Submitted by South Sound Roots Academy
The screech of high-tops against the court, the basketball bouncing, the roar of the crowd… none of these sounds quite compare to the swoosh of the ball through the net, and few know this better than NCAA three-point percentage record-holder, Steve Sir.
Next month, Steve will be in Olympia to teach a shooting clinic for middle and high school students. South Sound Roots Academy, a new nonprofit in Thurston County, is bringing the international shooting instructor to town as part of their mission to make elite-level youth sports training accessible to all.
“We believe coaching youth sports is a privilege, not a profit center,” said South Sound Roots President Kelly Golob. “An opportunity to learn from the greatest three-point shooter in college history shouldn’t be restricted to kids whose parents can afford it.”
Kelly, who played basketball for Olympia High School, went on to set the all-time scoring record at Northern Arizona University before playing professionally in Europe. He returned to Olympia and back in his hometown, reconnected with lifelong friends and former athletes who together noticed disturbing trends in youth sports.
Kelly’s sister, Whitney (Golob) Holm, is South Sounds Roots’ vice president. “Youth sports are in crisis,” Whitney said. “Fewer kids are participating every year, with participation from low-income families dropping the most.”
Whitney, who also played basketball at Olympia High School before going on to play in college, was a multi-sport athlete through 12th grade.
“Kids who are active in sports today are being pressured at younger and younger ages to specialize in one sport,” she explained. “This puts excessive financial burden on families and increases the likelihood of injury and burnout in the athletes.”
South Sound Roots’ goal is to reverse these negative trends through responsible, kid-friendly programming and to promote awareness of these issues in the community.
“We’re determined to give every kid a chance to be active, have fun, and learn to be the best person and player they can be,” Whitney said.
Now, that’s a three-point goal.
The shooting clinic will be held November 4-5 at South Puget Sound Community College. Visit the South South Roots Academy website for details.
