Rico Ward, part of the West Carrollton-Moraine basketball association (a select sports program for elementary school-age children), said, “We thought it was good way to bridge the gap about about’s going on in the world between different genders and ethnic backgrounds. It’s basically about love, bringing everyone together.”
Ward said O’Connor presented the clinic free of charge for the children, grades four through seven, most of whom attend West Carrollton City Schools.
Youth sports is all about life lessons — working with others, positive role modeling and leadership among them, Ward said.
“Anything positive we can bring to West Carrollton is a plus,” he said.
According to makeplaystoday.com, O’Connor holds the distinction of being the only person documented in the history of NCAA Division I to help set school records for wins at three D-I schools in a four-year period (Western Carolina, Morehead State and the Univ. Southern Mississippi).
O’Connor, a public speaker, was part of Oliver Purnell’s staff at the University of Dayton (1996-2000).