ELEY DEFYING ODDS; SE STAR HOSTING YOUTH PROGRAM

When Southeast Missouri State University's basketball team takes on Austin Peay Saturday night at the Show Me Center, Indians' center Bud Eley will have the support of a special rooting section.

In attendance will be 25 youngsters from Sikeston who are part of the Drug Education for Youth (DEFY) program. Eley has been serving as a mentor to the youngsters.

DEFY is a joint effort by SEMO Regional Weed and Seed Inc., the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, the Missouri National Guard and the community of Sikeston to keep youth drug and gang free.

The program is designed to influence positive life choices in 9-12-year-olds through various activities, including having the youngsters spend time with mentors.

"It's something I like doing," said Eley, a criminal justice major. "I like working with kids."

Through the efforts of Eley, along with Linda Ferrell of Southeast's criminal justice department and her husband, U.S. Attorney Larry Ferrell, arrangements have been made for the youngsters to not only attend Saturday's game, but also to receive transportation from Sikeston and a meal prior to the game.

The transportation will be provided by the Missouri National Guard while Dominos Pizza will supply the meal.

Eley plans to speak with the group (along with 10 mentors) before the game and also perhaps after the game.

"We like to see our players get involved in as many community things as time will permit," said Southeast coach Gary Garner. "It's hard finding the time, but it's something that's really worthwhile, especially what Bud is doing. Kids really look up to athletes."

What makes Eley's efforts with the DEFY program so impressive, according to Linda Ferrell, is that it is just one example of how far the Indians' 6-foot-10 all-star center has come since arriving on the Southeast campus nearly four years ago.

By all accounts, Eley did not have the most ideal upbringing in his home town of Detroit, Mich. He did not grow up with either of his parents and was raised by a guardian.

Eley -- by his own admission -- also did not have the most ideal attitude when he entered Southeast in 1994 as a Proposition 48 athlete, meaning he was not an academic qualifier and could not participate in basketball during his freshman season.

"I didn't have a very good outlook on life," he said.

Ferrell, who has grown close to Eley over the years, said, "Bud has been such a pleasure to have as a student." But she recalled with a laugh that it wasn't always so.

"Bud walked in the other morning with a sock cap on his head and I asked him if he was trying to keep warm," said Ferrell. "That's how he came in to class in August his first semester here, with a sock cap on his head. He just sat in the back row and would grunt.

"Finally, he moved up and would occasionally ask questions. Now he's a very good student. He's been an instructor's dream. He just never had any direction and he was ill-prepared for college."

Eley himself laughs at the thought of the former `Bud,' who used to make a habit out of losing his temper -- both off and on the court, the latter something Southeast basketball fans who witnessed Eley's numerous technical fouls during his early days with the Indians can attest to.

"I've matured as a person," he said. "I don't get hot-headed any more. I don't lose my temper like I used to. I have a better outlook on life. I'm more positive."

As an example of Eley's persistence and desire to improve himself academically, Ferrell cites what he has had to go through just to get to the point he is at now -- on schedule to graduate in the summer.

"Bud has had to take 15 hours of developmental courses which don't even count toward his degree," she said. "He's taking 18 hours this semester, he'll take 18 hours in the spring and he'll take a full load this summer to graduate. He's such a matured person."

Ferrell says Eley seems to be a natural when it comes to working with youngsters and Eley himself says he thoroughly enjoys it and he believes he has plenty of messages to impart because of his own life experiences.

"Being from Detroit, I got an outlook on things that you don't see in a smaller city," he said. "A lot of the kids I work with are disadvantaged. I didn't grow up with my parents and some of these kids don't have their parents. I feel like I can make a difference."

Said Ferrell, "Bud is great with the kids. This (the group attending Saturday's game) was Bud's idea. He initiated it. It's a wonderful opportunity for these kids. Most of them have probably never been to an event like this before and some may never step on to a college campus.

"As a mentor, Bud has acted as a role model, advisor, sounding board and friend to these youngsters who have grown up in a rough area. He has demonstrated an outstanding ability to impress youth with his life experiences. He has unselfishly contributed valuable time to many youths in this area. I think his knack in life is working with youth."

Eley feels the same way. He said he would eventually like to open his own recreation center for youngsters.

That, of course, might be put on hold for a while because a professional basketball career could be in Eley's future. Now in his third season playing for the Indians, he's averaged better than 17 points and nearly 10 rebounds over his career and has drawn plenty of attention from the NBA, being ranked high among centers by at least a few major scouting services.

Eley, who recently tied the school's career blocked shot record with 97, would also have the option of playing one more season next year under the NCAA rule that grants Proposition 48 athletes the season they lost if they graduate in four years, which Eley is on schedule to do.

Regardless of what the future holds for Eley, Ferrell is certain of one thing.

"Bud has accomplished a great deal on the basketball court so far, but his personal accomplishments are just as impressive," she said. "The NBA is certainly not the only professional career available to him. Bud will definitely be a success no matter what he chooses."