Arlington basketball performs 'random acts of kindness'

A.J. Martelli, Poughkeepsie Journal
Arlington High School's Shane Walczyck attempts to takes a shot over Roy C. Ketcham's Matt Seidner during a Jan. 19 game at Arlington.

Jimmy Martin has a job.

And for the senior power forward on Arlington High School’s boys basketball team, it’s more than just getting open looks offensively, and positioning himself defensively under the basket.

Over the past few weeks, he and Nick Garner of the school's indoor track and field team have frequently visited Arlington Middle School to help students who are troubled socially or are having trouble at home. They’ve assisted them with homework and have acted as pillars for the younger kids to lean on.

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“We go there and they kind of ask us questions about the high school. Really, our goal is to build relationships with them and be someone they can look up to,” Martin said.

The other Admirals boys basketball players are likewise reaching out to others in small ways, through an initiative their coach calls "random acts of kindness."

This year, coach Matt Hoyt wished to do something different and positive with his team. His wife had given him the idea, after she told him she had implemented the practice with her third grade class.

“We’re kind of in the early stages of it, but I challenged the kids to, once a day, do something just random and nice for someone else,” Hoyt said. “They’re still trying to find their way with it.”

The acts themselves vary: Helping a lost freshman find their way to class; greeting someone in the hall; noticing someone eating alone during lunch, and bringing their tray over to eat with them.

And along with benevolence toward other students, Hoyt is having his team write thank you notes to various school workers, such as hall monitors, secretaries, the school nurse, teachers and lunch workers.

Although it’s only been a custom for a couple weeks, acting kind is already popular among the players.

“I like it because we are the basketball team. Freshmen, younger kids probably look up to us,” Martin said. “We’re pushed by it and we’re planning to do it throughout the rest of the school year.”

And the coach hopes the kind gestures go beyond the Arlington school walls.

“I’m trying to get the kids to do some things outside of the school as well,” Hoyt added. “On the weekends, maybe, different things like that. We’re going to try and get them there.”

After all, Hoyt said, “kindness is the key to everything we do.”

The Admirals open their season on Tuesday against White Plains in Freedom Plains.

Last year Arlington was ousted by Saunders in the opening round of the Section 1 Class AA tournament. Two years ago, the Admirals were undefeated up until the section semifinals, where they lost to Clarkstown South by two points.

Just as the players are being outwardly positive towards others, they are equally as confident about their chances this season.

“I think we’re looking good this year,” Martin said. “Definitely better than last year and ready for the season to start.”

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports