Bloom Trail All-American “Gives Back”

Bloom Trail All-American “Gives Back”

By Donna McCoy

Joe Chapman is no stranger to challenges and struggles. He went from gangs during his middle school years, to super stardom as a high school basketball player, to the loss of his parents, to being in the Final Four at Marquette, to playing and learning the cultures of 18 different countries as a professional basketball player. He was named British Basketball Player of the Year in 2009 and has his biggest challenge of keeping up with his four year old twin sons.

So when Chapman made the difficult decision to retire from professional basketball, he immediately jumped into new challenges. In just two years, Joe has started the Chapman Basketball Academy in which he has reached over 400 kids of all ages, shapes and color. His unique instruction is not just basketball skills and strategies, but to mentor and teach student –athletes skills for a successful life. His motivational influences and role modeling techniques show youngsters how giving 100% and being a good person can take you a long way.

Amongst the busy schedule in the gym and at home, Chapman never forgets his roots and the influences of Bloom School District 206 (Bloom Trail High School) and the positive impact it had on developing his character and successful career. He was just name to the board of the Bloom Township Alumni Association and Joe comes back every summer to offer a free clinic to local kids feeding into this school district. The clinic offers mentorship, motivational speakers, discipline, academic success, nutrition, and of course basketball skills and strategies. He gathers his friends and former teammates to all “Give Back” to the youth of our future Blazing Trojans.

The 4th annual camp, (started by a collaboration between Bloom Alumni Athletic Association President Larry McCoy and Chapman), will continue to give t-shirts, nutritional lunches, free admission to an entertaining game between the basketball legends of Bloom and Bloom Trail. Also, new this year is the combining of services offered by Mitch Johnson, founder of the non-profit Winged Foot Foundation, who will help mentor these students and give out free shoes.

With the closing of District 206 this summer for major maintenance repairs, Dr. Gregory Jackson, Superintendent of Ford Heights District 169, has graciously offered the use of his facilities at the Cottage Grove Intermediate Center for the Saturday, June 2nd camp. All students from District 206 feeder schools can sign up for free by emailing us at BloomTrojanNation @yahoo.com or calling the Bloom Archives at (708) 755-1122 ext. 2301. The clinic runs 8:30 to 3:30 and the game from 5 to 7 in the evening featuring a rematch of the Bloom vs. Trail alumni game. Trail won last year, but there is already talk from Bloom guys that they are ready for this year. Whoever wins, it is a win-win situation as everyone benefits: kids, adults and communities. Tickets for this fundraiser game is $10.00. It is a day you do not want to miss.

FACEBOOK: Bloom Trojan Nation

EMAIL: Bloomtrojannation@yahoo.com

PHONE: Bloom Archives (708) 755-1122 ext 2301