Keys Coach, Mentor and Difference Maker –
Darryn Craig Special Role in Daylen’s  Robinson Life

(Letter to KC STAR 2010)

I want to thank you for the recent articles that you wrote covering students from the Kansas City area that are currently participating in the NCAA Tournament.  I am proud of the articles as well as the students that you have written about. I believe it is one of the few reasons why I and others will buy a paper.

Unfortunately, I did not write you for this sole purpose. While I know that your writers capture the majority of the key elements I believe that miss a vital element when describing the connection between those players in our community and the relationships. My reason for writing is due to those connections lie at the heart of the difference in developing those student athletes’ skills from their formative years to their fruition as successful high school and now college athletes.

You have written several stories including:

Daylen Robinson a student-athlete at Northeast. While you covered some of the people that have been more recent in his life the true hero for this young man has been Darryn Craig. Darryn Craig is the local coach of the Kansas City Keys who took Daylen in the 8th grade.  He has served as his coach and guardian directing him like a father –son relationship and even taking him into his home. Darryn’s love for this kid did not stop at the basketball floor, but rather continues with his teaching about life, relationships, and Christ.  Mr. Craig, has been there to assist him with enrolling in school, being at his side when he was injured, helping him through his grief when his brother died, supporting him financially and emotionally.

Daylen’s first out of town trip was with Mr. Craig. He has travelled and played in New York, New York, Virginia Beach, Virginia, Dallas,Texas, Las Vegas, Nevada, Little Rock, Arkansas, Tulsa, Oklahoma, St. Louis, Missouri, and many other exposure and travel tournaments. In all those travel trips, stays at hotels, buying clothes, providing food and the list goes on and on,  it is Mr. Craig, who has picked up the tab, putting out hundreds and maybe thousands of dollars for Daylen.

Just recently, when his family could not pay for having his wisdom teeth pulled, it was again Mr. Craig who took off from work at his KCPL job to insure that it got done. It is Mr. Craig, who handles the problem without excuses to step up and get things done for Daylen.  It is he who takes Daylen on all his college visits, supported him at high school events, and prepared him for scholastic tests.

Mr. Craig who is married and has three children of his own and three grandchildren has done all this, sometimes at the sacrifice of his family.
How could a whole page and ½ skip the relationship that has been the most important? Mr. Craig, and other coaches for the Kansas City Keys, do this for no money and no glory, but rather for the love of youth, and to stay involved in structuring and helping the lives of youth in the community.

Article on Texas A & M in the Big 12 Tournament and the Kansas City girls’ connection. Danielle Adams one of the best women’s college players in the nation played for the Kansas City Keys since she was in the 2nd grade.  Tanisha Smith started playing on an organized team in the 8th grade with the Keys.  Both developed their games while participating from October through July on the Keys teams. Both were part of a special Key’s team that placed 3rd in the Nation at the 16 & Under 2006 AAU National Tournament. That team went 62-3 and lost to an Atlanta Elite team that featured Maya Moore. The other two losses were avenged by the Keys in other   tournament events.  This outstanding group of girls, included: Latoya Johnson, Louisville, Marisah Henderson, Wichita State, Jackie Griggs, Missouri State, Shalia and Trolisa Williams, UMKC (track).

Danielle played with Latoya Johnson for over 10 years. Both have been players of the year in AAU Missouri Valley. They also played two years of Junior College together at Jefferson Community College where they joined three other former Keys players (Cherakie Barrett, Shalisa, Trolisa) and placed 2nd in the Nation at the NJCAA Women’s Junior College tournament.

Danielle won the Direnna Award in 2008 making it three years in a row a player from the Keys had been selected as the best player in the Kansas City Area. Marcus Walker (Keys player 11 years) won the award in 2006 and Isacc Miles in 2007.

Most recently, your article on Thursday, May 18, 2010, on Dominique Johnson was outstanding, however, again vital information was left out including Isacc Miles and Dominique’s connection at age 12 on the Kansas City Keys team. That team with those two leading as the baby backcourt lead the Keys to a 9th in the Nation finish in 2000. They continued to lead the Keys teams to a 4th place finish in the 14 & Under Nationals in 2002, and a 5th in the nation finish in 2003 at the 15 & Under Nationals. They would later lead Bishop Miege as freshmen and sophomores to a 4th place and 2nd place finish at the Kansas State 5A in respective years 2003 and 2004. When Isacc Miles won the Direnna Award in 2006, it was quietly stated that Dominique was the runner-up finisher.

Little did the article speak to Isacc Miles grew up in the Johnson household. They both were practically inseparable. Both are fearless competitors who have competed against; Mike Conley, Kevin Durant, Darrel Arthur, Michael Beasley, Greg Oden and others.

While we appreciate the star article, “How does the star miss the stuff that makes us vibrant?” While we know these young people have to realize what their purpose in life is and we celebrate their achievements…. It is also important that we recognize the basis for their successes. The Kansas City Keys a youth educational and sports program in the city have been a vital part in the development of the youth in our city.