 million in 1999 to help build technology centers in Clubs, and he collaborated with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Microsoft to create an online safety program for kids.
Bill Perocchi
Lawrence, Massachusetts Since 1999, Bill Perocchi, CEO and part-owner of Pebble Beach, has been at the helm of one of the world’s most renowned golf resorts, a continent removed from the Lawrence, Mass., Stadium Housing Projects. After the stress of a family tragedy threatened to derail Perocchi’s future, Lawrence Boys & Girls Club staff helped secure him a full scholarship to a prestigious boarding school, paving the way for a successful career. Perocchi has shown his appreciation to Boys & Girls Clubs in many ways, from golf benefits to private school scholarships for Club members. To honor retiring director Jack Menzie, Perocchi recently made a surprise $1 million dollar pledge to the Lawrence Club.
Jimmy Piersall
Waterbury, Connecticut Jimmy Piersall, one of the most colorful players in baseball, put humor into America’s favorite pastime, sliding into every base and running the bases backwards. His love for the game and antics on the field began at his hometown Boys & Girls Club. One of Major League Baseball’s premier outfielders, his 17 seasons from 1950 to 1967 were spent with five teams: Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, New York Mets and California Angels. Piersall was awarded the Golden Glove four times for Best Defensive Outfielder in the American League. He retired from baseball in 1967.
Ed Pinckney Bronx, New York
Born in 1963, Pinckney grew up in the Bronx, N.Y. He attended the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club. Pinckney recalls that he joined the Club to avoid playing basketball outdoors in New York’s cold winters. Pinckney was one of the finest basketball players in Villanova University’s history. During his time there, the Wildcats captured the university’s only NCAA championship title. A number one draft choice of the Phoenix Suns in 1985, Pinckney spent 12 years in the National Basketball League. Following his retirement in 1997, Pinckney joined the Miami Heat organization as part of its broadcasting team. Coming full circle, Ed Pinckney returned to Villanova in 2003 as an assistant basketball coach.
Lou Piniella Tampa, Florida
Major league hitter and coach Lou Piniella first played organized baseball at the West Tampa Boys & Girls Club. His career as a player was spent with the Kansas City Royals and the New York Yankees. In 1984 he retired from play to become full-time coach of the Yankees. In 1990 he became the manager of the Cincinnati Reds, leading them to that year’s World Series championship. In 1995, while coaching the Seattle Mariners, Piniella was named American League Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America and Major League Manager of the Year by the Associated Press.
“ Kids need a chance to discover their talents, to broaden their horizons. They need a chance to expand the notion of what they can be. Clubs do this.”
Lee Pitts
Birmingham, Alabama Competitive swimmer, teacher, entrepreneur – Lee Pitts has spent his life focused on a love of swimming. Opportunities for African-American youngsters to learn swimming in 1960s Birmingham were limited. Then the A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club opened its doors, and at age 6 Pitts found a sport that would change his life. He went on to become one of the preeminent swim instructors in America, producing an award-winning video and opening a school that teaches water skills and safety to children and adults. Pitts has been recognized in national media as a role model for his teaching career and involvement with community youth.
Terry Porter
Milwaukee, Wisconsin When basketball player Terry Porter arrived in Oregon in 1985 to join the Portland Trailblazers, the former Club kid wasted no time building a relationship with the local Boys & Girls Club. He co-founded the Blazers Exchange Club, allowing Portland and Phoenix Club members to visit each other’s cities when their teams faced off. He also launched SMART Moves, a program designed to prevent drug and alcohol abuse and early sexual involvement, at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Portland Metropolitan Area. Now an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings, he has remained actively involved with Boys & Girls Clubs throughout his basketball career.
– Robert Stutman
Semeka Randall Cleveland, Ohio
To keep her daughter from hanging around in neighborhood backyards with the boys on the basketball court, Semeka Randall’s mother sent her daughter straight to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland. There, Semeka spent most of her time shooting hoops and studying in the Club’s learning center. In high school, Semeka was a star player, winning state and national honors. At the University of Tennessee, Semeka joined the legendary Lady Vols, becoming an AllAmerican team pick twice (in 1999 and 2000). After college, Semeka spent four years in the WNBA and two seasons with international teams. In 2004, Semeka became assistant women’s basketball coach at Michigan State University.
