Gabe McNeal was living in Virginia with a mother addicted to drugs and hanging with the wrong crowd, stealing, doing poorly in school and not thinking of his future.
After he repeatedly found himself in trouble with the law or school, he asked his father if he could move in with him.
If he did, his father told McNeal he would have to read a book and take a vocabulary test every week and maintain a ‘C’ average or above in school.
Almost ten years later, McNeal has not only completed his degree in Communications at Point Park where he was a basketball star but has set up his own non-profit charity to bring the same things his father brought him to underprivileged children across the country and it is all based on learning to read.
“Reading saved my life,” McNeal said.
His foundation is called the Go Pro in the Game of Life Foundation, which he hopes to be an advocate for literacy and education for individuals like him, who could have been swallowed up by the streets, had his dad not intervened.
The Go Pro in the Game of Life Foundation is the physical manifestation of the change McNeal made in his life. Not any change, but the change that derived from the inspiration of written words.
“Spreading knowledge and sending a message to the youth. It doesn’t matter where you come from or what you are going through, you too can achieve success in life. Especially with the ‘game plan for life’ method,” McNeal said about the foundation.
The foundation helps to “spread knowledge and give kids a game plan for life.”
When he was living with his mother, who was mired in narcotics, he was exposed to drugs and the lifestyle of those who use and distribute them.
Playing basketball and being with his friends was the only concern he had. When he was threatened with being kicked out of his middle school and kicked off the basketball team, he realized it was time for a change and that is what prompted him to call his father.
Once he struck the deal with his father, his grades began to improve, he was learning and valuing his education along with his athletics. He was receiving guidance and adopting a set of morals and ethics that would help shape his life.
“The first book my father had me read was ‘The Hungry Caterpillar,’” McNeal said.
McNeal carried the standards his father set and his grades stayed above a ‘C’ average. He also played basketball, where he shined. He kept this going through high school, and on to Cecil Community College. His grades got to the point that McNeal was once asked to read a prepared statement in front of the President of the school and faculty members.
Boggled as to why he was asked, he called his father, who reassured him it was because he knew how to speak and communicate effectively. This also doubled as the moment McNeal decided he wanted to be more than just a basketball player, and majored in Communications with goals of becoming a radio and or television host.
Transferring to Point Park, McNeal began to expand in his major and in his athletic career. He was ranked number one on the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (KIAC)’s individual stats leader list and received a host of other awards when he had an epiphany.
Feeling the need to do more and give back to the community, McNeal began to think deeper and realized that life is so much bigger than him and the basketball court. Walking away from multiple offers to continue his career overseas, he began seeking a way of combining the two.
“My whole life has always been about basketball,” McNeal said.
Referring back to a book he read entitled “Make it Happen” by Kevin Liles – the book is about Kevin Liles and his ten rules to success – was the inspiration McNeal needed. The title also serves as McNeal’s personal motto.
“As a friend, I’m glad he figured out what was more important in life and decided to incorporate his love for basketball and reading, bringing them together to deliver a positive message for the youth. It’s a great foundation because we never have anything like this in our generation when we were growing up,” Romel Powell, McNeal’s former teammate, said.
McNeal’s process to develop the foundation was not easy. It required a lot of time, reading, researching and networking.
“I have my own non-profit,” McNeal said in excitement and astonishment of how far he has come. “I am trying to teach young kids and student athletes you have to have a back-up plan besides sports.”
A fan of McNeal expressed her feelings on his dedication.
“It’s not every day you find someone who has a passion to help and teach others,” Elise McKenna Wiley said.
McNeal traveled to multiple schools, churches and youth programs. His foundation has several programs to promote literacy T.E.A.M.H.O.O.P. (Together Everyone Achieves More Helping Others Overcome Pressure), Get Off The Bench and Get Into The Game Of Life Ball-Handling Clinic and the Kool Kat in the Hat.
“I first noticed the Go Pro in the Game of Life foundation on Facebook as it continued to flow down my timeline. Gabe has done an excellent job marketing and getting the word out about how he is out to make a change in the community,” Stacy Smith, who invited McNeal into her church to speak to the youth, said. “The foundation is having a great impact in communities, school systems, churches, children camps, etc. Teaching children to stay focused on life goals, reading and positive attitudes will be something a child will be able to carry with them for life.”
McNeal continues to network and to travel; he aspires to take his foundation to an international level. He is currently working on a documentary to show his audience a deeper look into his life and the foundation.
The foundation was founded Aug. 6, 2014 and, in the time it has been operating, has reached to different states, influenced a wide variety of children, impressed a host of adults and continues to grow.
“I had a kid come up to me and tell me he cannot wait to go home and read, and that made me realize what I was doing was right,” McNeal said.