From the files of Steve Ellisor...
Otis Hughley was the Head Coach at LeFlore High School. He also teamed with Mobile’s own basketball legend, Antonio Lang, to run a week long basketball camp for our C-Sports Basketball players and others from around the community. Coach Hughley’s teams were regularly ranked close to the top both in the state and nationally. His players were always high on the list of college and professional scouts.
Coach Hughley was the featured speaker at one of our Basketball Celebrations in the gym. This year, the chairs had to be arranged at an angle so that half of one of the basketball courts was clear. What a spectacle it was when the C-Sports cheerleaders came out and did a routine to get the crowd pumped up. Then, from out of the smoke and flashing lights of the tunnel came players from the LeFlore basketball team! They passed faster than we could see, performed tricks, slam dunked, and showed coordination with the ball in ways most of us only see on the TV. The assembled hundreds of people cheered and squealed.
Then, Coach Hughley took to the stage and faced the group. He acknowledged the appreciation shown to his players. He told the C-Sports youngsters that it is only after years of dedication, practice, and discipline that such skills are developed. Then, he asked the boys and girls facing him, “Are these guys your heroes?” There were some nods and giggles. He continued, “Do you have heroes that you see playing on TV?” there were more nods and a few more affirmative responses.
Coach Hughley paused for just a moment. He looked beyond the rows of uniformed C-Sports players to the back of the room. He said, “Parents! Please stand up.” The hundreds of parents assembled there in support of their children stood. There,” said Coach Hughley, “are your heroes!” “Turn around and see your heroes!”
The children turned around to face the adults who were responsible for all of the love, support, and encouragement that had made it possible for them to be there. They looked into the eyes of the ones who sacrifice for them, who nourish and care for them.
“Let’s give it up for your true heroes” said Coach Hughley, and the gym erupted in a roar of cheers and applause. Maybe many…maybe a few… of the children present that day will carry with them the realization of what a real hero is to a child.