BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Head Varsity Coach Alvin Merriex and the Union County High School boys basketball program hosted a June 26-28 youth camp, helping to teach basketball fundamentals to boys and girls, ages 8-14.
The camp has the obvious goal of benefitting the Union schools’ basketball programs, but for Merriex, offering such a camp goes beyond that.
“I did it because I wanted to give back to my community and let them know I appreciate them,” Merriex said, adding, “We have a great community here. Anytime you can give back to your community, that’s always great. That’s why we’re only charging $25. This is not a fundraising event. This is more of, ‘Thank you. Let us give you something back.’”
Camp participation has actually spanned beyond the borders of Union County. Merriex said children from Alachua, Lake City and Starke.
As for Union County, such a camp does fill a need, Merriex noted. Youth programs are available for sports such as football, baseball, softball and soccer, but nothing is offered for basketball.
Of course, getting children at a younger age to become comfortable with a ball in their hands and teaching them offensive and defensive skills should pay dividends down the road for the middle school and high school teams.
“When you want to build a program, you have to start at a young age,” Merriex said.
Approximately 25 children participated in the camp, learning not only from Merriex and other coaches, but from UCHS players as well. One, that’s exciting for the children who look up to the high-school players, but Merriex said it’s also good for the high-school players. Part of his program is encouraging players to help out in their community and take on mentorship roles.
“It’s teaching my kids how to serve,” Merriex said. “We always talk about loving and serving others.”
Merriex laughed when he talked about another benefit — players get to see what it’s like to be in a coach’s shoes.
“It causes them to be a little more obedient when I ask them to do something,” Merriex said.
The camp is planned as an annual event.
