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Logan Harris rebounds a basketball as other members of the Elliott family take the first shots at the new court in Portville Saturday. The Adam Elliott Memorial Court was dedicated in memory of Adam who died on July 30, 2006, following an accident at Letchworth State Park. Photo by Daniel LeBlanc
PORTVILLE - The Elliott family has a tradition. Once a year they take a backpacking trip to some remote location not far from their Portville home.
Dad Dave Elliott said the tradition began when his son Adam was about 9. On that first trip, he said Adam soon became weary of lugging a backpack through the wilds of Pennsylvania. Like any good dad would, Mr. Elliott agreed to carry Adam's pack for him. Adam raced ahead of the family.
"Instantly there was a change. The burden had been lifted and Adam took off like a deer," Mr. Elliott remembers.
In the spring of 2004, Adam, now a young man of 16, led the way again during the family hiking trip, this time with a full load on his back. After cresting a ridge, Adam raced back down the hill without his pack. His father wondered why until Adam ran to his mother Darcy.
"He came to his mother and took her pack from her," he said.
That was Adam, leading the way and bearing the burden for others when they needed it. He died Sunday, July 30, 2006, in an accident at the Lower Falls of Letchworth State Park.
On Saturday at 11 a.m. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott and Adam's two brothers and two sisters gathered with more than 250 of their friends and neighbors to dedicate the Adam Elliott Memorial Basketball Court in the village of Portville. The court is in front of the village baseball diamonds across from Portville Pioneer Park. Families gathered on and around the court, many dressed in maroon Portville Panther T-shirts.
The court, built by volunteers and more than $18,000 in donations, is the brainchild of Tim McArdle. Mr. McArdle is a physical education teacher at Portville Central School and was Adam's basketball coach and his assistant soccer coach. Adam was captain of both teams.
Mr. McArdle said he wanted to do something to honor and remember Adam, a young man he grew to respect and think of as a friend. He watched moments after the dedication ceremony as a group of boys took shots on the court.
"Look, they're already rockin' the rim," he said.
A boy of 9 or 10 watched from nearby bleachers, a smile creasing dimples on both his cheeks. Mr. McArdle noticed and smiled himself.
"You see, that's why we did it right there," he said gesturing to the boy. "That kid is already being affected by Adam."
Benches set at both ends of the court tell visitors about Adam and why the community created the memorial in his honor. Adam's senior quote is carved into the backrest of one of the benches: "The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare."
Mr. McArdle said money raised beyond what was needed for the court will pay for an annual scholarship at Portville Central School. A basketball tournament held each year before Christmas will help support the fund.
Adam's mother marveled at the number of people who came to the dedication Saturday and the effort made to create the memorial.
"As a mother, I'm proud that people would come out to honor my son on a beautiful Saturday morning when they could be at home with their families," she said. "When we drive by the court, yes, we're going to think about Adam but we're also going to think about Portville and how much Adam loved Portville and what it means to be part of a community like this."
More than 40 members of Adam's family attended the ceremony.
During the ceremony Adam's father asked those gathered to live their lives as Adam lived his, helping each other bear the burdens of life when the strain is too great to carry alone. And he thanked them for helping his family survive the loss of Adam.
"Thank you all for helping us bear our burden," Mr. Elliott said.
Donations to the Adam Elliott Basketball Memorial Court and Scholarship Fund can be made to Community Bank NA, P.O. Box 761, Portville, NY 14770
Logan Harris rebounds a basketball as other members of the Elliott family take the first shots at the new court in Portville Saturday. The Adam Elliott Memorial Court was dedicated in memory of Adam who died on July 30, 2006, following an accident at Letchworth State Park. Photo by Daniel LeBlanc
PORTVILLE - The Elliott family has a tradition. Once a year they take a backpacking trip to some remote location not far from their Portville home.
Dad Dave Elliott said the tradition began when his son Adam was about 9. On that first trip, he said Adam soon became weary of lugging a backpack through the wilds of Pennsylvania. Like any good dad would, Mr. Elliott agreed to carry Adam's pack for him. Adam raced ahead of the family.
"Instantly there was a change. The burden had been lifted and Adam took off like a deer," Mr. Elliott remembers.
In the spring of 2004, Adam, now a young man of 16, led the way again during the family hiking trip, this time with a full load on his back. After cresting a ridge, Adam raced back down the hill without his pack. His father wondered why until Adam ran to his mother Darcy.
"He came to his mother and took her pack from her," he said.
That was Adam, leading the way and bearing the burden for others when they needed it. He died Sunday, July 30, 2006, in an accident at the Lower Falls of Letchworth State Park.
On Saturday at 11 a.m. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott and Adam's two brothers and two sisters gathered with more than 250 of their friends and neighbors to dedicate the Adam Elliott Memorial Basketball Court in the village of Portville. The court is in front of the village baseball diamonds across from Portville Pioneer Park. Families gathered on and around the court, many dressed in maroon Portville Panther T-shirts.
The court, built by volunteers and more than $18,000 in donations, is the brainchild of Tim McArdle. Mr. McArdle is a physical education teacher at Portville Central School and was Adam's basketball coach and his assistant soccer coach. Adam was captain of both teams.
Mr. McArdle said he wanted to do something to honor and remember Adam, a young man he grew to respect and think of as a friend. He watched moments after the dedication ceremony as a group of boys took shots on the court.
"Look, they're already rockin' the rim," he said.
A boy of 9 or 10 watched from nearby bleachers, a smile creasing dimples on both his cheeks. Mr. McArdle noticed and smiled himself.
"You see, that's why we did it right there," he said gesturing to the boy. "That kid is already being affected by Adam."
Benches set at both ends of the court tell visitors about Adam and why the community created the memorial in his honor. Adam's senior quote is carved into the backrest of one of the benches: "The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare."
Mr. McArdle said money raised beyond what was needed for the court will pay for an annual scholarship at Portville Central School. A basketball tournament held each year before Christmas will help support the fund.
Adam's mother marveled at the number of people who came to the dedication Saturday and the effort made to create the memorial.
"As a mother, I'm proud that people would come out to honor my son on a beautiful Saturday morning when they could be at home with their families," she said. "When we drive by the court, yes, we're going to think about Adam but we're also going to think about Portville and how much Adam loved Portville and what it means to be part of a community like this."
More than 40 members of Adam's family attended the ceremony.
During the ceremony Adam's father asked those gathered to live their lives as Adam lived his, helping each other bear the burdens of life when the strain is too great to carry alone. And he thanked them for helping his family survive the loss of Adam.
"Thank you all for helping us bear our burden," Mr. Elliott said.
Donations to the Adam Elliott Basketball Memorial Court and Scholarship Fund can be made to Community Bank NA, P.O. Box 761, Portville, NY 14770
