Bess_35, I am a parent who child was on the Griffin Grasshopper team in 2011 and I totally disagree with you and agree with LD_40. Coach Richards did not mislead us. As a matter of fact, my son received a basketball scholarship because of Coach Duck that saved me thousands of dollars.
What I don't understand is who provided you with the name and number of the company that Coach Duck used to buy uniforms? I have another son who is currently on Coach Ducks team and he has never revealed that type of information.
This man works great with kids and is doing awesome job teaching them about life and helping them reach their goals. We don't have many black men in our community that gives their heart to helping our kids. I did the research prior to my sons entering the program and I can say personally he is GOD sent. Due to the number of kids who didn't have the money to pay fees, Coach Duck had to use his personal money to make sure they played and were able to go on the events.
Coach Duck if you read this keep doing what you do. There will always be haters among your community and peers. GOD will continue to bless you and there are people out here that appreciates your hard work with these kids.
Coach Duck Richards has my upmost respect. The parent that speaks about him being dishonest and a thief is far from the truth. If you go to Coach Duck's web site www.ihigh.com/griffingrasshoppers you will see what this man has done for the community for the past 20 years. He has been the catalyst in helping over 350 basketball players to attend college.
Uniforms! Yes, we were charged for the uniforms, but look at what our child received along with that:
1. Participation in the highly visible AAU tournaments:
- Lebron James Shooting Star Classic in Akron Ohio
- Michael Jordan's Invitational, Charlotte, NC
- Big Shots Myrtle Beach
- Peach Jam Augusta GA
- AAU Nationals in Orlando Florda.
2. 14 out of 15 players received basketball scholarships. Apparently this parent's child did not complete the season and did not receive a scholarship.
Do the homework. If Coach Duck was a thief or a dishonest person, he wouldn't be around for over 20 years. Stop slandering this man and give back to the organization to help these kids move to the next level.
Good day - this is just a message to advise anyone considering donating to this organization to beware that the founder Alan Richards lack integrity. For the 2011 AAU basketball Season - it has been founded that money that we the Parents paid him $225.00 total fees to be used for AAU Registration ($75) and Uniform ($150) were not used appropriately. mr. Richards advised the parents the entire summer that the unfiorms were being ordered - at the end of the Summer AAU season he told us he ordred half of the uniforms for the people who paid, but that he'd requested a refund from the company (GTM Uniforms) 866-794-9689. It was founded by speaking with GTM uniforms that the uniforms were never ordered- so in essence he took our money knowing the uniforms were never ordered. Some even witnessed Alan Richards receive uniform money from a parent the very last tournament of the season. Not only did he not order the uniforms, but he never even returned the uniform samples back to the company which shows a lack of Integrity all the way around. It is now the 8th of September 2011, almost 2 months after the last game was played and we still have yet to receive a refund. I would advise all company's who are considering donating to this organization that he is a liar and ultimately a thief - send your money to a more viable organization.
Sincerely,
Furious -concerned parent!
Review from Guidestar