Bigger Than Basketball: Detroiter Saving Lives On & Off The Court

Danielle Smith
Special to the Michigan Chronicle

Bigger Than Basketball: Detroiter Saving Lives On and Off the Court

It’s a rare 80 degree afternoon in Detroit and Chauncey Billups and Rodney Stuckey are watching five excited teens and ‘tweens give them a run for their money on the blacktop. While one of the players, Tresvon Vandergrift, eyeballs the net from the center court Pistons logo, the man responsible for making it all happen is just yards away—in his garage.

The 25’ x 50’ basketball court, emblazoned with larger-than-life sized images of Pistons team members and sporting a new electronic scoreboard, sits behind the home of Willie Johnson, founder of Johnson’s Full Court Hoop-De-Do; a youth sports mentoring program. The court, which began in 1979 as a 10’ x 10’ slab of concrete and a haven for his young sons, has become a saving grace for most of the 250-300 boys who play there each week.

Johnson, a Louisiana native and father of three, says, “We do more than play basketball. We teach them life skills, monitor their grades and offer mentoring and tutoring. Athletics come and go but, education and support lasts forever.” Johnson is accustomed to double-takes as passers-by scope out the scores of kids that regularly fill the impressive hoops court on the corner of Greenfield and Pembroke, just north of Seven Mile.

The charismatic Johnson adds that the court isn’t the only thing that has sparked a second look. He and his wife, Norma, have been selling Georgia Pecans from outside their home each summer for the last 25 years, enabling them to offset the cost of running the court that many youth attribute to improving their confidence and saving their lives. “If you want to grow as a person and gain respect for others this is the best place for you,” says Nicholas Rutledge, 16.

Hoop-De-Do has not only attracted the attention of the Pistons who sponsored the newly revitalized court, but has received support from sponsors such as Pelle Pelle, CBS Sports, National City, Belanger, AARP and many others. The program, which works with Oakland Avenue Missionary Baptist Church to provide free academic assistance to students in need, was recently featured on CBS Sports during the NCAA Final Four where Johnson challenged President Obama to follow the Pistons’ lead and visit Hoop-De-Do. With growing support from local legislators and community residents, a nod from the president is not far behind.

According to participating sponsor, Dennis Washington, “I’ve heard adults and children say that if it weren’t for this court they’d be dead. Mr. Johnson took them off the street and kept them out of trouble. Now they are bringing their children to the court. This is bigger than basketball.”By 5PM two half-court games are in full swing. The younger players have migrated to the side nearest the bleachers while their peers watch, wait and cheer. 16 year-old new-comer, Jerrell Simmons comments, “These guys really welcome you. It’s not just any court. For some guys it’s this or the streets, and maybe jail; they’re making sure that we make the right choice.”

Hoop-De-Do is open seven days a week for youth of all ages. The court is open for ages eight to 15 from Monday through Saturday from noon to 7PM. Sunday from 3PM to 8PM is designated for youth and young adults ages 16 and over. On July 4th Hoop-De-Do will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a Roundball Tournament. Winners will receive championship trophies and, of course, bragging rights. Anyone interested in participating in the upcoming tournament can call (313) 861-2725 or visit the court on the corner of Greenfield and Pembroke in Detroit.