Tuesday, October 9, 2001
Political Foyle Sometimes you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone. Or never had it to begin with.
Though not yet a U.S. citizen,
Golden State center Adonal Foyle
cares about the future of
his adopted countryBy Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin.comIt's what Adonal Foyle is all about. A hanai poster child for America and its worthwhile -- sometimes forgotten -- causes.
He knows that education is a privilege and not something to be taken for granted.
He knows that social change will not happen without challenging the status quo.
And he wants the politicians who will some day represent him as a U.S. citizen to be in office because they want to give to society, not because they bought their way in.
Foyle is not your average NBA player. He stands out, and not just because he stands 6-feet 10-inches. And the native of Canouan, Grenadines -- a small island of 500 in the Caribbean -- can't wait to make a difference in his adopted homeland.
The fifth-year center for the Golden State Warriors started Democracy Matters,' a nonprofit, bi-partisan political organization that encourages grass-roots involvement in government campaign spending reform. Launched in July, it already has chapters on 25 U.S. college campuses and is growing daily.
"America is my home and I would like to be an active citizen,'' said Foyle, who received his green card last year and plans to take the U.S. citizenship test when he is eligible in a few years. "The events of Sept. 11 (the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon) make me more committed to what Democracy Matters is doing.
"It's why you want to be part of this country, because the U.S. sets the tone for every country across the globe. Basically, the policies set by the U.S. dictate policies in the rest of the world to some degree, for better or for worse. This is not a role to shrink from but one where we should become more vigilant.''
Yesterday, Foyle was putty in the hands of assistant coach Clifford Ray, undergoing a pressure-point massage following the team's workout at the Stan Sheriff Center. But the Colgate University graduate is anything but soft when it comes to social issues needing America's attention.
Education is one. Growing up in poverty on an island with no running water or electricity, Foyle had to pass a competency test before being allowed to go on to secondary school. He was 15 and the choices were to either pass the test (he had already failed once) or go to work, likely as a fisherman.
He read by candlelight or kerosene lamp to prepare for what would be his last chance at a better life. Candles and kerosene were expensive, and his grandmother, with whom he had been living, didn't want to waste money; Foyle blocked out the light in his room and continued to study.
"I think education here is taken for granted,'' said Foyle, who passed his test and moved to Union Island for high school. "People don't read as much. There's always a television show to watch. People need to get a sense of what's going on in the world and you need to read to get more information on issues. You want to see issues from both sides.''
Reading got him to high school, where he was introduced to basketball. While playing in a tournament in the Dominican Republic, Foyle met Jay and Joan Mandle, professors at Colgate who had spent years fostering the spread of basketball in the Caribbean.
The Mandles eventually became Foyle's guardians and he returned to New York and Colgate with them. He did them proud in the classroom and on the court, earning all-America honorable mention, first team academic all-America honors as well as becoming the NCAA's all-time leader in blocked shots (492) over three seasons.
Foyle left school a year early for the 1997 NBA draft and was the eighth pick in the first round by Golden State.
This will be his fifth season with the Warriors, and he thinks it could be the best year the team has had since he arrived in California.
"It's awesome,'' Foyle said. "I was on the bench (during Sunday's 99-88 exhibition win over the Los Angeles Lakers) and laughing at what I saw. We're three deep at every position. We have a good blend. This is what it takes to win.
"I'm so glad to be here.''
Still learning the game, Foyle has come to Hawaii nearly every summer for the past five years to participate in the Pete Newell Big Man's Camp. His favorite meal has long been beef stew and rice, and he says, "I'm a big fan of lunchtime here.'
"I love it here in the islands. It's very much like my home except it is a little bit bigger,'' he said.
He hopes to expand his organization to college and high school campuses in Hawaii.
"If you organize students, you organize the future,'' said Foyle, who is working on his master's degree in sports psychology. "Everyone should have access to the political system, not because you have money but because you have something to give to society.''
Giving back is his way of saying thank you. He knows what he has and he's not going to let it go.
The Web site for Foyle's organization is www.democracymatters.org
When: Today, 6 p.m. L.A. Lakers vs. Golden State
PRESEASON GAME
Where: Stan Sheriff Center
Tickets: $10-$65
Information: 956-4481