Visiting the Kids of Northern Light School

My team at USF and I visited the Northern Light School in Oakland recently. We had an incredible experience with the kids! They sang to us, we danced in their “circle” and we laughed and cried! It was an emotional experience to feel the love and gratitude at the school.

Many of the kids don’t know their parents, but Northern Light provides them with hope and a chance at a successful life. The school is K-8th grade, but they have a 98% graduation rate from college!

They boast a Navy Seal, Doctors, Teachers, Lawyers, and amazing young graduates who are making the world a better place as they fulfill their dreams! We left completely inspired and hopeful about our own lives. Thank you Northern Light!!

Be Your Best!

We just finished a week of the 3rd Annual Azzi Camp in Mill Valley (here's a post from last year's event). We had 115 boys and girls. It was a blast! Our staff was outstanding and the kids were tremendous!

I hope they all left loving basketball and having a desire to, as our motto states, “Be Your Best.” I feel lucky to live in a community where kids are very active and there is so much support for our public schools.

Annual Holiday Basketball Clinic

Each year I lead a holiday clinic for our local CYO — Mt. Carmel. We had a great turnout and I really enjoyed working with the kids. It brings me a lot of joy to see so many boys and girls here playing basketball.

The parents here are fantastic too — so supportive. Many of them volunteer to coach and work with youth on a regular basis. It was a great day!

Co-Hosting the LACY Awards

Hon. Patrick E. Tondreau won the individual award.

I co-hosted the LACY (Legal Advocates for Children and Youth) awards with Don Bleu, local 101.3 FM anchor. Don was fantastic to work with! He has been on the air and doing events for 30 years.

Don Bleu

LACY, founded in 1990 by the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, works to advance the legal rights of minors, empowering them to lead healthy and productive lives. The LACY awards celebrate the of the work done by many in the community to address the problems of youth who have no voice.

Hon. Patrick E. Tondreau won the individual award for his work in the juvenile court system. He has the unique ability to see the best in youth and help them to get on the “right” path. He told me that he loves his job so much it doesn’t feel like work!

I left the luncheon very inspired by LACY and their work in our community. I believe when people are successful, they have a duty to give back, volunteer, do what they can to build stronger communities.

Help Out Others by Volunteering

I spoke to the Marin National Charity League at their annual Philanthropy Faire. There were 200 mothers and daughters at the event.

The Faire raises money and awareness for local charities. The mother/daughter teams also volunteer to help numerous organizations, ranging from local youth programs to planting trees in the GGNRA (Golden Gate National Recreation Area).

It was a pleasure to speak to the group! Volunteering is one of the most noble things we can do to improve life in our communities. I also believe “to whom much is given, much is expected.” I speak at charity events and give back because I have been blessed with success and I feel it is my duty to help. There is nothing better in life than using your success to lift others up.

We all have talents to make the world a better place! And we can ALL volunteer our time. I left the Faire motivated and inspired by all of the work the NCL is doing in our community!

WNBA All-Star Weekend

I had the opportunity to attend the WNBA All-Star festivities over the weekend. What an amazing time!

In the above photo, I'm standing with Mike Thibault head coach of the WNBA's Connecticut Sun (2008 WNBA Coach of the Year) and two young ladies who introduced me at a WNBA Cares event.

Here I am working with kids as part of WNBA Cares Toyota Project Rebound in Windham, Conn. Toyota and the WNBA partnered to renovate the boys and girls club basketball court. It was gorgeous! I emceed the event and had the pleasure of working with the all stars on hand for the clinic — including 5-time all star Tamika Catchings.

Here's a photo of me and a Fox reporter at the WNBA All-Star Game.

It was a great weekend. I've got a ton of fun stuff coming up in the next little while, and I'll be sure to keep you all in the loop here. Thanks for reading.

A Great Week at Camp

I had a great time with the kids, 3rd-8th grade boys and girls, at my basketball camp last week.

Trooper Johnson, Paralympian, played one-on-one against the kids and never lost!!! Amazing skills!

Keith Smart spoke to the kids too. He is the assistant coach of the Golden State Warriors and played for Indiana University. He is known for his last-second buzzer beater against Syracuse to win the NCAA Championship in 1987.

I was very impressed with the staff and the kids. I even got out there and played. Camp brings out the kid in me! We had a fun and exciting week!!! Here are a few photos from the camp.

Trooper Johnson demonstrating his amazing skills.


Keith Smart talks to the campers.

A New Reading & Learning Center in Seattle

I was in Seattle yesterday for the dedication of a new Reading and Learning Center.

I emceed the event for the WNBA and the Seattle Storm. Sue Bird and Swin Cash were two of the Storm players who participated in the event. The Storm partnered with WNBA Cares, and Pitney Bowes sponsored the renovation of the center.

Kids from disadvantaged situations will have an opportunity to read and learn in a wonderful setting. I was blown away by the before and after photos of the center. They did so much work, painting and building to create such and incredible place for the kids.

A funny moment happened when I was introducing the VP for Pitney Bowes. As soon as I said the word “Vice-President,” one little boy yelled, “You mean OBAMA!” Absolutely hysterical! I took a deep breath and said, “well, we tried to get Obama here, but he was busy today.”

The kids were really sweet. They are our future, so I am thrilled when I can be a part of events like this.

Teaching Kids That Good Health's No. 1

I had an opportunity to visit Encinal High in Alameda, California, on Friday. John Murray, the Warriors strength and conditioning coach, and I were speaking to the kids about their health and how important it is that you take care of your body by eating right and exercising.

Here's a brief video of my talk as well as a couple of photos (got to love the USANA sweatshirt! This may become my trademark!)

A Great Day

I spoke yesterday at Mill Valley Middle School. I spoke to the kids about working hard and following their dreams and goals.

The biggest message I hope they remember is to pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and move on when they fall or fail. We all make mistakes and get “cut” or make a bad grade. The point of life is to simply be your best and to always give your best effort.

I also spoke to them about being healthy and active. I was a role model myself, wearing my USANA sweatshirt. Education at this age about supplements is vital, especially for young potential athletes who are so easily influenced by the “wrong” stuff.

It was a great day!

Helping the Northern Light School

Good morning, everyone.

What a great weekend. Michael Johnson, an Olympic sprinter who's won four gold medals, and I are involved in helping raise funds for the Northern Light School in Oakland, California. The accompanying photo is from a fundraiser we took part in.

The school is privately funded, so they depend on generous donors for their survival. The kids are all from very difficult circumstances, such as no parents, or parents on drugs or who are homeless.

Northern Light provides hope and a first-class education for kids who would never have this kind of opportunity. 97% of their graduates go on to earn college degrees. The success rate is astounding!

It is my pleasure to be able to help the school in any way. Michael is a first-class gentleman who has taken his fame to make the world a better place.