Hoops and Prayers

Upward Basketball program shoots for salvation and sportsmanship while building youths' self-esteem

BY ALBERTA LINDSEY
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Thursday, March 25, 2004

Ramsey Memorial United Methodist Church is using basketball to tell children about God's love.

Before each game, there's a prayer. And devotions are presented at halftime and at practices. Coaches don't yell at the children, and parents don't scream at the referees.

Ninety-three boys and girls, mostly first- through sixth-graders, are winding up a 12-week Upward Basketball program sponsored by the South Richmond church. Awards recognizing participants will be presented tomorrow.

The program's purpose is to make every child a winner, build self-esteem and promote salvation, said Shelley Jump, a Ramsey Memorial church member who serves as league commissioner. She assigns children and coaches to teams.

Upward, started in 1986 at First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, S.C., is about Christlikeness and good sportsmanship; not championships and trophies.

Robin Davis, who has four children in Ramsey Memorial's program, is excited about Upward Basketball.

"I wanted my children in the program mainly because it is a Christian program. I want them in something positive. They love it. And I enjoy the fellowship with other parents," she said.

Davis' son, Monte, 13, a seventh-grader at Thompson Middle School, "just likes basketball. I like the people here. They are friendly. Coming has inspired me to go to church more often," he said.

Tania Laracuente, 9, a fourth-grader at Swans- boro Elementary School, called the program fun. "I helped with a devotion one night," she said.

Tashale Ford, 10, a fifth-grader at Miles Jones Elementary School, has made new friends, she said. "I have learned about God and had fun. I like to dribble, and I'm learning how to double dribble."

Ramsey Memorial started its program to reach families who do not attend church, said the Rev. Joe Winfree, pastor of Ramsey Memorial. "Families that might be uncomfortable visiting our sanctuary on Sunday have no problem listening to our message of salvation during halftime at Saturday games."

Ramsey Memorial, at 5900 Hull Street Road, does not have a gym, but the congregation expects to break ground next month for an activity center. The center, which should be completed early next year, will include an area for playing basketball, said Will Flynn, a church member and an Upward coach.

In the meantime, Weatherford Memorial Baptist Church at 700 E. Belt Blvd. allows Ramsey Memorial to use its gym for Monday and Tuesday night practices and Saturday games.

This is Ramsey Memorial's first year sponsoring the program. "We expect the number of children to double each year for the first three years," Winfree said. "We anticipate close to 200 kids next year."

Ramsey's program will culminate tomorrow with an Award's Night ceremony at Weatherford at 6:30 p.m.

Around the state, there are about 40 programs, including those in the Richmond area, said Gregg Wisecarver, growth manager for Upward's mid-Atlantic region. Nationwide, there are 1,200 leagues in 44 states. About 15 denominations use the program.

Another area program at Cool Spring Baptist Church in Hanover County has the third-largest single league in the nation with 1,052 children, Wisecarver said.

Cool Spring is a partner in the Upward program with Mechanicsville Baptist Church, also in Hanover. Practices and games are held at Fairmount Christian Church, Cool Spring and Mechanicsville and sometimes at Shady Grove United Methodist Church.

Cool Spring has other Upward programs, such as cheerleading and soccer, and plans to start flag football in 2005, said Doug Grote, recreation minister at the church.

Beyond games, children learn lessons about life that will make them wholesome adults, said the Rev. R.P. Hodge, youth minister at Second Baptist Church in western Henrico County. The church, which just completed its second year in the Upward program, had 315 children participate this year.

There is a demand for Upward because it puts fun back into basketball, Hodge said.