CaptBob
03-21-2006, 06:24 PM
Have you heard about Jason McElwain?
Jason is the 5-foot-6, 17-year old who two weeks ago suited up for his first and only appearance for the Athena varsity basketball team in a Rochester suburb. Then, Jason delivered a jaw-dropping performance by scoring 20 points in the last four minutes of the game. He had an unbelievable six 3 pointers.
Jason said, “I just caught fire. I was as hot as a pistol!”
Considered too small to make the junior varsity, McElwain signed on as manager, and then took up the same role with the varsity to stay near the sport he loves. Amazed at his dedication, coach Jim Johnson had him suit up for the home finale. There was no guarantee he would play — Athena was battling for a division title — but he got in when the Trojans opened a large lead.
The coach couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"He's been my right-hand man, he's there every day and just getting him the opportunity to suit up was emotional enough for me," he said. "For him to come in and seize the moment like he did was certainly more than I ever expected. I was an emotional wreck."
"It was like a big old bucket and I was just hitting them like they were free throws," McElwain said. "I just felt relaxed."
Because he played in just one regular-season game, McElwain was ineligible for sectional play. But he's not bothered.
"I just want to win as a team, not individually," he said.
What's more, he prides himself on having a lot of friends.
Jason is autistic.
"I'm not really that different," he said. "I don't really care about this autistic situation, really. It's just the way I am. The advice I'd give to autistic people is just keep working, just keep dreaming, you'll get your chance and you'll do it."
His play drew national attention, and a flood of calls from Hollywood. His parents have received inquiries from about 25 production companies ranging from The Walt Disney Co. and Warner Bros. to independent documentary filmmakers.
Watching the videos here might help you catch fire too:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/28/sportsline/main1356824.shtml
Courtesy of CBS News
Jason is the 5-foot-6, 17-year old who two weeks ago suited up for his first and only appearance for the Athena varsity basketball team in a Rochester suburb. Then, Jason delivered a jaw-dropping performance by scoring 20 points in the last four minutes of the game. He had an unbelievable six 3 pointers.
Jason said, “I just caught fire. I was as hot as a pistol!”
Considered too small to make the junior varsity, McElwain signed on as manager, and then took up the same role with the varsity to stay near the sport he loves. Amazed at his dedication, coach Jim Johnson had him suit up for the home finale. There was no guarantee he would play — Athena was battling for a division title — but he got in when the Trojans opened a large lead.
The coach couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"He's been my right-hand man, he's there every day and just getting him the opportunity to suit up was emotional enough for me," he said. "For him to come in and seize the moment like he did was certainly more than I ever expected. I was an emotional wreck."
"It was like a big old bucket and I was just hitting them like they were free throws," McElwain said. "I just felt relaxed."
Because he played in just one regular-season game, McElwain was ineligible for sectional play. But he's not bothered.
"I just want to win as a team, not individually," he said.
What's more, he prides himself on having a lot of friends.
Jason is autistic.
"I'm not really that different," he said. "I don't really care about this autistic situation, really. It's just the way I am. The advice I'd give to autistic people is just keep working, just keep dreaming, you'll get your chance and you'll do it."
His play drew national attention, and a flood of calls from Hollywood. His parents have received inquiries from about 25 production companies ranging from The Walt Disney Co. and Warner Bros. to independent documentary filmmakers.
Watching the videos here might help you catch fire too:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/28/sportsline/main1356824.shtml
Courtesy of CBS News