It was only twelve years ago that I was assisting a young man who lived in public housing to achieve his dream of becoming the first in his family to attend college. But Albert Perry was murdered before he had a chance to pursue that dream. Later that year I met Jerry Ulm Sr., founder of Tampa's Jerry Ulm Dodge (see back page), who shared my concern about the lack of options for kids from challenged backgrounds. We both believed that personal mentoring, community service and guidance were crucial to helping at-risk students develop a responsible, effective strategy for successful life beyond high school. Our game plan was not to give handouts, but to require students to earn a chance to attend college and to take responsibility for their destinies. Mr. Ulm then created job opportunities for two high school students, while I served as their mentor.

As a mentor, I now had the chance to help someone achieve their dream of attending college, just as my mentor, Coach Odell Jenkins, had done for me 30 years before. One might think he merely helped me become a better ball player. He gave me so much more. Coach Jenkins insisted that thegame must be carried beyond the athletic field onto the field of life. I had to give back to the community. He introduced me to the concept of service.

This year Coach Jenkins and I teamed up once again in Washington, D.C. An All Sports alumnus, Mike Martin, now an NFL scout for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, nominated All Sports, and I in turn, nominated Coach Jenkins. He brought high school students from Jackson, Mississippi, and I brought athletes from Tampa to attend the J.C.Watts' Full Impact Leadership Conference. Students visited the Capitol, the White House, the Kennedy Center and enjoyed a surprise tour of the Washington Redskins' practice facility. Most important, the students learned a few of life's ABC's, knowledge that will be fundamental when a pro football career is over.

As I reflect over the last 30 years, I can see how clearly blessed I was to have such a loving, caring mentor in Coach Jenkins, and later on, to be given the chance to know another compassionate man, Mr. Ulm. I learned from both that passion and knowledge avail nothing unless selfless love inspires them.

Throw a pebble into a pond and the ripples radiate outward. When they reach the shore, the ripples come back, then go out again. In this, our first newsletter, I want everyone to see how important the ripple effect is at All Sports. Every act of kindness given from the heart creates a ripple in the life of a student. After college, our students return to give back and the cycle continues... from then...to now...into the future. Twelve months a year, every day of the year, there are young people who need your talents and resources so that the next generation can achieve their dreams. Thank you for your past and present support. May you be blessed and enriched in every way through this holiday season and throughout 2006.

Sincerely,

Tyrone Keys, Founding Member, All Sports

Each generation bears the responsibility to pass its
knowledge, skills and wisdom on to the next.