Play It Forward: Panthers' Jamar Madge, teammates visit Boys & Girls Club

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- March is coming, and for the Milwaukee Panthers, that means the Horizon League Tournament. 

But before March Madness, the Panthers are assisting some area children.

Jamar Madge knows how hard it can be to earn a D1 scholarship.

The Milwaukee Panthers sophomore and four of his teammates dropped by the Boys & Girls Club answering questions and playing some hoops with hundreds of young kids.

"They all have a love and they just want to be better and I see it in all of these kids here," Madge said. 

"He actually came down here and he left and changed up his plans to come down here and talk to all of the kids that like basketball," said 9-year-old Jahkarie Dean.

Jahkarie walked out of the gym with advice and a new role model, especially after learning that Jamar is just like him. 

"I came up in the Boys & Girls Club," Jamar said. 

"It shows them that they can do it. Boys & Girls Clubs are all over the country, it just makes it a reality. It makes it real. It proves to them that they could be in their shoes one day," said Program Manager of Sports Recreation, Jamar Wills.

"It's like a full circle," Madge said. "I just look at where I've been and I remember kids coming into Boys & Girls Club and me being that kid like Jahkarie who wants to talk to the older guys and now I'm that guy. I feel like I've done something."

Jamar and the Panthers finish the regular season this weekend, but their work in the community is far from finished. 

The Athletic Department recently started a partnership with the Next Door Foundation where they will read with kids and help provide meals to families.