|
  Robert
Little had a great seat in a packed Carmichael Auditorium Saturday, Feb.
25 to see North Carolina topple Duke to claim the number 1 ranking in
women's college basketball. Little's daughter, Camille, is a key contributor
for the Tar Heels and he wouldn't have missed the game for the world,
but he couldn't celebrate with her long. He quickly returned to Cabarrus
County where his own team was waiting with good news! The Forsyth Flash,
an adult, five-on-five team, had won all three games in their division
at the 2006 Special Olympics North Carolina Basketball Tournament &
Cheerleading Championship.
"They all wished me luck when I left for my daughter's game,"
said Coach Little. "I brought them a game program. They follow her
career. In fact, one of them says he wants know if he can date her ha,
ha."
Little has returned as a Special Olympics basketball coach after a 10
year hiatus. The 25 year veteran of the Winston-Salem Recreation &
Parks department, has always had a humanitarian spirit and a need to give
back.
"It's sorta like I never stopped," he said. "I musta missed
it. I like helping people and I get my reward by them being successful
in life. We have a lot of fun!"
The game of basketball has always been an important part of Little's
life. His basketball talent helped him get a college degree, travel the
world and make many friends. He was a star in college at NC Central and
has been inducted into the school's hall of fame. From 1976-77, he played
for the Harlem Globetrotters then took his game to Europe for a year before
returning to Forsyth County to raise his family.
Little got involved as a basketball coach for Special Olympics in the
mid-1980's. He took a very talented team to the Special Olympics World
Summer Games in 1987 and finished in fourth place. While there is one
hold-over from the World Games team, Willie Andrews, Little has found
his coaching experience this go-around to be profoundly different. His
life has been impacted in ways he didn't anticipate.
"One of our players, Brian Holland, was killed in a car accident,"
said coach, overwhelmed with emotion. "I only coached Brian for a
couple of practices but I'll never forget how he welcomed me to the team
with a prayer. When he passed it made me closer to all my players."
Little coaches the Flash with his long-time friend Hansel Hentz. Their
good-cop/bad-cop style has brought structure, discipline and a winning
attitude to the team. The athletes know what is expected of them and have
responded.
"Win or lose, if we play hard and do our best then I feel good about
our whole experience," said Coach Little. "Coach Hentz and I
are long-time friends and we are enjoying sharing our friendship with
the players, being role models. They are now a part of our family. They
come and see me at my rec center, ask for help on the court or just hang
out. My team in 1987 was a great group of athletes; this team is a great
group of people. We really feel good coaching them."
On Sunday, Coach Little was on the bench for two great performances by
the Flash. The team who dedicated the season to their fallen teammate
proudly finished the 2006 SONC Basketball Tournament & Cheerleading
Championship with a silver medal. Coach Little will be celebrating all
the victories of this basketball season for quite awhile.
Nominate an athlete to be featured in an Athlete Spotlight.
Contact Leah Sundheim, at 1-800-843-6276, ext. 110.
|
