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The ASTTER TeamDavid Valenti I have had the opportunity to counsel individuals who have recently lost limbs through amputation. Above all listed accomplishments, the ability to inspire someone to pursue their goals when it looked as though life dealt them a vicious blow, was the most rewarding thing I have ever done. There are many amputees who, given a chance to unleash their hidden potential, can use sports as a form of self expression. The Sports Camp will provide the facilities, instruction, and encouragement for amputees to participate in athletics, giving new found significance to their lives and inspiring them to live Ken Jackson
 Sports have been a big part of Ken's life since he was 6 years old. As a youngster, Ken rarely found a sport he didn't like, having played football, basketball, baseball, tennis and track & field during his school days. While very skilled at most every sport he played (he had a try-out with the Texas Rangers in 1977), nothing caught his passion like golf. Growing up in rural Grapevine, Texas, Ken's first exposure to golf reads like a movie as he had target practice at the cows roaming the pastures behind his house. A family friend saw the potential and encouraged Ken's father to get him on a real golf course. Many of Ken's opponents wish he would have never left the cow pastures.Ken has won numerous golf tournaments, including 10 club championships throughout the DFW area. So skilled did Ken become that he won the 2001 World Hickory Club Championship, using clubs circa pre 1920. Currently, Ken sports a -.7 handicap index and has played in the qualifying round for the US Senior Open the last 2 years. Ken's skills and passion for golf landed him as a high school coach for 9 years, with 4 of those years netting his teams invites to the Texas State High School Championships. Ken's gifts of compassion and teaching have brought him to a place where he is making a difference in the lives of people, as Children's Pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, where he oversees a ministry of over 2500 children and volunteers every weekend. Ken is a member of the Board of ASTTER and will be lending his teaching skills to the camp attendees this November. Dr. Kozhi Sidney Makai Professor, lecturer, author and possessing a silky smooth jump shot, Kozhi's life exemplifies his most recent publication, Born Beating the Odds*tm. Dr. Makai is a former all-nation and international basketball player, having traveled the globe representing his native Zambia. He has also played professionally in the Zambia Basketball Association. Today, he is a sought after coach, both for basketball teams and for individuals looking to hone their "hooping" skills. His passion for the game drives him to help improve the sport, from his home in the Woodlands to locations his travel takes him beyond the US borders. ASTTER is fortunate to have someone with Kozhi's skills and compassion for teaching on our team. After spending time under his tutelage, you will undoubtedly leave with a taste of the Born Beating the Odds Spirit *tm. To find our more information on the books written by Dr. Makai, visit his website at www.KozhiMakai.com  Tony SpearsTony Spears has committed much time and energy into coaching youth sports. He created DIRDIN Fundamentals (Do It Right, Do It Now) and DIRDIN Inc. to teach young athletes proper fundamentals and create skill development programs. His “age-appropriate” coaching instruction and emphasis on core fundamentals has benefited hundreds of young athletes in The Woodlands, Spring, Houston, Conroe, and Magnolia area. Tony’s background in sports is distinctive. He has played and learned under some of the most recognizable and top coaches in the Houston area. The list includes Wayne Graham (Head Coach Rice University), Raynor Noble (Head Coach University of Houston), Bragg Stockton (Former Head Coach TCU/University of Houston and key contributor of “Skills and Drills” video series) and Rick Sherley (Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame). Tony played baseball and basketball at Alief Hastings High School. He was a scholarship athlete and member of two San Jacinto Junior College National Championship teams. After San Jacinto, Tony was awarded a baseball scholarship to Rice University and teamed once again with Wayne Graham. Unfortunately, 2 major elbow surgeries over a 3 year period caused Tony to miss considerable amounts of time during his college career and made dreams of professional baseball unreachable. Tony received his Bachelor of Arts from Rice University in 1992 while graduating Cum Laude. He went to work for Andersen Consulting (Accenture) for 7 years before moving on to become Vice President of Systems West Computer Resources where he managed the Utilities division of the company. DIRDIN Fundamentals was started in 2004 and DIRDIN Inc. incorporated in 2007.  Mark Davis When asked recently who the best player he had ever played against, Mark non-chalantly responded....Magic Johnson. That is just the beginning of list of "who's who" from Mark's playing days, including Isaiah Thomas, Marques Johnson, Kiki Vandewedge, Vinnie"Microwave" Johnson, Sidney Moncrief, Clyde Drexler, Johnny Moore, Ricky Pierce, Rolando Blackman, Ernie Grunfield, Bernard King Mike Gminski, Jim Spanarkel, Michael Brooks and Norm Nixon. A graduate of SMU, Mark had a highly acclaimed high school basketball career in Dallas, withe a career average of 20.5 points per game, culminating with averages his senior year of 23 points and 10 assists per game. From there it was onto a successful career as the point guard for the SMU Mustangs where he was a three year letterman and had the distinction of leading the Southwestern Conference in free throw shooting as a freshman, hitting shots at a 90.8 clip. Coming close to averaging a double double (points and assists) as a sophmore, Mark recorded career highs of 19 points against Rice and 16 assists againt the Longhorns of Texas. A longtime resident of the Woodlands, Mark can be found playing ball at any of the local venues, still playing the "pass first, shoot second" style that he learned during his career. I learned of Mark's passing prowess when a "no look, thread the needle" pass made it's way into my hands for an easy layup the first game we played together 6 years ago. Often recruited to play in the area's stronger leagues, Mark has a dead eye jump shot that his opponents often refer to as a lay-up. His playing skills and knowledge of the game have translated into quite a few stints coaching youngsters to develop their basketball abilities. ASTTER is looking forward to Mark's contribution when he shares techniques (and maybe a few stories) during the November camp. Dana Lyons Dana has been a multisport athlete (swiimming, cycling, running) for over 20 years and has won several national and regional age group titles. He is a 17 time All American and was the USAT Duathlete of the Year in 2001. Earlier this year (2008), Dana placed 2nd in his age group in the Ironman Arizona competition, qualifying for the annual Ironman World Championships held in Kona, Hawaii in October. Dana has taken his passion for competition to teaching others as a USAT and RRCA certified coach. He currently works with triahletes, duathletes, cyclists, and runners of all abilities who have the desire to achieve their fitness goals while balancingother life commitments. He utilizes sports science, his own experience and an unmatched enthusiasm to provide each athlete with the tools they need to improve their performance, reach their potential and fulfill their goals. Dana's training programs are tailored to each individual to ensure optimim performance. Dana will be lending his expertise to ASTTER is a consulting capacity, helping all attendees understand the importance of a proper balance between nutrition and fitness as they pursue their athletic goals. Find out more about Dana and his services at www.coachlyons.com. |
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Impacting lives through Sports
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As far back as I can remember, sports have been an integral part of my life. Having been born an amputee, it meant that I had to make a few adjustments to be able to keep up with “able bodied” folks as I grew up. Fortunately, I was blessed with an extra dose of God given athletic ability and a burning desire to be the best at everything I played. My parents supported me and a family friend, Ed Perazone, instilled in me the belief that I could play any sport I tried and play to the level of all other kids my age. But for me, keeping up was not acceptable….I had to excel, to be better than my classmates and fellow competitors and this mindset continues even today.