By Nick Mattera
Niagara Gazette
NIAGARA FALLS —
It has been five years since James Starks graduated from Niagara Falls High School.
In that time, Starks — a 2005 graduate, went on to shatter several University at Buffalo rushing records, lead the Bulls to a conference championship, ultimately leading to him being drafted earlier this year by the NFL’s Green Bay Packers.
Accomplishments Starks credited to the support and life lessons he received from influential people in his life.
On Monday, just three days before the start of his first NFL training camp, Starks was back in Niagara Falls sharing those lessons with more than 600 of the city’s youth, who were participating in a month-long sports camp funded by the Niagara Falls School District.
“You are a student ... athlete and student comes first,” said Starks, when asked what type of advice he planned on giving the students participating in the camp. “You can’t get on the field if you aren’t handling your grades. Without being successful in the classroom, you won’t even have an opportunity to be successful on the field.”
The sports program, now in its sixth year, is one of the state’s only entirely free athletics camps. Sue Ross, program director, said students in grades seven through 12 participate daily in different sports programs including lacrosse, baseball, basketball, hockey and others. She said performing arts is also offered. The program utilizes facilities at Hyde Park, Sal Maglie Stadium, Dwyer Arena and Niagara Falls High School and runs Monday through Friday from July 12 to Aug. 13. Students are offered free lunches and transportation is provided.
Starks, who is the all-time leading rusher at UB and was drafted 193rd overall in April’s NFL draft, said sports camps are an important way for athletes to work on their skills and become better prepared for competition.
“These camps give kids something to do during the summer, gets them out of their house. Coming to sports camp, you get to see your friends and play against the best competition in the city so it just makes you a better athlete,” Starks said.
The camps are run by high school coaches, gym teachers and former athletes and give the students a peek into what sports are like at the high school or collegiate level.
Starks, who worked at the camp shortly after graduating from Niagara Falls, said he acted as a role model for students, making sports fun for them, all while setting an example.
“There were always people telling me be the best athlete on the field, do the right thing, be on time, or that you know that hard work and dedication will pay off,” Starks said. “There are a lot of people around here who will give you words of encouragement and that really can make a big difference.”
Ross said the program has grown to one of the largest public sports camp programs in New York, proving the dedication of the school district to the Niagara Falls community.
“Kids of this age are often left at home during the summer while parents go to work and they could get into activities we would rather not have them engage in, so it keeps them safe and keeps the neighborhood safe,” Ross said. “And importantly it helps combat adolescent obesity, a big objective of our district is wellness and this fits right in line with that.”
Ross said the program fits in line with idea of Niagara Falls High School being a community-based center of activity and the camp has been a perfect fit.
“These are our tax dollars at work,” she said.
Starks said he will be spending the next few days with family and friends as he prepares for the start of training camp on Thursday.
“It’s such an unknown, I don’t know what’s in store for me,” he said. “I’m just going to go out and work hard and we will see what happens.”
