___
For over ten years All Sports
Community Service (ASCS), founded by
Tyrone Keys, has helped hundreds of
challenged kids discover their destiny
and become successful adults. The premise
behind the organization is simple, but
altogether amazing: they mentor young
adults so that they, in turn, mentor
the next generation. The results are
positive and moving.
___ The
story behind ASCS's success begins with
the story of one man and his determination
to help others find direction in life.
Tyrone Keys will tell you that the responsibility
he feels stems from learning at an early
age that we all are indebted to those
that have helped us, pushed us, and
inspired us.
___ After
a triumphant time at Mississippi State
playing football, Keys went on to play
for Chicago (during their Super Bowl
victory year in 1985 -"Yes",
he assured with a smirk, "the 'Super
Bowl Shuffle' year"), the Buccaneers
and San Diego. Keys spent little time
speaking of his own accomplishments,
and only did so to illustrate what one
can do with with the guidance and a
support of others.
___ Keys
spoke of Odell Jenkins, a man who took
a big interest in him when he was only
in high school. Jenkins not only helped
Keys plan and prepare for college, but
pushed Keys to help his fellow peers
as well.
___ "I
know that mentoring does work,"
said Keys as he gazed into a framed
photograph of his mentor hanging on
a wall at the ASCS branch on North Himes.
The walls are completely covered with
photographs and newspaper clipping that
each tell a unique story of the lives
that have been affected by his organization.
Keys takes his time telling the stories
depicted on the walls like a proud father.
Successful professional athletes, company
presidents, educators and high-degree
holders are all depicted.
___ "We're
looking for those worthy of opportunity,"
said Keys. Their goal is to reach out
to those kids who have the potential
but not the means.
___ The
organization helps 15 students at a
time at each of their 5 locations in
Tampa Bay. The students are required
to be actively involved in community
service. While the vast majority are
connected with sports, not all are.
Keys remarked that the organization
could not operate without the help of
the kids that have returned to be involved
with the program.
___ The
inspiration for starting ASCS stems
from the tragic story of Albert Perry,
a young man who Keys helped discover
the potential in himself to pursue a
large athletic scholarship to attend
college. Perry told Keys he didn't have
the means to get to college, and not
long after was killed in the neighborhood
he was so desperate to leave.
___ Perry's
plight deeply affected Keys, as well
as the late Jerry Ulm, Sr., whose own
involvement with Keys brought about
ASCS.
___ Twelve
years later, over 500 individuals have
gone on to pursue a better life because
of ASCS. They have branches throughout
Tampa that mentor kids and give them
the skills to get to college. Now Ladies
Quest, run by Jasmine Lane, offers young
women the same opportunities. ASCS is
supported by the Eckard Foundation,
NFL Charities, Conn Memorial Foundation,
Banyan Foundation, Community Foundation
of Tampa, among other business and a
host of individuals.
___ "The
giver and the receiver have both been
blessed. The sponsors become real life-long
friends," Keys remarked. He also
noted that ASCS is always on the lookout
for people willing to share their talents
and training with the students.
___
One such former student of the
program, Kewon Foster, was more than
thrilled to speak about the program.
Starting out as a person self-described
as "hanging out with the wrong
crowds", Foster will soon graduate
from Tennessee Tech University, and
has plans to pursue his Master's Degree
in Education and Administrative Studies.
Now a father and husband, Foster gets
back to Tampa when he can to help with
the program.
___ "Coach
Keys showed me a positive atmosphere,
a place where we can come sit down if
we have any problems," Foster said.
"I'm really thankful for him and
the rest of the mentoring people because
it's like a big family."
___ More
time was spent with Tyrone Keys as he
continued to tell numerous stories of
the young adults who have gone through
ASCS. Kewon Foster also joined in with
the stories, which illustrated how connected
those who have been affected by the
program still are with the lives of
others.
___ It
takes a lot of heart to keep an organization
like All Sports Community Service running,
and a lot of help. More about them can
be found online at www.allsportscommunity.org.
___
ASCS Program Director is Eric
Floyd, Christina Whidden is the Grants
and Scholarship Director, and Jasmine
Lane runs the girls program.
___ As
for Executive Director Tyrone Keys,
Kewon Foster summed him up best, calling
him "the greatest father I ever
had."
Top
photo: Kewon Foster (left) and Tyrone
Keys (right)
