CSA

Moore making the most of second chance
By Jason Groves groves@lcsun-news.com
Posted: 05/26/2012 05:47:57 PM MDT
Las Cruces Sun News

LAS CRUCES – It’s never too late to start listening to the right people.
For Oñate High School graduate Kevin Moore, the right people just happened to be a group of fellow inmates at Central New Mexico Correctional Facility.
For Moore, it was better late than never.
“They taught me that it wasn’t a place for me,” Moore said. “The old school guys, as we called them, talked some sense into me. I told them everything I was doing and that I used to play sports. They really mentored me. Not to mention, it was prison and it wasn’t really a fun place to be.”
Now at age 26 and thanks to his girlfriend, 2-year-old daughter, a former New Mexico State basketball player, and a college assistant, Moore started listening and has earned a second chance.
Moore received a scholarship to play basketball at Northern New Mexico College next year.
“I’m definitely looking at it as a second chance to show my talent,” Moore said. “I didn’t get looked at much in high school. Now I am getting my education and will be able to provide for my family. That is always going to be the most important thing for me.”
Moore wasn’t recruited coming out of OHS after graduating in 2004.
Moore was a cornerback on Oñate’s 2002 Class 4A state championship football team and a point guard on the Knights’ 2002 Class 4A state runner-up basketball team.
One college, NAIA Dakota State in South Dakota, showed interest and brought Moore in to redshirt for the football team.
He never played a down for South Dakota, however, leaving after one semester.
“They were interested in me and I wasn’t doing anything at the time,” Moore said. “I redshirted, but it was too far for me. I got homesick and just came home.”
Once back in Las Cruces and not working or going to school, Moore turned to selling drugs.
Two years ago, Moore hit rock bottom after violating his parole from a previous cocaine possession charge that resulted in six months in prison.
“As of right now, I’m finishing my parole and will be off in October,” Moore said. Moore met Chris Lang playing open gym basketball.
At 6-foot-1, Moore’s basketball skills stood out. So did the fact that Moore needed a positive influence in his life.
“He didn’t have much money so getting a full-ride scholarship was huge for him,” said Lang, who founded Community Sports Association of New Mexico a year ago to mentor young men in the area.
Basketball was the vehicle Lang used to help Moore turn things around.
Last summer, Lang traveled to Los Angeles with Moore for open tryouts for the NBDL.
Lang said Moore was called back in by the Idaho Stampede for a workout.
“He didn’t make the cut but I wanted that learning experience for him to show him where he was at,” Lang said.
Seeking further exposure, Moore reached out to former Aggie Brandon Mason.
Mason played for Lou Henson from 2000-03 and went on to play for nine years in various professional leagues around the world.
A year ago, Mason started his New Mexico Spotlight website, putting on different events throughout the state.
“When he was at New Mexico State, I would always go to their games,” Moore said. “He is well known in Las Cruces and he hosts a lot of tournaments in Albuquerque and he told me to come to a couple of them.”

Mason reached out to Northern New Mexico assistant coach Mario Caetano.
“Kevin called and asked if I had any opportunities for him and my last connection was Northern,” Mason said. “I called (Caetano) and guaranteed them if they saw him, they would want to sign him.”
Moore went on a visit two weeks ago to the NAIA school located in Española.
“When he came down, he came with his girlfriend and daughter,” Caetano said. “It made me feel good to give him an opportunity to better his life.”
Moore said his parole will be transferred from Las Cruces to Española. After that, he can move on to concentrating on a future that seemed bleak three years ago.
“He needed it,” Mason said. “He had no place left to go. People helped me out in Chicago. I don’t think enough people are doing that here in New Mexico.”
Moore needed those fellow inmates to start turning his life around.
Lang, Mason and Caetano took it from there.
“Ever since then, I have basically changed my life around as a person and with my family,” Moore said. “Everything happens for a reason. Because of that, I would say I’m more mature because of everything.”
Jason Groves can be reached at (575) 541-5459

CSA is more than just about sports, it’s about developing our relationship with God.  How do we do this?  We do this in various forms of relationships, fellowship and competitions.  While these help, nothing completely speaks to us until we block out the technology and other distractions in our life and read God’s word.  Reading is so important to our spiritual growth and is quickly being overlooked in today’s world of short-wave information.  While I encourage you to pick up the Bible and spend time with God, I want to recommend one of the most life changing books I have ever read.

John Owen is a Puritan theologian author that lived from 1616-1683.  Owen was an English Non-comformist church leader, theologian, and academic administrator at the University of Oxford.  He has since become one of the most influential theologians since his death.

Communion With God is a very methodical work that helps explain not only the Holy Trinity but also breaks down our relationship with each divine spirit clearly.  Earlier in my life until my late-twenties I was bound by sin and the condemnation it brought upon my relationship with God.   This work explained to me the role of Grace in my life.  Once we see how Grace really affects our life we can truly see how sin divides us from God.  This realization is much more devastating than before because we see how much we break the heart of God.  Much like you would be saddened if you hurt your family, friend or lover being the cause that God weeps over is a deeply heart wrenching experience.  With that message of sin being said, it is clearly what brings this book to life.  Once John Owen has firmly dragged your heart over the coals he rises your soul to the threshold of thankfulness by pouring God’s love all over your broken heart.

I recommend reading John Owen’s Communion With God because we can never truly fellowship with God until we understand the role of the Trinity and our relationship that is woven through by Grace.

Chris Lang | February 27, 2012 | CSA

CSA is proud to partner with the Christian Baseball League of Las Cruces to bring you a fun atmosphere for the boys and girls of Las Cruces to play the game of baseball through Christian fundamentals!

Please use the above sports tab to navigate through the CBL Contact, FAQ, Registration, Schedule, Teams, Etc.

Serving Las Cruces for over 20 years!

The Christian Baseball League is gearing up for another season this year! We are committed to teaching boys and girls the fundamentals of baseball while having fun in a Christian related atmosphere. We will be having registration for new players and players planning to switch teams:

Registration:

Sat. March 3 from 12pm to 2 pm at Thomas Branigan Memorial Library

Sat. March 10 from 12pm to 2 pm at Thomas Branigan Memorial Library.

Cost will be $50 per player.

Returning players may choose to register online at www.csanm.com.

Coaches and players are needed. For more information please email us at cbl@csanm.com.

What: 6×6 CO-ED Volleyball Tournament

When: February 24-25 2012

Where: University Church of Christ 1555 E. University, Las Cruces, NM

Sign Up: www.csanm.com

Cost: $120

Contact: Tara 575-640-9995

Please download the roster and waiver form here: CSA VOLLEYBALL WAIVER