Former George Mason Patriot Mike Morrison (2008-12) spent part of his summer giving back to his hometown community of St. Petersburg, Florida, helping run a youth camp. GoMason.com caught up with Morrison on a recent trip back to Fairfax.
You recently helped put on a basketball camp called OTE Elevation Basketball Camp. Who was it for and what was the purpose of the camp?
We charged a small fee of $25 for kids ranging from ages 5-17 in the local community. The general purpose was to not only teach kids about basketball, but to also show them people that grew up right in the city are successful and surround them with positive role models.
The camp was held at Wildwood Recreation Center in St. Petersburg, Fla. for a full Friday and Saturday. We put on a camp for about 70 kids and they had a blast. Everyone that helped work the camp were local young international pros, college athletes and coaches that all volunteered their valuable time and I'm grateful for it. On the first day, the kids did some drill stations in the morning, had PDQ (our wonderful food sponsor for the camp) for lunch and played games. Day two we broke it down into more drills and ran some skills challenges. During lunch, the kids got the music pumping and had a blast showcasing their dance moves. After the lunch/dance intermission, we broke back into games. To close things out with a bang, we played the coaches vs. camp all-star game.
Where did the idea stem from for the basketball camp and how did you make it happen?
My brother, Sean Morrison, and his close friend, Mike Brown, had the idea to do something for the city and from there we just made it happen.
What was the greatest moment or lesson you learned from the camp?
We had two great speakers in Barry Brown, who is a local legend and inner city school principal, and Coach Jon Cabino of Eckerd College. They passed out a lot of great knowledge to the kids.
Will you hold this camp annually?
This was the second annual camp and the third is already in the works for next year.
How did playing basketball growing up impact your life and make you want to give back to your community?
Without basketball who knows where I would be today. It was my focus and it kept me out of trouble. At the end of the day, that's all I want to come from it and I'm grateful for the game.
Basketball has taken you across continents and given you a chance to experience new things. What has been the greatest thing you've learned from the game?
A lot of people where I'm from haven't been out of the state. I've been able to see the world and I think I have a great perspective on life. I've learned many things, but more so, I'm just thankful for every opportunity I've been given.
