OZARK, MO — James Russell of Ozark has a vision for his hometown. Free athletic options for the public.
“Why pay for memberships when you could offer free access?” Russell says of his idea to bring free basketball, volleyball, pickleball and other athletic options to Ozark.
Russell, a former coach of professional and youth athletes alike, has a lifetime history with athletics. “I love sports. They kept me out of a lot worse situations.”
Russell grew up in a rough Phoenix, Arizona neighborhood. He learned to fight, but he also learned to play basketball on a blacktop court with chain nets. “It was hours every day,” he told the CCT in an exclusive interview. “It sure beat video games and isolation.”
James has big ideas for Ozark, where he now resides. “What if we could start with a blacktop basketball court, in Finley River Park, or wherever there’s a willing property owner? We could put a chain link fence around it, and then put in a sand volleyball court, and even a tennis/pickleball court, too,” he suggests.
Russell’s own son has sensory and other physical limitations. “He loves basketball. I’m confident he and others like him could do so much better without having to pay for memberships to a fitness area. Our community can build a sense of accomplishment and teamwork around a project like this.”
Eddie Campbell, Ozark alderman and mayor candidate, agrees. “A community project with a basketball court or other athletic options free to the public is a huge plus.”
Russell knows the start-up costs would not be excessive, he says. The city, or a non-profit organization, or a philanthropist could get involved and make it a reality. “Whichever direction it takes; it would be a positive direction for our community.”
Other groups could get involved in the mentoring, coaching, and incentivizing young people and even older people to stay active, stay healthy, learn new skills, and bond as a community.
What do you say, Ozark? We here at the Christian County Trumpet believe it’s definitely worth persuing.
We welcome your ideas! Reach out to James Russell on Ozark Community Chitchat on Facebook, or contact Johnny Rooster at ChristianCountyTrumpet@gmail.com or Eddie Campbell, Ozark alderman, at 417-812-1303.
One response to “New Idea: Offer free athletic options for Ozark now”
[…] Two examples: one man recently had an idea for a free sports option, so I met with him personally and wrote a helpful supportive article about his idea. Click here […]