Seth Greenberg, right, appreciates the time some of the nation's best high school players are giving up to help eastern Kentucky flood victims. (ESPN Photo)
When ESPN college basketball analyst was asked to come to Lexington for the Midwest Charity Classic Aug. 27 to benefit the Kentucky Flood Relief Fund of the American Red Cross, it was easy for him to say yes.
Sixteen players, including Kentucky commits Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham, were scheduled to play in the game even though Sheppard and Lyon County junior Travis Perry now apparently will not get a waiver from the Kentucky High School Athletic Association to participate and will be unable to play based on a social media post from the KHSAA.
“It is a very small thing to do to help people in need,” Greenberg said. “Any way you can bring joy and raise money to help impact someone’s life, giving up my time is not that much to do. I have great respect for the passion people have for basketball in Kentucky but more importantly I realize these people (in eastern Kentucky) have been dealt a really difficult situation. If I am able to do something to help, I am honored to help.”
Greenberg was coach at Virginia Tech in 2007 when a shooter on campus killed 32 people and wounded 17 more. Six others were hurt jumping out windows trying to escape.
“The Virginia Tech shooting was different. It was one mean-spirited person. This flood was just total devastation,” Greenberg said. “It’s a small thing I am being asked to do to help do something positive, hopefully for a lot of people. It’s a very small gesture on my part to help those dealing with something they had no control over.”
Sheppard, a North Laurel senior, was the main organizer reaching out to players he knew and has played with and against. Greenberg was impressed by how many players agreed to play.
“These are really good players giving up their time to play and shows the respect they have for wanting to help others,” the ESPN analyst said. “It is a great reflection on all those people and players. It’s good to have compassion and see others have it because a healthy heart is really important. With school either started or about to start, it says a lot about those players and their families to make time for this game. That’s why I can’t imagine any state high school association not allowing any player not to play on a weekend for charity.”
Greenberg said during the “worst of times I saw the best of Virginia Tech.” He believes the same thing is happening in Kentucky and that’s why he cannot wait to come to Kentucky.
“I am looking forward to seeing all those guys and thanking them and telling them how eager I am to follow their careers,” Greenberg said. “The character of these young guys doing this makes me excited to do the game and be around them.”
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Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased by visiting www.MidwestCharityClassic.com. All ticketing will be done online.
