No one has more experience on the hardwood than Tony Banks, the lone senior on the Olivet men’s basketball team. But the Peoria, Ill., native knows his leadership off the court is just as important. In the midst of the Tigers’ busy season, Tony and his teammates invest in children through an annual two-day program that includes both fellowship and basketball, done in partnership with the Chicago Heights Church of the Nazarene. This year’s event in February is the eighth annual. “The kids see us on the court,” Tony said, “but it’s important to show them who we are off the court, as well. We carry something with us, and that something is Christ.” As many as 500 kids come each year to see the Tigers in action at a Saturday home game at McHie Arena. The following day, players and coaches go to the Chicago south suburban church to participate in Sunday worship, take part in an after-church luncheon and conduct a two-hour basketball clinic.
JORDAN HANSEN
The clinic is part of the church’s sports ministry program, which Jeff Hale, a 1991 ONU graduate, started with an eight-player basketball camp in 2000. Today, the program has expanded to include other sports like football, baseball and soccer, and it hosts 1,200 kids. “In everything we do, we try to show Christ,” Jeff said. “It’s important for our younger kids to see college kids living lives for Christ.” That’s why each year an Olivet player gives his testimony during the Sunday worship service. And that’s why Tony, who will be participating in the event for the fourth time, sees the importance of taking time to teach kids not only basketball skills, but also how to live lives of faith. And, of course, to sign autographs for kids who one day hope to be playing on a college basketball court, too. “It’s only a one-day thing,” Tony said, “but these are lessons that can stay with the kids for the rest of their lives.”
TONY BANKS by Caleb Benoit
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