Area youth learn skills, life lessons from former North star DeMarr Langford Sr. and friends

While heading back to school can mean a fresh start and new beginnings for some students, there are some who could use a helping hand as the summer comes to an end and the days get busier and more challenging.

DeMarr Langford Sr. knows that is true because he was one of those youngsters for whom returning to the classroom could be stressful.

Langford and a large group of likeminded friends in Worcester set out this weekend to make the transition a bit easier for young people in the city and the surrounding community.

Langford, the former North High basketball star and owner of Ashton Langford Basketball Academy, held the organization's first Back to School Camp, which was held at McClain’s Training Method, the Stafford Street facility owned by South High girls’ basketball coach Diago McClain.

Rev. Clyde Talley of AME Zion Church, who runs "Yes We Care," sponsored the event with a United Way partnership.

Langford welcomed school-age children to the two-day event that was built around basketball, but hoops was hardly the most important component of the event.

In addition to getting some tips on step-back jumpers and off-the-dribble floaters, the children had the opportunity to hit stations around the gym, each presenting an opportunity for self-improvement.

“I can relate to all of these kids in that I grew up in Worcester with not a lot of wealth and without a male role model to look up to,” Langford said. “I can see myself in a lot of these kids. In my opinion, this generation of kids has even more obstacles than my generation had. Whether it’s the temptation of gang life, an increase in violence around them or even the pandemic, there’s a lot for them to work around.”

Langford called upon his network of friends — many of them lifelong — to help inspire and motivate the participating students.

Desharn Minton, a master barber in the city, volunteered his time to give free haircuts.

“It may seem like something that many people take for granted but some of these kids probably wouldn’t be able to afford a haircut,” Langford said. “Giving them that little lift, I think, will make them more confident in school.”

The importance of physical fitness as a tool for self-care and stress relief was a big part of the camp. Local trainer Paul Reynolds worked with young students on speed and agility drills, while local boxer Rashad Minor offered his expertise in showing kids the basics of the sweet science.

Meanwhile, the kids were exposed to a series of motivational speakers and role models — adults from the community who share the same lived experiences as many of the attendees. Langford asked longtime friend and community leader Woody Adams to talk about the importance of choices.

“It’s not just about basketball and we want to show kids that they have choices in life,” Langford said. “They can be anything if they make the right choices. For me, basketball was a tool and it might be the same for some of these kids. But I think it is important to get them exposed to other things. Maybe some of them have a passion for music, or art, or some of them worked with (Reynolds) and thought about becoming a track athlete, or with (Minor) and started thinking about getting into boxing. Maybe there is a kid who thought being a barber was cool.”

Langford’s deep network — he aptly describes himself as having “relational wealth” — allowed him to reach children beyond the city and as far away as Eastern Mass.

Langford’s longtime friend and former Holy Name basketball standout Brian Theirrien is now a director of the Boys & Girls Club of Lynn and accepted Langford’s invitation to send a few of his kids to Worcester for the camp.

“If I can get even one or two kids to understand that by making the right choices there are no limits to what they can do then this camp will have been a success,” Langford said.

Langford, whose sons Makai Ashton-Langford and DeMarr Langford Jr. are stars on the Boston College basketball team, envisions the back to school camps and similar programs happening again and will have his talented sons on hand whenever possible.

“My boys understand the importance of being role models and giving back, and whenever their schedule allows, they show up to help out with (Ashford Langford Basketball Academy) clinics and events,” Langford said, adding that he sees great value in kids from Worcester getting exposed to young men from the city who never believed they were held by back by limitations.

—Contact Tom Flanagan at sports@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @tgsports.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Former North star DeMarr Langford Sr., friends deliver Back to School Camp