When Walter Ray decided to form the organization Education. Goals. Opportunity. and Sports (EGOS) in 1994, he had no idea that it would still be as formidable three decades later.
“Quite frankly, we were looking short term,” said Ray, an entertainment and personal business attorney based in Washington, D.C. “We saw where there were so many people with talent that some of them were not getting the exposure and opportunities. So, we decided to identify those individuals who were overlooked but need an opportunity.”
Continuing their mission over the course of 30 years, it has touched the lives of hundreds who have taken advantage of the opportunities.
The organization, initially based in Northwest D.C. and now in Takoma Park, Maryland, has served to provide exposure through travel to other cities’ basketball tryouts and helping with scholarship opportunities for young people in the DMV. Most of the funding for the programs comes from fundraisers at golf tournament and various donations.
Former NBA player and current Boston Celtics assistant coach Tony Dobbins (seated center) receives an EGOS Player of the Year Award. (Courtesy of EGOS)
Ray said that his inspiration came from late legends like the late Hall of Fame basketball player Sam Jones and former Mayor Marion Barry.
“They were people who cared about the underdog or the forgotten,” said Ray. “They were influenced by the concept of community. That was what inspired me to dedicate my efforts to continuing that legacy to those who sometimes need an opportunity or second chance.”
EGOS Success Stories
One of the recipients of the program is Dante Baldeh, who has a compelling story. As a 6-8 basketball player at Springbrook High School in Montgomery County, Maryland, Baldeh explained he was overlooked because of questions about his skill level.
“I was down and out after I finished high school and was not sure what I was going to do,” noted Baldeh. “I took a year off from basketball and worked at the mall. I was frustrated and ready to give up until Walt approached me. He and EGOS were instrumental in me getting offers from seven different schools.
For Baldeh, EGOS changed everything.
“EGOS literally saved my life. I was eventually able to attend college, get my undergraduate degree from IUP (Indiana University of Pennsylvania) and then my master’s degree in global business from American University.”
Baldeh has worked his way up the food chain and is currently Director of Operations for all the Walmart locations in the Maryland/Western Pennsylvania region.
Another beneficiary of EGOS’ efforts is Tony Dobbins. Like Baldeh, Dobbins was overlooked early in his basketball career, but because of some extra effort by Ray, he was given a chance.
“Tony was labeled as too skinny and not perhaps strong enough to compete,” recalled Joe “JD” Dobbins, Tony’s father and a longtime youth basketball coach. “But Walt and EGOS saw something in him and was able to persuade someone to take a look at him and give him a chance.”
It paid off as Dobbins went on to attend Maret High School in NW Washington before finishing his career at Virginia Tech. He played professionally for several years before landing a job with the Boston Celtics as an assistant coach, where he won an NBA title this past year.
Others who have benefitted from EGOS include: Tony Skinn, current head men’s basketball coach at George Mason University; Rob Monroe, a member of the New England Sports Hall of Fame following his career at Quinnipiac; and Muhammad Hill, co-founder of The Museum DC.
Ray is especially proud of the legacy of EGOS and how it has grown to include alums of the program.
“What is so rewarding is when you have 30 to 40 former members of EGOS who now reach out and ask how they can help make a difference the same way someone did for them,” he said.
Baldeh said he will always prioritize EGOS.
“Anytime I get a call from Walt needing something, I am going to take that call. I am not at all surprised that it is still around and making a difference.”
EGOS Today and Beyond
EGOS continues to provide opportunities and exposure.
Over the years, it has taken young people to the The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, to Hershey Park in Pennsylvania and numerous college campuses. An undergraduate of Morehouse and a law school graduate from Howard, Ray admits that he has a special relationship with HBCUs.
Ray explained how he approaches EGOS, and why such a program is needed 30 years later and beyond.
“I always refer to the terms underdog and 12th man when capturing the theme of EGOS,” Ray told the Informer. “There will always be a need for a program like EGOS. It is all about creating a legacy for those who are overlooked and just need an opportunity. I am not interested in helping someone who has 50 offers and EGOS makes it 51. I am looking for someone who has been overlooked and will get a chance to develop and at the same time get an opportunity to get a degree or position themselves in a meaningful career. We oftentimes look at what we need to do to stop the violence among our youth. I always say, the reward for stopping violence is not pretending that you tried; the reward is for knowing that you tried.”
For its most recent challenge, EGOS has taken on the task of getting recognition for Freddie Lewis. A former standout with the Indiana Pacers of the ABA, Lewis met Ray in the late 90’s in D.C. and became a huge supporter of the organization.
In return for his support, Ray recently took a group of young people to Indiana to meet Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson and Larry Bird. They are all collaborating in an effort to have Lewis’s jersey retired.
“Freddie was a great player but somehow did not get the recognition he deserved,” explained Ray. “He was such a big supporter of EGOS during his time in D.C. that we decided to do what we can to make sure that he gets his proper recognition… Again, we are in the business of helping the underdogs. That is what EGOS was founded on and we are trying to continue that legacy 30 years later.”
Source: Washington Informer
