In today’s episode of This Hits Different, Shelby Cassesse tells the story of Trinity senior Eden Williamson, who is helping kids learn the game of basketball.
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In a few short months, Trinity senior Eden Williamson will be at NYU playing basketball, on track to become a doctor. Though she won't be living full-time in Western PA anymore, her impact will last much longer.
Eden started coaching youth basketball when she was just a kid herself, inspired by her own coaches — her parents.
“I got old enough to start volunteering, and it was kind of a no-brainer for me,” she says. “My family, whether they intend to or not, they’re very involved.
“To get to watch them live what I got to do is just amazing.”
From about 5th grade all the way to her final high school days, Eden has worked with hundreds of area kids on their skills. But she's not the only one doing the teaching.
“I think I definitely learned to not forget to have fun,” she says. “When you get to the high school level, and you get to college, it can get very stressful.”
A message that means even more outside of sports. As an AP Scholar, member of academic league, math league, trout in the classroom club, event organizer for kids with cancer and volunteer in countless organizations, Eden always remembers the kids she coaches who don't have to take life too seriously just yet.
“The smile never comes off their faces,” Eden says. “I think if we could all just have that much fun, we would all be better for it.”
Life will look at lot different for Eden by the fall, but her impact on local kids will remain.
When you watch local basketball players even years from now, know Eden Williamson likely had a hand in their love of the game.
“I remember going to youth camps for our high school teams and having the best week of my life,” she says.
“If I can leave some kids with those memories and the same love for the game I had — and maybe I taught them a little along the way — but it’s all the same as long as they’re having fun.”