The World of Difference: From Travel to Education

For Paul Savramis, founder of Rising Stars, "Making a World of Difference" has always been a personal mission. When asked about what the organization meant to him, Savramis would often reply about the life lessons that travel taught him and his team. A man of Greek heritage, born in Athens, Paul Savramis knows firsthand the life-changing experience of coming to America, a lesson he believes is just as relevant for today's international and American players. He has led Rising Stars teams and clinics to Greece, Switzerland, Italy, the Bahamas, and France for cultural and social activities, where players have met and competed against foreign teams.

A New Meaning for an Old Term

This year, however, travel and the concept of foreign exchange have taken on an entirely new meaning for Paul Savramis. "We always recognized team travel was a great way for our players to grow," Savramis said. "You're seeing new things, meeting new people, and you're doing it with your family and your teammates' families." He added that "every experience has an added flavor and brings so much more than the memory of just playing a game."

Now, Savramis is taking that concept a step further by "integrating the Rising Stars mission, 'To promote education,' onto the platform of international travel!" This new initiative is made possible through a new LLC, Quality Athletes Inc., founded by Rising Stars Senior Teams director, Willis Perry.

A New Chapter for Rising Stars

"Willis is no stranger to the value of an education, and he understands how best to implement educational opportunities," Paul Savramis explained. Perry is a principal, a district administrative director, and a longtime parent and coach with Rising Stars who raised two sons through the program. His new LLC was established to help provide educational opportunities and pathways for international student-athletes at the high school and postgraduate levels.

Paul Savramis is excited by how quickly Perry has been able to meet the challenges of bringing international players to the U.S. and setting up housing for them. "That, and getting them visa and school acceptances, have been two building blocks we have never had at Rising Stars," Savramis noted. "Now Perry is taking it all on!"

International players need help with recruitment and marketing for acceptance into local private and prep schools. They also need ongoing guidance and support to secure college opportunities. Savramis acknowledges that this is a full-time, 24/7 challenge, but the value and potential benefits cannot be ignored.

Savramis believes that Perry's program will open doors for everyone to have a life-changing experience. "Willis has so much experience with his two boys going through this," Paul Savramis notes. "He is a highly respected voice in the international community and has been able to bridge the gap with connections here."

Currently, Savramis says, they have eight boys from Ireland, France, Germany, and Africa in their programs, and "the pipeline is wide open." These boys are excellent students and have been embraced by everyone they have met.

Paul Savramis can only hope this program finds a permanent place in the world of basketball, as he knows it will leave a permanent mark in the game of life.