Inspire Now
Friday, August 29th, 2008
Bringing a message of persistence and hope to Mansfield’s middle and high school students, former NBA player Chad Varga delivered a motivational talk during second and third periods in the high school gym on Wednesday, August 27. Varga, who says his mother was an alcoholic and a drug user, overcame an abusive childhood to play for the Dallas Mavericks before quitting professional basketball to work with teens from troubled backgrounds.
Describing his own upbringing, Varga said, “My mom, the woman that’s supposed to love me, came out of the kitchen with a butcher knife in her left hand.” The incident occurred after the young Varga confronted his mother about her drug use.
“She stabbed me,” he continued, “right there. You see that scar? She chased me through the house. I was thinking, ‘What am I gonna tell my teachers when I get to school? What kind of lie am I gonna tell my friends?’”
But Varga’s story turned on a moment of hope, the moment that he realized that he could create his own success. “If you wanna be successful,” he explained, “you gotta make yourself do things other people aren’t willing to do.” He then described the hours of homework and basketball practice he committed himself to so that he could go to college and, eventually, play professional basketball. “The greatest coaches in my life were people who expected me to do things I didn’t think I could do,” he added.
Mansfield students reacted positively to the event.
“It was fun,” said freshman Katie Hanson, although some students did find sitting through the lengthy talk grueling.
“It needed a bathroom break,” explained freshman Jakob Adamson.
Still, most students seemed willing to endure the long time in the bleachers, especially after Varga began handing out cash to some students as an object lesson in dedication. At that point, the previously silent students erupted into a mad dash toward Varga, who explained that while everyone wanted the cash, only some of the students were willing to put an effort into getting it.
“It was awesome,” said freshman Emily Neal.