Passion is an outstanding quality and combining passion with action leads to long-term success. Raymond Townsend is a great example of a successful Filipino-American whose perseverance made a mark in history. As tribute to Filipino American History Month celebrated nationally during the month of October, I was inspired to bring Filipino-American achievements in prominence as my way of giving back to the community. By recognizing a successful Filipino-American that set a historical record in the domain of sports, I hope to bring inspiration to others as well. My intention is to enhance the positive image of the Filipino-American culture and influence others to share their passion.
Revisiting the Silicon Valley in the southern San Francisco Bay area reminded me of beautiful memories spent here with Filipino-American friends and families. Silicon Valley is also the home of retired professional basketball player Raymond Townsend, the first Filipino-American to play in the National Basketball Association in 1978. Born in San Jose, California in 1955, Raymond continues to give back to his community as a sports development coordinator and helping undeserved children at 59 years of age. According to Raymond, he feels fortunate that God has called him to make people’s lives bigger and better. He stated, “Whatever lives God brings into my life, I just feel I have the obligation to motivate, inspire, and bless these people who have crossed my life path.” Currently, Raymond is taking care of 12 underprivileged ward of the court children in San Jose, about 900 children annually in his basketball leagues and has served over 30,000 children with everything that he has done. He also travels to 7 different countries to basketball camps to teach children the skills needed to be a great player in their country and to follow their professional dreams. He founded an entrepreneurial organization called RT Basketball in 1990 that has serviced over 22,000 children. The organization has provided a scholarship to many children including opportunities to play national leagues in the United States and abroad.
As a leader of an organization, Raymond’s leadership style is transformational. He enhances positive traits rather than the negative traits. He guides children in their vision and passion to reach their dreams. I had the opportunity to meet some of the children under Raymond’s supervision and these children said that Raymond has helped them embrace change, become more independent, respectful, and improve in academic and athletic performances. To Raymond, his greatest satisfaction is when children return and express their gratitude for his work and foundation. To see children he has mentored give back to the community as well gives him a sense of fulfillment that he has made a difference in other people’s lives.
Raymond carries his mother’s legacy in the way he serves. His mother is the former Virginia Marella from Balayan, Batangas. His father Raymond Townsend, Sr. is an American. Raymond said that his mother was the epitome of a Filipino woman. She taught him the foundation of being loving, caring, and to find the positive in every situation. His father, on the other hand was the athlete who pushed him to perfection. His father introduced him to sports and had the expectation to be great. Raymond said he had a great balance of family and sports from his parents.
Playing in the NBA was the highlight of Raymond’s career. He stated, “It was a dream come true. I started playing basketball when I was seven years of age, and I had this vision and dream that I would play as a professional basketball player. So every decision I made was either to take me to that or away from that. Fortunately, all the decisions I made were to make my dream possible. It took lots of sacrifices both physically and mentally to make it to the NBA. I was truly honored to be drafted and play for the Golden State Warrior and to play in my town.”
Raymond recognized his coach from UCLA as the most influential person in his basketball career. He said, “Coach John Wooden taught me that knowledge is everything. It is a great equalizer between the great players and the average players. I was educated not only in my schooling but educated on the court, and in dealing with people. Coach Wooden made a great impact in my life.” Raymond shared some of his life’s challenges. He said poverty was one of the biggest challenges and basketball became his vehicle to a free college education. He also dealt with fears and negativity around people. But Raymond believed that all things are possible with God and continued to work hard, being faithful, and staying positive. Faith was very important during those times, it was his faith in God that brought him to that place of acccomplishment. His best game on the NBA was 29 points, scored against the LA Clippers.
Raymond’s advice to aspiring young athletes is to use God-given talent and make the best of it. He said, “Every athlete is called to be great. It may not be in sports that they are playing, maybe something outside the sport. God gives each of us talent and it is up to us to take it, use it to succeed and give it back.”
Raymond will be traveling to the Philippines next year. He participates as a keynote speaker in events involving sports and enhancing the Filipino cultural heritage. I have mentioned to him that I have an upcoming mission to the Philippines and I will be doing motivational speaking engagements involving the children. His message to young “Kababayans” back home especially the children are, “To follow your dreams and work hard. See and cherish your passion, for out of your passion, you will see your dream fulfilled. Becoming the first Filipino-American to make it to the NBA was a huge step. It proved that all things were possible because no Filipino or Filipino-American have ever gotten to the NBA. After I had played, it took 40 years for another Filipino-American to make it. My words to you, young “kababayans” is follow your dreams no matter what. Whatever the heartaches, whatever the downfalls embrace it and fly above them. Know that through these things, with God’s push and grace, all things are possible.”
Meeting Raymond was an honor and I am excited to share his story and message to our “kababayans” in the Philippines. The emphasis on his journey and contribution in the Filipino-American history can create avenues for others to succeed. By stepping up to integrate individual Filipino-American achievements in my work, I hope to create pathways that will influence others to empowerment. Raymond’s passion and his contribution can shape the future of communities.
Raymond Townsend, November 2015, approves publication of this article.
Leilanie C. Arellano, MSN, RN, PCCN
Inspirational Alignment Advocacy Foundation, Inc.
CEO, Founder
No comments:
Post a Comment