SARASOTA, Fla. (SNN) – A dream came true for Sarasota youngsters and community leaders on Thursday.
The Dream Court was unveiled at the Lee Wetherington Boys and Girls Club in honor of basketball hall-of-famer Dick Vitale.
Former professional basketball player and coach turned broadcaster, Nancy Leiberman — or Lady Magic — was there to help dedicate the brand new basketball court.
“When you go to a basketball court or a ball field, strangers become teammates and they care about each other,” Leiberman said.
She emphasized that the Dream Court is about bringing people together and supporting bright futures for the youth.
“People look at it and go, ‘Why would I donate to a basketball court?’ I’m like ‘You’re not. You’re donating to change a child’s life with education,” Leiberman said.
A mission ‘Dickie V.’ himself holds close to his heart. Last November, Vitale announced his vocal cord cancer was gone, but that does not mean his journey since then has been easy.
“I thought I was on my way to get back on TV, to get back to giving speeches, and doing what I love to do, because I feel so good physically,” Vitale said. “But really, I’ll be honest with you, emotionally it’s been a struggle because my life has always been about being able to communicate. To even get words out to you now is really difficult, but I wanted to do this because I love kids.”
He says when Leiberman asked him where he wanted the Dream Court to go, it was a no-brainer.
“I said that’s a cupcake to me,” Vitale said. “That’s easy, Sarasota Boys and Girls Club.”
Sarasota Commissioner Kyle Battie graced the stage.
“This is such a great day,” Battie said. “To sit here amongst two legends and future legends.”
A student who is a part of the Boys and Girls Club said seeing the Dream Court and all of the legends and leaders who helped make it possible has been inspiring to him.
“The next couple of generations of kids will also get to use something so amazing it makes me want to contribute to my community in similar ways,” Roland B. said.
He helped emcee the event. Before it came to close, Lieberman shared some final words of wisdom to the youth to take care of their brand new facility.
“This is your court,” Lieberman said. “For everybody right here, it’s yours and you have ownership of this, and you have to protect this.”
Nancy Lieberman Charities has donated over 125 Dream Courts throughout the U.S.