“They’re the ‘doing-est’ people I have met” been largely successful – actually, hugely – successful. To wit: eleven playoff appearances (in only 17 seasons), five trips to the conference finals, three trips to the league finals, and two (backto-back, no less) league championships. However, while the RiverKings are about success on the ice, they’re also about being steadfast and loyal citizens to the area. Enter “RiverKings with a Cause,” that Riles describes as “a fan based club that is RiverKings supervised. It’s an earmark of our fans and this region that our fans are community minded and they often want to participate, especially if there is a player involved. In order to do that, we felt the best thing to do is to give fans more say so in what is going on.” Joining is a simple as filling out a form on the RiverKings’ website, paying a nominal fee, and then showing up for the next monthly meeting. After that, it’s organize and get to work for a local charity the RiverKings have adopted. “They’re
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Assistant captain Louis Dumont offers putting tips to Randy and Maxine Engel and Allison and Marygrove Gilbert on the 12th hole at the Ronald McDonald House Annual Celebrity Putt-Putt Tournament on June 27th at Golf and Games on Summer Avenue.
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Mascot Sheldon gives the thumbs up sign after getting everyone off to a good start in the Elvis Run, Walk, Rock & Roll 5K race to benefit United Cerebral Palsy of the Mid-South on August 15th.
22 | Memphis Sport
the ‘doing-est’ people I have met,” says Riles, explaining her admiration for the people who make up the group. According to Riles, the impact is two-fold. “It involves the players, so fans have personal contact with them,” she says. “And it allows the fans to work in the community.” Denizens of Southaven are rarely surprised to see the distinctive gold, black, and green jerseys worn by towering athletes who are reading to students, cleaning up a street, or doing various other good deeds. Examples abound–Standard fare each RiverKings game is the puck toss, where fans purchase and toss ugly orange (part of the charm, I guess) pucks on the ice to win a price with all proceeds going to charity. The Kings recently adopted the DeSoto County Alternative Center/Magnolia school, bringing supplies to the classrooms, as well as hanging out with students. The RiverKings have helped build houses through Habitat for Humanity, feature local nonprofits at every game (time that could be used for earning revenues by announcing advertisements), and bowl for dollars. RiverKings coach Kevin Kaminski recently gave a special pep talk to Sacred Heart Sixth Grader Patrick Dockery who was training to compete in the national spelling bee. Other charities include Assist for Autism, West Tennessee Border Collie Rescue, Ducks Unlimited, and SafeHaven. The cumulative effect is significant. Off the RiverKings website, “[We] made over $175,000 in direct donations and support to charitable organizations in northwest Mississippi, including tickets, merchandise, jersey auctions and other contributions.” Riles explains the RiverKings’ method of picking charities. “Mostly, we find organizations that are doing a good job and we try to help them.” If she keeps making quotes like that, Riles is going to have to admit she gives a pretty good interview after all. M
3 Team captain Derek Landmesser
mugs for the camera with Applingwood Health Care Center resident and BINGO winner Dora Clemmons during a visit from the RiverKings for Celebrity Week at the skilled nursing facility on August 1st.
4 Aaron Waldo, 7, talks to “Coach”
Louis Dumont after Dumont led Waldo and fellow campers in an energetic game of hockey during Camp BOLD, a summer day camp for children with autism. The camp was hosted by Longview Heights Baptist Church in Olive Branch on July 13th.
5 Magnolia student Crystal Parker, 8,
sits with team captain Derek Landmesser, who visited with several students before distributing school supplies on August 20th as part of RiverKings With A Cause club’s participation in Adopt-A-School programs.
6 Mascot Sheldon tends the flagstick for Kevin Parker during the Muscular Dystrophy Association charity golf tournament on August 10th. The annual tournament raises thousands of dollars for the local chapter every year.