'Basketball Junkie' Chris Herren to speak at Bangor Area High School on Monday

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Chris Herren, the former NBA player whose life and career fell apart due to drugs, will speak at Bangor Area High School on Monday night about his fall from grace and recovery.

Herren has become a highly sought motivational speaker after the success of his autobiography Basketball Junkie: A Memoir and the ESPN documentary "Unguarded," which tell how he went from the sports hero of his hometown to playing for the Boston Celtics to nearly killing himself with an overdose.

Herren has been upfront about sharing his struggles and recovery. He's been sober for three years.

Bangor coach Bron Holland said the district immediately placed a call to book Herren after "Unguarded" aired. He said they later learned they were the first of more than 100 groups to call after the documentary was broadcast.


"His message was so powerful and so inspirational. I don't know of anyone who doesn't have someone in the family who doesn't have an alcohol problem or a drug problem," Holland said.

Holland said Herren's fees have been covered by local sponsors, and 800 of the 1,200 tickets to the event have been sold.

"The community businesses have been really generous," he said.
Tickets can be purchased at Bray's News Agency or Chocolates on Broadway in Bangor. Adult tickets are $8 and children with student IDs can purchase tickets for $2. The lecture begins at 7 p.m. and will be followed by a question-and-answer session and a book signing. Anyone with questions can call 484-764-6601.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/12/basketball_junkie_chris_herren.html