Page 52 - March & April

50 MYROUSESEVERYDAY MARCH | APRIL 2013
by Tate Russell, 12
Have you ever been late getting off the
court?
Although there have been many times that
I have had to run onto the court to mop up
a spot, fix a net that’s stuck, or grab a piece
of trash that rolled onto the court; I haven’t
been late getting off the court!
Do you get to travel with the team?
No, we don’t get to travel with the team
when they go on road trips. Each team in
the league has a group of ball boys that help
both the home and the visiting team be-
fore, during, and after the game.
Doyouever shoot basketswith the team?
Yes, often after practices at the Alario Cen-
ter players will stay late to shoot around
and this gives the ball boys a chance to
shoot with the players. It gives us a first-
hand look at how hard the players work to
be the best basketball player they can be.
MEET HORNETS BALL BOY KENNY BELOU
Do you ever get to meet players from opposing teams?
Yes, the ball boys work in the visiting locker room to help the op-
posing team before and after the games. So we meet not only all
of the Hornets’ players but also the players from the other teams
too. We really get to see how different and similar the teams in the
NBA can be.
How do the players treat you?
The best part of working as a ball boy for the New Orleans Hor-
nets is being around the players. Many of the players on the team
are the same age as us ball boys, so being around them is often like
hanging out with friends. Some of my favorite memories over my
years with the Hornets took place after the games when I had a
chance to talk to the players while they were relaxing post-game.
It gave me a chance to see them in a different setting -- hanging
out and talking about anything and everything from video games
to sports to movies.
How old do you have to be a ball boy?
Traditionally, participants in the ball boy program are college-age
and have been recommended to our equipment staff by professors
and school administration. I started working with the team when
I was 19 years old. We have ball boys working with the team who
are still in high school but rush to the arena after school to work
with the team. Most of the ball boys right now are in college and
are able to help the team in between their class schedule. Just like
the team has no age restriction for players: Anthony Davis is 19
and Roger Mason is 32, a ball boy just needs to be able to show
up on time and help the team get ready to
win the game.
What is the best part about being a ball
boy?
Really the best part of being a ball boy is
being around the great collection of play-
ers, coaches, and staff that the Hornets
have put together.
What is the most memorable game you
have seen as a ball boy?
I would have two that were most memora-
ble: In 2008 I was lucky enough to work in
the NBA All-Star game that was hosted by
the Hornets New Orleans. It was amazing
to see all of the greatest basketball players
in the world all on the same court and in
person. The second game was also in 2008.
The Hornets played the Dallas Mavericks
in the first round of the NBA playoffs, and
the Hornets won the series by beating the
Mavs 99-94 in New Orleans. I remember
the arena was louder than ever and the feel-
ing of happiness in the locker room after
the game is not something I’ll ever forget.
“Whether you’re a fan of the
new name or think the Pelicans
is for the birds, being local
means always supporting your
home team. We’ve been a proud
sponsor of the New Orleans
Hornets for three years.”
—Ali Rouse