2018 LA84 Summit Recap: This is Why I Coach

By: Jas Kang

Despite suffering a devastating knee injury during a high school basketball game, Serena Limas’ love for the sport never wavered.

Her power talk at the 2018 LA84 Foundation Summit focused on the reasons she wanted

to use basketball a tool to help children from underserved areas have hope.

After tearing her ACL, Limas joined Coaching Corps, an organization that focuses on training and developing those who are passionate about helping children.

“Going into RG [Ramona Gardens, in East LA,] I had to earn their respect, those first eight weeks, there was such a disconnect,” Limas said.

She chose to coach in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Southern California because she wanted to make a difference.

Limas remembered being asked by some of the children she was coaching why she hadn’t given up and quit yet.

“I had them asking me why I hadn’t left, I worked hard to show them where our stories intersect,” Limas said.

Limas was named the 2018 Coaching Corps coach of the year at the organization’s Game Changer awards in San Francisco.

During her talk at the LA84 Summit, Limas reminded everyone what motivates her to help the youth she has grown so fond of.

“I coach as a part of this amazing movement, changing the world through sport, leveling the playing field for these kids,” she said. “I believe, whole heartedly, we will see things change. Take these kids off the streets and onto the playing field.”

Limas believes patience is key in helping children from underserved areas.

“Teach them, educate them, empower them,” she said.”

“So one day they will spark change and light a fire, a wildfire that will never burn out.”