Michael Balkind: Sudden Death

Reid wished he didn’t need to be at this party. He would have preferred just to rest back at the hotel, but he schmoozed with everyone who approached him. He quickly tired of saying thank you, but everyone was congratulating him on the endorsement and the day’s win. Then they would wish him luck in the Master’s.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Enough already, he thought, how many times can I say it? At that moment the president and first lady walked up and congratulated him. “Thank you, Mr. President. It is a privilege and pleasure to meet you, and you, ma’am,” he said turning toward the first lady.

“No, Reid, it is our privilege to meet you!” said the president. “Good luck in the Masters.”

The first lady said, “Reid, I have really been looking forward to meet ing you. We have been fans of yours for years. By the way, honey,” she said to her husband, “he is much better looking in person than he is on TV.”

Reid blushed. He couldn’t remember the last time a woman had real ly embarrassed him. The president said, “Reid, I think my wife may be your biggest fan. She has been talking about this trip for over a month. If I may ask, when the tournament is over, could you stay an extra day to play a round with us?”

Buck had walked up next to Reid just as the president asked the ques tion. Reid looked at Buck and asked, “What do you think, Buck? How about a round of golf with the president and the first lady?”

Buck turned toward the president and first lady and nonchalantly said, “Sounds great. How are you, Mr. President?” “Excellent, Buck. It’s great to see you again.” “You, too. And you ma’am, it’s always a pleasure.” They were interrupted by the sound of a musical triangle. Bill Taylor and Craig Jackson were at the podium. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention. If you would all take your seats, it’s time to present today’s trophies and awards. We are honored to have some special guests with us this evening. Please join me in welcoming the president of the United States and the first lady to help with the presentation.”

As the room erupted in applause, the president turned to Reid and Buck. “Sorry, duty calls. I’m really looking forward to that round of golf, Reid.” The applause grew as the president and first lady made their way up front. Reid realized as they walked away that Secret Service agents were positioned everywhere.

The president quickly thanked the hosts and the audience and com mented on what a privilege it was to take part in an event of this caliber. “It’s terrific to be in the midst of such a talented crowd. This gathering seems like the ‘Who’s-Who’ of sports and acting, maybe even politics, that is, if I qualify,” he said grinning. He then turned the microphone back to Bill Taylor as the audience laughed quietly.

Bill announced the fourth, third and second place teams. He congrat ulated them and handed them trophies and checks made out to the charities of their choice.

He finally announced the winning team of Reid Clark and Phil DiBlasio. Phil went to the podium and thanked the PGA for putting together such a fine tournament. He announced that with his new partner, Reid, he was able to do two things he had never done before. “I played serious golf and I won. Yeah, that’s right, I won! I still can’t believe it.”

The president handed him an oversized check made out to his founda tion, which helped construct new homes for deserving families.

Bill Taylor cut the applause short by tapping the microphone. “Reid, please accept this check made out to the The Inner City Sports Foundation.” As Taylor handed Reid the check, a photographer snapped a quick picture. “Folks, I think the ICSF is a pretty special program,” Taylor continued. “In fact, I have been a contributor since its inception. Reid, would you be kind enough to explain ICSF and AllSport to our audience?”

Reid stepped up to the podium. “Nothing would please me more, Bill. First, I’d like to thank you and the PGA for this contribution to our program.” He held up the check and more pictures were taken. Then, he began immediately, making it evident that this was not a new speech. “Buck and I started The Inner City Sports Foundation a couple of years ago for many reasons, the first and most important being the kids. ICSF provides underprivileged kids, who show professional or Olympic potential, a shot at making something of their lives. Without ICSF, many of these kids would probably never reach their potential. In fact, most would lead a life on the streets or far worse. Another very important reason was that our great country has had a huge untapped resource. With our vast population and the freedom we have, this country should be the world leader in every sport. ICSF will help raise the bar in American sports by providing professional training to kids who will truly make a difference. Until now, these kids did not typically get a chance to bring their talent to our country’s teams. Now, with ICSF’s help, many of those same kids will be the next superstars in American Sports. Our scouts travel the country, looking for kids who have the ability to excel with the right support and training. The training for some is on an individual basis. For others, it takes place at AllSport, the foundation’s camp in the Catskills. AllSport has regulation fields, courts, pools, rinks, gyms, and tracks for practically every sport. The camp owns a huge lake for water sports. We’re close to a river for whitewater kayaking. AllSport even provides training for winter sports at our own mountain. Naturally, there’s also a magnificent golf course and a state-of-the-art golf training facility. I designed it with some friends, and if I must say, we did an excellent job,” he added with a smile. “It’s a long, demanding course and takes a lot of thinking to score well on.”

Reid saw a hand raised in the middle of the room and pointed toward it. “Yes sir, you have a question?”

An older gentleman stood up and said, “Yes Reid, thank you. I like the sound of AllSport and I might want to contribute. Can you tell me how you find kids that fit the requirements?”

“Sure. We advertise and place recruiting brochures and posters in all kinds of places. The ads and brochures encourage hot athletes or their families and friends to call. Our recruiters follow up. We also receive hundreds of letters and e-mails every month from athletes who think they have the right stuff. I make sure every letter gets a response. Does that answer your question?” “Yes sir, thank you,” the man responded as he took his seat. Reid continued. “Pro athletes from every sport volunteer their time as trainers. At any given time, there are about one hundred pros teaching at AllSport. Some of the athletes in this room have been a big help already. In fact, let’s see a show of hands of anyone who has worked with our kids at AllSport.”

Hands were raised throughout the room. Reid saw a hand go up at a table just in front of him. He waved and said, “Hi Michael.” He scanned the room, slowly pointing to the people with their hands up. “Folks, look around you. If you have questions about our program, these are the people to talk to. With their help and many others like them, AllSport will raise the competitive level of American athletes and teams everywhere we compete.” Reid paused as the audience applauded. He raised his hands in request for quiet and continued. “Athletes, celebrities, corporations and philanthropists in general have made sizeable contributions. The money is used to build, maintain and run the camp, also to employ the staff necessary for recruiting new kids and flying them to and from the Catskills. Most of the kids lead extremely underprivileged lives at home. While they’re at camp, they have to train harder than they ever have before. The kids are immediately taught that they were very lucky to have been chosen by the foundation. They have to stay out of trouble and lead clean lives if they want to stay in the program. AllSport has now been open for two years and is starting to show results; our kids are being offered scholarships and getting chosen for Olympic teams. It’s really incredible; many of them would probably have ended up in jail or drug rehab. Instead, they’re headed to college or the Olympics, and in some cases, directly recruited by pro teams.”