I would like to take this opportunity to reflect upon our past.
In order to have a positive impact now and in the future, it is necessary to understand and appreciate where we have come from, our beginning.

In 1993 I worked with a young man of potential, Albert Perry. He was a resident of an urban core neighborhood who had hopes of attending college. Albert also wanted and deserved the opportunity to play college football; he had the grades and the athletic talent. I knew from experience that kids like Albert faced many obstacles to actually accomplishing these goals.

I was able to assist Albert in getting a partial athletic scholarship to Texas Southern University. I just assumed that someone would make sure that Albert got to Texas. But he never made it. When I saw him a few months later and asked why he had not gone to school, he replied with the question, "How was I going to get there?"

What Albert said to me next will stay with me for the rest of my life. He told me that if he didn't leave his neighborhood, he would probably end up dead. Little did I know how soon his words would prove true. The following week Albert Perry was dead at the age of 19. He was shot and killed in the very neighborhood he was so desperate to leave.

That same year, I had the privilege of meeting and getting to know Jerry Ulm, Sr., founder of Tampa's Jerry Ulm Dodge. As two concerned citizens, Mr. Ulm and I realized that Personal Mentoring and guidance were crucial elements needed to help at-risk young people develop a responsible, effective game plan for success in life beyond high school. Our game plan was not to give handouts, but to require young participants in our program to earn a chance to attend college, and take responsibility for their choices and their future.

Mr. Ulm offered summer jobs to three high school students who had a dream of going to college that fall, while I served as a personal mentor to them making sure everything went smoothly. Tragically, Mr. Ulm did not live to see these three students go off to college. He lost his battle with cancer late that summer. But the Ulm family made sure his efforts would live on.

In lieu of floral tributes, the Ulm family asked that donations be made to the newly formed All Sports Community Service program. From that initial seed has grown a service organization dedicated to the principles of responsibility, effective mentoring, community service and higher education.

Since 1993 we have assisted hundreds of students obtain over $20 million in support for their college education. Our greatest joy has been seeing our All Sports college graduates come full circle to dedicate themselves to helping others, who face similar challenges, achieve their dreams of a college education.

Each generation bears the responsibility to pass its knowledge, skills and wisdom on to the next. A sincere "Thank you" to all who have helped us in the vitally important mission.

Sincerely,

Tyrone Keys, Founder and Executive Director
All Sports Community Service