RSS Feed
Print Story
E-mail Story
Don't call them "at risk"
| Monday, Oct 22 2007 1:05 AM
Last Updated: Monday, Oct 22 2007 1:09 AM
Team Prodigy is not your normal travelling athletic program. It is more of a family.
BAKERSFIELD.COM HOT TOPICS:
Loading Stories
Advertisement
To view video for this story
please update your Flash player
The current 'father' is head coach DeVon Johnson, who pushes, cajoles, jokes with and demands a great deal from his players. He also requires his team to give back to the community that supports them raising money to travel out of town by helping out. This year they directed cars in the parking lot for the Bill Pickett Rodeo when it visited Bakersfield.
The team plays in both National Junior Basketball tournaments and Amateur Athletic Union events. Their home court is Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Bakersfield, outside on the hard, hot concrete.
Prodigy also stresses the importance of an education.
"We have more fun comparing grade point averages and competing like that," observed DeVon Johnson.
NFL linebacker Joey Porter, who saw one practice, was so impressed with the team that he donated $5,000 from his Reebok account to buy new uniforms.
"Travelling gets the kids out of their environment, they get to see something different, said Johnson.
"I expect these kids to learn how to make right decisions, to pick up an ethical and moral standard."
And to win some basketball games.