Jay Randolph Washington, D.C.
Accomplished golfer, sports commentator and Boys & Girls Club alum Jay Randolph considered turning pro after attending college on a golf scholarship. Instead he joined WHAR Radio in Clarksburg, W.Va. The sports broadcasting career he began there in 1958 has spanned more than four decades and covered virtually every sport from baseball to bowling. A three-time Emmy winner, Randolph is a charter member of the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame. After more than 28 years of association with NBC, Randolph joined CNBC in 2001 for its first year of Senior PGA Tour coverage.
Ahmad Rashad Tacoma, Washington
An alumnus of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tacoma and Pierce County, Ahmad Rashad has had a distinguished career in sports, both as an All-Pro wide receiver with the Minnesota Vikings and as an Emmy Award-winning analyst, commentator and reporter for NBC Sports. During his career in the NFL, the University of Oregon graduate was a four-time Pro-Bowl selection for the Minnesota Vikings and was voted to the Vikings all-time 25th Anniversary Team and 40th Anniversary Team. He is also the author of a best-selling autobiography.
Usher Raymond IV Chattanooga, Tennessee Five-time Grammy-winner Usher discovered music at an early age, performing in the church choir and at talent shows. The Highland Park Boys Club gave him the motivation to pursue his dreams and fostered a love of community service. Discovered by a talent scout, the singer-songwriter released his self-titled debut album when he was just 14. He’s since released six more albums, selling more than 35 million copies worldwide. In 1999, he founded Usher’s New Look, a nonprofit organization that gives youth a firsthand look at the business side of sports and entertainment. Usher has joined Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s BE GREAT campaign to raise awareness of the impact of Clubs.
Harold Reynolds Corvallis, Oregon
Harold Reynolds joined his Boys Club baseball team for the clothes – “It was the only league in town that gave you a full baseball uniform,” he recalls. One of eight children, Reynolds attended Corvallis High School, where he excelled in baseball and football – as an All-State infielder as well as an All-State wide receiver and defensive back. After junior college, Reynolds was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 1980 June free-agent draft. The switch-hitting second baseman played fourteen seasons in the Major Leagues with Seattle, the California Angels and Baltimore Orioles. Since 1996, Reynolds has been a baseball analyst for ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight.”
George Rivera Santa Fe, New Mexico
Native American artist and teacher George Rivera first taught art at the Santa Fe Boys & Girls Club, which he joined at age 12, becoming the Club’s Boy of the Year in 1981. Lieutenant governor of New Mexico’s Pojoaque Pueblo since 1992, he has pursued community and economic development through art and education. He founded and designed the Poeh Cultural Center and Museum, an arts and education facility that promotes public understanding of Pueblo history and culture. Rivera is working to ensure a bright future for local youth as chairman of the board for the Pueblo of Pojoaque Boys & Girls Club, which he helped establish.
Brig. Gen. Francis J. Roberts (Ret.) Pittsfield, Massachusetts
At the age of 10, Francis Roberts joined the Pittsfield Boys & Girls Club, where he learned to swim and took part in the swimming and boxing programs. An active member of the U.S. Army from 1942 until his retirement in 1972, Brig. Gen. Roberts served with distinction during World War II, the Korean Conflict and Vietnam. He was also an instructor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and attended the Armed Forces Staff College, National War College and the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University. After his retirement from active duty, the highly decorated brigadier general served as superintendent of the New York Military Academy.
Brooks Robinson Little Rock, Arkansas
Considered one of the greatest third basemen in the history of baseball, Brooks Robinson traces his love of the sport to the Little Rock Boys & Girls Club. There he played Little League ball, honing the skills that would earn him 16 consecutive Golden Gloves, the 1964 American League MVP, the 1970 World Series MVP and a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Playing 23 seasons for the Baltimore Orioles, Robinson set major league career records for games, putouts, assists, chances, double plays and fielding percentage. Also a clutch hitter, he hit 268 career home runs, at the time an American League record for third basemen.
