Oregon daily emerald., January 23, 2001, Page 26, Image 40

BUSTING BARRIERS Most of us
would call 100 rambunctious sixth-graders swatting
at little blue balls with long-handled racquets a
scene of chaos. For Mary Beth Horn, however, it’s
simply enthusiasm. Horn, 24, is the academic and
community service director for SquashBusters, an
organization that brings squash to inner-city
school-children around Boston. While at one time
Horn had visions of becoming a public school
teacher (she has her master’s in special education),
at SquashBusters, she gets to combine her love of
JOHN SOARES
Mackenzie Hurd
works with the
U.S. Golf
Association to
supply grants to
golf programs
for disadvan
taged youth.
teaching kids with her love of squash—in an envi
ronment where respect and enthusiasm are para
mount. While she’s at it, she’s happy to be helping
squash become less elitist.
One week each year, Horn and her fellow
SquashBusters arrive at schools in the Boston area
with 100 squash racquets and 100 balls. The most
spirited students—few of whom have heard of
squash before—will eventually be selected for the
three-year program, where they’ll spend two after
noons a week receiving squash lessons, as well as
academic tutoring from SquashBusters staff.
Horn calls squash the “carrot” that is used to
motivate the kids to put their absolute best effort
into everything they do. “It’s interesting to see them
realize that hard work, extra hours on the court, can
help them beat opponents. It takes much longer to
get that message across about school,” she says. The
hope is that their discipline on the court and with
their schoolwork will earn participants scholarships
to prep schools, admission to top public schools, or
simply better report cards. “Every success is a victo
ry,” says Horn.
BEHIND THE SCENES with the
proliferation of sports outreach programs, making a
difference doesn’t always mean you’re on the front
lines coaching and tutoring. From fund-raising to
program development to public relations, a number
of behind-the-scenes positions have also been cre
ated. Take Mackenzie Hurd, 24, who after captaining
his college’s men’s golf team landed a job with the
United States Golf Association’s foundation office,
which gives grants to golf programs that reach dis
advantaged youth and disabled individuals. After a
two-year stint processing applications for the foun
dation office, he was given the opportunity to go
out in the field. Hurd, who grew up in Rhode
Island, had heard about a 30-acre plot of land out
side Providence—once an eyesore filled with stray
trash and abandoned cars—that was being trans
formed into a nine-hole golf course for inner-city
kids. He wanted to take part.
“The reason I got involved is because I want to
see these kids get into golf, but I think my resources
and skills are better used behind the scenes,” says
Hurd, who now works at the course, known as
Button Hole. His primary tasks are fund-raising and
putting together a development document that will
be the major resource for anyone else looking to
create a similar facility. (Hurd says that more than
100 such courses are in the works nationwide.) The
facility’s mission is to provide kids from various
organizations, like social service agencies and Boys
and Girls Clubs, with free golf lessons and access to
the course. If the present pilot program is any indi
cation, Button Hole will be a huge success. The kids
now in the pilot program, captivated by both the
acres of green space and the game, will be back for
intermediate instruction next year—and they’ll be
joined by nearly 1,000 newcomers. What does it
mean for Hurd? He’d better keep on raising money.
GET INVOLVED If you’re interested in
being involved in sports outreach, seek out an estab
lished program by surfing the web, contacting the