Ozanam founder Carl Kohlman honored with shoe line
Carl Kohlman has always believed in helping young people take steps in the right direction on the basketball court and in life.
To continue his direction of moving forward at the Ozanam Cultural Center in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, a shoe has been designed in his name, the “Carl Kohlman Sneakers.”
“These shoes are more than footwear,” said Darelle Porter, Ozanam executive director at Ammon Recreation Center in the Hill District on Friday. “They are to honor the legacy of Mr. Carl Kohlman. “
That legacy continues to grow at Ozanam as it entiers in its 53rd year. Kohlman spent his life guiding youth in both academics and athletics, said Porter.
Kohlman used basketball to attract kids from all backgrounds throughout Western Pennsylvania and surrounding counties to play in the Ozanam Summer Basketball League in the Hill District, said Karen Hall, assistant executive director of Ozanam.
“I get emotional talking about everything he has done for me and for so many kids,” said Hall.
Hall, along with Porter, grew up in the Hill District. They continue to nourish what Kohlman started. Both were wearing the Kohlman sneakers, as were many of the children at the Ozanam day camp.
Milona Wall, Stanton Heights, who is Ozanam’s board chair, supported the shoe effort from the beginning. Wall, whose daughters played there, and who was a friend to Kohlman for years, said he would do anything he could for anyone.
“Carl wanted the best for everyone,” Wall said. “He saw the goodness in everyone. If he were alive today he would do what he could to help during this pandemic. And for these kids to get shoes with Carl’s name on them is wonderful. He was a sneaker guy, and he definitely was more than a foot ahead of everyone else when it came to caring for others.”
There are a limited amount of shoes available. Email Ozanam at ozanamlegacyshoe@gmail.com. Cost is $150.
“Thousands of kids wearing sneakers played themselves into colleges and universities on athletic scholarships,” said Hall, who played at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. “Ozanam Summer Basketball league afforded kids’ educational and athletic exposure while competing domestically and traveling internationally.”
It helped Porter, who played at the University of Pittsburgh, and both Hall and Porter earn Division I basketball coaching jobs.
“Mr. Kohlman gave back to the community for years,” Porter said. “He took a liking to us, and he gave us his guidance. Now, we want to give guidance to others.”
Porter told Alvis Rogers, who played at Wake Forest, and coaches Gateway High School boys basketball, about Ozanam.
“It’s like a family here,” Rogers said. “Ozanam gives kids an opportunity and gets them off the streets. I love to see kids become successful and it’s most of them want to come back and give back to this program.”
One of those individuals is Deontae Robertson, of Rankin, who will be senior at Edinboro University.
“These are really nice shoes,” he said. “Mr. Coleman did great things for so many people. Your entire game improved here. He always wanted you to succeed.”
Marcus Robinson, of Hazelwood, agreed.
He started playing at Ozanam when he was 12.
He said it gave him confidence and communication skills and he learned how to develop relationships. Robinson is the primary ambassador for the shoe company Crossover Culture. He was the liaison between Crossover Culture and Ozanam to create the shoe which will help raise money for Ozanam.
“We want to immortalize the legacy of Carl Kohlman,” Robinson said. “He gave me an opportunity. I would not be where I was today without him.”
Richard Alsberry, who grew up in Beltzhoover, and lives in Monroeville has officiated for Ozanam for 45 years and also coached some teams, a few with Porter as a player.
“I grew up at Ozanam,” Alsberry said. “And I try to pass on some of the things that I learned. I like to watch the kids grow up here. This is home for me. Carl was such humble person that he would take the pair of these shoes named for him off his feet to make sure one of the kids had shoes.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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