UALR basketball players score with off-court drive

PETE PERKINS
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

Their message was clear.
UALR sophomore guard Alex Finger and senior forward Laverne Smith were introduced to 50 fourth- and fifth-grade boys Thursday at Otter Creek Elementary School in southwest Little Rock.
Two things were emphasized -- the benefits of an education and the detriment of illegal drugs.
UALR Coach Porter Moser said that's what he wants from his players as they speak at Little Rock-area elementary schools in the Trojans for Education program.
Moser said his players didn't seem too eager when he first approached them with the idea.
"I really have their day structured, so when I told them at first that they had another thing to do, they kind of flinched," Moser said. "But when they came back, they were so excited. One school sent over 300 cards telling our guys how much they were appreciated. They guys got a sense that they did have an impact on these kids.
"When they get up and start talking to 300 kids about doing the right thing, that has an effect on them."
"I really enjoy doing this," Finger said. "I think I'm going to get a job in this field when I graduate."
Several hundred adults and children will get to meet the Trojans men's and women's teams and their coaches tonight at Fast Break 2000, a picnic at the River Market in downtown Little Rock.
The message might be a bit different.
At Otter Creek Elementary, Finger walked to a handful of students, stuck his hand in his pocket as if to retrieve something, and asked, "Do you want some drugs? How about you? Do you want some drugs?"
"What do you say if someone asks you if you want drugs?" Smith asked.
The boys knew the right answer, even if they weren't alive for Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" campaign.
"No,'' they said.
"I can't even hear you," Finger said, a hand cupped near his ear.
"No," the boys shouted.
"How many of you know you have to make good grades if you want to play ball?" Finger said. "That's just the way it is. It's that way for us. We have to study, make good grades first, and then we get to play basketball. Well, the best time to start studying, to start working for good grades, is now, while you're young."
"Study, don't do drugs, and be obedient to your parents," Smith said. "And don't be afraid to ask for help. Everybody needs help."
Hard to argue.
The players got no argument from Otter Creek school counselor Michelle Howard.
"This really is a good program," Howard said. "It gave our students a chance to see the importance of studying, of not doing drugs. They could see with their own eyes what they need to do.
"They look up to these players as role models, and they gave them a lot of incite on what it takes to be successful, whether it be playing basketball or getting an education. And the players can relate so well, because they're not so much older."
Finger and Smith held contests. They challenged the students to name the nine planets of the solar system, in order from the Sun. One succeeded, and got a dime from Finger.
Another came close to naming the 50 United States.
"Close enough," Finger said, as he handed out another dime.
A spelling bee between teams of fourth and fifth graders ended in a tie.
The word centipede tripped them up after correct spellings of dictionary and eclipse.
"I'm not sure I would've gotten that one," Finger said later.
Smith and Finger stood near a school water fountain after they offered a shooting and dribbling exhibition on an outdoor court.
"The first thing you have to do is get their attention and keep them interested," Finger said. "At that age, that's the main thing you want to do. As long as you hold their attention, they'll listen, so you really can't go in with a set plan. You have to kind of feel them out.
"But I make sure they know they have to study, and how important an education is. I emphasize how important it is to stay off drugs. As long as I get that across, I think I've done my job."
Moser said what Finger and Smith presented, and what his players will continue to offer, is part of what he wants to accomplish at UALR.
"My vision for building this program is to build a total program," Moser said. "Part of that is that our guys give back to the community. They're out there working so hard right now, and we're trying to get some enthusiasm going around town.
"Part of that is talking to young kids about the importance of reading, of education, of avoiding substance abuse, of getting involved in some sort of activity, no matter what it is."
Finger and Smith offered the students free tickets to a UALR basketball game before leaving Otter Creek Elementary.
"The kids are all excited about getting to see them play," Howard said.
"That's a fantastic byproduct," Moser said. "When these kids are that age, UALR is pounded into their heads. They might go home and say, 'Hey, I met a UALR player.' They get to know who the players are."

This article was published on Tuesday, October 3, 2000

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