ERASE basketball league helps keep kids 'off the streets'

May 15, 2008 01:16 pm

— By Lynn Saternow
Herald Sports Editor

When Mark Young took over as commissioner of the ERASE Youth Basketball League he didn’t know what to expect. But he ended up with 108 reasons to call it a huge success.
“We only had three teams to start with and I didn’t know what was going to happen,” said Young. “But it blossomed into 12 teams and 108 kids taking part.”
One of the highlights was moving the league to the Chavers Community Center gym for the last month of the season, after competing on Saturdays at Our Lady of Fatima Monsignor Monti School for several weeks.
“It was really nice because there hadn’t been any activity in that gym for about 10 years,” said Young, who works for Alliance Behavioral Development Disabilities. “The kids (ages 7-16) really liked it there and people started to realize what ERASE is all about.”
ERASE, which stands for Endorse Resistance Against Substance-abuse Everywhere, is affiliated with the Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission, and provides programs to help kids make positive choices in life. Obviously, participating in the basketball program has been beneficial.
“ It was really great for the youth and there is a place in Farrell where kids can go and do something,” said Young. “These kids aren’t bad, they just need something to do. That’s what ERASE is about. They know a face. There’s always structure and people there to help and guide them.
“There are also mentoring programs to help stem violence and tutoring programs to help kids who are struggling in school. There is also a ministry there that helps kids and adults. And when things are tough at home, sometimes it’s easier for kids to talk to their coaches instead of their parents.”
Young was extremely pleased with the turnout of coaches who also volunteered their time. They included assistant commissioner Barry Holloway III, Mike Thomas, Leon Lewis Sr., Melvin Catley, Khaliq Ragster Sr., Dontelle Morgan, Marcus Anderson, Leon Harrison, Demitri Muhammad, Kevin Bekelja, O. C. Burk, John Batey Sr. and Joanne Sharper.
“We do it because we have a love for the game and love for kids,” said Young. He also thanked L.L.P. Graphics, which supplied a facility for the kids to practice, and Fatima for use of its gym.
“Mr. (Lou) Falconi and the Farrell Recreation Commission also was a great help. Mr. Falconi obtained supplies for the kids and helped us get the building for rest of the season. They want something done. Hopefully they will get a summer program started for youth at the playground.”
The league is currently trying to find a place to call home for next year. Young hopes the Chavers Center will be available, but it isn’t set in stone just yet. He would like to have a sports camp prior to the league and then get into the season. “The facility is supposed to be for the community, but we have to pay for the facility. We are meeting during the summer to have a board of directors and our goal is to have teams from Ohio join in,” Young said. “We also want to start a girls division. We may even have a traveling team.
“Kids love something to do. If they have something to look forward to, that will curb a lot of the violence. Kids will bring friends; they’ll tell their cousins and word will spread. They want something constructive to do. We got 108 kids off the streets and gave them something to do. Which avenue do we take now to keep kids away from the streets? Peer pressure is one of the most dangerous things ever.
“Here at the center, one kid’s outlet might be basketball, another might be the after-school program (run by the Shenango Valley YMCA), it might be Boys on the Run program (a discussion session for youths and mentors) or a lot of different things.
The league held its championship games on Saturday. But for Young and the ERASE officials, every kid who participated came away a winner.
A league banquet is slated at 5:30 p.m. June 7 at the Chavers Community Center and the cost is only a donation of $3. Youth are free. Guest speaker will be Dick Hartzell, the “Rubber Band Man,” who was the inventor of the Flex Band exercise equipment and a strength consultant for various teams.
“We hope all parents show up and see the success of their kids and to support their kids,” said Leon Harrison, program coordinator for ERASE. “We want to connect with the community and we are looking for a major turnout.
“We try to provide healthy alternatives for our kids. In our “Real Deal” campaign, sports are a No. 1 reason why kids shouldn’t drink alcohol. Basketball is a major plus in combating drug use.”
Harrison pointed out that players came from Sharon, Farrell, Hermitage, West Middlesex and Wheatland.
For banquet ticket information contact Harrison at the ERASE office, 724-981-3856, or e-mail leon.harrison@mercercountybhc.org.

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