By Steve Springer
One of the quality attributes of a student-athlete is not only what the athlete does on the court or field but what he does going above and beyond athletics. Studying and trying to earn a degree is paramount, but also notoriety provided to these athletes through the exposure by the media extends their reach and endearment further into the community, especially through means of charitable actions and contributions. Now for the typical college student athlete, financial contributions are generally hard to come by, so appearances and elbow grease are sometimes just as meaningful, if not more, especially to little kids. Because of his of the court actions, University of Louisville Men’s Basketball forward Kyle Kuric is the Cardinals’ representative for the Volvo Off the Court Excellence Award.
The Cardinal junior is no stranger to the latter kind of contributions. Somehow, the Evansville, Indiana native finds a way to balance a business management major, an entrepreneurship minor, and an infamous Rick Pitino practice/conditioning regimen. Not only that, Kyle has found a way to squeeze in time to serve a community in which he is not a native, eagerly and generously donating his time and whatever energy he can possibly have left. Of the many organizations/activities that Kyle participates in, the one that fits the philanthropic category the best would be his dedication to the kids of the local community.
Kyle coaches youth basketball at a local church. Not your typical 10- or 12-year-old kids, though. He chose to coach the little guys, 5-year-olds! I know from lots of personal experience how hard it is to try to teach something as complex and intricate as basketball to a group of riled up kindergarteners. You have to have more patience than actual basketball expertise. And most people grab their clipboards because they have a child on the team and feel obliged to help. Not this Cardinal. He has no kids but there he is week in and week out on Sundays working with those kids as if they were his own. He really loves to give back “any time that I can.”
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Kyle also shows great initiative beyond this, though. His desire to excel on the basketball court is paralleled by his thirst for helping the local youth. His newest endeavor is with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Kentuckiana program. This program is locally based and is all about expanding the horizons through the power of one-to-one friendships. Kyle is very excited about the future of this program and his involvement.
His humanitarian affections are not just limited to the Louisville community, however. His munificence can even be contained within this hemisphere. Over the summer, he and his sister, Katie (a fellow Cardinal athlete on the women’s soccer team) vacationed to Egypt. They knew some people there and he engaged in a basketball clinic. During off days, he visited a children’s cancer hospital in Cairo and handed out new sports equipment, hats, and t-shirts to sick little ones there. They were fascinated by this towering American basketball player and his generous spirit.
Back on campus, King Kyle is a very busy guy. He is engaged in numerous activities on campus with people his own age. The nickname was earned after being named Homecoming King this past fall. This has been quite the story around campus and even back with Coach Pitino. During UofL Basketball Media Day, The Godfather could be heard quipping “Make way for The King! and Last chance for an interview with The King! When Hall of Famer Rick Pitino addresses you as “The King,” you know you’ve made it big time.
A few other activities:
- Honored as the Outstanding Sophmore Student award UofL’s 2010 Award Ceremony in May for academic excellence and community service
- Participates in the Leadership Academy for Student Government leaders
- Serves as a member of the Student Government Association
- Actively involved in the Student Athletic Advisory Committee
- Sits as the student representative for the UofL Athletic Association Board of Directors
- Serves as a math tutor for elementary kids
Somehow during his crazy schedule this amazing student athlete finds a way to escape the hectic machine that is life for a UofL basketball player and give back to his community, children, peers, and even his elders. The term “above and beyond” gets thrown around a lot when describing efforts of altruistic people like Kyle. This phrase could have been invented specifically for him. Not only does he sky and two-hand slam above the defense on the court, he elevates above the multitudinous responsibilities that accompany the life of a Big East basketball player.
That’s why I selected Kyle Kuric, a natural candidate for the Volvo Off The Court Excellence Award.
Steve you are going to be like your father and mother. A WRITER. Best wishes and I know you and your family will meet the challenges you face. Gene Russell
Well done! Both for Kyle and to you, Steve. The article is very well written. Thanks for showing that a college basketball player can be more than just a player. He must be a wonderful young man.
Well written, Steve — your bloodline really shows!
I think it says volumes about Kuric that this is the first article I’ve seen about the volume of his humanitarian effort, save for a C-J piece about his trip to Africa with Katie.
An excellent article Steve. As an avid sports fan, I am often frustrated by the unfortunate lack of positive role models today’s youth have to look up too. And with the negative press so much of college sports is receiving today, it is great to see that Kyle understands the importance of what it means to be a true “hero”. May others look to Kyle’s example and strive to impart the kind of encouragement and love he gives every day.