Smokey Robinson Detroit, Michigan
As a young man, William “Smokey” Robinson received a helping hand from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan in Detroit, the city where the Motown Sound revitalized American music. At age 13, the budding singer teamed with a group of schoolmates known as The Miracles. Together they recorded such hits as “The Tracks of My Tears” and “Tears of a Clown.” Robinson also wrote songs for other artists, including such classics as “My Girl.” He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Lt. Gen. Michael D. Rochelle Providence, Rhode Island
Lt. General Rochelle is director of the U.S. Army’s Installation Management Agency. In this role, he manages 179 Army installations worldwide, more than 75,000 military and civilian personnel, and a multi-billion dollar annual budget. The Boys Club of Providence, R.I., changed the life direction of this outstanding military man. The Club, says Lt. General Rochelle, “created an environment that helped me form my personal vision.” It also kept him out of danger and provided him with strong male role models. When he is not on duty, the Lt. General is a sought-after speaker and mentor to young people.
Jimmy Rollins Alameda, California
The word “champion” perfectly describes Jimmy Rollins. The All-Star Philadelphia Phillies shortstop who led his team to a World Series championship in 2008 is also a champion of young people. An alumnus of the Boys Club of Alameda, Calif., he knows the critical role Clubs can play in a child’s future. As a strong advocate for Boys & Girls Clubs, he has generously participated in Major League Baseball’s annual public service campaign for BGCA. In 2009, he joined BGCA’s BE GREAT campaign to increase awareness of Clubs. Jimmy Rollins is truly a champion in every way.
Rep. Fred Rooney Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
A 15-year veteran of Congress, Fred Rooney represented Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District. The area includes Rooney’s hometown of Bethlehem, where he grew up as a member of the Boys & Girls Club. Rooney served in the Pennsylvania Senate for five years before his election to Congress in 1963. His eight terms in the House were distinguished by a willingness to help the Boys & Girls Club Movement, beginning with a survey to determine how many of his fellow legislators were Club alumni. After retiring from the House in 1978, Rooney joined Cassidy & Associates, a firm representing key business groups in the nation’s capital.
“ Everything you’ve seen or heard about me began with lessons I learned to live by at the Club.”
– Denzel Washington
Johnny Rutherford Fort Worth, Texas
This champion race car driver and Fort Worth Boys & Girls Club alumnus is living proof that victory can never be as important as the decision to go for it. Johnny Rutherford, known as “Lone Star J.R.,” has won the Indianapolis 500 three times (1974, 1976 and 1980). Rutherford was also the first driver to win all three 500-mile racing events – Indy, Michigan and Daytona. He was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1996. Rutherford retired from racing in 1994.
Joan Benoit Samuelson Freeport, Maine
Olympic gold medallist and champion marathon runner Joan Benoit Samuelson says she learned the importance of dedication and commitment to goals at her local Boys & Girls Club. Runner’s World magazine called Benoit Samuelson “the greatest American marathoner in history.” The only American woman ever to have won an Olympic gold medal in the marathon, she also achieved a Boys & Girls Club first, becoming the first woman inducted in the Alumni Hall of Fame. Benoit Samuelson is also a member of the National Distance Running Hall of Fame, the Women’s Sports Foundation Hall of Fame and the Maine Women’s Hall of Fame.
Under Secretary Francisco Sanchez Tampa, Florida
Francisco “Frank” Sanchez will never forget his first visit to Washington, D.C. It came during a weeklong trip with Tampa’s Ybor City Boys Club. Unbeknownst to him, 10-year-old Frank was exploring the city that would play a central role in his life. Today, as Under Secretary for International Trade for the U.S. Commerce Department, Frank is back in the nation’s capital. He works for the Club, too, serving on the board of advisors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay. “The Club exposed me to good role models and people of character,” says Under Secretary Sanchez. “I am forever grateful.”
Gale Sayers Omaha, Nebraska
As a halfback with the Chicago Bears, Gale Sayers’ name was synonymous with excellence. For six seasons – 1966 through 1971 – he dominated Sunday football, exciting fans and frustrating opponents. Sayers was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as well as to the NFL’s AllPro Team for the First 50 Years of Football. In 1984, he founded Sayers Group, a technology infrastructure company. He actively supports many charitable organizations, including Boys & Girls Clubs, and is committed to serving as a role model for youth.
Mark Schlereth Anchorage, Alaska
An alumnus of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Anchorage, Schlereth is the first native-born Alaskan to play in the NFL. As a guard for the 1992 Super Bowl Champion Washington Redskins, Schlereth was instrumental in the team’s victorious season. After the Redskins, Schlereth played offensive guard for six seasons with the Denver Broncos, winning two Super Bowl rings. Throughout his football career, he remained actively involved with his hometown Boys & Girls Club, spending time during the off-season at the organization’s summer camp. Schlereth retired from professional football in 2001.
