The LCC hosted former Syracuse University Basketball players Eric Devendorf and Kris Joseph, who shared their expertise with participants. Lyons alum and SU Head Coach Jim Boeheim ‘62 even made a special appearance.
MAY 26, 2022 — The Lyons Community Center gym filled with about 100 kids on Sunday, May 22 for Shooting With The Stars — a day-long basketball camp featuring guidance and instruction from former Syracuse Basketball players Eric Devendorf and Kris Joseph.
SU Basketball Head Coach Jim Boeheim also attended the event. Boeheim is a Lyons graduate (Class of 1962) and a member of Lyons Central School Athletic Hall of Fame.
The first-ever event was organized by Tim Stone, who graduated from Lyons in 1999.
“I always knew that I would stay in Lyons forever and try to help the youth out like so many adults have before,” Mr. Stone said.
The camp was split into two sessions, one for children in grades 7-12, and one for children in grades 3-6. The event also raised funds to donate to two different causes: the Lyons Community Center and the Chuck Meyers Scholarship.
Mr. Stone reached out to Eric Devendorf and Kris Joseph on social media, and was thrilled when they both responded and agreed to participate in Shooting With The Stars. It’s a huge asset for kids in the Lyons community to get to learn from successful athletes like them, Mr. Stone said — in relation to athletics, but also in regards to handling everyday struggles and challenges.
“We’re going to be teaching kids about their basketball skills, while working on achieving goals and accomplishing things,” Mr. Stone said. “Hopefully Eric and Kris can give them some stories about some tough times that they’ve gone through and how they’ve overcome those situations.”
Mr. Stone has been in education for the past 15 years and is currently employed at Geneva City School District. He teaches physical education and coaches in the GCSD. At one time, Mr. Stone was a director of the Lyons Community Center Summer and After-School programs.
Growing up in Lyons and being a lifelong resident meant he always had a strong connection to Syracuse athletics — particularly basketball.
“Growing up in Lyons, my dad put Syracuse Basketball into our house every day. He went to school with Jim Boeheim, who’s from Lyons,” Mr. Stone said. “Not only is he a Lyons grad, but he’s a Hall of Famer – it’s pretty big for this town. We should be proud that he’s coming down here.”
Bringing this event to fruition has been a long-time goal of Mr. Stone’s. Lyons has deep connections to the Syracuse Orange, and to finally give kids in the area a chance to meet some influential players and learn from them is a huge success, he said.
“This town does bleed orange, and to be able to have this opportunity as a kid would have been huge,” Mr. Stone said. “Everybody watches Syracuse Basketball around here. Not only are we maroon and white, we are definitely orange, too.”