Pro athletes take time to hail the 100th anniversary of Boys & Girls Club.
Notable alumni pay tribute to Boys & Girls Club at its anniversary party
Several professional athletes, all of whom are products of Boys & Girls Clubs, were among those who celebrated the centennial anniversary of the Boys & Girls Club of Central Arkansas on July 13. The event, dubbed the 100 Year Homecoming and Alumni Celebration, took place at the Metroplex in Little Rock.
The evening’s honorees and featured speakers spoke about how their respective clubs made a difference in their lives. Many, like former University of Arkansas Razorback basketball and NBA star Sidney Moncrief, learned to play at their clubs and later went on to dominate their sport.
Former Razorback basketball player Celia Anderson, who also had a career in women’s professional basketball, noted that the Boys & Girls Club was also where she learned to be a leader. For former UA offensive lineman Marcus Elliott, it was a place to learn to make friends and get along.
Muskie Harris said, “The Boys Club was my safe haven.” The former Razorback football player then went offscript and surprised the club with an oversized check for $1,500 for the club’s summer treat fund. Executive Director Cindy Doramus said it’s often the highlight of the day for the kids to get their popsicles.
Former Razorbacks roundballer and professional basketball player Joe Kleine, former Major League pitcher Cliff Lee and former Harlem Globetrotter Hubert “Geese” Ausbie were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Ausbie, known as the “Clown Prince of Basketball” proved he can still get a laugh from the crowd when he drew his acceptance speech notes from his jacket and the long sheet of paper unrolled to the floor.
About 470 guests helped raise over $79,000. The Boys & Girls Club of Central Arkansas operates six locations in the area, providing activities to enhance the self-esteem and develop the full potential of area youth.