Junior Seau
Oceanside, California Junior Seau, No. 55 for 13 seasons with the San Diego Chargers, and more recently the Miami Dolphins, is widely considered one of the best linebackers in NFL history. Voted to 11 consecutive Pro Bowls from 1991-2001 and selected as the Chargers’ Most Valuable Player for five consecutive seasons, Seau is a community leader as well. He helped establish a teen center, named Club 55 in his honor, at the Boys & Girls Club of Oceanside, which he attended and credits as a key element in his success. In addition, he supports the Club through donations, sponsorship of its annual steak and burger dinner, and many personal visits.
W. Errol Sewell Valdosta, Georgia
From Club kid to Club professional, Errol Sewell went full circle in the Boys & Girls Club Movement. Sewell joined his hometown Boys & Girls Club in 1945, quickly making an impression. He was honored as Boy of the Year in 1950 and Club Mayor in 1951. From the time he was a teen, Sewell held a series of Club professional positions, eventually joining national staff in 1969. As director of field services, Sewell’s leadership helped create more than 1,000 new Clubs, expanding the Boys & Girls Club Movement into public housing, schools, Native American lands and military installations.
Bernard Shaw Chicago, Illinois
Bernard Shaw is one of the most celebrated broadcast journalists in America. His many awards include two Emmys, four Cable ACEs and a Peabody. His live reporting from Tiananmen Square and the 1991 Gulf War electrified the world. Shaw also won acclaim for his political coverage, anchoring countless hours of elections, conventions and debates. And it all started for this veteran journalist at a Chicago Boys’ Club, which he joined in order to play baseball. Shaw is perhaps best known as principal anchor at CNN from its launch in 1980 until his retirement in 2001. Reflecting on the value of the Club experience, Shaw says, “Boys & Girls Clubs are the true prep schools for the citizenship of life.”
Richard Sheirer New York, New York
Richard Sheirer still remembers the skills he learned from educational and leadership programs at the Flatbush Boys Club in Brooklyn. “It was my first experience leading,” he says. In 2001, Richard demonstrated superior leadership when his city and country most needed him. As director of New York’s Office of Emergency Management, Richard led response operations immediately following the September 11 attacks. He subsequently oversaw the then-largest cleanup in American history. Richard says the Club gave him a solid foundation for life. “Were it not for my Club experiences,” he says, “I would have gone down a different path – and not a good path.”
C.J. “Pete” Silas Miami, Florida
Pete Silas, former chairman and CEO of Phillips Petroleum Co., was a charter member of Miami’s first Boys & Girls Club, which took him “from the outfield to the oilfield.” In 1953 Silas earned a chemical engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he was captain of the basketball team and, at graduation, a draft pick of the Minneapolis Lakers. Silas began a successful career at Phillips Petroleum instead but retained his love of basketball, playing on the team that won the 1955 Pan American games while he was in the Army. A life member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Board of Governors, he previously served as the national organization’s chairman.
John Singleton Los Angeles, California
At age 24, filmmaker John Singleton became the youngest – and first African-American – director to be nominated for an Academy Award. Boyz ’N the Hood, his 1991 directorial debut, was an unflinching look at coming of age in South Central Los Angeles. It was familiar territory for Singleton, who grew up in South Central, attending the Challengers Boys & Girls Club. An avid reader at the Club, John went on to film school at the University of Southern California, earning several awards for his writing. Today, the writer, producer and director continues to inspire and challenge audiences with such films as Higher Learning, Rosewood and Baby Boy.
Dennis Smith Bronx, New York
After retiring as a South Bronx firefighter from the world’s busiest firehouse, Dennis Smith has excelled in writing and publishing, authoring Report from Engine Company 82 and other best-selling books, and creating and publishing Firehouse Magazine. It was at the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club that Smith first discovered a lifelong passion for books and reading, and he is proud to be the Club’s first alumnus to join at age 6 and grow up to become the organization’s chairman. He has served on the Club’s board of trustees for more than 25 years, and is a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Advisory Council.
