///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
/////////////////////// 950623 ////////////////////////
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Intercity Sports Review
presents
"KEYBOARD, MOUSE & MODEM"
an electronic informational service
of the
Interclub Coaches Association
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
///////// http://pages.prodigy.com/ICASports /////////
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
(C) 1994, 95 by Stan Daniels
INTRODUCTION
This publication is dedicated to the memory of three
persons who each made a significant difference in the lives
of many people. Thankfully they are not the only ones to do
so, and that proves the points that we are trying to make.
Each one of the selected three, however, had a deep, personal
impact on this writer. Each one contributed greatly to the
programs and objectives of our Interclub Coaches Association
and set inspiring examples of the difference that concerned,
positive people can make in the communities in which they
live. They are sorely missed by those they left behind.
One was a distinguished educator, a youth athletic coach
and a co-founder of the ICA. Another was an involved and
concerned member of the business community who regularly
contributed to and supported positive youth and community
activities, including those of our ICA organizations. The
third was an outstanding young student-athlete who
consistently and unselfishly went out of his way to help his
teammates to develop their full potential. He was a decorated
war veteran in the United States Army.
"Bill" was a loving husband and father to his immediate
family and an inspiring older brother to his extended family
which eventually measured into the thousands. With some of
his concerned neighbors, he and his family built a world
class youth athletic program in their own community. With him
and his talented and versatile wife, their town's two high
schools were superbly served by two of the finest coaches and
educators available anywhere. Their own four children are
outstanding achievers with two of them (a brother and a
sister), rewriting the track and field record books and
qualifying for the United States Olympic team seven times
between them from 1980 to 1992.
"Nick" built a vibrant and successful business serving
his community and was highly regarded as a good neighbor who
genuinely cared. While his charity began at home with his own
family, it did not end there. His concern expanded to include
many young people in the community and was demonstrated by
his sponsorship of several youth programs and activities. For
example, when a squad of young athletes from one of our ICA
clubs qualified for a national championship competition on
the opposite coast (and their club treasury was empty),
"Nick" saved the day and supplied their plane tickets. How
much support and encouragement that he has given to others
will only be fully known "when the roll is called up yonder."
"Carlos" proves the truth of the ancient Old World
proverb that "it's not how long you live but how well you
live that counts." The youngest of the three to leave us, his
love and concern for his immediate and extended family and
friends leaves an impact that will continuously expand with
the power of positive people. An outstanding athlete at his
high school, and with his club, he sincerely cared about his
teammates and shared his skills and knowledge in a way that
encouraged them to do their very best. He served with valor
in the United States Army during the Persian Gulf War and
returned with several well earned decorations.
Whether by an agonizing illness, a brutal crime, a
sudden accident, or in peaceful sleep, the loss of a loved
one can only leave us stunned and bewildered. Nothing can
really adequately prepare us for what is the most certain
inevitability of life. Words cannot properly express. "Ishe
Oluwa Koleba Jeo," an Old World proverb from west Africa,
echoed in Ecclesiastes 3:14, directs us forward to build a
future on the foundation of the positive contributions and
contributors of the past and present. ("The Work of the
Almighty cannot be destroyed. It shall go on forever!")
We do not need to re-invent the wheel, nor explore the
vast expanses of the Universe in order to find the answers to
our most perplexing problems. The "Golden Rule" is openly
acknowledged throughout the Judeo-Christian-Islamic
community, and in most of the other families of humanity.
The difficulty is not in the knowing and understanding but in
the doing. That is where the collective concern and character
of each of us will determine the response that we will give
to the challenge to provide constructive and positive
solutions to the crises that now confront us all.
William M. Lewis, Jr. on May 5, 1987, Nikolaos
Vlahogiannis on December 12, 1990 and Carlos E. Abreu on
October 30, 1994 each left this planet a richer place because
they shared their lives with us. They exemplify what we shall
try to articulate in the following pages.
INTERCLUB COACHES ASSOCIATION
ICA SPORTS - EIGHT CITIES NETWORK
Program advisors include Fred Daniels, Keith Davis, Ron
Lockman, Stan Daniels and other contributors to the sports
and community service programs of the ICA Eight Cities
Network.
