St. Louis native Angela Lewis, a former professional basketball player of Turner Verin Bensberg- Germany, has established, Major Game LLC, an organization to assist young women in the game of basketball and personal and spiritual development.
Lewis uses this platform as an opportunity to support young women to obtain focus on the game of basketball and its dynamics, to have awareness of self respect and spirituality as a whole. Lewis says she is a God-fearing woman, who acts upon the scripture St. Luke 12:48, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.”
She holds a Bachelor’s of Communications and a Master’s of Communications from Saint Louis University. Her past experience also includes the Director of Basketball Operations- Marquette University, Class 2 A State Championship- Assistant Coach Metro High School and another honorable mention, an Assistant Coach Webster University.
She said, “I am here for the kids who I work with. It is an important piece in what I do; I am here for the young women. I’ve been blessed beyond measure.”
It’s her personal mission to empower young women through the sport of basketball.
Lewis says, “I thought about everything I wished I had as I was an up and coming player of the game, this is the reason why I created the organization, to provide services and support.”
She was not taught how important nutrition was in conjunction into playing sports. Lewis says, “I wished I would have known more about nutrition and the right foods that would fuel my body. When I was a player my favorite meal was buffalo chicken sandwich and fries or my alternative meal everyday would be pizza.”
She also was inspired by watching a friend’s basketball journey end in a tragedy.
“I had a close friend who was an assistant coach at Eastern Illinois University. She passed away at the age of 29 years old from a heart defect,” Lewis said.
“I watched her life as it was time consuming. It consisted of being on the road all the time and much recruiting was involved. I wondered if the trade off of a consuming life was worth it.”
With this experience she did not want to see or touch a basketball. Then she decided to use her talents God had given her and she returned to basketball.
She honors her parents by naming the organization after them. Her mother is Leonia Lewis (Mae) and her father is Sylvester Lewis Jr. The name Major Game was originally spelled “MaeJr. Game,” but the spelling was changed for clarity.
At that time, Lewis collaborated with brothers Rodney and Ronald to host a number of basketball camps basketball program.
“I can not remember my mother saying one negative word in my life concerning my development,” she said. “I have seen how the power of words can impact a life, that’s both positive and negative. As a kid you don’t think about those things, but as I got older I started to reflect.”
Lewis said her mother gave her encouragement in times she would want to give up. She said, “My mother would say you can do it. You are beautiful. You are wonderful and amazing. That was implanted in me.”
Lewis wants to pass along her skills and encourage others not to give up as her mother encouraged her.
These weekly sessions are workouts with self evaluation exercises and biblical scriptures to support the session, such as “On the Court Activity.” This is the workout component which includes shooting, defense, passing, one on one moves. For the self evaluation component of the session, topics include identity and goal-setting, overcoming obstacles, soul hoops, daily affirmation and leadership.
Other programs Lewis offers include Motivational Speaking, College Basketball Readiness Presentation, Camps/Clinics, Team Workouts, Small Group Workouts and Private Instruction.
For more information, call 314-598-7870 or visit www.majorgamebasketball.webs.com.