Memphis Grizzlies Speak Candidly on Mentoring
Posted by Karlyle Alvino on June 10, 2010
The members of the Memphis Grizzlies team are dedicated to giving back to the Memphis community and Grizzlies players and coaches support the Grizzlies Foundation’s TEAM UP youth mentoring initiative throughout the year.
Players including Zach Randolph, Mike Conley and DeMarre Carroll, along with local owner Elliot Perry and head coach Lionel Hollins, were interviewed regarding their individual views of mentoring. Clips of these interviews may be found in the top left-hand corner of pages on the TeamUpMemphis.org website.
Just click the BlipTV icon, and listen to the first-hand accounts of their individual experiences with mentors.
Head Coach Lionel Hollins fully supports youth mentoring. He believes any individual can assume the role of a mentor, which he explains is possible because “if you have a little to give, you give a little; if you have a lot to give, you give a lot.”
He has seen the TEAM UP mentoring program grow “bigger and better” during his time with the Grizzlies and sees endless opportunities for growth for the people who give to the mentor program. Hollins believes that the act of giving to the less fortunate inspires hope in youth who may never have had the chance to experience this otherwise.
Grizzlies local owner Elliot Perry and Coach Hollins, agree that we will all be “bigger and better” as a result of the experiences gained through mentoring. Perry uses the phrase, “keepin’ it real,” to describe how he hopes the relationships between mentors and mentees unfold.
The overall expectation here is that volunteer mentors will feel “it was all worth it” once the mentees have been exposed to new experiences and activities. Perry believes this exposure and inspiration broadens the mentees’ perspective of the world, people and the future.
Grizzlies guard Mike Conley believes through mentoring adults foster relationships with kids to ensure kids are “going down the right path.” These relationships are rewarding and will make a difference beyond what a volunteer may have believed possible. With a small amount of effort and time, one mentor can change the life of one mentee; this is the magic of mentoring.
Grizzlies forwards DeMarre Carroll and Zach Randolph have personally experienced this magic. Both Carroll and Randolph have had remarkable mentors in their lives. For Carroll, his father has been his mentor all his life, and has “shown him the path to righteousness.”
He says his father has “always been a religious man who has walked a straight line as far back as I can remember.” Carroll’s father has taken care of his entire family, and he has demonstrated unwavering strength throughout his life. He has influenced Carroll to be better and has given him a drive to succeed.
Forward Zach Randolph has had similar experiences. His mother has been the rock of his family and his primary mentor throughout his life. Randolph shares that his mother “just has a strong nature,” and it’s this trait that she has passed on to him.
These stories demonstrate that mentoring can go a long way. Any amount of time and energy you can devote to a child will have an unimaginable impact on the mentor and mentee and the community as a whole.
As Coach Hollins said, “if you have a little to give, you give a little; if you have a lot to give, you give a lot.” A mentor’s contribution is never overlooked or insignificant.
Mentoring has been a personal experience for many Grizzlies personnel, and it can be for you, too. All it takes is a bit of compassion and caring of your mentee’s wellbeing. Take a few minutes to watch the clips on BlipTV, and sign up to be a mentor!