Since June 23, 1970 a record of continuous success has
been written! After more than two decades, we must be doing
something right!!! Though the future may take us through more
dark and stormy times, our destination is certain and our
navigational charts have been proven to be accurate. ("Ishe
Oluwa Koleba Jeo.") "STEADY AS SHE GOES!!!"
A SALUTE TO THE LEWISES & CLARKS
One cannot discuss positive east coast youth activities
during the seventies and eighties without acknowledging the
outstanding contributions of two New Jersey based families.
Their members have helped to raise and redefine the standards
of consistent excellence in education, athletics and
community service with contributions of local, national and
worldwide impact.
The Lewises of southern New Jersey (Willingboro) and the
Clarks of northern New Jersey have strengthened educational
systems, built sports programs and given track and field and
the United States Olympic team athletes who have become
legends in their own time. Their example is an inspiration to
many and a powerful answer to any who ask the question, "What
can one person do to make a positive difference in the lives
of others?"
THE POWER OF POSITIVE YOUTH
Thanks to irresponsible and greedy elements of the
information and entertainment media, many people have an
inaccurate and distorted picture of many of today's young
people. Outstanding academic, artistic, humanitarian and
athletic achievements and contributions by our youths are
often ignored or buried deep in print and electronic news
reports somewhere between the obituaries, department store
sales and classified ads. Meanwhile aberrant (and often
abhorrent) sensational acts by a few confused and misguided
products of a society that has been unable and/or unwilling
to properly educate them grab the banner headlines.
Public policies in many localities, disconcerted by this
mentality, annually flush billions of dollars into feeble
attempts to treat the effects (rather than deal with the
causes) of our predictable and preventable tragic social
failures. Meanwhile, in many families, religious and social
institutions and communities, the positive people quietly
stayed focused on building and preparing for a better future.
This publication is a record that resulted from the efforts
of a few of them. It is the tip of an iceberg from a glacier
of concerned people who are building for a better tomorrow.
The power, potential and influence of positive young
people should never be underestimated. The achievements
outlined in this publication are a testimony of that fact.
SOUTHSIDE TRACK CLUB, INTERCITY STRIDERS & ICA SPORTS
TWENTY FIVE YEARS LATER
June 23, 1970 is the date of record for the beginning of
the Southside Track Club in Philadelphia, PA. It was an
effort by concerned adults to serve the needs of a few urban
young people. What developed, however, through cooperation
with other persons who shared the same goals and vision, were
some of the leading youth service activities in the nation
with a public record of achievements that speaks clearly for
itself. As Southside began its growth, similar programs were
developing in several other east coast communities. These
included north Philadelphia (East Poplar Striders and Mallery
Challengers), Willingboro, NJ, (Willingboro Track Club),
Trenton, NJ, (Trenton Track Club), Newark, NJ, (Pacers),
Paterson, NJ, (New Birth Track Club) and Jersey City, NJ,
(Heart & Soul Track Club).
Cooperation between the organizers and administrators of
these and other youth and community service programs in eight
metropolitan areas (including some serving Camden, NJ and New
York, NY) was logical and very productive. The results of
these efforts include the Intercity (now Gazelle) Striders,
Interclub Coaches Association, ICA Sports, ICA Eight Cities
Network and other time proven community service activities.
After twenty five years our principles and values have
been proven correct and several blueprints for constructive
responses to contemporary challenges have been written. Many
individuals who have contributed to, participated in or been
served by these various programs have written outstanding
records of achievements on the community, national and
worldwide level.
Crises & Solutions, Challenge & Response will give you a
glimpse at some of the highlights of a quarter century that
saw many people prepare for the opportunities of the 21st
Century. We at ICA Sports - Eight Cities Network hope that
this information proves beneficial to you and your community.
-30-
Editorial note: The preceding text serves as a preface for
several ICA presentations and publications.
-----------------------------
-------------------
Presented as a public service by
INTERCITY SPORTS REVIEW
P.O. Box 9041
Jersey City, NJ 07309-9041
E-mail: intercity_sports_review@juno.com
Website - http://www.ICASports.org/
---------------
Back to Network Center
Intercity Sports Review Online
Return to Home Page
ICASports Home Page
| For more information contact: |
| EightCitiesMAP@juno.com |