Terrell Owens Donates Entire Hoops Salary to Local Charity
Published on September 4, 2002 under United States Basketball League (USBL)
Jackson Wildcats News Release
GLENS FALLS, NY - General Manager Mike Sweet announced earlier today that Adirondack Wildcats guard and San Francisco 49ers All-Pro wide receiver Terrell Owens is donating all of his basketball salary to five outstanding organizations in the local community. The recipients of the donation include the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of the Greater Adirondack Region, Warren and Washington Counties Homeless Youth Coalition, Family YMCA of the Glens Falls Area, Adirondack Community College Athletic Department and Nostalgia Services.
"This is a great opportunity for me to give back to the community that welcomed me with open arms," stated Owens.
"Owens has not only been a great asset to the Adirondack Wildcats, but he also continues to be a real benefit to the Glens Falls community," said Sweet. "In addition to donating his playing salary to local organizations, Owens has drawn media attention from all over North America to our beautiful city."
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of the Greater Adirondack Region has raised over $1,000,000 towards juvenile diabetes research since operating their annual fundraiser, Walk to Cure Diabetes, which began in 1997. Through various activities with the Wildcats over the past five months, JDRF has raised over $2,500.
The Homeless Youth Coalition helps displaced youth, ages 16-21, of Warren and Washington Counties to get reconnected with the community so they can grow up and be productive members of society. They have recently purchased a building in downtown Glens Falls and are converting it to a shelter where children will be able to stay for up to 30 days while they get reconnected to the community.
Adirondack Community College, located in Queensbury, NY, was founded in 1961 and had a combined enrollment of approximately 3,100 full and part-time students in the 2001-2002 school year. ACC sponsors 12 National Junior College Athletic Association Division III athletic teams in addition to 10 intramural and club sports.
The Glens Falls Family YMCA is a community service organization, which serves more than 12,000 boys, girls, men and women in the lower Adirondack region. It offers a wide variety of youth programs including summer day camp, youth sports, after school child care, recreational and instructional swimming, Youth in Government, teen leadership and recreation programs. The money donated will go to the YMCA's Annual Campaign for Our Kids.
Nostalgia Services provides residential and vocational services for persons with developmental disabilities. The donation will go towards Nostalgia's Keep it Real Fund, which provides developmentally disabled individuals with the opportunities not available through such limited state funding. These opportunities include adaptive ski trips, white water rafting trips, camping, hiking, adaptive rock climbing and much more.
"It was a pleasure having Terrell Owens on our club this past season and we are pleased to announce his donation to the community," added Wildcats' Owner and President Dr. V. Ravi Chandran. "He is a true professional on and off the court. We are looking forward to the possibility of having him back next year."
"We were thrilled to have Terrell Owens spend some time in our community. Little did we know how much we would benefit from his generosity," said Glens Falls Mayor Robert A. Regan. "What a great example he sets for other athletes to follow and we would certainly welcome him back next season."
The Adirondack Wildcats were co-champions of the Eastern Division of the United States Basketball League with a 21-9 record in their inaugural season. The USBL is considered "The League of Opportunity" and has sent over 135 players to the National Basketball Association since its inception in 1985 including Anthony Mason, Charlie Ward, Mugsy Bogues and Darrell Armstrong.
United States Basketball League Stories from September 4, 2002
- Terrell Owens Donates Entire Hoops Salary to Local Charity - Jackson Wildcats
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