BY SCOTT
HADDOW
Laurentian University assistant men's basketball coach Aaron
Sidenberg sees education as the great equalizer and appreciates
the value of getting one.
Without an education, he wouldn't be where he is today.
As an assistant coach, Sidenberg is helping build a strong
basketball program at Laurentian.
In just over a month, Sidenberg will trade in his clipboard and
whistle for work gloves and a hard hat to help build a school
for underprivileged children in Kenya.
As part of a volunteer group called Leaders Today, Sidenberg
will travel to Africa for three weeks to accomplish the project
during the month of May.
Sidenberg didn't need much convincing to lend a hand as he
wants others to also get an education and make the most out of
any opportunities they may get.
A friend who is organizing the excursion asked for his help and
he said yes without hesitation.
"I've been very fortunate in life with many great
opportunities," said the 24-year-old. "Teaching and seeing
others succeed is something I've always loved to do. This was a
great opportunity for me to give back and help out people who
need it most. I've completed my education and it has helped me
succeed in life. It's important that I give back just as much
as I have received, if not more. I want others to get the same
chances I did...get an education and play sports. Giving them a
means and a place to learn sets them up for future success. I
can't see a better way of giving my time."
Sidenberg is going to be getting dirty.
"I'm going to be the general labourer," said the fifth year
Sport and Physical Education student. "I'm going to be digging
trenches, ditches...laying the bricks of this school. I'll also
be doing some teaching to some kids...teaching them sports,
games and other activities. I've never done anything of this
nature before...I'm excited to go."
Sidenberg knows his trip will be a memorable one.
"I plan to take in as much as the experience as possible," said
the coach. "We'll be leaving a mark on hundreds of kids, not
just this year, but year after year. We're giving them a place
to learn and grow. I'm also hoping to show some kids some
basketball skills."
Sidenberg is no stranger to lending his time for good causes.
For the past seven summers, he has worked at an Olympia Sport
Camp in Huntsville helping run a Ropes Course.
"We teach fundamentals of team work, team building and
individual growth," said Sidenberg. "We help people overcome
fears, make the most of their opportunities and expanding
boundaries. It was a great experience for me. I worked with
kids and adults...helping them open their eyes to new things
and making them realize they were capable of doing things they
thought they couldn't do."
Sidenberg has had his share of challenges over the years. At
19, he came to Laurentian to play basketball. For three years,
Sidenberg pushed his body past its limits while trying to help
his team win. Numerous injuries forced him to prematurely end
his university-playing career, but that didn't end his
involvement with the game he loves.
"I developed bad knee injuries from overuse," said the
Burlington native. "But I got the opportunity to be an
assistant coach at Laurentian. The coaching has been a blessing
for me. It's the career I was planning on choosing. The
transfer from player to coach is hard to describe, but it's
been interesting. It's a learning process. It has changed my
outlook on the game 100 percent."
Sidenberg has made an impact at Laurentian and the school is
impressed with his own growth.
"Aaron has demonstrated maturity beyond his years at
Laurentian," said Voyageurs head coach Virgil Hill. "Going to
Africa is just another step in his development. He's willing to
sacrifice his own time to help those in need in another
country. He's in a valuable position and taking advantage of
it. He has had a positive impact on the team."
