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Greetings!
Words Of Bonds
Coach Ted Gustus, Tal Brody and Bill Tingling
It is like the trap, of either a good or bad joke. What comes from riding in a car, and you are sitting in the middle of two former pro basketball players? Leg cramps and many stories.
Today, School News Nationwide/ "Words of Bonds" sponsor Bill Tingling invited Tal Brody, Israel's Good will Ambassador, and Troy Bowers, former National Basketball Association (NBA) player, Community Relations & Field Marketing Specialist with the New York Knicks to share some of their ethical values with the Thelma J. Hamilton High School basketball PSAL 2011 champions. This high school is in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn New York. This school is one of the many schools in Brooklyn having difficulties when it comes to academics, athletics, and taking into account the need for balance with family, and staying in school late, just to get in at least one practice.
Bill Tingling, Gil Lanier (Isreal Consulate staff for Public Affairs) Troy Bowers, Tal Brody and The Thelma J. Hamilton High School Basketball Champions
Tal and Troy are on a mission to coach and encourage these talented Brooklyn high school basketball players. They took on a particularly challenging task, not of teaching these talented players the game of basketball, but the game of life.
Retired Coach Ted Gustus introduced Tal and Troy to the Thelma J. Hamilton fans and players. He then asked the many students sitting in the audience, and the players, how many African American NBA players came from Brownsville, the answer was spot on.
Coach Gustus remarked that many residents of Brownsville view this community as a predominantly Black American district, and sometimes makes the mistake that it has always been this way. He then asked, how many Jewish basketball players came out of Brooklyn, the answers were not that forward coming. Gustus then shared with the audience, those community basketball heroes such as Nat Holman, Sammy Kaplan,Barney Sedran, Nat Krinsky, Red Saracheck, Red Holzman, Red Auerbach and many more, were all Jewish basketball players. He went on to share with the audience the strong relationship that Black Americans and Jewish people have had, and due to this connection many doors in regards to basketball, were opened to Black Americans.
Thelma J. Hamilton High School Basketball Champions
Troy Bowers shared with these young talented players that he played overseas in Israel with Rishon Leizon and other European countries, and his goal is always to promote community and band together as one family. Troy said that the principles he used to achieve his goals, is to get at least one person to listen to his ideas, he can consider it as a success. Troy gave stories about what it takes to become a successfulbasketball player, and a person of unimpeachable Character. First to know oneself, to be teachable, and to know your strength and weakness. A player does not simply make it into the NBA because he is a talented player. There are many prominent players who never made it that far, whether it was by their own design, or by other means, the results is still the same.
Troy is also a motivational speaker for the younger players who are in and out of the NBA league. He was awarded the "Values of the Game" presentation by NBA Commissioner David Stern. Troy encourage the younger players the importance of knowing their roles on, and off the court whether it pertains to family or community. He also shared the importance of having a plan or goal, and sticking to them, whether to become a professional athlete, doctor, and electrician or just looking after your family. One should set goals because it is in your heart and not what anybody says. Troy said that this was one of his paramount concerns, because as he travels the world, he sees more followers than leaders.
Israel Goodwill Ambassador Tal Brody shared with the audience the importance of education, staying in school and the importance of working on your talent. "Today you have a lot more opportunities to play basketball, because we no-longer have one league, you now have Israel, and Europe. You can travel to these countries to pursue your dreams. He said that the irony of this is not lost on us as the other leagues, which are younger offers more than the NBA currently does.
Troy Bowers
Tal is Israel's first modern-day sports hero. A University of Illinois All America player Brody joined the Maccabi-Tel Aviv team after leading his United States team to a gold medal in the Maccabiah Games. The New Jersey-born basketball star who later became an Israeli Citizen, was named Israel's Sportsman of the Year after leading the Maccabi-Tel Aviv team to a second-place finish in the European CupBasketball Championships, and subsequently took Israel to its first Maccabiah Games basketball gold medal.
Now retired, Tal spends much of his time, visiting many Urban Communities coaching and giving basketball clinics reaching more than 300,000 youngsters with his "Let's Play Ball" program.
He shared with the Thelma J. Hamilton players that when you are on the winning team - shake your opponent's hand, cheer them up and try not to sound too excited. When you are on the losing team, respect the winners, shake their hand and do not try to find excuses for losing. After losing, practice more, improve your ability, and during the game - use all you got to win within the boundaries of the rules. Pay attention to the coach's instructions and do not contradict his decisions. Learn the rules of the game inside out, collaborate with your team-mates and function as part of a team. If you made a mistake, do not look for someone else to blame, follow the judge's decision without questioning it, and be disciplined at to get both criticism and praise.
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Location(s)
School News Nationwide/ Words of Bonds
1072 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, New York 11238
(718) 753-9920
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