Events Calendar
In This Section
New eateries expand menu of options
Patrick McManamon: Here's what the Browns should try the rest of the season
Veterans describe rewards, sacrifices
Sentencing hearing in Twinsburg officer's killing to begin Thursday
WWII veteran honored through hospice program
Zips fit well together for a victory
Don't expect Zips' exhibition game to be pretty
Microsoft to upgrade portal to boost Bing
Most Read Stories
Suitcase causes bomb scare at Akron bus terminal
Akron City Council OKs higher speed on I-77
Chapel Hill isn't rolling right along
Motorcyclist killed, wife injured in Stark County crash
New eateries expand menu of options
Man says he was punched, robbed by 3 people in parking lot
Patrick McManamon: Here's what the Browns should try the rest of the season
Louisville athlete commits to play for Boston College
Family found dead in Ohio home
Blogs:
Pets:
It Takes All Kinds
The Heldenfiles:
Tuesday Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
An interesting thought from a reader
Akron Zips:
Akron vs. Mount Union — Liveblog
Tribe Matters:
Indians announce spring dates
Cleveland Browns:
Mangini doesn't name a quarterback
Kent State Sports:
Flashes interested in another Cincinnati player
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Shaq: It’s All About Winning Championships
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes Roll 100-60 / Season Outlook
Varsity Letters:
Report: Walsh baseball player commits
All Da King's Men:
More On The Fort Hood Jihadist
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Simply Incapable of Telling The Truth
Akron Law Café:
Health Care Financing Reform: (63) Commonwealth Fund Report on Primary Care
See Jane Style:
Muffle Your Muffler
Car Chase:
Clock Tender- Extending the Life of Collector Car Clocks
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Rumors: Akron Starbucks Closing
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Jack is looking for a trip to Southern Ohio the week of November 16.
Sound Check:
Aeromsith looking for new singer as Steven Tyler contemplates solo career
HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why People Do Not Live in Northeast Ohio
Akron Gamer:
Video: 'Modern Warfare 2' hits the streets
Free throws, video games, trivia and lots of stars bring smiles
By Linda Golz
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Saturday, Jun 21, 2008
It was hard to tell who was having more fun at the King's Triathlon — a prelude to today's LeBron James' King for Kids Bikeathon — the kids or the king himself.
With an enormous grin, Akron's own James admitted that ''I'm a kid at heart.''
Between 500 and 600 adults and children filled the University of Akron's Student Recreation and Wellness Center Friday evening to participate in a non-traditional King's Triathlon. Participants did not have to swim, bike or even run.
Instead, major sponsors, their children and more than a dozen celebrities like Kenny Lofton, Campy Russell and Spencer Heywood, could participate in a free-throw contest, a video-game tournament on Xbox 360 and a sports trivia game show.
There were also silent and live auctions. Among items offered were autographed items from sports stars such as Tiger Woods, Bernie Kosar, Lance Armstrong, Ken Griffey Jr., James, of course, and others.
Jakki Nance, executive director of the James Family Foundation, said the
event was expected to raise about $150,000 to be divided between the foundation, the Akron Area YMCA and the Akron Urban League.
James said the money was not what was important.
''The number one thing is to make kids happy,'' James said. ''This gets the kids very excited.''
James said he enjoys the bike event ''because it brings a lot of kids from the neighborhood I grew up in.''
James took in some free throws Friday night before settling down on a couch before a wide-screen television to play basketball on the Xbox.
One of his video opponents, Bishop Woodall, 13, leaned forward with deep concentration as he battled the pro.
Gathered about James on the couch, about 10 children watched intently, including Quinn Clarke, 8, who is just starting his second battle with cancer and his sisters Gigi, 7, and Sarah, 5.
His mother, Allison Clarke, said her son had also battled cancer when he was 2. This time, Quinn has what his mother described as a large tumor growing through his pelvis.
''I'm so glad he could have this [time with James],'' Allison Clarke of Chagrin Falls said. She said that Quinn is preparing to start the ''heavy-duty'' treatment soon. ''His slogan is 'Kick it Quinn.' ''
Earlier Jayln Tyler, 13, who goes to Copley-Fairlawn Middle School; Martice Jackson, 12, of Hope Academy University in Akron; and Melran Leach, 13, of St. Timothy School in Cleveland sat on a couch before one of the six wide-screen televisions practicing basketball on the Xbox.
The trio said they were excited about the evening with James and the other kids.
''It gives us, like, a chance to see different basketball styles,'' Tyler said.
noweb
Linda Golz can be reached at 330-996-3640 or lgolz@thebeaconjournal.com.
It was hard to tell who was having more fun at the King's Triathlon — a prelude to today's LeBron James' King for Kids Bikeathon — the kids or the king himself.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
