Former Celtics star Chris Herren will speak about his rise to fame, fall into addiction, and his recovery during a public speaking engagement Sept. 15 at Longmeadow High School.
LONGMEADOW – Former Celtics star Chris Herren took his game as high as he could go, then fell as low as a person could go.
The basketball legend from Fall River will be sharing the story of his harrowing descent into addiction and miraculous recovery in an evening event at Longmeadow High School (LHS) on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public.
Herren lived the dream of every high school athlete. He broke scoring records, was courted by top colleges, featured in Sports Illustrated, became the focus of an acclaimed book Fall River Dreams, and played for the Celtics in the NBA. He lost it all to addiction: first alcohol, then cocaine and oxycontin, and finally heroin. Herren has been clean and sober since 2008 and has refocused his life to put his sobriety and family above all else. Since 2009, Chris has trained over 200 basketball players through Hoop Dreams with Chris Herren, Inc., including some of the top basketball prospects in New England. In 2011, Chris founded The Herren Project, a non-profit foundation that educates at-risk populations and helps others in taking the first steps toward recovery.
Several LHS students and parents heard Herren speak at the Basketball Hall of Fame last fall and were inspired to bring him to LHS. He will be speaking to all high school students during two daytime assemblies on Sept. 15. Then he will speak again the same evening at an event open to the whole community.
LHS Substance Abuse Response Coordinator Shelly Warren, MSW, LICSW, said Herren’s story is one that students must hear.
“It is not only a story of addiction, but of hope,” Warren said. “He has been in recovery since 2008 and students need to hear that he has refocused his life on his family and reaching out to people.”
Warren said he is a powerful speaker who inspires his audience and encourages them to make healthy choices, something she does daily at LHS.
“Addiction can happen to everyone, but so can recovery,” said Warren.
Warren said his addiction is something that speaks to people today.
“We are in the midst of an opiate epidemic,” she said. “Longmeadow is not immune to that.”
The events have been sponsored by Longmeadow Safe Homes Network, the LHS Chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions, the LHS Parent Advisory Council, Longmeadow Booster Clubs, Phoenix House, the Hampden County DA’s Office, Chase Clark Stewart & Fontana Insurance Agency and Hadley Printing Company.
Warren said in addition to Herren’s speaking engagement, the LHS chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions will host the Project Purple Initiative Sept. 15.
“This is to encourage students to stand up to substance abuse and remain substance-free,” said Warren, adding that students will be asked to sign a pledge and wear a purple wristband to show their support of the Purple Project.
Admission to the community speaking event is free of charge but Warren said tickets should be reserved in advance at www.lhsherren.eventbrite.com.
