Sadly, gang violence is commonplace in our Los Angeles inner city schools. Repeated accounts seem mundane and are often ignored. Someone else’s problem.

It’s tragic that school violence no longer shocks us. Tragic especially for the student athletes left in the wake of resignation and apathy. Media accounts would have us believe the situation is without hope.

Schools traditionally were centers for
intellectual and character growth. Today, lack of funds for public schools have impacted not only the quality of education but the opportunity to participate in sports. Sports participation for high school student athletes has always been an invaluable resource for a multitude of positive, character building experiences.

In 1994, recognizing the void left by severely diminished school sports budgets, Dr. Clarence Shields, former team doctor for the L.A. Rams, had an innovative idea to support inner city athletes. His efforts were the genesis of an exciting and extraordinary program called
Team HEAL (Helping Enrich Athletes Lives).