The summer of 1990 Reality Sports became a unit of college and professional ball players whose goal was to help others through sports. We talk to youth at camps, schools and recreation centers about life and how to positively deal with the hardships we face daily. We named our company Reality because in sports as well as in life we have to realize our strengths and weaknesses.
We feel this concept has helped others in our year round effort to lend our experience and expertise to high school, college and professional athletes. We teach team and life situation on the court. We join various highly competitive sports tournaments and leagues throughout the year to enhance our physical and mental strengths.
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Basically our team is comprised of at least six high school and college players along with top amateur and professional players. Our goal is to build social and mental toughness, which is vital in order to survive in today's society. We tutor and mentor our younger athletes and we try to obtain employment for our older athletes. We feel that eventually the ball stops bouncing and one must face the realities of the world.
Though I hope that every athlete I coach has a long and prosperous athletic career, the statistics prove that this probably will not happen. So my ultimate goal is to prepare them for professional careers that do not involve sports. Some people chase the dream of playing professional sports to the point of immaturity. Reality sports uses skills learned in education, life and athletics to grow and advance in positive careers. Through life's up and downs we can not advance by dreaming.
Our Mission is to enhance the lives of children and adults through fitness, education and life skill training so that they may mentor others.
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| Melvin L. Burke Sr., Director - Biography |
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- Married to Vonita C. Burke Since 1992.
- Two Sons Sam and Melvin Jr.
- Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio Mt. Pleasant & Kinsman area.
- Currently Head Volleyball Coach at Lutheran High School East.
- Head Girls Basketball Coach at Lutheran High School East.
- President of Reality Sports, Inc.
- Graduated from Max S. Hayes High School.
- Bachelors Degree in Sports management from Myers University.
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Played 4 years of college basketball 2 as a walk on at Youngstown State and 2 at Dyke College.
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Has been coaching High School and college since 1985.
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Melvin has received national notoriety for his work with inner city youth.
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Four-time State High School Coach of the Year:
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2003-2004
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2004-2005
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2007-2008
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2008-2009
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2003 - 2004 NIKE All American Camp Instructor (St. Louis, MO).
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2004 - 2005 NIKE All American Camp Instructor (Portland, OR).
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In his free time, Melvin loves to write, think and travel.
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Young people love sports. Approximately 2 million young people in the United States, ages 5 - 17 participate in agency-sponsored sporting events. About 14 million participate in recreational sports programs and about 2 million young people play club sports (Ramussen, K.,2000) Sports provide a vehicle for enhancing young people's educational, social, emotional and physical development. Sociologist Melnick (2000) argues that sports teaches kids skills improvement, honesty, self-esteem, respect for self and others, and values for these attributes over winning.
Recreational sports and physical fitness programs are the most common type of summer or after-school programs. While both boys and girls benefit from these programs, the benefit to girls is hard to ignore. The Women's Sport Foundation (1998) reports that females involved in sports are less likely to get pregnant, are more likely to have their first intercourse experience later in life, will have fewer sexual partners and are more like to use contraceptives. Boys involved in sports are found to have higher academic success rates, less involvement in criminal and other risky behaviors and are more likely to volunteer in their communities.
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| What people are saying ... |
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| Barbara Turner - WNBA Pro
"Mel Burke made me the player I am today. He taught me mental and physical conditioning and he taught me how to focus and be mentally tough. He showed me how to work out with weights and increase my stamina."
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C. Vivian Stringer (NCAA Coach):
"Melvin Burke has pure dedication to youth. His girls are class and strength. He leads by example; tough, hardworking, knowledgeable and caring."
More info
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Semeka Randall (Former WNBA pro):
"I've known Melvin since 1996. During that time he's helped me as well as other male and female athletes understand what REALITY is."
- Realness
- Education
- Attitude
- Love
- Intensity
- Toughness
- Yourself
Click here for more information about Semeka Randall
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Bam Childress (NFL pro):
"Reality Sports helped develop me into the man I am today. I excelled athletically but, more importantly, Reality Sports gave me the edge a lot of kids need in life but don't always receive."
Click here for more information on Bam Childress
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