Shawn Marion returns to North Chicago
By Bryan Bonato Special to The News-Sun July 18, 2011 11:56PM
Dallas Mavericks basketball player Shawn Marion helps students perfect their basketball skills during the Shawn Marion Youth Basketball Camp at North Chicago High School on Sunday. | Ruthie Hauge ~ Sun-Times Media
THE TALK OF THE TOWN
SHAWN MARION RETURNS TO NORTH CHICAGO
Eric, Gallagher, new principal of North Chicago High:
“No matter how much success you have, you come back and contribute to our community. I hope that the students here at North Chicago learn from your example.”
Leon Rockingham, mayor of North Chicago:
“We want to thank him for everything he’s done for North Chicago over the years, for the sportsmanship he displays on and off the court. We’ve named today Shawn Marion Day in North Chicago. We don’t give these (keys to the city) out too often, in part because such occasions are reserved for things of great significance like the one that brings us here today. We want to present Shawn Marion the key to the city.”
Patricia Jones of Waukegan Township presented Marion with a “Hometown Hero” award:
“He’s a hero admired for his deeds and noble qualities on the court as well as off.”
Angelo Kyle of the County Board cited Marion’s contributions to the community:
In addition to the youth basketball camp, he mentioned aid for single-parent families in Lake County for vocational training and adult education scholarships. He’s also donated a million dollars to cancer research.
Shawn Marion on his special day:
“I’m lost for words. It’s been an amazing year, an amazing ride. I’m truly blessed to experience this kind of support and the appreciation being shown. Keep your goals high, and work hard to achieve them. Set goals that are going to make you work and then go get them.”
Article Extras
Updated: September 17, 2011 12:16AM
As a basketball player, it can’t get any better for Shawn Marion than being a starter on the team that wins the NBA championship.
But as a man, it can’t possibly get any better for Shawn than the day he had on Monday in North Chicago.
During the day, he conducted a FREE basketball camp for area youngsters — an event he holds annually to reconnect with the youngsters in the community where he group, attended school through the third grade, and where many family members still reside.
Then, after the camp on Monday, the community showed its appreciation for what Shawn has meant to the area’s youngsters by celebrating his achievements on Shawn Marion Day in North Chicago.
A great day, indeed — even though it had to be postponed a week because of last week’s brutal storm that turned much of the county into a mini-disaster area.
On Monday, that disaster was forgotten, as it was a day for kids and adults alike to celebrate the successes of one of their own.
The day started with the camp for area youngsters.
“I come back here for the kids,” said Marion. “I love working with them. They’re our future, and that future starts here. It starts at home.”
After camp, there was a reception held in the North Chicago High studio room for VIP members of the community and other invitees.
Attendees had their names entered in a raffle for autographed basketballs, Mavericks pennants, and Shawn Marion bobble-head figures.
Then, the public ceremony was held in the gym.
Reverend Torrance Abrams gave the invocation in which he praised Marion as someone who has “set an example for all of us. A man who walks the walk.”
After the national anthem, introductions, and invocation, Marion and the large crowd in the school gym were treated to a routine by the North Chicago High cheerleading squad, garbed in T-shirts tie-dyed Mavericks blue, black, and white, and they proved that “Matrix” — Marion’s nickname — fits just about perfectly in any cheer imaginable.
The national-champion Angel drill team thrilled the audience with a beautifully synchronized routine that raised the bar for the afternoon’s performances, even inviting Marion to inspect their drill guns and requesting his permission to begin and end the stages of their routine.
The Angel Drill Team was followed up by another brief but brilliantly synchronized routine from the Jazz Steppers drill team.
A lengthy awards presentation followed in which Marion accumulated a stack of plaques and certificates.
Pastor Gerald Wilcox of Mt. Sinai Institutional Baptist Church said: “I can’t give him the key to the city, but we can definitely give him the key to our hearts. For the contributions to the youth of our community, he is truly a champion of champions.”
That he is.
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