Track and Field's Javen Reeves Makes an Impact Through Community Service
April 10, 2017 | Track & Field, Beyond the Buzzer
Reeves donated his ACC medal to a local athlete he met by volunteering for Metro Parks
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Many student-athletes realize the impact that they can have on others, both on and off the field. Louisville junior, Javen Reeves is currently a high jumper and a committed student-athlete in all aspects of his life. From New Albany, Ind., Reeves grew up just on the other side of the river, lettering in track and earning all-state honors his senior year at New Albany High School.
The University of Louisville requires all its student-athletes to complete a required number of community service hours. The hours vary from team-to-team, but track and field student-athletes are required to pick up at least 20 hours during the season. Reeves began working with Metro Parks in October, as a way to complete his community service requirements.
"My friend Lisa and I were looking for a way to do community service and when we saw wheel chair basketball, we figured that could be a fun way to interact with the children while giving back," said Reeves.
At Metro Parks Adaptive & Inclusive Recreation (AIR), Reeves met a young 11-year-old boy named Justin Davis who lacks the use of his legs. The two have played wheel-chair basketball together three times since October, bonding over sports they play together and Davis' appreciation for the sport of high jumping.
Wheel-chair basketball was much different than the former high school guard was use to.
"It was a lot different than I expected," said Reeves. "You cannot just wheel down the court with the ball. You have to take one dribble then pass the ball off, so I wound up assisting a lot more than scoring."
The game gives everyone an even playing ground, which allows for more experienced players like Davis to shine.
Reeves competed at the ACC Indoor Championships, where he took home second place behind fellow Cardinal, Damar Robinson. Taking silver, with a height of 2.18 meters, Reeves donated his silver medal to Davis due to their mutual appreciation for the sport.
"My mom didn't really want me to donate my best medal that I have earned, but I felt that it would mean a lot more to Justin because in the end, it is just a medal," Reeves said.
Reeves has continued his momentum from the indoor season into the outdoor season.
"The highest that I have cleared was 2.20 meters, which would have sent me to regionals," said Reeves "I cleared the bar at 2.20 meters, but then when I landed the bar was wobbling a little bit, and the wind came in and blew the bar off."
Outdoor track is different than indoor, because they have the wind factor. In that jump that would have sent him to nationals.
Davis' parents have told Reeves that they plan on bringing him to both meets at Louisville this coming spring, which take place on April 14-15, and April 28-29. Davis is a big fan of track and field, and for Reeves' success would not just make him proud of himself, but Davis could see that with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible.
Getting this experience to befriend someone like Justin Davis, has really impacted Reeves' life for the better.
"I could definitely see myself doing community service and helping to make a contribution even after I'm done with college," said Reeves. "I can see myself helping because I just want to make an impact on everyone that I come in contact with."
Reeves is just one of many student-athletes at the University of Louisville that didn't realize the impact they had on others, until they started giving back to the community. Sometimes giving back can lead to life-long friendships.
The University of Louisville requires all its student-athletes to complete a required number of community service hours. The hours vary from team-to-team, but track and field student-athletes are required to pick up at least 20 hours during the season. Reeves began working with Metro Parks in October, as a way to complete his community service requirements.
"My friend Lisa and I were looking for a way to do community service and when we saw wheel chair basketball, we figured that could be a fun way to interact with the children while giving back," said Reeves.
At Metro Parks Adaptive & Inclusive Recreation (AIR), Reeves met a young 11-year-old boy named Justin Davis who lacks the use of his legs. The two have played wheel-chair basketball together three times since October, bonding over sports they play together and Davis' appreciation for the sport of high jumping.
Wheel-chair basketball was much different than the former high school guard was use to.
"It was a lot different than I expected," said Reeves. "You cannot just wheel down the court with the ball. You have to take one dribble then pass the ball off, so I wound up assisting a lot more than scoring."
The game gives everyone an even playing ground, which allows for more experienced players like Davis to shine.
Reeves competed at the ACC Indoor Championships, where he took home second place behind fellow Cardinal, Damar Robinson. Taking silver, with a height of 2.18 meters, Reeves donated his silver medal to Davis due to their mutual appreciation for the sport.
"My mom didn't really want me to donate my best medal that I have earned, but I felt that it would mean a lot more to Justin because in the end, it is just a medal," Reeves said.
Reeves has continued his momentum from the indoor season into the outdoor season.
"The highest that I have cleared was 2.20 meters, which would have sent me to regionals," said Reeves "I cleared the bar at 2.20 meters, but then when I landed the bar was wobbling a little bit, and the wind came in and blew the bar off."
Outdoor track is different than indoor, because they have the wind factor. In that jump that would have sent him to nationals.
Davis' parents have told Reeves that they plan on bringing him to both meets at Louisville this coming spring, which take place on April 14-15, and April 28-29. Davis is a big fan of track and field, and for Reeves' success would not just make him proud of himself, but Davis could see that with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible.
Getting this experience to befriend someone like Justin Davis, has really impacted Reeves' life for the better.
"I could definitely see myself doing community service and helping to make a contribution even after I'm done with college," said Reeves. "I can see myself helping because I just want to make an impact on everyone that I come in contact with."
Reeves is just one of many student-athletes at the University of Louisville that didn't realize the impact they had on others, until they started giving back to the community. Sometimes giving back can lead to life-long friendships.
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