Players from South Suburban College are concentrating on more than basketball during this week’s NJCAA Division II Men’s National Basketball Tournament. John Pigatti, the head coach of the team from South Holland, Illinois, says they also want to spread the word about the importance of education.
The team stopped by its ‘adopted’ school – South View Upper Elementary School – where coach Pigatti explained…
”What we try to do is just give a positive message to the young kids about the value of education – staying out of trouble, staying away from drugs,” said Coach Pigatti. ”And then our guys — get a chance, they are role models — and its a great experience for them to be able to go talk to young people about their experiences, and about how they’ve gotten to the point where they are right now on a basketball scholarship. How they’re getting a college education – and just some of the things they’ve had to persevere to get here.”
Pigatti says there are two things that happen during the visit. ”Our guys get a chance to learn something and feel important, and kids here got a chance to relay from some older kids – because a lot of these kids want to play basketball, and do something with their life and they look up to college kids. And maybe they want to go to college – so this is a good experience for both,” said the coach.
Jamal Bailey plays guard for the team. And what was his message for the kids at South View? ”To always stay positive – anything that they put their minds to. And to let them know that there’s going to be distractions — and no matter what the situation is just keep a positive head, and just keep pushing towards your goal. — Just keep pushing.”
Coach Pigatti (shown in photo) says his team has stopped by South View for a visit over 9 of the last 12 years as the team has played at the tournament.
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