Published: July 24, 2008 06:24 am         

Paralyzed athlete to speak at Dustbowl

DANVILLE — East Central Illinois Community Action Agency will host its NCAA-sanctioned, 36th Annual Dustbowl Basketball Tournament through July 27.

The Dustbowl Basketball Tournament is a weeklong culmination of events that provide entertainment and training for youth and families in Vermilion County.

This year, following the Youth Leadership Basketball Camp, the agency will provide an additional event.

At 3 p.m. Saturday, the agency will host its first Dustbowl Youth Summit at the David S. Palmer Arena.

Landon Turner, former Indiana University basketball player, author and motivational speaker, will share his strategies on courage, perseverance and triumph.

Turner received more than 300 letters of interest from colleges and universities. However, he saw the chance to play for coach Bob Knight as a wonderful opportunity.

He enrolled at Indiana University in August 1978, and while there, Knight often remarked that Landon had the potential to become the best player he had ever coached.

In 1979, IU won its first and only N.I.T. championship in Madison Square Garden. Turner was the second leading scorer. IU also won two Big Ten championships in 1979-80 and 1980-81.

The crowning glory came in Philadelphia when the Indiana Hoosiers won the 1981 NCAA championship. Turner was the most valuable player in the semifinal game, in which he was leading scorer and second in rebounds.

He was on the All Tournament Team along with teammates Isaiah Thomas and Jim Thomas. In 1982, Landon was an honorary NCAA Basketball All-American, selected by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.

Turner will speak of his years of grandeur while playing with Indiana. He also will share how he overcame challenges as his dream of playing in the NBA was suddenly halted by a car accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down.

Turner’s determination and winning attitude in the midst of emotional, physical and mental challenges lead to great epiphanies. These self-discoveries and strategies will be shared with youth at the Dustbowl Youth Summit.

East Central Illinois Community Action Agency invites all youth and their families to attend the Dustbowl Youth Summit. This event will challenge youth to think positively and offer strategies in overcoming adversities.

For more information, contact Dwight A. Lucas, CCAP chief executive officer, East Central Illinois Community Action Agency, 56 N. Vermilion St., Danville, 443-2705.

FYI

East Central Illinois Community Action Agency: http://www.comaction.org