Dare to be great

TIFFIN — Calvert students were treated to an inspiring story of love and positivity Monday when motivational speaker Melvin Adams told his story of overcoming poverty and childhood abuse – and a 5-foot, 8-inch height – to become a professional basketball player. "Everything around me was negative," he said of his childhood. "All I heard was negatives." Despite his early life, Adams grew up to be an NCAA All-American basketball player, became a professional and then went on to be team captain of the Harlem Globetrotters before he dedicated himself to mentoring students across the country with his unique blend of inspiration and comedy. His early years growing up "the hood" in Houston, Texas, made Adams dream of playing basketball. He trained hard – "3,000 jump shots and 3 miles every day" – to make his dream come true. He said a few teachers showed him a positive track, but it was up to him to follow that path. "Basketball was my life," he said. "I had to get out of the hood." He went to college and played basketball, and at age 23 he signed a contract to play for the NBA. At one point, Adams said he fell into the world of drugs and alcohol, but he chose to lift himself out of that world. "Every day is a new day to press restart," he said. He made amends in every way possible, and moved back onto his positive path. During his life, he said he has forgiven his emotionally-distant mother and his abusive father. "If you don't forgive, you repeat the cycle," he said. He said his kids are growing up in a different environment because he made the needed changes in his life. Today, Adams uses that background as an example and a lively, upbeat presentation to encourage students to be the best they can be. He said he's spoken to 8 million students. "You guys could literally change the world," he said. "I want to dare you today to be great. Because you are."