Schuckman: Building camaraderie, talking basketball brings Hawks together with Curtis Creek residents

QUINCY — Being insulated by the borders of the Quincy University campus gives the men’s basketball players a sense of security, but it doesn’t offer many opportunities to embrace those who embrace the Hawks’ success.

Those are things they long to do.

“We’ve wanted to be more involved in the community,” junior guard Zion Richardson said. “This whole season has been about bringing the culture back and building the excitement of QU basketball. We want to be a part of anything we can.”

Wednesday night, the Hawks attended “Making History Happen,” a panel discussion of women in a variety of career fields designed to celebrate Women’s History Month.

“It was amazing hearing from a bunch of powerful women and their testimonies,” Richardson said. “We were ecstatic to be able to come out and be part of the community and be present.”

Thursday, the Hawks participated in a “Basketball and Bites” event at the Curtis Creek Senior Living Community, where they spent more than an hour chatting with residents, helping them fill out their NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen brackets and simply discussing life.

“They loved to talk about themselves and where they’re from,” Richardson said. “They loved to talk about us and learn about us. Some of them played sports. Some of them had sons or brothers who actually played at QU. Hearing that and knowing the tradition it was like, ‘Wow, we’re part of something that’s bigger than us as basketball players.’”

Cheryl Coulson, the Engage Life Coordinator at Curtis Creek, helped organize the event, creating basketball-themed food and snacks and participating as part emcee and part quiz master.

After listening to many of the conversations, Coulson quizzed residents about things they learned from the players and asked the players questions about what they learned from the residents.

“It was really kind of cool because the players are away from their families since not many of them are from here and our residents are away from their families living here,” Coulson said. “It was neat to see them make those connections.”

Those are connections the Hawks believe will last.

“We made a couple friends,” Richardson said. “I know I did.”

The basketball chatter was an important part of the day, but the camaraderie mattered more, especially to the Curtis Creek residents.

“They loved it,” Coulson said. “It was so much fun. The players really helped the residents get engaged and participate and be a part of everything.”

It’s the perfect reminder that no matter your job, your status or your age we’re all in this life together.

“It brings us down to earth,” Richardson said. “Sometimes we can get our heads in the clouds with things going on. This community is second to none. We have a supporting cast that is all ages. We knew from running camps that we had kids looking up to us, but we have people of all ages within the community supporting us. It really means everything.”

The Hawks and the Curtis Creek residents have a day to remember, too.

“It meant everything to us and it meant everything to them as well,” Richardson said.