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The Spectator
Mike Evans '05 Works Towards Peace in Ireland
Kate Greenough '09Sports Editor
After spending time abroad, many Hamilton students return to the United States with an enriched global perspective and awareness to international issues, if not a refined taste for gelato or a newfound affinity for obscure techno music. After spending time in Belfast, Ireland, Mike Evans '05, a former Hamilton basketball standout, returned to the U.S.A. with a philanthropic mission: to work towards a solution for the violence and hatred between the Catholic and Protestant populations in Northern Ireland.
At Hamilton, Evans was a leader on former coach Tom Murphy's team, which participated in two NCAA championships and went to the Sweet Sixteen tournament in 2003. After graduating, Evans pursued an international basketball career while working with Peace Players International, an organization that integrates Protestant and Catholic elementary school-aged children through basketball. Looking to reach segregated youth at a more influential age, Evans formed his own traveling team aimed at recruiting 14- to 18-year-old teens to teach them basketball fundamentals.
"Universally, teens don't want to listen to their parents," Evans said. "I wanted to reach out to youth at an age that they understood the religious conflict, could effectively learn communication skills, and would encourage cooperation and respect between Catholics and Protestants both on and off the basketball court."
Evans' organization, Full Court Peace, was developed from the creation and management of his initial team, the Belfast Blazers. The original Blazers squad was comprised of equal numbers of students from Catholic and Protestant high schools Evans had coached for. Evans recruited Hamilton graduate and friend T.J. Reynolds '07 to coach overseas, in addition to two other staff members based in Ireland to complete his staff.
Evans explained that Protestant and Catholic divides in Northern Ireland could be traced all the way back to the 17th century. Today, most hostility stems from long-standing rivalries and dispute over United Kingdom membership. The religious divide is often exacerbated by sports competitions between teams that have long-time affiliations with opposing ethnic and religious groups. Evans explained, "Basketball is a new sport to most of these kids. Other sports, like [soccer] or cricket have polarized teams associated with Catholicism or Protestantism."
Full Court Peace's mission is to bridge the divides between these two religious camps through participation in basketball. To recruit participants, staff members visit high school physical education classes to teach fundamental basketball skills and concepts. "After introducing students to basketball, we encourage them to attend after-school practices, and eventually we bring together a full-time travel team with integrated members," Evans added.
"The players are willing to participate in an integrated basketball program because they see our coaches—vibrant, talented, and enthusiastic—as good role models. The team members trust the coaches and eventually begin to trust each other as team members and friends."
A tremendous success with Irish male youth, Full Court Peace is expanding to include programs for high school girls; the first girls' team is slated to compete in September. Additionally, Evans is travelling to Cuba to explore the basketball community and possibility of extending Full Court Peace to Havana. "Havana is a different situation from what we have seen in Ireland," Evans said. "There is a huge information blackout. The establishment of Full Court Peace would be to encourage healthy competition and enhanced communication skills in a place where communism is the governing political body and can affect self-expression and the acquisition of communication skills."
Although Full Court Peace is poised for global expansion, the Ireland program would always be benefited from volunteer participation and donors. As part of the program, Full Court Peace participants take a trip to the United States where they can learn more about basketball history and "they can see a place where Catholics and Protestants live and cooperate together," Evans said. "We're always looking for a town or community that would be willing to rally around these boys and help promote peace and friendship."
"You really can help make an impact on these boys," Mike said.
After playing for the Blazers and getting to know his new teammates, a former Protestant player said, "I don't think anyone expected us to get on as well as we did; it was a real surprise. But, why should we suffer for a belief that others hold? We just clicked straight away; you would of thought that we had known each other for most of out lives."
For more volunteer opportunities, information on how to contribute to the program, or to find out additional information about the Full Court Peace initiative, please visit www.fullcourtpeace.org or contact Mike Evans at michaelevans@fullcourtpeace.org.