By: Lance Manion
A.J. Rudowitz doesn’t want to admit it now, but when Monroe High School boys basketball coach Bob Turco broached the idea of helping disadvantaged children on Saturdays he was apprehensive.
And he wasn’t alone.
"Nobody wants to wake up at 7 o’clock in the morning on a Saturday," Rudowitz said, "but once we got there and found out what it was like, everybody on the team was into it."
Now, Rudowitz says the Falcons can’t wait to volunteer at Academy Learning Center, a Monroe-based school that mentors autistic children.
"More than anything," Rudowitz said, "it helps us appreciate life. Most of those kids have never experienced the things we take for granted, like sleepovers or sports. It’s something everybody on the team looks forward to because not only is it a valuable life lesson, the kids really get a kick out of it, too."
When he was hired last spring, Turco said he wanted to teach his student-athletes more than basketball. He wanted to instill basic life principles. In essence, he is following in the footsteps of Steve MacKenzie and the MHS boys soccer team, who did their own charitable work in the fall.
"The things we’re trying to teach go beyond the game of basketball," Turco said. "The Academy Learning Center keeps these kids humble. When they first went there, they were fearful of what was going to be on the other side of that door. Now, they’ve grown to understand how difficult other kids their age in their town have it."
It’s something Turco holds dear to his heart, having fostered a 16-year old nephew who is neurological-impaired.
"Normal is a privilege," Turco said. "To wake up in the morning and do the things you need to do, like simply going to the fridge, that’s a privilege. Taking the bus is a privilege. And to be able to play a basketball game, the word privilege doesn’t begin to give it justice."
Turco’s original plan was to take his team to the Academy Learning Center one Saturday a month during the basketball season. Not anymore.
"The kids are asking to go three times a month," Turco said. "This is not something that’s a chore for my kids. They’ll put on an hour clinic, going through basketball drills and it’s something everybody gets a charge out of."
Said Rudowitz, "We actually have a lot of fun. We go through basketball drills, teach them how to dribble. The kids can’t stop smiling."
Prior to Monroe’s game against Howell on Dec. 17, an Academy student named Steven served as an honorary team captain. Steven was brought to mid-court prior to tipoff and the fans in Monroe’s student section chanted his name.
"We have the row behind our bench designated for any (Academy) student who wants to attend a game," Turco said. "Steven’s nickname is "Money,’ because every time we hit a shot he shouts out, "Money.’ "
Turco has trips planned for Jan. 7 and Jan. 23, but also plans on bringing his team to the Academy’s Fun Night on Jan. 22.
"The kids at that school," Turco said, "really look forward to us visiting."
But Rudowitz says, the Falcons do, too.

