Dill: I'm doing this for my family

You would think being offered a professional contract in any sport would be the thing dreams are made of.

But Terence Dill is no ordinary man.

His dream is to provide a better life for his family and inspire hope in young people by some day becoming a science teacher.

Dill, 24, was offered a pro contract with the Buffalo Stampede of the Atlantic Coast Professional Basketball League. The season will begin on December 4 with a home game against the Hudson Valley Kings.

He won’t be alone as soon to be wife Shana Washington, his son Terence Jr and Shana’s parents will be in attendance to root the Bermudian on.

Dill, who also has a three-year-old daughter Te’meira, said everything fell in place for him to play in Buffalo, but it’s not just about the basketball.

He was adamant this would hopefully pave a smoother path for his children.

“I want them to have a better future than I had. I want their roads to be a lot easier than mine. That’s not saying that I don’t want any hard times or troubles to come their way because I believe troubles and hard times make or break a person.”

The only downside for him playing with the Stampede is he will be away from his daughter.

“My girl and my son will be over there with me, so my daughter will be the only here. It will be very tough because I will have to sacrifice so many years of her life to get this far. I was in school before and now I add this to it. But I would love for her to be there with me and I will try and speak to her as many times as I can.

Motivation

Dill said having his family there “gives me something to go home to every night. It’s going to be okay for me knowing I’ll be able to see their faces. It helps motivate me to excel and push for me”.

In a lucky coincidence, Washington’s family lives in Buffalo.

“She was ecstatic when she found out I had a tryout,” Dill said “but when she found it was in Buffalo, it was like ‘Thank you, Jesus.’ It was a gift to her.

“That will be a lot of help to her, especially with the new addition to our lives. I’m going to be on the road for part of the season and she will have that little extra support as well. I’m going to have my second family, my in-laws, cheering at my games for me and I showcase my talents for them. “

He said even though everyone is excited for him to have this opportunity to turn pro “basketball is not really my dream, it’s just something for us to live comfortable off. I actually want to be a high school science teacher so once basketball is over I’m going teach.

“I’m still going to pursue that because that’s my dream.”

He encouraged other young people not to give up hope and follow their passions.

“If you love to write, write. If you love to draw, draw. Whatever you love to do follow your dream.

“You may come to a crossroad and have to go left or right, just follow your heart. If it turns out to be a deadend don’t give up; turn around and try another road.”