Summer is the time of year when many children across the country are enjoying camps. In the metro area, there's one camp like no other in the country, and it's organized by legendary local sports icon Mike Glenn.
Glenn spent half of his 10-year NBA career in a Hawks uniform. Since retiring, he's traveled the world as an author, motivational speaker and TV sports commentator.
But for the past 33 years, he's been doing something unique and special, and the lives of a generation of children will forever be changed. The children attending the Mike Glenn Basketball Camp for the Hearing Impaired are either deaf, hard of hearing or fluent signers.
"That's one of the beauties of this camp. It's a free camp. The coaches are volunteers. So it's one of the most unique camps in the country because of its diversity and because it's done from the spirit of love," said Glenn.
Glenn's love for basketball and his desire to bring the deaf community to the game started in 1980 in New York with just 30 boys. Now, 33 year later, the camp draws hundreds of boys and girls from 12 different states.
While the camp is about improving basketball skills, Glenn says its also about learning life skills and exposing the campers to legends like Willie Brown-- the first deaf basketball player at Georgia State University-- and former Harlem Globetrotter Elbert Gordon.
The camp is fun, but it involves intense hands-on training as well. Most of the players attending the camp will never hear the blow of the referee's whistle or the roar of the crowd. Instead, Glenn's camp teaches them to feel the game of basketball.
Glenn says knowing he has given a child permission to dream keeps him coming back every year.
MORE INFORMATION: This year's male and female all-star games will take place on Friday, June 22 at 6 p.m. at Southwest DeKalb High School, located at 2863 Kelley Chapel Road in Decatur. Admission is free, and guests include former and present NBA players as well as former Harlem Globetrotters! The public is invited to attend.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:08 AM EDT2013-06-17 14:08:03 GMT
Now, it's time to get ‘phine' – and, yes, that's with a ‘P-H.' Fitness trainer Apollo Nida is here to help you get those arms and legs in tip-top shape for summer!
Now, it's time to get ‘phine' – and, yes, that's with a ‘P-H.' Fitness trainer Apollo Nida is here to help you get those arms and legs in tip-top shape for summer!
Monday, June 17 2013 8:03 AM EDT2013-06-17 12:03:25 GMT
We all get excited about leaving town and going on vacation, so we tend to tell everyone about it. But, a word of caution before spreading the good news.
We all get excited about leaving town and going on vacation, so we tend to tell everyone about it. But, a word of caution before spreading the good news.
Children who attend the Mike Glenn Basketball Camp for the Hearing Impaired are either deaf, hard of hearing or fluent signers.
