College basketball star… Camp Seneca Lake…you rarely ever hear these two things in the same sentence. However, yesterday during Mohawk’s basketball marathon, Kris Joseph was at Camp Seneca Lake! Yes, the Kris Joseph, #32, from the Syracuse University basketball team. After eight hours of playing basketball the Mohicans needed an energy boost. What better way to get that boost than playing basketball with one of the best players in college basketball? Every Mohican’s jaw dropped as they saw all six and a half feet of Kris walk into the basketball court. Campers recognized Kris immediately.
It took Kris a few shots to get used to the outdoor courts here, as opposed to the top-of-the-line indoor facilities they have at school, but he adjusted quickly and showed off his shooting touch for all of camp to see. He competed in a village game of Knock-Out and then played some shooting games with everyone.
As campers from other villages walked by Mohawk’s marathon they stopped and gazed – they were in shock at what they saw. Never before had an SU basketball player come to Camp (besides former Camp Director, Mel Besdin). Kris signed autographs, took pictures, and shared tons of laughs with all the campers and staff. Kris received hundreds and hundreds of questions from campers and answered every single one with a smile.
It was an honor to be able to bring Kris to CSL yesterday. Kris and I are close friends and he was very excited to come to CSL. As I drove Kris back home, he read aloud “I shall return” on the gate sign and followed it up by saying, “I definitely want to come back…” The entire car ride he kept talking about Camp and how amazing it is; he fell in love with it right away. He later vowed to try and make a return later this summer if his schedule allows.
College basketball star and Camp Seneca Lake…together at last.
Max Krieger
Associate Program Director