| Mar 21, 2015 |
Statement by Isiah Thomas on the retirement of Steve Nash Today I salute one of the greatest point guards our league has ever seen. Steve has had a profound career and has helped elevate the game of basketball on and off court. I personally admired Steve’s play and his relentless pursuit for perfection. Through his family foundation he dedicated his work off the court to assisting underserved children in the US and Canada. I value his friendship and also count him as one of my heroes. Steve, you have touched so many young lives and players all over the world. You will never know the countless of kids who will grow up and say I was inspired by Steve Nash’s career. Coach Knight gave me a poem my freshman year at Indiana University that I have kept and lived by. After reading Steve’s retirement letter, I think this is the perfect time to share it. Little Eyes Upon You There are little eyes upon you, and they’re watching night and day. There are little ears that quickly take in every word you say. There are little hands all eager to do anything you do; And a little boy who’s dreaming of the day he will be like you. You’re the little fellow’s idol, you’re the wisest of the wise. In his little mind about you, no suspicions ever rise. He believes in you devoutly, holds all you say and do; He will say and do, in your way when he’s grown up just like you. There’s a wide-eyed little fellow who believes you’re always right; And his eyes are always open and he watches day and night. You are...
| Sep 19, 2014 |
ISIAH THOMAS ATTENDS 3rd ANNUAL PEACE LEAGUE TOURNAMENT HOF Isiah Thomas and Bulls’ stars Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose Join Father Pfleger of St. Sabina Church to Provide Chicago’s Youth with Safe Play Spaces, Mentoring, and Employment Training Opportunities The Faith Community of Saint Sabina begins its third year of the Peace League with support from co-founder Isiah Thomas and his foundation Mary’s Court. The Peace League, which kicks off its third year at the Tournament on Saturday, September 20th , encompasses youth basketball games, life skills classes, and mentoring, as well as offers young men the opportunity to take GED classes, employment training, and participate in internships. In the wake of violence in Chicago and across the country, this year’s Peace League will be increasingly important to galvanize the community and reduce crime. Since the Peace League began, there has been a dramatic drop in violence in the area. Father Michael Pfleger of The Faith Community of Saint Sabina Church, said, “Isiah’s sponsorship of the Peace League shows his commitment to these young men, the belief that he has in them, and his encouragement for them to reach their God given potential.” “It has given us the opportunity to bring young people together in a safe environment, put them in the hands of the right people, so they will choose a different path. The hard courts provide common ground for the players to communicate, bond, and build relationships. When they walk off the court, they have a healthier respect for one another and they’re not as inclined to hurt each other,” Thomas said. “Seeing the young men from...
| May 23, 2014 |
HALL OF FAMER ISIAH THOMAS TO ATTEND 33RD ANNUAL J.P. MORGAN CHASE CORPORATE CHALLENGE TO BENEFIT GET IN CHICAGO Isiah Thomas will attend the 33rd annual J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge — scheduled for Thursday, May 22 at Grant Park — which will serve as a benefit and awareness builder for Get In Chicago. Thomas will be announcing the first place winners of the race and will participate as a guest announcer throughout the challenge. A record crowd of 25,478 runners and walkers took part in the 2013 Corporate Challenge in Grant Park. A similar crowd is expected this May, providing the opportunity for Get In Chicago to inspire, invest and involve the participants in its mission. J.P. Morgan, on behalf of Corporate Challenge participants, will make a donation to Get In Chicago to provide more mentoring, cognitive/behavioral therapy and parent leadership services this year to more at-risk youth and their families in Chicago. Launched in March 2013, Get In Chicago is addressing the problem of youth violence by supporting prevention and intervention efforts across high-violence community areas in Chicago and collaborating with researchers to gather data and evaluate which programs are working, for whom and why. Get In Chicago is championed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Isiah Thomas, Chairman & CEO, Isiah International, LLC and Founder, Mary’s Court, James Reynolds Jr., CEO of Loop Capital Holdings LLC, Tom Wilson, CEO of Allstate Corporation, and other business leaders. It is a public-private partnership whose mission is to identify, fund and rigorously evaluate evidence-based programs that lead to a sustainable reduction in violence for individuals and communities most affected by violence and...
