Move Without the Ball —the book and the program — challenges students to understand the importance of education, the tool that ultimately will separate the ordinary from the extraordinary, according to Graham.
Graham’s work comes at a crucial time, said Michelle Armstrong of the Philadelphia School District, as Philadelphia officials confront the reality of a dropout crisis and its repercussions.
“Move without the Ball will provide our students with a sense of identity, direction, control and the tools necessary to pursue a better life,” Armstrong said.
As part of his workshop, sponsored by Comcast-Spectacor and King Pharmaceuticals, Graham trained participating Philadelphia school faculty how to help students implement the principles of the Move Without the Ball program in their lives. As another component, Temple students will visit William Penn High School during the remainder of the spring semester to guide area ninth graders in applying the book’s principles. Temple students will also offer the students in the program one-on-one after-school tutoring.
During the introductory program at Temple, Betsy Barber, associate dean of STHM, introduced the William Penn students to STHM’s cutting-edge sport and recreation management program as a way for those with a passion for sports to also invest in academics.
“In the future, I look forward to seeing your applications,” she said.
Graham then urged the William Penn students to rise and overcome the overwhelming odds against them by finding themselves and pursuing their passions. “I want you to break the cycle,” he told them. “This is your life. The question becomes, ‘Can you grow?’ You can only grow if you know who you are.”
Though this was the first time Graham shared the steps of the program outlined in his book with a group of high school students, it marked the second time that he partnered with Temple’s School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. In 2004, he was an executive in residence at the school.
Born in Wildwood, N.J., and raised in the Philadelphia area, was once a victim of what he now calls “race-based consciousness.” As a youth, he told the high school students, he thought that the color of his skin combined with his lack of financial security defined his limits. Believing that his only road to success would be through sports, he pursued a career in basketball that, while successful, never reached professional status. Stedman persevered, and today he is chairman and CEO of S. Graham Associates, a management and marketing consulting firm based in Chicago, as well as a bestselling author and educator.
When asked who they were, most of the participating William Penn students similarly defined themselves in terms of sports and hobbies —such as “ball player” or “rapper” — instead of academically.
Graham encouraged the students to educate themselves about things they love, find a vision and create a plan.
“It’s a beautiful thing to take education and apply it,” he told them. “But there is a process. I’m going to teach you that.” He pointed out several key concepts for the students to remember: “What you focus on expands,” and “the most powerful word is love. Without love, you have nothing.”
Graham motivated, inspired and informed the ninth graders with a style all his own, said Joe Goldblatt, senior lecturer and the director of professional development and strategic partnerships at the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, who is overseeing the school’s involvement.
Graham was open about himself and his life, Goldblatt said, “and they responded by sharing their hopes and dreams. One student asked, ‘How do I come to Temple?’”
The students at the workshop identified with Stedman’s path to success and embraced his wisdom. “Education is important,” said Rodriga Jones, a ninth grade student at William Penn High School. “Without it, you have nothing.”
“Students have bad influences working against them both inside and outside of school,” said Talia, also a freshman at William Penn. “Move Without the Ball encouraged me to keep going. It motivated me to stay in school so that I can fly high.” |
