Upperman basketball standout Ty Cobb is giving back to the Baxter community through youth basketball coaching and Special Olympics involvement, using his platform as a student-athlete to mentor younger students and build relationships beyond the court.
Cobb said his commitment to community service comes from the support Upperman’s basketball program receives from local fans. He said residents regularly fill the gym for home games and travel to road contests, creating a connection between the team and the community.
“The community of Baxter, they do a lot for us and how they support us. It’s always good to give back to the community,” Cobb said. “They show up for all of our games, they pack our gym out, they travel with us and watch our games and they support us so well.”
Cobb said coaching youth basketball allows him to provide the same encouragement he received growing up around the Upperman program. His work as a Special Olympics peer buddy has also introduced him to students with whom he might not otherwise have developed friendships.
“When we get to coach them on the little court and help them out, it’s always cool to them, because when I was little, that was the cool part to me was being around the high school kids the whole time,” Cobb said.
Cobb’s connection to Upperman basketball began when he became a ball boy at five years old. His mother played for the girls basketball team, while his stepfather played for the boys program and now serves as an assistant to Head Coach Bobby McWilliams.
Cobb said those lifelong relationships have helped him feel comfortable around coaches and teammates while developing a sense of responsibility to the program.
The Upperman guard has committed to Liberty University, where he hopes to continue combining basketball with community involvement. Cobb said the university’s activities away from the court and his relationship with the coaching staff influenced his decision.
“All the stuff they do off the court, it’s just, it’s really cool to see that,” Cobb said. “I feel like that’s going to be a really cool experience when I go up there.”
Cobb said he hopes his time at Upperman will be remembered for more than individual accomplishments. He wants younger players to recognize the importance of competing for their teammates while treating others with respect.
“I just want them to remember me as how hard I competed on the court and how good of a kid I was off the court to everybody,” Cobb said. “I treated everybody well and on the court, I wanted to win and it was never about me, it was always about my team.”
