Star Athlete Tells Players They Also Score With Grades

Basketball Clinic Extends Beyond Court

July 28, 2005
By ASHLEY L. BATTLE, Courant Staff Writer

Kendrick Moore, a graduate of Hartford Public High School, was known for his skills on the basketball court by the time he graduated in 1994. A two-time all-state selection, Moore was as good academically as he was on the court.

A member of the National Honor Society, Moore received an academic and athletic scholarship to the University of Missouri after graduating from Hartford Public. Most recently, he served as the director of basketball operations at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Moore tried to explain the value of academic excellence to a group of more than 100 Hartford students participating in the Blue Hills Civic Association's basketball clinic earlier this week.

He urged the youngsters to be proud of their educational successes.

"I know sometimes you're ashamed of it, but don't be," he said.

The basketball clinic, which began more than 10 years ago, targets young people10 to 14. Twice a week, for six weeks during the summer, they go to Weaver High School's gymnasium to play basketball and hear positive messages from the adults in their community.

Guest speakers have included Moore and the Hartford school system's executive director of external affairs, John Motley.

Recently, Motley urged the kids to do their best.

"Stay in school and don't let anyone stop you," he said.

This is Chris Fulton's first year participating in the summer basketball league. He thought the speech by Moore was "very inspirational." Chris, an 11-year-old from Norwalk, said the program has taught him to "try hard and do my best."

Through basketball, the youngsters learn about sportsmanship and zero tolerance for violence. They also learn to use the skills they pick up on the basketball court in the classroom. Eric Crawford, the school district's intervention specialist, urged the group to "hustle" on the court and do the same with their schoolwork.

The youngsters come from different neighborhoods and befriend each other, which Crawford hopes will cut down on rivalries that develop among people from different neighborhoods.

"It takes an entire community to raise a child," said Doug Green, an education consultant at the state Department of Children and Families. Green was instrumental in getting the program started 10 years ago. "We are that community," he said.

Crawford stressed the importance of students hearing positive messages at a young age.

"We're not trying to get them in the NBA, we're trying to get them into the Aetnas," said Crawford. In addition to educating the kids, the Blue Hills Civic Association hires high school age students to help set up and keep score.