Listening to him talk about his charity, the Assists Foundation, I got the feeling that Self’s kids — Lauren and Tyler — get constant ribbing from their dad about spending too much time on the computer, or, as Self puts it, “playing Guitar Hero for six hours.”
“My kids are active,” Self said, “and they don’t do anything. It’s unbelievable. You go home and you get on the computer and you play a video game. It’s a joke.”
Self points out that more than 11 million children nationally have been diagnosed as clinically obese and that Kansas is the 27th-fattest state in the country with more than 75 percent of the population overweight.
Self has a solution, but he also needs some help. He wants to build a youth wellness center as the hub of a sports complex that houses traditional and nontraditional sports. Assists is actively looking for a community that is willing to take the bull by the horns and start the process of building the complex.
Once a community steps forward, Assists will provide guidance on youth programs and break ground on a wellness center that would be available for every child, kindergarten through 12th grade.
Self says that there are simply not enough opportunities for kids — in Lawrence in particular — to develop an active lifestyle the way he did as a kid growing up in Oklahoma.
“I rode my bike everywhere,” Self said. “I played outside until dinner, and I’d go back outside and play. I can’t remember summertime that I ever played indoors until I got into probably high school.”
Self knows his plan sounds grand. That’s because it is.
Self would start it tomorrow if a community jumped in line. He’s hoping to spread the word at “Bill’s Basketball Boogie,” which will take place on Saturday, June 7, on the infield at Kansas Speedway. Tickets — dinner and drinks included — are $250, and proceeds go to Assists. Check out www.basketballboogie.org for more details.
Robinson’s send-off
Self isn’t the only member of KU’s national title team who will be boogieing in the coming weeks. Senior point guard Russell Robinson — with help from his close family friend, rapper Chief Rocker Busy Bee — will be host to the “Russell Robinson and Friends Graduation Celebration” on Saturday night at Liberty Hall in Lawrence.
Doors open at 7 p.m., and Kansas City rapper Mac Lethal will be the other headliner.
“It was kind of a surprise thing,” Robinson said. “I didn’t know until the last minute. I’m happy they put it together.”
As for his basketball future, Robinson said he will play at the NBA predraft workouts later this month in Orlando, Fla.
Join the discussion
Share your observations and experiences about news. Lively, open debate is the goal, but please refrain from personal attacks or comments that are racist, vulgar or otherwise inappropriate. If you see an inappropriate comment, please click the "Report as violation" link to notify a KansasCity.com editor. Thanks for your feedback.