SIDNEY — Chris Herren will be coming back to Shelby County on March 1. The public is welcome to attend his presentation which will be held at Fort Loramie High School at 7:30 p.m. The presentation is free and open to the public.
Herren, a basketball legend from Fall River, Massachusetts, dreamed of one day playing for his hometown team, the Boston Celtics. An All-American, he broke scoring records, was recruited by top colleges, featured in Sports Illustrated and became the focus of an acclaimed book Fall River Dreams. Herren realized his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA when he was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 1999 and was traded to the Boston Celtics after his rookie season, but lost it all due to substance abuse.
Alcohol and drug free since 2008, Herren has refocused his life to put his sobriety and family above all else. He shares his harrowing story of abuse and recovery in his memoir, Basketball Junkie, as well as in numerous interviews throughout the Emmy nominated ESPN Films documentary, “Unguarded,” of which he is the subject.
Herren travels throughout the country sharing his story with audiences in the hopes of reaching at least one person and making a difference in their life.
“Chris shared his story with us last year,” said Margo O’Leary, director of marketing and communications, Wilson Health. “Due to the overwhelming response we had from area schools and the community, he’s coming back. If you missed him last time, I highly encourage you to attend on March 1. His story centers on his own personal recount of drug abuse and addiction, but his message of self-assurance and self-worth is one we all need to hear,” O’Leary added.
During Herren’s visit, he will also present to students during daytime assemblies organized through the Midwest Educational Service Center.
“We are really looking forward to Chris speaking to our students,” said Heather O’Donnell, superintendent, Midwest Regional Educational Service Center of Shelby County. “We need to open the lines of communication with our youth when it comes to drugs and substance abuse. Through Chris’ story and message, we hope to really make a positive impact on our students.”
The presentation is recommended for junior high and older audiences. This community event is sponsored by: Wilson Health, Fort Loramie Education Foundation, Sidney-Shelby Chamber of Commerce, Anna Local Schools, Botkins Local Schools, Fairlawn Local Schools, Fort Loramie Local Schools, Jackson Center Local Schools, Lehman Catholic High School, Russia Local Schools, Sidney City Schools, Shelby County Sheriff Department and Sidney Police Department.
