Alums, students link(s) up

Long before Tiger Woods won the Masters Golf Tournament, the African-American alumni of Troy's LaSalle Institute planned on exposing the school's minority students to golf.

Wood's victory and subsequent popularity helped the group recruit players.

"We talked about it last year," said Larry Sheffield, a 1961 LaSalle graduate who is CEO and president of the New Jersey-based Universal Consulting Group. "We wanted them to be exposed to golf."

Pluses on links

Leon Simon, a 1963 graduate and supporter of the Golf Club, agrees, noting that golf provides the students with "a rounded experience. It's not a conventional sport. It's a sport they can entertain clients with and discuss business."

But the game was something Mr. Sheffield knew little about as a high school student. "I didn't understand golf until [I went to the University of] Notre Dame. It's a good idea to expose them now," he said.

Teeing up

The students involved in the club have different reasons for being interested in the game:

* Renje Grimes, a freshman, said he became interested in golf "because of Tiger Woods." Once the 21-year-old Asian-African-American golfer won the Masters, the LaSalle student was inspired to learn to play. Now the tennis and football player enjoys golf because, "I like to win."

* Jomo Miller, who is on the track team, became interested in golf because "I just wanted to try something new. It's relaxing, and it's a challenge."

Putt-ering around

Eighth grader Ernest Everett has his life planned out. "I want to get into a good college," he said. "I'm going to go to college -- Notre Dame -- and then be an accountant. I want to be a football player; but if I can't, I'll be an accountant."

Mr. Grimes also has his life planned out. "I want to go to Syracuse University and be an FBI agent," he said.

Hole in one

"I believe LaSalle gave me the foundation which gave me the ability to handle athletics, Notre Dame and the business world," said Mr. Sheffield. "I still use these skills. I would like to have other people have this opportunity. I honestly don't think I'd be where I am if it weren't for the good brothers."

"They get a top-notch education [at LaSalle.] In most cases, it gives the kids the opportunity to pick from a few colleges, and it gives them a good educational base," said Mr. Simon. "The students get more personal attention than in a larger public school. I want to see that some of the less fortunate kids have the opportunity to benefit from a LaSalle education."

Through the Golf Club, students not only learn about the game, but also have contact with successful LaSalle graduates.

"It brings the kids together with a former LaSalle grad to share their experiences of life at LaSalle and after," said Mr. Simon.

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