My college basketball team reunion, Port Charlotted, FL
Pictured are members of the team and two of our cheerleaders, who were part of the planning committee.
Selfie with host, great friend and basketball team member Steve and his wife, Ada.
March 30, 2023 | BestLifeGlenn
I took a road trip to Port Charlotte, FL for a reunion with members of my junior college basketball team on March 24. I’ve known this group of guys for 48 years now and we were looking forward to catching up on life. It took some planning, though, because most of us are still in the workforce in various careers: publishing, residential developer, flooring, roofing, athletic director, long distance truck driver, lawn service, military, etc.
Jenkins, one of the lucky few who has retired, picked me up in his new truck around 8 a.m. that Friday. I kissed my wife goodbye and we took off before she had time to change her mind.
Jenkins and I had the longest drive, leaving from Atlanta. Everyone else was based in Florida, my native state. Jenkins (we always call each other by our last names) and I talked for 8 hours—until we reached Bennie around 4 p.m. in Bradenton, FL. The three of us rode together to the hotel, about an hour away, where we met up with Henry, Bennie’s roommate. All four of us arrived for the first night.
It was as if time had paused for decades but once the clock was running again, we picked up where we left off—having easy conversations about our families, our health, daily lives, and reminiscing about our college days. A lot had changed about our physical appearances, but our personalities were the same. We talked trash during the entire drive to Port Charlotte.
Front L-R: @BestlifeGlenn and Steve. Back L-R: Jenkins, Henry and Bennie.
We kicked off the weekend at an Italian restaurant, where Steve treated us to dinner. Steve, one of six freshmen recruited with us in 1975 to Edison Community College, has always been one of the coolest white dudes I know. He is of Italian descent and hails from Queens, NY. Steve’s family moved to Florida when he was a teen. In high school, Steve made the Southeast Conference team, which Bennie and I also made as standout basketball players. We all were on separate teams that played against each other. Who knew we would end up at the same community college and develop a friendship with a group of people that’s lasted 48 years?
On Saturday, the crew and I made a quick stop at Wal-Mart before heading to Steve’s house. You can’t travel anywhere without a stop at Wal-Mart, right? Air freshener, bottled water and underwear were on the list. We were laughing so hard because somebody forgot to pack their boxers. All I’m gonna say(like the little kids say) is it wasn’t me.
Once we arrived at Steve’s house, his wife, Ada, shuttled us and other guests in a golf cart from the entrance of their expansive property to their front door. What a beautiful, waterfront home they have. It’s in a sailing community that Steve developed himself.
Steve started a flooring business supplying granite and tile in Port Charlotte and surrounding areas. He saved and began investing in real estate becoming a residential developer of high-end, gated communities that he named for his daughters. He said he bought 49 acres and then another 30.
Steve says he has been very blessed to do what he loves, and playing basketball helped to mold him.
“It is rare to make friends and remain friends for as long as we have. What we have is very special. Whatever I can do to try to give back, I do,” Steve said.
Steve and Ada, along with members of the planning committee, which included two of our team’s cheerleaders, had light bites and lunch waiting for us.
Later, caterers arrived with a barbecue dinner that included brisket, ribs, smoked sausage, baked beans, potato salad and coleslaw. And of course, there were libations.
My teammate, Rick, also part of the planning committee, arrived shortly after we did, wearing his Texas shirt and Florida cap. Rick found us outside by the pool and gave out hugs, fist bumps and hand slaps.
We spent the day eating, talking and watching the Sweet 16 basketball games. At half-time, we went outside to shoot hoops on Steve’s basketball court. Of course, we were all rusty.
After about 30 minutes on the court, we returned to our seats to watch more of the game and eat cake. It was a sweet ending for a weekend with long-time friends and enough memories to last until we meet again.
We’re looking forward to next year’s reunion weekend. We may take the spouses and significant others with us. Stay tuned.
Btw, you ever take a reunion road trip? What’s the craziest thing that happened?Feel free to share your comments and don’t forget to subscribe below to Best Life Glenn.
