Before Chris Cruz became Dean of Student Experience at Achievement First Providence Elementary, he was a shooting guard.

Chris played college basketball at Ithaca College and then professionally in Spain. And when he describes what it takes to play guard well, it sounds a lot like the approach he has brought to his 12 years at Achievement First.

“You have to be able to create for other people,” Chris said. “But you also have to be able to put the ball in the basket.”

In other words: find the opportunity. Make the connection. And then execute.

That’s become something of a specialty for Chris.

When he arrived at Achievement First as a physical education teacher, he quickly noticed something missing. Younger students didn’t have many opportunities to participate in organized athletics. Chris knew from his own experience growing up in Syracuse just how powerful sports could be in a young person’s life.

Putting the ball in basketball!

So he started creating those opportunities himself.

Chris founded Legacy Athletics, an independent nonprofit that primarily serves Achievement First students through basketball and other community programs. Over time, the organization has grown to provide scholarships to graduating seniors, as well as community events ranging from turkey and toy drives to fundraisers for families in need.

Legacy Athletics scholarship recipients

Then, four years ago, Chris saw another opportunity: summer.

He helped launch Achievement First Rhode Island’s free summer sports program, giving students in grades 2–8 the chance to spend a month playing basketball, soccer, flag football, volleyball and other sports. Demand has been enormous. Chris said more than 500 students applied for roughly 160–200 available spots this past summer.

But Chris isn’t content simply to run a sports camp. He is constantly looking for the next connection that can make the experience better.

A relationship with Button Hole Golf Course has allowed students to visit the course and learn golf. A partnership with Rhode Island FC, the state’s professional soccer club, has given AF students opportunities to attend games, visit the stadium and meet professional players. In late September, Rhode Island FC players read to students as part of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Ask Chris how he keeps making these things happen and one word comes up: hustle.

As an athlete, Chris wasn’t just looking for his shot. During his final three seasons, he became the player his team relied on to defend the opponent’s best player. Today, that same combination of persistence and execution helps explain why colleagues know Chris as the person to call when they need to make something happen.

Chris credits the relationships he has built throughout Rhode Island. But those relationships weren’t accidental.

“I think people trust what I do,” he said. Once people see the work, he explained, one connection tends to lead to another: You should talk to Chris.

For Chris, athletics are about much more than winning games. Sports can give students discipline, relationships, confidence, a reason to feel connected to school and something they can belong to. They can also create an identity that stretches across a school community.

Hustle on the court

Chris wants a pipeline that begins when students are young and continues through middle and high school. A program shouldn’t disappear because one coach leaves. Students and families should be able to count on it being there year after year.

Chris sees a need and starts asking a simple question: What can I do to make this happen?

That’s also a pretty good description of a shooting guard.

Create the opportunity. Make the play. And when the ball comes your way, be ready to deliver.