Marbury wants to help build center in Rochester
Professional basketball guard Stephon Marbury met with more than 100 members of the Rochester community Friday night to discuss an idea for a project that he would help build in the city.
The town-hall meeting at a private home in Penfield was expected to include members of City Council, the Rochester School District board, social agency officials, area high school principals and athletic coaches.
Marbury and Karen Iglesia, owner of Iglesia Educational Centers in Rochester and Syracuse, want to build a facility that would offer a variety of services to youths.
The center would offer a variety of educational programs that would be steered by a committee.
The center possibly would have room for athletic clinics and a wellness center to address dental and health care.
“It’s a formula I want to bring all over the country, all over the world,” Marbury said. “I saw an opportunity when I came to Rochester.
“It reminds me of Brooklyn, poverty-stricken. I’m trying to do my part to help.”
Marbury began to take an interest in Rochester after he befriended the family of Iglesia at Michael Jordan’s basketball camp.
Marbury was impressed with Iglesia’s educational center during a recent visit to Rochester.
“Giving back is something that he does,” Iglesia said. “He wants to let the city know this is something he wants to do.”