A. Henry “Hank” Soar Pawtucket, Rhode Island
A veteran of both professional football and baseball, Hank Soar completed a long and distinguished career in sports. After participating in his local Boys & Girls Club’s athletic programs and lettering in several sports during high school, Soar played football and baseball at Providence College. In the 1930s and 40s, he played professional football in Boston and New York, participating in five World Championship games. Soar left football in 1946, switching to professional baseball as an umpire. From 1971 until his retirement in 1990, Soar was assistant supervisor of American League umpires.
Norman H. Stamper National City, California
Retired police chief Norman Stamper has long been committed to developing ties between police, the community and other agencies – including Boys & Girls Clubs. Before becoming Seattle’s chief of police in 1994, then-lieutenant Stamper introduced the nation’s first community-oriented policing program in San Diego. His academic career is equally distinguished: he holds a master’s in criminal justice and a doctorate in leadership and human behavior. Stamper still remembers the National City Boys & Girls Club as a refuge from a difficult home life; it was the “ticket to love, to nurturing, to limit-setting.”
Dave Stewart Oakland, California
When Dave Stewart signed his first professional baseball contract in 1975, he was already on a winning team – the Boys & Girls Club of Oakland, which provided vital training for his pitching career. The only pitcher of the 1980s to record three consecutive 20-win seasons, Stewart, playing for the Oakland A’s, was named MVP of the 1989 World Series. Pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays, Stewart found time during 1993’s heated pennant race to visit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Minneapolis, where he filmed a public service announcement that aired nationally during the playoffs and World Series, which his team won.
Dewey Stokes Columbus, Ohio
When the Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus opened its doors across the street from Dewey Stokes’ house in 1949, Stokes became one of the organization’s first members. So began a lifelong connection with Boys & Girls Clubs, as Stokes became the West Side Unit’s 1957 Boy of the Year and served as a junior leader. He later joined the Club’s board of directors and founded the West Side Boys & Girls Club Alumni Association. A Columbus police officer, Stokes served as two-term president of the National Fraternal Order of Police. He is the recipient of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Keystone Award for exemplary service.
Ruben Studdard Birmingham, Alabama
This Alabama native who became famous for his vocal talents enjoyed sports, crafts and games at the Hueytown Unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama. Young Ruben also sang at church every Sunday and lived in a household full of music and learning (both parents were teachers). In 2003, a friend persuaded Ruben to go along for an American Idol audition in Nashville. In a few weeks, Ruben’s singing talents made him a finalist and put him on national television. After 24 million call-in votes from across the country were counted, Ruben became the American Idol for 2003. He followed up with a national tour and debut album, garnering a Grammy nomination for the hit single “Superstar.”
Robert Stutman Providence, Rhode Island
Once known as “the most famous narc in America,” Robert Stutman is a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. As special agent in charge of the DEA’s New York office, the largest in the nation, Stutman was responsible for a workforce of more than 1,000 employees and administering a budget in excess of $50 million annually. A leading advocate for drug prevention and education, Stutman left the DEA in 1990 to found Stutman & Associates, a management consulting firm bringing drug problem solutions to employers, communities and school systems. He is the author of The Drug Wars: 1965-1990.
Frank Thomas Columbus, Georgia
An alumnus of the Boys & Girls Club of Columbus, this 1997 American League batting champion stood out on the baseball team at Auburn University, earning a place on The Sporting News 1989 All-American Team. His professional career began with the Chicago White Sox in 1989. Thomas is the only player in MLB history to bat .300 or better with at least 20 home runs, 100 RBIs, 100 walks and 100 runs scored in seven consecutive seasons. Thomas’ professional success has been matched by personal generosity. The Frank Thomas Charitable Foundation contributes to many worthwhile causes, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago.
“Able” Mable Thomas Atlanta, Georgia
Community leader “Able” Mable Thomas gave her first speech in an oratorical contest at the Bellwood Unit of the Salvation Army Metro Atlanta Boys & Girls Clubs. Elected to the Georgia General Assembly in 1985 as one of its youngest members, she has since served on the Atlanta City Council and founded the Greater Vine City Opportunities Program for at-risk youth in her community. She is also deeply committed to the Salvation Army Metro Atlanta Boys & Girls Clubs, guiding the organization through the world of local politics and ensuring that youth issues are addressed.
