Head Coach, Dan Gimpel with 2016 Senior Team
Paul Savramis is the founder of the nationally-acclaimed youth foundation Rising Stars. In this brief discussion, Savramis explains why Rising Stars is much more than an after-school basketball program.
Q: What are the core values of Rising Stars?
Paul Savramis: Our main focus has always been on building a solid foundation for the future, both on and off the court. We use basketball as a tool to give our students energy and hope; with each win and in each accomplishment, they realize they can do more for themselves. The confidence earned from these on-the-court victories seeps over into their schoolwork. That’s why we have so many college-bound players each year.
Q: Rising Stars works with a lot of inner city students. Why is bringing these kids together so important?
Paul Savramis: Many of our student athletes have lived through numerous social and economic disadvantages. They are rivals on the street. They don’t trust anyone. When we get these guys and girls together, playing basketball and working toward common goals, we build a whole person. Our goal is to lay the groundwork these students need to make crucial decisions for themselves as they become the next generation of adults.