Members of the West Perry Warriors basketball team are finding out life is more than just a game.
Coaches and team members spent part of their day volunteering at the Paul E. Patton Eastern Kentucky Veterans Center in Hazard on Monday.
The facility is a 120-bed long-term care facility, which provides skilled nursing care and rehabilitation for state veterans.
“I want our players to understand that coaching is much more than X’s and O’s,” Coach Kyle Maggard said.
Maggard said his players spent time interacting with veterans, which included playing bingo.
Among the veterans on hand was former NBA and Kentucky Wildcat Johnny Cox. He joined the players in a game break.
He played for the Wildcats from 1956-1959 following his high school career at Hazard. Cox was selected by the New York Knicks in the fourth round and was the 37th overall pick.
He is just one of four UK players to have over 1,000 career points and 1,000 rebounds.
“I hope today is something our guys remember for the rest of their lives,” Maggard said. “Building good character at a young age goes a long way.”