| Jan 6, 2014 |
NBA Hall of Famer Praises Mayor Emanuel, Superintendent McCarthy and Father Pfleger for Commitment to Safer Communities NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas on Monday praised Chicago’s historic crime reduction in 2013, including the fewest murders recorded in the city in 48 years. “All of Chicago benefits from a reduction of crime and violence in its neighborhoods, and I applaud Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Superintendent McCarthy for their leadership and for the smart, collaborative approach being used to make Chicago safer,” Thomas said. “I also recognize the important work of Father Michael Pfleger and that of many other Chicago leaders who are working tirelessly to protect our communities, our children and our families. And while these historic gains are welcome, I look forward to working with these leaders in the future to make our city even safer.” According to the Chicago Police Department, in 2013 the city had its lowest murder rate since 1966 and its lowest overall rate of crime since 1972. A Chicago native, Thomas has worked closely with Mayor Emanuel on Chicago’s Peace Basketball Tournament and with Father Pfleger on the Windy City Hoops program. Both programs are designed to foster safer communities throughout the city....
| Dec 18, 2013 |
Chicago, IL. – Mary’s Court, Isiah Thomas’ family foundation, is partnering with the Marillac Social Center for the Second Annual Holiday Toy Giveaway in the former NBA star’s hometown of Chicago. The toy giveaway will benefit Chicago youth ranging from Pre-K to 8th grade. Thomas will be on hand for the toy event, and will also help distribute winter coats, books, hats and gloves. Thomas will also raffle off bikes. Marillac Social Center provides vital programs and services in the areas of child development, social services, family services, senior services and youth programs. Thomas’s mother was a longtime supporter of Marillac Social Center, and he founded the family foundation in her honor. In addition to Thomas’ Annual Holiday Toy Giveaway, Mary’s Court Foundation will also be donating toys to Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica in Chicago. WHO: Isiah Thomas WHAT: 2nd Annual Holiday Toy Giveaway WHERE: Marillac House 212 S Francisco Ave, Chicago, IL 60612 WHEN: December 19, 2013 1:30pm-4:00pm ABOUT MARY’S COURT CHARITY Mary’s Court, established in 2010, is the family foundation of Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas. Mary’s Court commemorates the life and legacy of Isiah’s mother, Mary Thomas, as a transformational agent of service to the economically disadvantaged. Mary’s Court strives to create a model for schools and communities that inspires academic success, promotes good health, encourages housing and economic development, and builds safe communities. ABOUT MARILLAC SOCIAL CENTER Since 1914, Marillac Social Center has been serving the needs of the poor and working poor of the west side of Chicago. Sponsored by the Daughters of Charity, Marillac Social Center provides vital programs and services...
| Dec 2, 2013 |
Chicago, IL. – Isiah Thomas partners with One Million Degrees and Brooks Brothers for the fourth annual Suited for Success. The event provides high-quality, interview-worthy clothing and footwear to low-income, highly motivated community college students who will soon be entering the professional world. Brooks Brothers, a longtime supporter of One Million Degrees, is generously providing new business apparel to 59 One Million Degrees Scholars, worth over $40,000. In addition, Brooks Brothers has facilitated wardrobe workshops for scholars around dressing for success and caring for professional clothing. Executives and civic leaders from across Chicago will attend the event to participate in the Ties That Bind, Scarves that Support campaign, offering scholars and attendee’s professional tips and anecdotes on how they succeeded in their fields. “I am deeply committed to creating a safer, healthier, and more educated Chicago for all residents, and I commend One Million Degrees for their work in supporting this goal,” said Isiah Thomas, Chicago native, activist and anti-violence advocate, and Chairman and CEO of Isiah International. “One Million Degrees provides educational and professional opportunities to many low-income Chicago students so that they can chart a better path for themselves and their families, and I’m thrilled to participate in this event and help these students suit up for success.” In addition to assisting college students in Suited for Success, Thomas’ foundation, Mary’s Court Charity is donating to Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica in his hometown Chicago to support the Lady of Sorrows Basilica Breakfast Program for a year. The program, which feeds the homeless, occurs every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. WHO: Isiah Thomas, Basketball legend,...
