Approximately 60 local kindergarten students have a new kickball to play with this weekend thanks to a guy who made a name for himself playing with a different type of ball.
Cedric Cobb, former Pittsburg State basketball player and now director of development and programs for Youth Lifeline America, returned to Pittsburg on Friday to represent YLA and to give back to a community that was “very, very good” to him. After handing out new kickballs to kindergarten students at George Nettels Elementary School Friday afternoon, Cobb, on behalf of YLA, donated new athletic shoes to the Pittsburg High School athletics program. Cobb will visit his alma mater today to donate shoes to the PSU athletic department.
According to its Web site, YLA aims to “harness the powerful influences of arts, entertainment, sports and celebrity to empower youth with tools necessary for sustained development and productivity.” Cobb said Friday that the organization, headquartered in St. Louis, promotes health and wellness with students across the country. Its celebrity partners include those from the sports, show business and music industries.
Cobb, a member of PSU’s 1999 MIAA championship team, said he wanted to represent YLA in Pittsburg because it is a city that has a special place in his heart.
“We do this all over the country,” Cobb said, “but we really like to do things in cities where we have the most relationship. We typically do it at the grade school level, and we do it in a very fun, memorable way.”
Andy Gottlob, George Nettels principal, said it was “awesome” that Cobb would return to Pittsburg to spend time with the kids.
“I totally think it’s awesome that he’s willing to come and give something to the kids,” he said. “He had a good message, too.”
Along with donating shoes to PHS, Cobb also had some of the school’s athletes go through a skills workshop that forces them to identify their goals, potential obstacles to those goals and to develop solutions to overcome those obstacles.
“We want to make sure kids are instilled with certain life skills,” he said.
Cobb said he plans to attend this weekend’s PSU basketball games as a way of catching up with his old team and to spend time with head coach Gene Iba, who will retire from his post following this season.
“I try to keep up with the team online, but it’s just not the same,” said Cobb, who lives in suburban St. Louis. “I’ve always wanted to get back and watch some games. I have a huge allegiance to Pitt State and have always said I would do anything that I can to support Pitt State. Everybody who knows me knows that I went to Pittsburg State.”
For more information on YLA, visit www.youthlifeline.org.
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Approximately 60 local kindergarten students have a new kickball to play with this weekend thanks to a guy who made a name for himself playing with a different type of ball.
Cedric Cobb, former Pittsburg State basketball player and now director of development and programs for Youth Lifeline America, returned to Pittsburg on Friday to represent YLA and to give back to a community that was “very, very good” to him. After handing out new kickballs to kindergarten students at George Nettels Elementary School Friday afternoon, Cobb, on behalf of YLA, donated new athletic shoes to the Pittsburg High School athletics program. Cobb will visit his alma mater today to donate shoes to the PSU athletic department.
According to its Web site, YLA aims to “harness the powerful influences of arts, entertainment, sports and celebrity to empower youth with tools necessary for sustained development and productivity.” Cobb said Friday that the organization, headquartered in St. Louis, promotes health and wellness with students across the country. Its celebrity partners include those from the sports, show business and music industries.
Cobb, a member of PSU’s 1999 MIAA championship team, said he wanted to represent YLA in Pittsburg because it is a city that has a special place in his heart.
“We do this all over the country,” Cobb said, “but we really like to do things in cities where we have the most relationship. We typically do it at the grade school level, and we do it in a very fun, memorable way.”
Andy Gottlob, George Nettels principal, said it was “awesome” that Cobb would return to Pittsburg to spend time with the kids.
“I totally think it’s awesome that he’s willing to come and give something to the kids,” he said. “He had a good message, too.”
Along with donating shoes to PHS, Cobb also had some of the school’s athletes go through a skills workshop that forces them to identify their goals, potential obstacles to those goals and to develop solutions to overcome those obstacles.
“We want to make sure kids are instilled with certain life skills,” he said.
Cobb said he plans to attend this weekend’s PSU basketball games as a way of catching up with his old team and to spend time with head coach Gene Iba, who will retire from his post following this season.
“I try to keep up with the team online, but it’s just not the same,” said Cobb, who lives in suburban St. Louis. “I’ve always wanted to get back and watch some games. I have a huge allegiance to Pitt State and have always said I would do anything that I can to support Pitt State. Everybody who knows me knows that I went to Pittsburg State.”
For more information on YLA, visit www.youthlifeline.org.
