WSET.com - ABC13Non-Profit Hopes to Turn VSA Dorm into Basketball School

Reporter: Lauren Compton l Videographer: Daniel Heffner

Lynchburg, VA- Students could be returning to one of the Virginia School of the Arts buildings,  but not to dance. A Lynchburg non-profit is trying to turn the VSA's dormitory building into a private school for gifted athletes.

Team Genesis works in city schools now, with this new school they hope to help athletes reach new heights. And, put Lynchburg on the map as a basketball city.

Through one-on-one training and a mentoring program, the non-profit Team Genesis helps aspiring athletes reach their potential.

"We tutor them, help them with their grades, prepare them for the SAT's that they have to take in order to attend college," said Amanda Williams, a Board Director for Team Genesis.

Several kids in the programs have received college scholarships, one is even pegged to be in the NBA draft next year. Executive Director Harry Williams and his wife Amanda want to reach more athletes with the private boarding school.

"We want to reach basketball players from rural areas, and international players as well," said Harry Williams, Executive Director of Team Genesis.

The students at the school will be able to earn a high school degree, and learn all the skills they need for a career in college or the NBA. Williams says they will also learn some skills they can use off the court.

"They are going to walk away with more than athletic training. We are going to put them in leadership positions, have them involved in the community," said Amanda Williams.

But, first Team Genesis needs to raise nearly $300,000 to purchase the former VSA Whiteside building on Rivermont Avenue.

It's a tough challenge for a non-profit, but Williams says there is no better place than the Hill City to open up a school like this.

"The proximity of where Lynchburg is located to the other major cities, and other universities is great. I think this is a hotbed for sports as a whole, but basketball primarily," said Harry Williams.

Williams says he would like to open the school in the fall of 2012. Team Genesis is now fundraising and looking for investors. In the meantime they have several programs going on now for athletes.

For information on Team Genesis visit teamgenesis.org.