by Jennifer Pyron
Little Rock Family Staff
3/1/2008
Corliss Williamson and wife Michelle are parents of Corliss Mondari (CJ), age 2, Chasen Cole, age 12, and Creed Matthew, age 4.
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In the early 1990s, Razorback basketball fans had something to cheer about. Russellville native Corliss Williamson and his teammates led the Hogs to victory in the NCAA basketball championship in 1994 and to near victory again in 1995. Drafted in 1995, Williamson spent 12 years playing professional basketball for the Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76'ers. Today, life has settled down somewhat for the father of three. He and wife Michelle live in Little Rock with sons Chasen, Creed and CJ While basketball still dominates his life -- he is an assistant coach for Arkansas Baptist College and loves shooting hoops with his sons -- he's enjoying being "on family time" instead of NBA time. Here are some of his thoughts on sports, parenting and retirement. Read the full interview here. On the boys and basketball
Not that my boys need much encouragement to play, but I do encourage them to be active in sports. They have grown up around the sport of basketball, so naturally they want to shoot hoops. I encourage them to try other sports as well. They really enjoy it. I've coached Chasen for the past four years in AAU. Creed told me the other day he wants me to be his coach, so now I am an assistant soccer coach. Every day when I come home CJ makes it a point to show me he has improved on dribbling a basketball. I love it! On sports and life lessons
I believe sports teach kids the importance of self-sacrifice and discipline. Our kids learn that to be successful in sports they have to work together to accomplish their goals. Basketball in particular requires them to thinks as a group. They learn how to communicate with one another on the court. On the value of time
Now that I can set my own schedule, I am starting to realize how valuable time is. I have missed so much time with my Michelle and the boys over the years because of traveling with my teams. Now I am on family time. I get to bathe my boys and get them ready for bed, wake them up in the morning and get them dressed for school. I get to enjoy all the Saturday morning soccer games, middle school basketball games, school functions, date nights with Michelle and going to visit our parents with the boys. I used to take time for granted. I have learned to guard my time like a precious gem. It is too short and too valuable. On coaching
I am enjoying being an assistant coach for Coach Rip at Arkansas Baptist College. He allows his assistants to have a lot of freedom and to participate in calling plays and running practices. Our record is not reflective of our progress as a program, and it was hard for me to take the losses at first. But I've learned that as a coach, it's not always about wins and losses. It's more about progress. Our guys have made progress that can't be measured by wins and losses. They have learned to work hard and what it means to compete on the court. The beauty is that they can use those skills later in life. I am so proud of this group of young men. On parenting
I want my boys to learn to give. It seems that today it's all about take, take, take. That kind of attitude gets under my skin. My family and I have been blessed, and I really believe that we should give to others as it has been given to us. As a child many people gave their time, money and prayers to allow me the opportunity to play basketball. As a result of their giving and God's grace, I was blessed to live my dream of playing in the NBA. I want my boys to understand that our family was blessed by others who gave of themselves to help a little boy achieve his dream. We have to honor them and the Lord by helping others achieve their dreams by giving our prayers, time and money.
After Chasen was born, I had 2 Timothy 2:3 tattooed on my right arm as reminder to "Train up a child in the way he should go, so that when he is old he will not part from it." I enjoy training my boys for sport, but I prefer that they become good soldiers of Christ first. I learned that from my mom and dad. At A Glance:
Favorite Place in Little Rock: Any gym with a basketball court
Favorite Restaurant: 1620 and Arthur's
Favorite Way to Spend Free Time: Outdoor activities with my family (four-wheeling, fishing, sports)
Last Book Read: "40 Million Dollar Slave," by William C. Rhoden. Currently reading "No More Excuses" by Tony Evans
Last Movie Watched: "I Am Legend"
Currently in CD Changer: Kirk Franklin, Lacrae, Flame, Fred Hammond, Deitrick Haddon, J Moss
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