All In: Youth sports non-profits deserve holiday support – Times Union

“It’s kinda incredible what BG did, ’cause when BG was doing it she didn’t do it for attention,” guard Diana Taurasi told SI.com. “She was always trying to give more than take. And I think that’s her legacy more than anything.”

In celebration of Griner’s release, I propose making a donation of $42 to a list of organizations below. Those groups, most of them in New York’s Capital Region, provide food, after-school programs, and sports leagues to benefit young children, our future. 

Forty-two is in honor of BG’s number with the Mercury franchise, where she helped lead the team to a WNBA championship in her second season. 

Be like BG.

15-Love: Read Nasiru’s story in the tennis organization’s year-end appeal page on its website and you can’t help but want to assist this program. “With the help of my 1st grade teacher, I started 15-LOVE as a rambunctious, bright-eyed six-year-old. I didn’t exactly know what I was doing, except I knew I was having fun! Over the years, the experiences I’ve had with Coach Domingo, Amber, and others has greatly benefited my character, along with my game. I can recall moments in life when my behavior got me into hot soup. In all honesty, as a kid I had some trouble managing my emotions, both on and off the court. Despite my shortcomings, the people around me always provided encouragement and direction.” 15love.org/get-involved/year-end-appeal

Albany Police Athletic League: Organizes basketball and baseball leagues and other sports-related activities. albanypal.org

Capital District YMCA: To achieve its major goal of empowering young people, the YMCA provides after-school programs, swim lessons, camp experiences, basketball leagues and scholarships for needy families. cdymca.org/support-the-y

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area: The club provides services and programs to help young people make positive life choices. From education and career programs to health and life skills, the staff and volunteers help inspire youth by providing an opportunity to belong, succeed and serve their community. Sports and recreational activities are part of the club’s core mission. bgccapitalarea.org

Pride Center of the Capital Region: LGBTQ youth are facing an unprecedented onslaught in discrimination as a result of the current political climate. The mission of the Pride Center of the Capital Region is to promote the well-being of all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer-identified people and those affected by discrimination based on gender identity and expression. Fighting for trans youth to have access to organized sports is a critical need. capitalpridecenter.org/donations

Women’s Sports Foundation: All gifts help to provide opportunities for all girls and women to play sports. The foundation is building a future where every girl and woman can play, be active, and realize her full potential. womenssportsfoundation.org/support-us

Grant Wahl tribute

I have a keepsake Sports Illustrated from 2006 featuring Landon Donovan and his teammates on the cover of the magazine’s World Cup Preview.  When the men reached the knockout stage in Qatar, I dug out the issue and re-read the cover story by Grant Wahl. I did this just days before Wahl tragically lost his life at age 48 covering the World Cup in Qatar. I’ve been a fan of his writing and podcasts for a long time. 

“Grant Wahl and soccer are inextricably linked,” USWNT star and Rochester native Abby Wambach wrote. “I have looked to Grant and his work for decades. The soccer story here in the US has Grant’s name all over it. We will miss you Grant and we can’t stop thinking about your family.”

During the pandemic, I listened to a Sarah Spain podcast interviewing Wahl and his wife Dr. Celine Gounder, an infectious disease specialist, who met as students at Princeton. That podcast is worth a listen. Gounder has tweeted links to many of the tributes written about Wahl. From his friend Joe Posnanski: “He was the best of us. Grant Wahl was that. As a person, he was ceaselessly kind. As a reporter, he was bursting with courage and an unerring sense of right and wrong. As a writer, he was so deeply alive. And as a friend, mostly as a friend, he was undyingly devoted and loyal. The best of us. Every way.”

Joyceb10bassett@gmail.com • @joyceb10bassett • timesunion.com/author/joyce-bassett

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