Payne's basketball dream now a reality
The former Sac State player will graduate today, against some tall odds
By John Schumacher - [email protected]
Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, May 23, 2008
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1
James Payne lost his mom to murder at age 6, 16 days of his life to jail at 21 and his dad to lung cancer at 22.
He slept on his friends' couches and the floors of their houses for two years in junior college, often not knowing what he'd eat for his next meal. And he struggled for years to overcome a learning disability that wasn't diagnosed until last year.
Payne almost lost his way, but he never lost his dream: a college diploma.
The 29-year-old former Sacramento State basketball player is set to walk across the stage today in graduation ceremonies at Arco Arena, the organizational communication degree he has earned representing a peak in his arduous climb through life.
"I've just been waiting for this for a long time," he said, his voice filling with emotion. "It's a dream to finish, you know what I'm saying?
"It's something I always knew I was going to be able to do and I knew I wasn't going to quit until I got it done."
Continue reading at: http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/961350.html
The former Sac State player will graduate today, against some tall odds
By John Schumacher - [email protected]
Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, May 23, 2008
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1
James Payne lost his mom to murder at age 6, 16 days of his life to jail at 21 and his dad to lung cancer at 22.
He slept on his friends' couches and the floors of their houses for two years in junior college, often not knowing what he'd eat for his next meal. And he struggled for years to overcome a learning disability that wasn't diagnosed until last year.
Payne almost lost his way, but he never lost his dream: a college diploma.
The 29-year-old former Sacramento State basketball player is set to walk across the stage today in graduation ceremonies at Arco Arena, the organizational communication degree he has earned representing a peak in his arduous climb through life.
"I've just been waiting for this for a long time," he said, his voice filling with emotion. "It's a dream to finish, you know what I'm saying?
"It's something I always knew I was going to be able to do and I knew I wasn't going to quit until I got it done."
Continue reading at: http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/961350.html
