NIAGARA FALLS — A generation ago, Michael Williamson started the Niagara Nights basketball program to give young people in the Cataract City an alternative to the streets.
On Wednesday, Williamson beamed from the bleachers at the Niagara Falls Boys & Girls Club as an alumnus of that program carry on the tradition.
“Modie Cox was a raw product of Niagara Falls,” Williamson said. “It’s so wonderful to see what he’s doing today. He’s evidence of what a secure and stable program can do for 5-, 6-, and 7-year-olds. They learn how to get along. They learn how to listen to instruction. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Cox, who went on to become a star point guard at LaSalle High and the University at Buffalo, said he was a good kid who needed direction when he joined Niagara Nights, and Williamson provided him with that.
“Mike Williamson has given me so much,” Cox said, “and I feel like it is my life duty to do for kids what he did for me.”
On Wednesday, Cox led about 40 children through basketball, football, lacrosse and jump-roping activities, then sat them down for a motivational message as part of his Winning Because I Tried mentorship program.
“I want to encourage young people to believe in their dreams, to never give up” Cox said. “I know there’s times circumstances will prohibit a kid from moving forward, lack of fathers, mothers or whatever. I want the kids to know that their life is in their hands and they can become what they want when the believe in it.”
Winning Because I Tried is an extension of the Do Your Best, Never Quit community outreach initiative Cox conducted for the Buffalo Silverbacks minor league basketball team a few years back. When the Silverbacks folded, Cox was able to continue his work, thanks to the support of several corporate sponsors, including the Williamson Funeral Home.
Having established a foothold in Western New York, Cox is now trying to bring his message across the state. Helping him accomplish that goal is John Wallace, the former Syracuse basketball star.
The two met on the AAU circuit as teenagers and have maintained a close relationship ever since.
“That’s my guy. We go back to grade school,” Wallace said by phone Wednesday from his home in Rochester. “When he pitched me on what he was doing, I knew it was something I wanted to be involved in. I’ve got a good foothold in Rochester and Syracuse, so it only makes sense to connect.”
Wallace said a similar program “saved me from going down the wrong path” as a youth.
“I was at a point in my life where I was doing a lot of bad things. And some of the people I was doing those things with, ended up in jail,” he said.
Around the same time, Wallace met Cox.
“You know how sometimes when you meet somebody, you can tell right away that you’re on the same page?” Wallace said. “That was Modie and I. The minute we met, we started snapping on each other, which we’re both pretty good at. And we’ve been doing it ever since.”
Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at 282-2311, ext. 2258.
Sports
Related Photos
-
DAN CAPPELLAZZO/STAFF PHOTOGRAPH
BASKETBALL: Cox comes back to fulfill ‘life duty’
- Sports
-
-
Wolverines tame the Lions
Three Niagara Falls Wolverines players hit double-figures in Thursday’s 74-45 Niagara Frontier League boys basketball win over visiting Lockport on “Senior Night” in the Wolvearena.
-
Running miles for acres
Runners of all shapes and sizes will run 10 miles for 52 acres of land this weekend at the 2012 YMCA/Camp Kenan Y-10 race downtown.
-
Miller, Sabres blank the Bruins
With Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff nursing three broken ribs and watching from the press box, goalie Ryan Miller made 36 saves to earn his second shutout in three games in a 6-0 win over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night.
-
Roy-Hart swimmers dominated
Pictured are members of the Royalton-Hartland boys varsity swim team, which recently captured its sixth straight Niagara-Orleans League title and swept the annual league meet in Akron by winning every event. From left, first row, are Josh Beabout, Kurtis Parker, Roy Phipps and Zach Yates; second row, Cody Jones, Luke Brauer and Patrick Jones; third row, Jason Beabout and Lyle Wagner.
-
Syracuse beats Georgetown in OT, 64-61
Kris Joseph scored a career-high 29 points, hitting a go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute of overtime, and No. 2 Syracuse beat 12th-ranked Georgetown 64-61 on Wednesday night to give coach Jim Boeheim his 880th career win.
-
Lions sweep Lewiston-Porter
It was a full moon and the vampires and werewolves were out in the Lady Lions Den.
-
Cotto training in Lockport
Professional boxer and World Boxing Organization Lightweight champion of the world Jose Miguel Cotto (32-2-1) has chosen Lockport as his training camp for his upcoming fight with Jose Luis Castillo (63-11-1) on March 24 in Houston Texas.
-
Roy-Hart dominates boys all-League swm meet
Undefeated (10-0) regular-season champion Royalton-Hartland dominated the competition Tuesday taking first place in all 11 events at the 2012 Niagara-Orleans League boys individual swim championships.
-
Ruff stuff
As if the Buffalo Sabres haven't endured enough injuries already this season. Add coach Lindy Ruff to the list.
-
Super Bowl draws record viewers on NBC
For the third consecutive year, the Super Bowl set a record as the most-watched television show in U.S. history.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Red Wings and Maple Leafs to Play at Big House
Parade for the New York Giants Super Bowl Champs
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Giants Beat Patriots 21-17 to Win Super Bowl
Manning Named Super Bowl MVP
Giants Beat Patriots in Super Bowl 46
Rodgers Wins AP MVP at 'NFL Honors'
Aaron Rodgers Wins AP NFL MVP
Martin, Five Others Elected to Football Hall
Brady, Manning Headline Super Bowl XLVI
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Rangers' Hamilton Confirms Alcohol Relapse
Goodell: Player Safety Is Top Priority
Coaches Update Injuries Ahead of Super Bowl
Pats Mesko Fulfills American Dream at Super Bowl
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Gronkowski's Ankle Still 'Day to Day'
Umenyiora Explains Missed Media Session
Fans Having a 'Super' Time in Indianapolis
