.jpg "Paul Savramis")
Over the past 30 years, Rising Stars has developed an incredible resource that sustains its growth and powers its journey into the future.
For Rising Stars founder Paul Savramis, that journey has highlighted as much meaning for him in what has been built off the basketball court as it has on it.
Paul Savramis always points out that the foundation of Rising Stars is the people behind it, and that includes its board, executive director, national ambassador, and alumni.
“I have spoken about how much Rising Stars relies on its alumni for everything it does day to day,” says Paul Savramis.
“What is just as important for me to emphasize is the friendships that go along with it and that Rising Stars has helped build.”
Those friendships, Paul Savramis goes on to describe, have grown to a degree where there isn’t any area of Rising Stars that doesn’t include a former Rising Star.
“Thirty years is a long time,” Paul Savramis will say when pressed on what this anniversary year means, but he always adds that time has developed a network beyond anything he could have imagined.
When asked about that network, Paul Savramis goes back to the beginning, when the Rising Stars players from those early years are now the directors and leaders helping guide the program.
In addition to Executive Director Dan Gimpel and Rising Stars Ambassador Jay Williams, Paul Savramis now points to Tim O’Connell, who has had two sons and nephews come through the program and who is now instrumental in the management of the Rising Stars Athletic Complex.
Paul Savramis also highlights 6th Boro Hoops founder and director Nihad Muscovic, a former Rising Stars player who has gone on to build a strong program in Westchester, where Rising Stars can find similar opportunities and partnerships for its own players.
“Nihad is amazing,” says Paul Savramis.
“He was a Rising Stars player since third grade and now not only directs his own teams, but also coordinates an international travel initiative for us.”
Another person Paul Savramis often mentions is Chuck Everson, who at 7 feet is literally larger than life.
“Chuck was one of the first players I worked with,” says Paul Savramis.
“He went on to win a national championship at Villanova, then brought that entire team to a Rising Stars gala in support of the program. Chuck is a great example of what I mean about friendships and how they have fueled the Rising Stars journey.”
“He’s had both his son and daughter play for our teams, and now his daughter, Dr. Kathleen Everson, directs Rising Stars’ mental health and wellness initiatives for athletes.”
Paul Savramis also adds Ron Stewart to that list, who, along with Chuck Everson, was one of his first players.
Ron Stewart went on to graduate from St. John’s as a co-captain of the team and later became the French National Team coach. He is another international connection Rising Stars can count on when organizing events.
“It’s a tough, if not impossible, task for me to include everyone who has helped build Rising Stars,” says Paul Savramis.
“It’s all part of a network where building friendships becomes the greatest byproduct,” Paul Savramis concludes.
“I can only finish by saying how much those friendships have come to mean to me and what the power of teams can do for kids. That’s what Rising Stars was built to do.”
