BENTONVILLE -- When Bentonville's boys basketball coaches returned from a trip to the Tidian Under Armour basketball camp in Mali last year, they shared the same feeling.
They wanted to do more and give more to Mali's people the next time the opportunity came.
That next time has arrived, and that's what Jason McMahan, Brandon Cole and Bobby Stadel plan to do next month, thanks to the generosity of people in Northwest Arkansas. When the three arrive in Bamako, Mali's capital, they will present an enormous amount of donated supplies that were shipped out Friday.
"The first trip, the whole thing we wanted to do was serve," McMahan said. "We wanted to give them what we know about basketball and help the people in any way possible. We ran into kids that really want to be great basketball players and have the potential to be that, but didn't necessarily have the adequate equipment.
"Everyone has been able to pitch in. All of our basketball fraternity, basically, across Northwest Arkansas has pitched in to help deliver equipment that the kids need to have a good basketball practice or camp."
Some supplies were provided by Under Armour for the camp last year, such as basketballs, rims, nets, shoelaces and protein-packed meals for the 50 to 60 players ages 13 to 17 who participated. Those same items will be there again this year, but there will be more for the coaches to distribute.
Included in those supplies are more than 500 pairs of athletic shoes in sizes from 5 to 18, both new and slightly used. The shoes were packed and shipped as were socks, practice gear, basketballs, soccer balls, water bottles, toys and other items for those who will not participate in the camp.
The thought of donating goods started as soon as the coaches returned from Mali. It became more serious when the thoughts of a shoe drive entered the picture in the fall after the coaches had discussions with Mali's director of basketball.
"We started understanding a lot of things, especially after being there, how blessed we are," Cole said. "When we got there and realized these kids have nothing, it broke our hearts in so many ways. He kept repeating one phrase continually that burned in our hearts. He said 'please don't throw your old shoes away.'
"We were able to take some stuff last year without knowing any details. After seeing what the kids needed -- especially with shoes -- it was a burden on our hearts to come up with every shoe we could. They want everything, whether it's the worst or the best."
McMahan reached out to see if others in the area would help. An outpouring of help came from across Northwest Arkansas. Teams at Gravette, Rogers Heritage and Springdale High responded with shoe donations.
Brad Stamps, who resigned as Springdale's coach Thursday to become an assistant coach at Fayetteville, said he presented what was taking place to his players after a practice. Those players -- as well as Springdale's girls team -- did what they could to contribute to the cause.
"Jason and I had previously visited about this, and I could see what this meant to him," Stamps said. "I know where his heart is, and it's such a good idea. This is big and will leave an impression. So when I was approached by Jason, I jumped at it immediately.
"Over the course of a few days, we would have a player here and there bring in some shoes, and we were able to send a good number of shoes over there. I think sometimes we have this competitive side and we overlook things like this that are much more important, and we rallied around it."
While the coaches' time in Mali last year was mainly spent with the country's elite players, there was something that continually caught their eyes. It was the number of younger kids who were huddled along the fences as they would watch the camp sessions.
Melissa McMahan and Beth Stadel will accompany the coaches on this trip. They will keep the children entertained with toys, games and snacks. The two coaches' wives expect the number will grow each day they are there.
"We wanted to go, for sure," Beth Stadel said. "We are excited to help out in any way possible. We have a heart to love other people and help out where we can.
"We heard the stories and saw the pictures of the kids over there. Any way we can engage with the little ones over there, we'll do everything we can. We'll play with them, laugh with them, talk with them and basically be the friend for a day."
The supplies had to be sent early to clear customs so they can enter the country with little or no problems. They are expected to arrive a few days before the coaches get there, which will be July 15.
In the meantime, the coaches can't wait to see the faces of those in Mali when they present them with their collections.
"I know they will be excited," Jason McMahan said. "Imagine having a passion and a love for something like basketball and not having the right size of shoe, and minor things like that can hold you back.
"I expect to see the biggest and brightest smiles on these kids' faces because of Northwest Arkansas reaching out and helping Northwest Africa."
NW News on 06/06/2015