Chris Harris bought a block in Kansas City’s urban core to help kids learn the sport. Today, hundreds of children are learning life lessons. At the corner of Wayne Avenue and 40th Street, there is a sports oasis accessible for free. day I’ve been waiting and working for a very long time,” said Chris Harris of Harris Park Sports KC. This Midtown sports and activity center is a 30-year project that Harris keeps improving. This week, 400 students learned golf, weightlifting, farming and basketball.” I grew up probably 20 blocks from here. I know the area very well, so seeing what he has built is pretty amazing. So whatever I can do to help him and help the kids, I was born to help and kind of be a part of it,” former Los Angeles Lakers player Kareem Rush said. Rush, a Kansas City native who played for the Los Angeles Lakers, offered basketball advice. The students were dazzled. “Yeah, it was so cool that he got to play in the NBA,” sixth-grader Kamryn said. “I never thought I would experience this. It’s amazing,” said Michael, an eighth. “My favorite was basketball, although I didn’t really think I liked basketball, it was surprisingly a lot of fun,” one girl said. the neighborhood. And I’m just starting to see it clearing my mindset and the mindset of people in the neighborhood,” Harris said. Harris said he hopes the students learn skills, but also life lessons like discipline, determination and education.” a good listener and what that can mean as a life skill,” said Rockhurst University basketball coach Drew Diener. It can be done, and I want to inspire them to say if I can do it, they can do it too,” Harris said. The sports center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Volunteers are needed. To learn more, visit HarrisSportsKC.org.
Chris Harris bought a block in Kansas City’s urban core to help kids learn the sport. Today, hundreds of children are learning life lessons.
At the corner of Wayne Avenue and 40th Street, there is a sports oasis accessible for free.
“To be able to teach these kids the basics of life through sport is just exceptional and this day I’ve been waiting and working for for a very long time,” said Chris Harris of Harris Park Sports KC.
This Midtown sports and activity center is a 30-year project that Harris keeps improving. This week, 400 students learned golf, weightlifting, agriculture and basketball.
“I grew up probably 20 blocks from here. I know the area really well so seeing what he’s built is pretty amazing. So anything I can do to help him and the kids , I was born to help and kind of be part of it,” said former Los Angeles Lakers player Kareem Rush.
Rush, a Kansas City native who played for the Los Angeles Lakers, offered basketball advice. The students were dazzled.
“Yeah, it was so cool that he got to play in the NBA,” sixth-grader Kamryn said.
“I never thought I’d experience it. It’s amazing,” said eighth-grader Michael.
“My favorite was basketball, although I didn’t really think I liked basketball, it was surprisingly a lot of fun,” one girl said.
“I feel like all I’ve done was cut the grass, pick up the trash and clean up the neighborhood. And I’m just starting to see it cleaning up my mindset and people’s mindset of the neighborhood,” Harris said.
Harris said he hopes the students will learn skills, but also life lessons like discipline, determination and education.
“Just being a good listener and what that can mean as a life skill,” said Rockhurst University basketball coach Drew Diener.
“It can be done, and I want to inspire them to say that if I can do it, they can do it too,” Harris said.
The sports center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Volunteers are wanted. To learn more, visit HarrisSportsKC.org.