I agree wholeheartedly, Missy. Too many athletes in today’s society would rather ignore the fact that so many kids look up to them. They have a chance to make such and impact, it really stinks to see som of them squander that opportunity.
Thanks for sharing this excellent example of a human. Glad to see that he is a person we can all look up to! Great post!
Great job Steve! Totally agree with Karen Peale’s comments. Best of Luck to you. Keep up the great work.
Now….if Steve can just rally and catch those dreaded Huskies in the contest. Vote, Card fans! Vote!
Absolutely agree with this comment! Maybe their all in mourning that Randy Edsall has split and they lost their BCS game.
Why can’t more athletes understand how important this it to not only the communities they ‘play’ in , but also the communities they came from. The little guys and girls need more role models like Kyle and his sister, Katie.
I may have found a new favorite player!
Can you scoop on any other players?
Great article….parts of it could have been written about Steve Springer, as well. Another GREAT guy who cares about kids and works in our school and community with the best interest of kids foremost in his mind!
Thanks Karen.
Sounds like a real role model for everyone, not just kids
You’re right, Brandon. No need to limit his positive influence to the kids. He really is a postive figure for us adults, too.
Great article Steve! Enjoyed reading something positive! Good way to start off the New Year! Congratulations!
Great article Steve Springer. Way to go… really enjoyed it. Happy New Year. Glenda
Great article! Kyle seems like a patient man. It’s great to see students give back to the community!
Is this THE Huggy Bear? I didn’t know they got the internet in Morgantown. 🙂
Thank you so much for bringing this to the attention of everyone. We hear far to often about the bad boy athletes and not enough about the good ones. My hat is off to you Mr. Kuric. You are the kind of athlete we need more of!
Great student! This player is really doing well!
What a wonderful young man! Great article!
Enjoyed the article. Good luck!
Kyle seems like an outstanding guy. It is great that he devotes his spare time to the youth! He is someone to look up to.
Wow! It’s great to see that there are still good role models showing good example out there for our youth. Great Artical Steve!!!
Athletes play a powerful role in the lives of our young children. It is wonderful to hear Kyle Kuric is providing such a positive role model.
Great article!
Steve, what a great and informative article! You definitely did your research! It is great to see people showing God’s love to others through charities, especially helping the kids!
Enjoyed your article Steve. It’s refreshing to hear positive stories.
Great way to start the new year by reading about someone that has such a positive impact on others.
Really did enjoy the article!!
It’s great to know a person with influence is using it in a positive way. Great article.
Wow! What a nice, feel good article to start the new year! I wish I had his energy!
Great job! It’s nice to see hard work paying off to help others.
Thanks guys but like I said before, Kyle gets all the credit! The kids are the ones who really benefit from all this.
Wonderful article!
Great job!
Nice article on a outstanding student athelete.
Enjoyed the article, Stephen!
Sounds like a really good guy. Great Article!
So nice to read about a pro athelete who uses his influence in positive, unselfish, upbuilding ways!
Not quite a pro, yet. Unless you mean he’s a pro at being unselfish and generous! 🙂
Wow! Not only is he cute he is doing some great things! I enjoy watching him play but now I will appreciate all he does even more just by knowing all the GREAT things he is involved in to help others!
Great article!
Good job!
Great article ona very interesting man!!
Great article!
great article!
Very good and detailed article Steve, I really enjoy the fact that you have taken the time to dive into Kyle’s personal life. Not only on the court but off the court. It is important for people to see how hard these student athletes really do work, on and off the playing field. For most of the student athletes their life outside of the sport is what is going to propell them into the real world after their 4 years of hard work and determination. Way to go Steve!!
Thanks Tom. He really does seem to have a bright future in whatever endeavor he chooses to pursue. It would be great to see him playing in The League someday. Lord knows he has the talent for it, for instance his performance against Syracuse last year. He can fill it up! But even if he doesn’t get that call on Draft Day I imagine he will be running his own business somewhere.
Kyle really is a great all around guy. Good student, heckuva athlete, works well with kids. Very softspoken young man. Quality representative of the university.
I did not know he did all that extracurricular stuff on top of his team duties. That’s crazy!
Wow! The world needs more folks like this guy! Thanks for letting us know about him!
Thanks guys for the compliments, but really all the compliments should go to Kyle. Writing about him is easy, but his life has to be hectic with all on his plate for himself, much less when you add all the extra charitable stuff.
Great Article Steve. He sounds like a great guy. Thanks for the info.
Good job man! Good luck!