What makes Jerome Smalls want to be the next Lutz Guv’na?
Part of it is encouragement from the current one.
“We went to the same high school in Philadelphia,” said Smalls of himself and the current Guv’na, Suzin Carr.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
When they met a couple of years ago in Lutz, they realized they both attended Roxborough High School in Philadelphia, albeit at different times. They struck up a friendship, and Carr encouraged him to run for the ceremonial title, given to the candidate who raises the most money during the race. The funds collected by the candidates go to local charities and civic organizations.
Smalls declined to run last year against Carr — who earned her second stint as Guv’na — but now that her term is almost over, he’s thrown his hat into the ring.
Smalls is one of five candidates vying for the position, and even though he’s lived in the Tampa area for around eight years — Smalls and his family live in Town ‘N Country and are relocating to Westchase — he’s always been struck by the friendly and welcoming nature of Lutz residents.
“The people are probably the No. 1 thing. The people are really friendly and outgoing,” he said.
Smalls first got to know the people of Lutz when he started up his family business, Soccer Gemz, which uses the fields by Lutz First Baptist Church, 18116 U.S. 41, where his family also attends church. His wife, Marchele, played soccer at the University of Tennessee, and they decided to create a soccer program for children ranging in ages from 18 months to eight years.
The inspiration came from feedback from Smalls’ daughter, Ivoryele, when she started playing soccer at a young age.
“She enjoyed the practices and was having fun. But when it came to the games, she didn’t really care too much for them,” Smalls said. “And we noticed that that’s what a lot of kids do. They’re not into it at all.”
Soccer Gemz operates under a curriculum that eliminates what they believe isn’t enjoyable, while retaining what is considered fun.
The organization’s focus is based on teaching skills through positive reinforcement, and playing games that are really just exhibitions where they don’t keep score and don’t have an actual winner. The program allows children to learn the fundamentals of soccer without competitive aspects they might not enjoy at a young age.
Soccer Gemz also touts a “mommy and me” class where a mother or father can participate in lessons with their children as early as 18 months. At that age they might just be socializing and learning to kick a ball, but it allows for a unique bonding experience for a family and provides a basic introduction to sports.
For Smalls, a successful class isn’t necessarily one where a child becomes the next soccer star or flashes superior skills. It’s when he receives feedback from parents that their child enjoys participating and has a good time on the field.
“Kids are having fun. That’s the No. 1 principle that we decided to build our business on, is making sure that the kids are having fun while they’re learning,” Smalls said.
The format seems to be working, as Soccer Gemz also has added a location in Ruskin. But Lutz is special to Smalls, so he’s making a push for Guv’na with a series of fundraisers.
Smalls recently had a pancake breakfast, he has an event planned with other candidates at Mekenita Mexican Grille on June 5, and an ice cream social at the Tampa Community of Christ June 13 at noon.
And while he hopes to raise the most money and earn the title, it’s the charitable aspect of the race that appeals to him. Smalls participates in church drives and enjoys being able to give back to Lutz groups and help raise funds for worthy organizations. He wants to win the race, but will continue participating in area events either way.
His goals? “Not only now, but after the race is over, to be able to get around and do things in the community and bring a little bit more awareness to things that are going on in the community,” Smalls said.
For more information about Soccer Gemz or to contribute to Smalls’ campaign, call (813) 421-5203, or visit SoccerGemz.com.
Published June 4, 2014