Mike Tomlin Newport News, Virginia Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin credits his Boys Club with teaching him the “right way to compete.” Mike went on to play football at the College of William and Mary. After coaching at the university level, he became the defensive backs coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2001. Named head coach of the Steelers in 2007, Mike made history last February as the youngest head coach to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory. Today, his sons are active members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania. Along with volunteering for their Club’s baseball program, Mike recently hosted its flag football championship at the Steelers practice facility.
Cmdr. Daniel J. Travers Marlborough, Massachusetts
U.S. Coast Guard Commander Dan Travers is grateful for his 10 years at the Marlborough Boys Club, which he joined in 1975 at age 8. Dan loved playing sports, especially floor hockey. He also had a passion for Torch Club and Keystone Club, serving as the latter’s president. His greatest Club honor came in 1984 when he was named Massachusetts Youth of the Year. Some 25 years later, Commander Travers continues to draw upon the leadership skills he learned during his Club days. “Clearly, the Club helped me become the person I am today – a leader in the Coast Guard and my community.”
Terdema Ussery II Los Angeles, California
Terdema Ussery II, president and CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, credits South Central Los Angeles’ Watts/ Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club with teaching him to persevere. The young Ussery took those lessons to heart, attending college at Princeton and later receiving a master’s from Harvard and a law degree from Berkeley. The former president of Nike Sports Management, Ussery once served as commissioner of the Continental Basketball Association – the NBA’s 16-team developmental league. He continues to make an impact at local Clubs, serving on the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas.
Maj. Gen. Alfred A. Valenzuela San Antonio, Texas
Guided by mentors at his hometown Boys & Girls Club, the young Alfred Valenzuela learned about focus, vision, caring and compassion. These are the tools he depends on to safeguard democracy in his capacity as commanding general, U.S. Army South. The general has served in a variety of command and staff positions throughout the world. In Peru, he was U.S. defense representative for counterinsurgency and counternarcotics operations with the American Embassy. He also participated in Operation Distant Thunder in Kuwait. Among Maj. Gen. Valenzuela’s many decorations are the Distinguished Service Medal, the Soldier’s Medal for Heroism and the Bronze Star.
Courtney B. Vance Highland Park, Michigan
A Tony-nominated actor, producer and graduate of the prestigious Yale School of Drama, Courtney Vance attended the Highland Park unit of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan. There Vance met camp counselor George Browne, who helped Vance became a scholarship student at the city’s most prestigious prep school. Harvard came next; then Yale Drama School. Vance’s two Tony Award nominations came for August Wilson’s Fences and for John Guare’s Six Degrees of Separation. Film credits include The Hunt for Red October, Hamburger Hill, and The Preacher’s Wife (playing opposite Denzel Washington). Says Vance of his Club experience, “I would not be doing what I’m doing today if it wasn’t for the Club.”
Manuel Villafana Bronx, New York
A pioneer and entrepreneur in the development of medical technology, Manuel Villafana’s achievements have improved the quality of life for thousands of people. Villafana grew up in the Bronx, where he was a member of the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club. Villafana began his career in sales for a medical technology supplier, and went on to found several successful companies. Chairman and CEO of ATS Medical, his efforts have resulted in new developments in heart valve technology, including creation of a new prosthetic heart valve and laser treatments for coronary disease.
The Hon. Antonio Villaraigosa Los Angeles, California When Antonio Villaraigosa attended the Variety Boys Club in Los Angeles, no one could have imagined he’d one day become the city’s 41st mayor. The oldest of four children raised by a single mother, Antonio attended UCLA and the People’s College of Law. In 1994, he was elected to the California State Assembly, becoming speaker four years later. After serving on the Los Angeles City Council, he was elected mayor in 2005 – becoming the city’s first Latino mayor in more than a century. Skilled at coalitionbuilding, Mayor Villaraigosa emphasizes finding solutions to the major issues facing Los Angeles, including education, transportation, public safety and economic development.
Mark Wahlberg
Dorchester, Massachusetts Actor and musician Mark Wahlberg has seen his share of success, starring in such films as A Perfect Storm, Three Kings, Rock Star and Planet of the Apes. But the talented artist remembers where he got his start: at the Colonel Daniel Marr Boys & Girls Club. There he found the guidance and support of program director Mike Joyce. Wahlberg continues to be involved with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, supporting national initiatives and working with the TEENSupreme® Keystone program. He also established the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation to improve the quality of life for inner city youth through partnerships with other youth organizations, including Boys & Girls Clubs.
