IU men’s basketball Coach Tom Crean stood in front of a gym full of Bloomington residents and offered up a dinner in his home as the starting auction item in the Man Up to Make a Difference fundraising event Thursday.
Crean introduced a panel discussing what it means to be a man in society today and a fundraiser benefitting the Passport to Manhood male mentoring program run by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington.
Among the panel members were Kevin Kelly, director of scouting for the San Diego Chargers; Ron Helmer, head coach of IU track and field; Dan Burke, assistant coach of the Indiana Pacers; and Anthony Thompson, former IU football player and current assistant athletic director for engagement and sports performance.
Jeff Baldwin, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington, opened the event. He listed multiple statistics supporting the need for positive role models in young people’s lives and how their influence contributes to success later in life.
“If we do not have these caring mentors in our lives, we’re in trouble.” Baldwin said. “Getting a kid to that next level requires us to give the attention and care to realize their potential.”
The proceeds of the event go directly to Passport to Manhood. Dennis Laffoon, mentor for the program and member of the Boys & Girls Clubs board of directors, said it is designed as a rite of passage for young boys.
Throughout the panel, the five men discussed not only what they look for in their team’s athletes, but also what they look for in young people to mentor. Crean moderated the panel and asked the four athletic professionals about educating youth and leading them toward the path they need to be on to succeed in sports and life as a whole.
“I look for a good attitude,” Thompson said. “Because there are many ups and downs in life but with a good attitude you can get through those downs.”
Burke said he searched for young men who did not accept the idea that there is a ceiling to their abilities. He said education can be a factor in the shaping of young people, and as a country, the U.S. needs to place more importance on education for young people and keeping them on the right path.
Thompson, a former IU football player, said he grew up without a father, but he had mentors who he still respects today.
“I heard one of my coaches’ voice recently, and I didn’t even see him,” Thompson said. “But I heard his voice and immediately sat up straight.”
The panelists ended with discussing what it means to be a good mentor and how they can affect those they mentor. Kelly said mentors need to be demanding and able to urge their mentees to push their limits.
Thompson said taking time out for a young person is important, because if a mentor can give undivided attention to their mentee, the mentee will give undivided attention in return.
“You may not always have answers.” Thompson said. “But you can be there with them while they take on the game of life.”
