FeedsInkster faces Robichaud in Alumni dual
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Inkster resident and 2007 Dearborn Heights Robichaud graduate Armond Harris (center) staged a mega basketball bout between Inkster and Robichaud alumni scheduled for 5:30 pm on Saturday, July 26 in the Robichaud gymnasium to help raise money for a scholarAs a recent graduate of Robichaud High School, Inkster resident Armond Harris already knows about the financial difficulties of getting a higher education.
Harris decided to go to—and was accepted into—the Bizdom U program, an intensive one-year program that provides aspiring entrepreneurs with practical business experience that concludes with the development of a plan for a Detroit-based business.
One of the reasons he chose the program, other than having the opportunity to own a share of the business he created, was because the tuition is free.
Not everybody is accepted into the program or has the opportunity for a tuition-free education, though. That’s why Harris decided to give back to the community. As a football, basketball and track star, he wanted to help students in his hometown of Inkster and from his alma mater, Robichaud, afford the opportunity to go to college.
In his first fundraising effort, Harris is staging one of the biggest rivalry alumni games in the state—the first-ever Inkster High vs. Robichaud All Star Scholarship Benefit Basketball Game.
All proceeds of the game will go into a scholarship fund to benefit students in the Inkster and Westwood school districts.
“I just wanted to find a way to give back to the community,” he said. “The basketball game is the perfect way to do it. What we’re doing is creating positive competition on an athletic playing field as well as the academic playing field with the scholarship. The entire Inkster and Dearborn Heights community will benefit from a game like this.”
All-star players from as recent as the 2007 graduating class will take part in the benefit game, which is scheduled for 5:30 pm on Saturday, July 26 in the Robichaud gymnasium.
Joining the Robichaud side is Andre Harris, a 2003 graduate that played at Farleigh Dickenson University in New Jersey. He played professional basketball in Holland this past season.
“It’s always exciting playing against Inkster High, whatever it is,” said Andre, the older cousin of Armond Harris. “The atmosphere is always exciting. I also wanted to support my little cousin in whatever he does. Whatever anybody can do to help anybody from the neighborhood or from around here to get to a better place is always a good thing.”
Andre Harris and 1994 Inkster grad Abraheem Myles agree to disagree on which team will win the Alumni game, but they both see eye to eye on the purpose of the event.
“I think the most important thing is to support the city and support what Armond is trying to accomplish here,” Myles said. “It’s important to give back—that’s what it’s all about.
“We will have to work harder (then Robichaud) like we always do,” he added. “We have to win and bring it back to Inkster next
year.”
After graduating from Inkster, Myles played at Eastern Kentucky University before playing on the European league for teams like Luxemburg, Copenhagen, Holland and Finland.
Warren Woods, a 1973 Robichaud graduate, will coach the Bulldog Alumni. He is still a basketball and track coach at the high school.
He said he looking forward to seeing the return of many of the same players that he saw play in the Robichaud gym. He said his strategy is to give the players the ball and tell them to have fun.
“It’s good to see these guys and it looks like a lot of them are still in pretty good shape,” Woods said. “I think it’s important that we keep this rivalry alive anyway possible and keep the relationships going. I’m just glad to be a part of it.”
Current Inkster football coach Greg Carter leads the Inkster bench, but he admits there won’t be a need for a lot of coaching with the all-star lineup.
“You can’t coach these guys,” he laughed. “They are all good athletes. It’s going to be exciting. Every time Inkster and Robichaud match up, its high intensity—they’re playing for pride; they’re playing for bragging rights. So it’s going to be a great game.”
“I thought it was an outstanding idea when Armond approached me,” he added. “I just want to help him pursue some of the goals that he has and it a great opportunity for the community and they are going to benefit from watching a great basketball game and some kids are going to benefit from scholarships.”
Former Inkster grad Albert White—who played for the University of Michigan in the mid 90’s—and Robichaud alum Jason Malloy, who was a standout on the Western Michigan University football team, are also expected to play.
“It’s going to be a fun game. There will be a high level of competition because we have a lot of guys coming back and it should be a fun atmosphere for a good cause. I’d appreciate the communities coming out to support me because if they don’t support us they’re not supporting their community.”
There is a slam-dunk contest scheduled for halftime entertainment.
Tickets are $5 with all proceeds going to a scholarship fund for Inkster and Robichaud athletes. For more information contact Armond Harris at 313-790-4466.