Bill Walton
San Diego, California An alumnus of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Diego, NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton is legendary for both playing and sportscasting. After achieving fame at UCLA, Walton joined the Portland Trailblazers as the NBA’s number one overall draft pick in 1974. He remained with the Blazers until 1979, later playing with the San Diego Clippers, the relocated Los Angeles Clippers, and the Boston Celtics until his 1988 retirement. Named one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players of all time, the Emmy award-winning sports analyst remains active in basketball. He has broadcast for several networks and the NBA, and in 2002 was hired as the lead analyst for ESPN/ABC’s NBA coverage.
Chief Thomas Warren Omaha, Nebraska
This 20-year police veteran attended the North Omaha Gene Eppley Boys Club, joining when he was 9 years old. Like many of his friends in North Omaha, the young Thomas was drawn in by the Club’s sports program. The Omaha Club’s football team competed in – and dominated – a citywide league, losing only one game in three years. Warren used lessons learned at the Club as guiding principles in his career with the Omaha police force, advancing from the uniform patrol through the ranks to his city’s top law enforcement post. In December 2003, he was appointed Omaha’s Chief of Police – that city’s first African-American to hold the office.
Denzel Washington Mount Vernon, New York
A casting call to find a national spokesperson for Boys & Girls Clubs of America? Not necessary. Denzel Washington is made for the part. The Academy-Award winning star of blockbuster films such as Training Day, Philadelphia, Malcolm X and Crimson Tide, and director of Antwone Fisher, grew up in the Boys & Girls Club of Mount Vernon. While several childhood friends ended up in prison, Washington chose a different path, and he credits the Club as being a steadying influence during tough times. Washington’s support is rooted in powerful, personal experience. “When it comes to Boys & Girls Clubs,” he says, “I know what I’m talking about.”
Kerry Washington Bronx, New York
Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club in the Bronx, N.Y. has a reputation for producing Club members who are achievers in the performing arts – and actress Kerry Washington is a shining example. Washington was a regular at Kips Bay, soaking up the Club’s program in dance. Next came the prestigious Spence School in New York City and on to George Washington University, where she graduated from the theatre program in 1998. Film success soon followed: In 2004, Washington played Della Ray Robinson in the acclaimed biographical film Ray, winning widespread praise for her work. Her other films include Spike Lee’s She Hate Me, Mr. & Mrs. Smith and The Fantastic Four.
Spud Webb Dallas, Texas At 5’7”, Anthony “Spud” Webb may be one of the shortest players in NBA history, but his legacy is large. Born in Dallas in 1963, Spud attended the Turnkey Boys Club and began playing basketball at an early age. Although the point guard was repeatedly overlooked by coaches due to his small size, he ultimately played 12 seasons in the NBA, seven of them with the Atlanta Hawks, impressing fans with his spectacular ball-handling and uncanny jumping ability. In 1986, Spud won the Slam Dunk Contest at the NBA All-Star Game. He retired from basketball in 1997.
Verdine White Chicago, Illinois
When Verdine White was a small boy, he and his brothers were sent to the Herbert Hoover Boys’ Club in Chicago to keep them busy after school. By adolescence, Verdine had discovered music. In 1970, Verdine joined his brother, professional musician Maurice White, in California to be part of a band called Earth, Wind & Fire…and the rest is musical history. Earth, Wind & Fire was one of the most influential and innovative pop/R&B groups of the 1970s. The sounds of Verdine White’s bass guitar complement the group’s many hit songs, including “Shining Star” and “That’s The Way of the World.” The group has sold more than 70 million albums worldwide.
Dr. Dayna Wiedenkeller Locust Valley, New York When Dayna Wiedenkeller was growing up in Locust Valley, the nearby Grenville Baker Boys Club didn’t allow girls. That didn’t stop Dayna, who put on a boy’s cap and snuck in to play ping-pong, shoot pool and have fun. Today, Dr. Wiedenkeller is a nationally acclaimed veterinarian and president of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association – and she doesn’t regret violating Club policy one bit. “It felt right to break the rules, because what I received in the end made it worth it,” she says. “It was a saving grace for me.”
