Video: Former Ole Miss Basketball Coach Has High Praise For Youth Focused Organization

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A well known former basketball coach for Ole Miss encouraged volunteers with an organization that helps build relationships between police, young people and the community.

Coach Rod Barnes was guest speaker at the first banquet and fundraiser for Tupelo’s Police Athletic League.

Barnes is the current head coach of the Cal State Bakersfield Men’s Basketball program, and he said he wanted to encourage those who work through PAL to never lose sight of the lives they are impacting.

Coach Barnes says PAL is playing a big role in the community.

“People change places and we have got a great bunch of people here in Tupelo, wanted to come and speak on behalf of fathers, coaches and hopefully, kind of inspire young people , but also continue to give support to our law enforcement officers giving our lives everyday to protect our community,” Coach Barnes said.

Past members of PAL talked about how the program helped them.  Tupelo’s Police Athletic League began in 2005 with several leaders.  Now it reaches more than 1,200 young people every month.