Chris Herren Brings Powerful Message to Park’s Upper School
The Christopher O’Neil Memorial Foundation has made possible a 3-day visit to Baltimore by former pro basketball player Chris Herren. He spoke at seven schools during his stay, including Park. Herren, a college standout and Boston Celtic whose path to stardom was blocked by years of substance abuse, shared his story of addiction and recovery on Thursday, November 20 at an assembly with Park’s Upper School students.
Park parents, along with parents from all area schools, were invited to attend Chris’s presentation the night before at Gilman School. It was a fantastic opportunity to listen to the powerful message that our Upper School students would be hearing the following day, and a starting point for an age-appropriate dialogue within families.
We thank Chris for his life’s work.
Link to the Herren Project: www.theherrenproject.org/
Read on for more information about Chris Herren.
About Chris Herren
A native of Fall River, MA, Herren scored over 2,000 career points while at Durfee High School and was named to the McDonald’s All-American Team in 1994. He realized his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA when the Denver Nuggets drafted him in 1999, and was traded to his hometown team, the Boston Celtics, in 2000. Herren later played for several international teams.
Throughout his basketball career, Herren struggled with a substance abuse problem that nearly killed him. He shares his harrowing story of abuse and recovery in his memoir Basketball Junkie, and in the ESPN Films “30 for 30” documentary Unguarded.
Drug-free and alcohol-free since 2008, Herren now attends meetings daily to support his substance-free lifestyle and speaks with groups trying to overcome addiction to share his experiences and road to sobriety. He is the founder of the Herren Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing treatment navigation, educational and mentoring programs to those touched by addiction and educating people of all ages on the dangers of substance abuse.
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