By Natasha Simone Ferguson
On this sunny Saturday, Ramona High School is filled with onlookers watching kids running up and down the field participating in various competitive drills. P.U.S.H. (“Purpose, Unity, Service, and Humility”) Sports is a program that works with kids ranging from ages 4 and up. Its mission is to reach, teach, prepare and P.U.S.H. student-athletes to the next level in life. They offer elite training for under privileged inner city student-athletes, made affordable to help create a healthier and more prepared community. Their motto: “We believe you should always have purpose”.
PUSH Sports was founded in 2010 by Isaac Shipp and Jevez Robinson. The program teaches basic techniques and fundamentals combined with tough drills to build speed and proper conditioning for student-athletes. Explosive drills are used including running mechanics, plyo-metrics and stretches, footwork drills, hand and eye coordination drills and a number of other competitive drills including 1-on-1’s. Kari Broy enrolled her son CJ in the program when he was 7 years old. He is now 9 and her role with the program has increased, now serving as PUSH’s player coordinator.
“My son CJ has greatly benefitted from this program more than any other. The coaches are committed to the betterment of the kids lives and are concerned not just in their athletic aptitude, but also academic making sure their GPA is up and mentoring them on character and goals. They are great role models,” said Broy.
PUSH Sports’ Speed and Agility Clinics currently have about 20-25 who participate ranging from 4 years old to seventh graders, and approximately 15-30 eighth grade to college students.
On the field, two girls compete in the agility drills alongside dozens of boys. Their parents sit on the sidelines cheering them on. Michael Gaines Jr., 4-years old, is actively involved in football and track. His sister Kylani Gaines, age 5 is a cheerleader who also runs track and is not at all intimated competing with these boys. Both have been in the program for about 2 ½ years. Their parents Michael Gaines Sr. and Tecolya Gaines greatly values and appreciates PUSH Sports program. “The coaches reinforce good hard work ethics with the athletic component reinforcing the importance of higher learning in the students,” said Tecolya.
Another sister and brother team are Dyllon Slaton who is 5 years old and his sister Nyla, age 6. They have been enrolled in the program since the beginning of the year and their parents said it has helped Dyllon, who is a quarterback and also plays baseball, with his speed.
PUSH Sports has produced many star athletes since its inception. Three include Marcus Baugh from J.W. North High School who is number three tight-end in the nation according to ESPN Recruiting Nation, Dallis Todd is a junior already committed to Oklahoma University with over 23 offers and is the number two receiver in the nation, and Chris Carter, also a J.W. North High School student super junior from the IE Preps who is dubbed one of the best defensive players in the IE this season and leads his team in the most sacks as a junior.
The Speed and Agility Clinics have group sessions with college and pro-experienced trainers and sometimes special guests such as world-class sprinter Mickey Grimes who visited the student-athletes in March of this year. PUSH Sports will host a free football camp with approximately 250 kids and special star athletes on June 22nd and NFL pro players are expected to attend.
PUSH Sports meets at Ramona High School on Saturdays. The cost is $20 for the first visit and $10 each session thereafter. They are looking for corporate sponsors to help with costs such as sports equipment, t-shirts etc. No student is ever turned away for not being able to afford the program. For more information visit facebook.com/push.sports or email pushsportsent@gmail.com.