ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Jerry Christian has been a familiar name in Allentown, not just for his accomplishments on the basketball court, but for the lives he has helped shape off of it.
A street naming ceremony to rename Hickory Street ‘Jerry Christian Way’ was scheduled for Saturday but was postponed due to weather.
Even without the street sign going up yet, Christian’s message remains clear.
“When you put ‘Way’ on it and you say, ‘Jerry Christian Way,’ well, my way is to lead people to Christ,” he said.
Christian played for the Allentown Jets professional team for nine seasons, an experience that led him to mentor young players at the Cumberland Gardens Community Center.
He says he never turned kids away while working there, calling it a message from God to help and guide young people.
He taught children not only how to play basketball, but also how to navigate life.
“We had a lot of conversations about life. They just needed to talk, and they needed somebody to listen,” Christian said.
One of those kids, Alvin Blount, remembers the lessons well.
“You get knocked down so much and as a kid, you don’t understand why it’s happening. You just get defeated. And while I was defeated, I just remember Jerry saying, ‘Don’t quit, don’t quit.’ And things worked out,” Blount said.
Blount described Christian as the kind of person who always makes time for others, whether it was helping with basketball or simply offering advice about life.
While the street ceremony will happen at a later date, those who know Christian say his legacy has already been paved through the people he has inspired.
The Cumberland Gardens Community Center, where Christian mentored countless children, remains a vital resource for local youth. Children line up after school for programs ranging from basketball to homework help offered by the Boys and Girls Club of Allentown.
For years, the Allentown Housing Authority has covered costs such as staffing and allowed the Boys and Girls Club to operate in the space rent-free.
However, after receiving less federal funding this year, the organization must begin paying rent and take on staffing expenses.
To help offset the $180,000 annual cost, the nonprofit has launched a fundraising campaign to ensure the center can continue serving the community that helped shape leaders like Christian.