As we find young people involved in drugs and even gun-play and gangs roaming parts of the Shenango Valley, it’s sad to see lives so wasted.

It’s especially sad when I see kids who are good athletes, throw away great careers and turn toward crime. One of those athletes was Chuck Axe, a former Sharon High, University of Buffalo and Alliance College basketball standout, who for more than two decades has been behind bars.

Every few years I hear from Chuck, who is in a state prison in Marienville. For me to tell kids to “stay clean” doesn’t always hit home but following is a letter from Axe that he wanted me to convey to young athletes. In fact, it’s a letter that every boy and girl should read and take to heart, even if they aren’t in athletics:

“I was who you are — an enthusiastic young athlete. I was one of three who starred on an undefeated junior high basketball team. Later, as a high school junior I was a starter on a Section co-champion — a talent-laden team that lost a buzzer-beater to the eventual state champ. As a senior I was a co-captain, leading scorer and rebounder, and named first-team All-Section. In college I was an MVP, led my teams in scoring and rebounding, was selected to several All-Star teams, and broke a rebounding record that still stands.

“I am number GS-6237 and serving my 24th year behind prison walls. I am a middle-aged guy whose life’s possessions fit inside a small cardboard box and who, during the course of imprisonment, experienced the death of a lone living parent and the abandonment of all but a few forgiving friends. I am someone who has lost nearly everything and everyone.

“What led me from who I was to who I am? Immaturity, poor decision-making and an addiction all played a part. However, one common thread that was interwoven in all the contributors was a haughty (arrogant and proud) spirit. I came to believe that achievements and accolades translated into entitlement — a self-centeredness that ultimately destroys. The same attitude that had stricken so many athletes that I played with (my two teammates and fellow stars on the undefeated team served time in prison) and against, that plagues countless others in high school, college and even the pros, got the best of me too.

“I’ve learned many valuable lessons from having played sports. One I wish I had grasped early on is that one can become too proud, but never too humble. I urge all enthusiastic young athletes to keep on diving after those loose balls, keep on running out those infield grounders and keep plowing ahead for those extra yards. Moreover, keep those egos in check. I was who you are — don’t become who I am.”

The Herald’s Lynn Saternow writes this column each Saturday for the Opinion page.