THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 24, 1994 TAG: 9406240664
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940624 LENGTH: NORFOLK
Jones liked the area so much he bought a house in Virginia Beach and stayed eight years.
{REST} On Friday, Jones, now vice president for community relations with the Miami Heat, was back in the area to kick off his ``Shoot For the Stars'' youth program, in conjunction with the Hampton Roads Pro-Am Basketball League.
``Shoot For the Stars'' operates in eight cities and attempts to use sports to teach inner-city kids self-esteem, communication and conflict resolution skills, and to instill academic discipline.
Jones will hold four workshops Friday and Saturday in Norfolk at the Hunton YMCA, the Bowling Green Recreation Center and Lake Taylor High. Students will be shown the NBA's ``Stay in School'' video, and will be given an Academic ``Action Plan'' in which they set specific goals. Their progress will be checked throughout the school year.
``We're establishing this during the summer, so we can continue during the winter,'' Jones said. ``It's not just a flash in the pan. We're going to be doing this year-round.''
As part of the program, ``Pro-Am'' clubs will be set up at several area schools. Students who do well can earn prizes like NBA memorabilia.
The program is coming to town as part of the Pro-Am's youth outreach program, and Jones said Pro-Am players will participate. The emphasis, however, will be on players who have made something of their lives after basketball.
``I want kids to know the reality of pro sports,'' said Jones, who also scouts for the Miami Heat. ``Not that many make it. I want them to see that even if you don't make it, you can still be succesful.
``We're trying to create championship lives for kids.''
THE DISTAFF SIDE: Turnout for the Pro-Am's women's division, which tips off Saturday at Lake Taylor, has been stronger than expected. As of Friday, 77 players had signed up.
``I knew it all the time,'' said Juanita Etheridge, who is running the women's division. ``I've been trying to get someone to start a women's league for years. They're coming out from everywhere.''
Players have been divided into seven teams. They'll play through Aug. 6.
Etheridge, who played at Old Dominion and now works for the city's parks and recreation department, says she expects the league to be a boon to the college programs who have players participating.
``Women aren't like men in that they'll go out and play pickup games,'' she said. ``This is going to help players around here stay in shape during the summer.''
The women's division tips off at 1 p.m. Saturday at Lake Taylor.
by CNB