Sullivan Drives Full Spectrum of Basketball Training

In addition to serving as Pearce's Youth League Sports Manager, Gavin Sullivan is also the director and coach of the Illinois Irish Basketball Program. The amateur sports team is an elite travel program created in 2006 by Gavin to help young men of all economic backgrounds gain different experiences through the game of basketball that help them mature on and off the court. The program uses basketball as a tool to help them further their education after high school. All players in this program have gone on to play college basketball except two. Both of those two went on to play Division One football. 

Alec Peters, 19, of Washington, started playing in Gavin's program in eighth grade and continued to play until he graduated from high school. During his junior and senior year, Alec earned a spot in the all state first team and was named the Peoria Journal Star's Player of the Year.

Not surprisingly, 6'9" Alec had his choice of several college programs. Ultimately, he decided on Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN where he is studying sports management.



His first year of college basketball was impressive. Alec averaged 13 points per game; 5 rebounds per game; and had three 30-point games. He also averaged 30 minutes of play in 40-minute games. He also earned a spot on the first team of the Horizon League All Freshman Team.

With all of those accomplishments, a summer break seems reasonable. But not for Alec. He dreams of playing in the NBA or professionally overseas, and he knows what he has to do to realize those dreams. He spent most of the summer with his first coach and mentor, Gavin, at Pearce, who put him through grueling footwork and agility training. "He'll reach his goals," said Gavin, "because his commitment and work ethic are unwavering."

Alec has returned to Valparaiso to start his sophomore year. Gavin looks forward to working with him again over holiday breaks, but in the meantime, he has put together another youth basketball league program for community boys and girls ages 4 to 12 years. "I'm very lucky because I get to work across the entire spectrum," said Gavin. "I get to see and nurture that first spark of interest in basketball in a small child. Then I get to develop real talent in my Illinois Irish league; and then refine and polish the skills of college ball players."  

Click here to learn more about the Youth Basketball League.