‘Read-To-Succeed’ Program Begins At Stevens Supersonics Guard Explains How Important Reading Is To Him

Shammond Williams doesn’t start his day with dribbling drills or three-point practice.

“I wake up and grab `USA Today,”’ said the Seattle SuperSonics guard. “And then the reading begins. I find out about current events and stocks and read the sports section. Even though people think it, a basketball isn’t the first thing I pick up.”

Williams made a special appearance at Stevens Elementary School last week to explain the importance reading plays in his life. The school was chosen for the visit because Stevens students raised their reading scores on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning tests more than other schools in the district.

Williams’ visit kicks off this year’s “Read-to-Succeed” program, which encourages kids to read for 20 minutes a day, 20 days a month. Those who do can receive Sonics merchandise and recognition from their schools. The program is active in all District 81 elementary schools.

Williams, called “School boy” by his teammates, talked about the importance of being able to read - even for a ball player. Reading, he said, can make the difference between winning and losing games.

“This is something we read before each and every game,” he said, holding up a scouting report and explaining that it lists the strengths and weaknesses of every member on the opposing team. “We read it and try to remember it, and then our test comes on the court.”

In addition to sharing personal information, such as his love of percussion instruments and the pop group Boyz II Men, Williams also conducted a mini skills clinic.

Third-grader Jesse Orr, fourth-grader Lisa Kurle, fifth-grader Justin Manuel and sixth-graders Shelby Lyon and Laurel Newnham - chosen for being top readers in their class - picked up a few dribbling and passing pointers from Williams.

Three others, identified by the gym teacher as some of the school’s best basketball players, tried to keep pace with Williams as he dribbled two basketballs simultaneously, dribbled two behind his back and showed off a reverse dribble and a crossover - all without watching his hands.

But as dazzling as his moves are, Williams - who’s been playing basketball since he was 6 - knows he won’t always be able to make a living on the court.

“I can’t play ball my whole life,” he told the students. “But I can pick up something and read it. Reading is something you’ll be able to do the rest of your life. Always remember that.”

Prizes - including an autographed pennant, basketball and Sonics backpack - were given to those students who had listened carefully and could answer such trivia as how many letters there are in “SuperSonics,” and the definition of a fictional story.

Sixth-grader Josh Counts won the big prize - four Sonics tickets - for sitting quietly with his hand raised and answering correctly how many players there are in the NBA (348).

He said he was excited to win, and plans to take his family to the game. As for meeting Williams, he said that was “cool. Really cool.”

Teen centers a possibility

Teenagers may soon have new hangouts where they set the agenda and adults try to keep out of the way.

The owner of the Bumpers Fun Centers, Steve Livingstone, is currently rounding up support from local business and civic organizations for three nonprofit youth centers. “There’s certainly more support everyday. The response has been overwhelming,” he said.

The centers would combine entertainment with social services, like counselors and mentoring. A commission, comprised of teens, would make decisions on what activities and services to bring in.

The centers have an automatic draw for teens, according to project employees.

“They really want a place they can call their own,” said Marketing Director Beth Perrey. “It’s empowering to be able to create your own agenda.”

“Adults would work behind the scenes,” she said.

The clubs, operatively called Defenders, are tentatively planned for the downtown, Hillyard and Valley areas.

Now, Livingstone is trying to secure a $25 million grant from the Department of Labor - a “dream budget,” he said - to pay for the project.

“If you’re going to dream, dream big, right?” he said.

However, he is not necessarily counting on that much money and speculates that he could get the project off the ground on a smaller scale with $3.5 million.

He is working with the Chase Youth Commission and the Health Improvement partnership to win the grant.

Perrey said they are hoping to have funding and a board of directors for Defenders before 2000.