Charlie Burgess – he’s one of the stars imported to play
on Belize’s National Basketball team. Burgess has a rare distinction;
he played at Texas Tech University for Bob Knight the man considered the greatest
coach in NC double A history. But, while he played at the highest level of division
1 basketball his roots are in Yabra; that’s where his mom colleen Burgess
is from originally. She’s here with him for the tryouts and desperately
wants to make it to CANCUN for the tournament next week. But she doesn’t
have the finances and that’s where her friend Merv Bennett has come up
with a plan to sell autographed pictures of Burgess and Bobby Knight for $15.
It’s a special picture – Charlie explained the moment.
Charlie Burgess, National Team
“Oh man that was a great day because not only will I remember that
but everybody remembers I played on that team. He passed it off rough you know
as one of the all time winningest coaches in Kentucky and with Bob Knight they
just took it to another pedestal. Everybody knew he was a great coach but after
he achieved that, it was like all things 
possible you could do.”
Jules Vasquez,
“What was that like playing with the man regarded as one of the greatest
basketball minds in the United States basketball?”
Charlie Burgess,
“Oh it was challenging, extremely tough because everyday was like
a test, you test your mind everyday. He puts you through certain situations
and sees if you could overcome them or not. So it just builds your character
as a person and as a man. I got a lot of respect for him because he made me
a lot of who I am today.”
Jules Vasquez,
“Did he throw any chairs at you?”
Charlie Burgess,
“No, unfortunately I haven’t gotten a chair thrown at me but
I got a couple of f-bombs dropped on me but apart from that it was a great experience,
I can’t really complain too much about it. I wouldn’t change it
for the world.”
Jules Vasquez,
“His mom has a very special mission here. We’ve all seen her on
TV, she is a very outgoing woman, she wants to go to Cancun to see her son play
for her country.”
Merv Griffin, Family Friend
“Jules what I am doing right now, I am selling these post cards autographed
by Mr. Charles Burgess. We are selling them for $15. If you cannot see me, you
can go to the Popular Barbershops, Venus, Tambran, Record Shack.”
Jules Vasquez,
“You’re not selling them for a profit.”
Merv Griffin,
“No I am not selling these for a profit. I am selling these so that
the mother can go to see her son play in Cancun.”
Email
Print