DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - One man donates his free time to help others with their love for basketball.
Rodney Walker says the game was an important piece of his life: "I grew up here. I went to St. Teresa. I was a star at St. Teresa. I went to a junior college up in Michigan. I went on to New Mexico State playing. I ended up going overseas and playing in Asia, playing in Australia, South America, and Europe all over. That all comes from the background. That all comes from playing in the parks." Walker says even though his skill lead him around the world he knew he'd bring his talents right back to Decatur: "My heart's here, my passion is here, people I grew up with are still here, my family is still here, it's a no-brainer for me."
After Walker gets off work; his work day is hardly over. He's the coach of Eisenhower's basketball team, owner of Skywalker International Gym, and lately on Sundays in the park,"I never worked a day in my life because this is what I love to do." Rodney says he wanted to give children the same experiences he had as a child. Walker says,"We did everything at the park. We owe the park district money because the parks raised us." Rodney's love for children in the community is why he's this week's Spirit of Central Illinois Recipient.Â
Rodney and other community members will be in the park every Sunday from 4PM to sundown. He invites everyone in the community to join in on the movement of getting people back in the parks. If someone would like to nominate someone for the Spirit of Central Illinois email news@wandtv.com
