July 13, 2007 - Allen Iverson’s press conference at the ESPN Zone left a few reporters without the answers they came seeking.
Iverson arrived at his press conference with his two sons and daughter, in ‘fashionably’ late AI style to promote his Celebrity Classic Softball game on Saturday, July 14.
When grilled by the press for a response on his latest legal incident which left a club patron ‘mishandled’ by a member Iverson’s security detail at a local night club last year, Iverson initially shrugged off those questions citing, ‘I’m only here to talk about positive things. I’m here to promote my celebrity softball game”, and invited those who were not interested in talking about the celebrity game to leave.
No reporters left the venue.
Iverson’s attorney, Allen Milstein, did however address the club incident telling reporters, “Suffice it to say we’re disappointed in the jury’s verdict, but we strongly believe the Judge made clear error and we’re going to appeal this thing, and we’re hoping to get it reversed.”
“We dismiss any claim that Allen hit anyone, and further dismiss any claim that the security guard hit anyone’, said Milstein.
Redirecting the legal topic of the day, Gary Moore, founder of Iverson’s Crossover Foundation - the organization that provides scholarships to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) told reporters the Foundation has added two more colleges to the scholarship endowment program.
The program now includes The Allen Iverson Student Athlete Scholarship Program at St. Augustine’s College, Johnson C. Smith College (Charlotte North Carolina), and the newly added Bowie State University in Bowie Maryland. (The Celebrity Softball Classic is held at Bowie Baysox Stadium in Bowie, Maryland).
“Allen always encourages young people to live right and do the right thing. His focus has always been on enriching the lives of young people,” says Moore, and encouraged families to come out to the softball game and have a good time.
Iverson in his sixth year in the D.C. area (ten total for the foundation) told the assembled group, “I’m not here to talk about the negative, I’m here to talk about the positive.”
“I’m looking for everyone to come and support the event and have a great time. That’s all I care about.”
“If it (the game) is something that the people can remember for the rest of their lives, then I think it’s going to be a success. If the kids get something out of it, then I’m happy.”
“I don’t want kids to be the next Allen Iverson. I want them to be the next them. I want kids to be better than Allen Iverson.”
Allen, when asked of the success of the Summer Classic in the D.C. area said, “Kids react to me like they do because they know I’m a good person. They know me because of what I do in the community."
"D.C. is my home away from home”, said Iverson.
Other efforts of the foundation include a celebrity football game in Hampton, Virginia, (home to his Alma mater, Hampton University), a summer basketball camp in Atlanta, GA where kids also learn financial fundamentals; and a summer football camp in Norfolk, VA.
Iverson and his foundation have future plans for other summer classic events and camps in Denver, CO and other states.
"We're talking worldwide education and youth enrichment", said Moore.
For more info on the Celebrity Classic see --- www.crossoverfoundation.org ---
Iverson arrived at his press conference with his two sons and daughter, in ‘fashionably’ late AI style to promote his Celebrity Classic Softball game on Saturday, July 14.
When grilled by the press for a response on his latest legal incident which left a club patron ‘mishandled’ by a member Iverson’s security detail at a local night club last year, Iverson initially shrugged off those questions citing, ‘I’m only here to talk about positive things. I’m here to promote my celebrity softball game”, and invited those who were not interested in talking about the celebrity game to leave.No reporters left the venue.
Iverson’s attorney, Allen Milstein, did however address the club incident telling reporters, “Suffice it to say we’re disappointed in the jury’s verdict, but we strongly believe the Judge made clear error and we’re going to appeal this thing, and we’re hoping to get it reversed.”
“We dismiss any claim that Allen hit anyone, and further dismiss any claim that the security guard hit anyone’, said Milstein.
Redirecting the legal topic of the day, Gary Moore, founder of Iverson’s Crossover Foundation - the organization that provides scholarships to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) told reporters the Foundation has added two more colleges to the scholarship endowment program.
The program now includes The Allen Iverson Student Athlete Scholarship Program at St. Augustine’s College, Johnson C. Smith College (Charlotte North Carolina), and the newly added Bowie State University in Bowie Maryland. (The Celebrity Softball Classic is held at Bowie Baysox Stadium in Bowie, Maryland).
“Allen always encourages young people to live right and do the right thing. His focus has always been on enriching the lives of young people,” says Moore, and encouraged families to come out to the softball game and have a good time.Iverson in his sixth year in the D.C. area (ten total for the foundation) told the assembled group, “I’m not here to talk about the negative, I’m here to talk about the positive.”
“I’m looking for everyone to come and support the event and have a great time. That’s all I care about.”
“If it (the game) is something that the people can remember for the rest of their lives, then I think it’s going to be a success. If the kids get something out of it, then I’m happy.”
“I don’t want kids to be the next Allen Iverson. I want them to be the next them. I want kids to be better than Allen Iverson.”
Allen, when asked of the success of the Summer Classic in the D.C. area said, “Kids react to me like they do because they know I’m a good person. They know me because of what I do in the community.""D.C. is my home away from home”, said Iverson.
Other efforts of the foundation include a celebrity football game in Hampton, Virginia, (home to his Alma mater, Hampton University), a summer basketball camp in Atlanta, GA where kids also learn financial fundamentals; and a summer football camp in Norfolk, VA.
Iverson and his foundation have future plans for other summer classic events and camps in Denver, CO and other states.
"We're talking worldwide education and youth enrichment", said Moore.
For more info on the Celebrity Classic see --- www.crossoverfoundation.org ---
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