Chalk anxious to suit up for the Green and White
By Andrew Petyak
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: Sports Extra
Claude Chalk isn't like many basketball players found at Slippery Rock University.
Sure, he loves to shoot the three, he has good post defense and a determination to get to loose balls.
His talent may separate him from the average player, but what makes him so noticeable is that on game days Chalk can be found sitting on the bench.
"I'm super anxious to get out there," Chalk said.
Chalk will be able to play basketball for the SRU basketball team this season, but not until January.
Chalk's circumstances are unique, and it all has foundations in his youth.
Chalk grew up in Philadelphia, in a generally rough part of town, on the north side. His outlet was basketball, and playing with his brothers in street games.
"You grew up fast there," Chalk said.
His mother took care of the family in a single parent home, working two jobs to support her kids. It's something, he says, he can't owe her enough for.
Chalk continued to work on his game throughout high school at Philadelphia Regional.
He never played for his high school team, because of poor grades, which he lists as lack of motivation and interest in school at the time.
After high school, Chalk was at a crossroads of sorts.
He decided that it was time to further his education. He joined the Job Corps, a free education and training program that helps young people learn a career, hoping to acquire skills that would help later in life.
While attending, he joined an intramural basketball league of sorts, but nothing he would consider serious play at the time.
He began to grow as an individual, working at a mental health institute.
"I became more patient in general," said Chalk in a sincere voice. "I cared for young mentally retarded kids. You have to approach that differently."
There's a sense of humbleness in Chalk, a sense that anyone can tell that this guy gets it.
Chalk started to get it when it came to his education, also. Not really caring during his high school days, Chalk excelled at Bucks County Community College.
Sure, he loves to shoot the three, he has good post defense and a determination to get to loose balls.
His talent may separate him from the average player, but what makes him so noticeable is that on game days Chalk can be found sitting on the bench.
"I'm super anxious to get out there," Chalk said.
Chalk will be able to play basketball for the SRU basketball team this season, but not until January.
Chalk's circumstances are unique, and it all has foundations in his youth.
Chalk grew up in Philadelphia, in a generally rough part of town, on the north side. His outlet was basketball, and playing with his brothers in street games.
"You grew up fast there," Chalk said.
His mother took care of the family in a single parent home, working two jobs to support her kids. It's something, he says, he can't owe her enough for.
Chalk continued to work on his game throughout high school at Philadelphia Regional.
He never played for his high school team, because of poor grades, which he lists as lack of motivation and interest in school at the time.
After high school, Chalk was at a crossroads of sorts.
He decided that it was time to further his education. He joined the Job Corps, a free education and training program that helps young people learn a career, hoping to acquire skills that would help later in life.
While attending, he joined an intramural basketball league of sorts, but nothing he would consider serious play at the time.
He began to grow as an individual, working at a mental health institute.
"I became more patient in general," said Chalk in a sincere voice. "I cared for young mentally retarded kids. You have to approach that differently."
There's a sense of humbleness in Chalk, a sense that anyone can tell that this guy gets it.
Chalk started to get it when it came to his education, also. Not really caring during his high school days, Chalk excelled at Bucks County Community College.
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