Lenny Wilkens New York, New York
With more victories than any other coach in NBA history, Lenny Wilkens is one of the premier basketball figures of all time. During 15 years as an NBA player, Wilkens was a nine-time All-Star and named Most Valuable Player of the 1971 All-Star Game. By 1978, Wilkens was coaching full time and led the Seattle SuperSonics to an NBA Championship a year later. Named Coach of the Year in 1994, he became the all-time winningest coach in 1995. Throughout his impressive career, Wilkens has emphasized bringing people together, striving towards a common goal and reaching that goal as a team – much like the philosophy of Wilkens’ hometown Boys & Girls Club.
Jamaal Wilkes Ventura, California
Known for his smooth and steady moves on the basketball court, NBA forward Jamaal “Silk” Wilkes won basketball championships at the scholastic, collegiate and professional levels. As a young man, Wilkes excelled on the school basketball court and at the Ventura Boys & Girls Club, a place he credits as a major factor in his personal development. He attended the University of California at Los Angeles and won two national Collegiate Athletic Association championships. As a Los Angeles Laker for eight years, Wilkes won three NBA championships and was voted to the NBA All-Star Team. Wilkes retired from professional basketball in 1985 and went into private industry.
Dontrelle Willis Alameda, California
The Florida Marlins starting pitcher known as “D-Train,” Dontrelle Willis has been a standout on the baseball diamond from a tender age. He set records in the local little league and at Encinal High School, where he was named California High School Player of the Year in 2000. Willis entered the major leagues right out of high school. By 2003, he had been named National League Rookie of the Year. Willis’s work ethic, his unselfish, upbeat attitude and his mean fastball - have brought him wide admiration. An alumnus of the Alameda Boys & Girls Club, Willis continues to support the Club with visits, donations and time. He also contributes widely to children’s causes in Alameda and surrounding areas.
The Hon. Nelson W. Wolff San Antonio, Texas
For County Judge Nelson Wolff of San Antonio, serving one’s community is a way of life. Wolff has served in the Texas Senate and House of Representatives, on the San Antonio City Council and, from 1991-1995, as mayor of San Antonio. Throughout his career in public service, he has remained committed to youth. As mayor, he allocated almost $1 million in city funds for Boys & Girls Club operations and created a joint private-public initiative to provide education and recreation programs, enlisting the help of former First Lady Barbara Bush.
David L. Wolper New York, New York
At the Boys Club of New York, David Wolper first stood out among his peers as an athlete, excelling in both baseball and swimming, and presiding over his school’s athletic association. But it was in the arts that Wolper would really make his mark. In more than a half century in show business, Wolper has made more than 600 films and garnered numerous accolades, including two Oscars, 40 Emmys and 8 Golden Globes. Perhaps best known for his first blockbuster miniseries Roots, Wolper helped usher in a new era of television while setting a record for the mostwatched TV program of its day.
Martin Wong Napa, California
Renowned tie designer Martin Wong has not forgotten his days at the Boys & Girls Club of Napa Valley. Today, the successful entrepreneur works to benefit local Clubs and Boys & Girls Clubs of America through the sale of his specially designed ties. He also helps Clubs develop fundraising partnerships with department stores during the holiday season – another way of giving back to the organization that provided him with recreation, opportunity and caring adult guidance when he was a young man.
Bob Woolf Portland, Maine
“A winner never quits, and a quitter never wins.” These words, posted at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Portland, made a profound impression on Club member Bob Woolf, who went on to become America’s foremost sports attorney. He learned about competition, camaraderie and fair play at the Club – qualities that served him well throughout his career. Beginning in 1964, when Red Sox pitcher Earl Wilson hired him as counsel in a legal dispute, Woolf worked with more than 500 athletes and was named one of the “100 Most Powerful People in Sports” by The Sporting News.
James Worthy
Gastonia, North Carolina James Worthy was one of the most talented and highestscoring players in the NBA, earning the nickname “Big Game James.” Worthy’s outstanding skill on the court was evident early on at his local Boys & Girls Club and throughout high school and college. As a Laker, Worthy won three world championships and was MVP of the 1988 NBA Finals. He is also one of only six players in Laker history to have his jersey retired. In 1996, a blue-ribbon NBA panel selected Worthy as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history.
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