THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 1, 1994 TAG: 9406290099
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBYNE R. COOKE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
Barbara Hughes often sees children playing basketball in Cambridge Manor Apartments on Indian River Road.
So when Hughes, who is the manager of the apartment complex, and S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co., the managing agents, decided they wanted to do something special for residents, the obvious choice was a free week at Old Dominion University Overnight Basketball Camp.
``We wanted to do something for the children here. We thought this would be such a good opportunity. We have a lot of children out here with their basketballs playing and they always seem to have such a good time,'' said Hughes, who has worked at the apartment complex since 1980.
An advertisement was run in the apartment newsletter inviting any child, age 8 to 18, who is a resident at the 480-apartment complex to fill out a simple form. Three children were chosen at random, said Hughes. ``They seemed very excited and anxious to go.''
George Rankin, Tramaine Gray and Ulysses Breece won the camp scholarship.
Rankin, 10, said he was really surprised when he won since his mother had signed him up. ``I like basketball because all the other sports are boring. I'm not great but I'm good,'' he said.
He added that he's looking forward to meeting the other kids. ``My favorite player, now that Michael Jordan is gone, is probably Scottie Pippen, who plays for the Chicago Bulls.''
Fourteen-year-old Gray, who plays basketball for his school, said he plans to work on his shooting skills. ``I'm excited about the camp. I just like sports.''
Gray's on-court hero is Charles Barkley of the Phoenix Suns.
Breece could not be reached for comment on his award.
Jim Corrigan, the assistant basketball coach for Old Dominion University, said the campers will work on fundamentals such as shooting, passing, rebounding and defense each morning and each afternoon. They will also play two full games each day as well as hear guest speakers. The camp will be held from July 31 to Aug. 4.
Hughes said Cambridge Manor Apartments will probably continue to sponsor such events in the future. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Barbara Hughes, manager of Cambridge Manor Apartments, arranged a
contest that was won by Tramaine Gray, left, George Rankin and
Ulysses Breece (not pictured) for a scholarship to the ODU
basketball camp.
by CNB