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by Yodit Gidey - The Metropolitan
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| “I want to work with kids,” says
MSCD senior Lester Strong of his criminal justice major while
lifting weights with assistant coach Brady Bergeson spotting him.
Strong is a foward/center with the Roadrunners men’s basketball
team. |
Entering his senior year as a student and third year playing basketball
as a Roadrunner, Lester Strong finishes out his Metro days strong.
Strong grew up on the east side of Denver. Street ballin’ was
his usual game. Ironically, it wasn’t until high school that
Strong participated in organized basketball he says. As a freshman,
Strong stepped onto the court with confidence. Unfortunately, his
sophomore at JFK high school brought on a tragic ACL tear. But that
didn’t stop Strong.
“I came back from the knee injury soon after,” Strong
said.
But, as high school progressed and college approached, Strong again
experienced tragic events.
“My mom passing away and other tragic moments threw me off
track,” Strong said. “It was in my best interest to go
to California.”
Luckily, for Metro, Strong found his way back to Colorado.
“I got to Coach Dunlap through a friend of his,” Strong
said. “So far I’ve loved it (Metro) – on and off
the court.”
And, one could surmise that Coach Dunlap is glad he found his center.
Last season alone, Strong totaled 280 rebounds – nearly double
anyone else on the team. Additionally, Strong blocked 38 shots, shot
for 66 percent, and played a pivotal role in Metro’s championship
in 2002.
“I’m a great rebounder. Being able to run the floor helps
me too,” Strong said.
Strong’s success on the court files down to an average of eight
hours a day in the gym.
Combine that with fifteen credit hours and you might as well live
on campus.
“We are at school day and night,” Strong said. Practice
begins at 6 a.m. for the men’s roadrunner basketball crew.
For Strong, Metro has been a great experience. “[Coach D] has
been a great influence on my life,” Strong said. “He’s
taught me not just basketball but also how to be a better man.”
Strong says that basketball gives him a chance to meet a lot of people
and believe in himself.
On his best experience at Metro, Strong says “meeting all the
great team members and being able to treat them like family,”
sticks out.
Off the court, Strong is a criminal justice major. With that, Strong
wants to use it someday to help kids, but, after he graduates from
Metro, he really wants to keep playing ball.
“I’d like to play ball after Metro – any opportunity
– I wouldn’t mind overseas.”
If Strong is not able to play ball after Metro, he wants to influence
kids.
“I’d want to work with kids – troubled kids, maybe
a probation officer,” Strong said.
Strong and the rest of the Men’s Roadrunners begin their season
on November 21.
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