AthLEADER Photo

Submit Your Role Model Athlete Photo -- Read on:

This is my pet project - everybody has one, but I'd like to share mine in a way that allows you to share back.

The inspiration: Carteret Sports Leadership, Inc.- A 6-month leadership program designed to help "raise role model athletes." Located in Carteret Co. NC, participants are sophomore and junior athletes from the county public high schools.

The story: While listening to another "bad athlete" report on the radio one day, my husband, (diehard Wolfpack fan)told me that he thought that NC State University could probably use a youth leadership program like the one I had started in Havelock.

Ever the entrepreneur, it was like nano-seconds before I found myself sitting in front of the head basketball coach for the Wolfpack, Les Robinson. He told me that the trouble with the recruiting situation is that the kids were coming from high school with the difficult attitudes and wrong mindsets. He advised to start the leadership program in high schools. I listened.

Months later, and with much support from Cass Flowers, owner of The Sports Center in Morehead City, Carteret Sports Leadership (and the supporting non profit) became reality.

During the first year, (1996) Michael Irvin (then, a Dallas Cowboy) provided reason enough why a program like this one should exist. Amid a flurry of media over his drug arrest, I was invited to write a guest column featuring Carteret Sports Leadership in The Sporting News.

The program gained interest around the country and accolades from the likes of former Dallas Cowboy, Drew Pearson, NBA star, Jerry Stackhouse, and former Oakland Raider, George Atkinson (major supporter of Character Counts). Former Buffalo Bill, Jerry Butler (who now works with the Cleveland Browns) became a friend and a suppoter of a professional version of the program, I called AthLEAD.

The passion I hold for all of this stems from an absolute desire for better citizen-athletes (ones who step up to the salary they get paid to do their job and the $ they make from endorsements). I know it's a tough transition for most of them. But, make no mistake - they are role models, whether they want to be or not. Did you get that, Mr. Barkley.

Enough of that. If the program interests you, read The Sporting News article in my Media Center.

To put a positive spin on those folks in sports (professional or amateur) I want to spotlight the athlete leaders - the ones we are proud of for all they do to inspire, motivate, and boost others by example and by deed.

So, I'm dedicating a block on the front page of my site to honor an AthLEADER by your recommendation.

E-mail jpeg photo and caption (couple of lines why this person deserves the spotlight) to mary@marykurek.com --If your entry is selected, we'll post for the month. If you are submitting a non-professional (someone who isn't a public persona), then be sure to have permission from them to include their photo here.

Alternatively, you are welcome to comment on your faves here.