J Life | Jan-March 2019 jan-mar-19-jlife-USE | Page 9

Joey and his friend Kyle Summer were frequent
participants in the basketball leagues growing up at
The J. Even after moving to Austin, TX, Joey would
look forward to coming back during the holidays and
hitting up the weekend pickup games, reuniting with
the guys he played ball with since his youth.
“There’s something special
about the J, a unique energy.
Some folks think the J is just for
Jews. I’ve been lucky enough
to connect with people at The
J from all walks of life, races,
religions, it doesn’t matter.
The J is a place for all.”
says DeLaRosa. It’s a special connection. A connection
that is now helping other Tucson kids through Chad’s
Champions, a 501 (c)(3).
“That is why I am so excited
to continue a partnership
with The J and to give youth
an opportunity to get involved
with all the consistent activities
that bring our community
together.”
Joey began Chad’s Champions with the mission
to honor one of his best friends, by giving
underprivileged youth an opportunity to stay active
in sports and forge long lasting friendships.
Chadwick T. Kenyon, was born and raised in Tucson.
An avid sports participant in his childhood, he
went on to serve his country in the United States
Navy. He was deployed to Iraq, where he served
as a Navy Corpsman with the 3rd Light Armored
Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I
Marine Expeditionary Force. He was tragically killed
in action, along with two comrades, on August 20,
2006, in Al Anbar Province, when an improvised
explosive device struck their vehicle.
Chad was very active in sports in his youth. Many
of his closest friendships were formed during little
league and Lute Olson Basketball Camp. Joey, Kyle,
and Chad met in 3rd grade at Quail Run Elementary
and were brought together by sports, mostly basketball
and baseball. They attended a lot of the same camps
together, which really strengthened their bond.
When Chad passed, Joey made a personal vow
to make sure his name was not forgotten and his
sacrifice was honored. Chad’s Champions not only
gives underprivileged youth the opportunity to
attend similar camps as Chad, it allows our youth to
understand what sacrifice looks like and to be part of
something bigger than themselves.
“Youth sports are super
expensive and it wasn’t easy
to afford all the opportunities.”
Joey is the Founder & President, but he isn’t the only
driving force behind the organization. Kyle is Vice
President and Chad’s mother, Charmaine Wright, is
Secretary.
“Chad and I knew the struggles
of paying for organized sports,
but the benefits far outweighed
any cost. I don’t want families
to have to struggle financially
to be able to send their children
to play sports and miss out on
a long, lasting experience.”
In 2018, Chad’s Champions raised enough money to
send 14 kids to camp, while also sending their first
cohort of girls to camp.
After moving back to Tucson, Joey has been on a
journey to reconnect with the Jewish Community.
He joined JFSA Young Men’s Group and in 2018
officially launched Chad’s Champions as a 501 (c)(3)
after running it as a scholarship program for 5 years.
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