Charles Holmes, age 32 and a resident of Temple Hills, Md is by many aspects a devoted family man with a lovely daughter, a wife and leads a normal life.  To all who recognize him in public and on the courts of the Goodman League Summer Games at the Barry Farms Housing Community, he is a card carrying member of the Season Ticket Holders section. 

As a season ticket holder, Holmes has a courtside view to some of the finest basketball talent in the country from June thru September.  Think of Holmes as the Jack Nicholson of the Goodman League.  He has the best seat in the house.

Well connected, respected, and protected, Holmes is the man people call to get “reservation requests” for big games down at the Farms.  “If someone needs a spot, they call me and many times I can accommodate their request, it all depends.  If it’s a big game, my phone blows up.”

The term season ticket holder is used by league commissioner Miles Rawls to describe a section of loyal fans who have attended the Goodman games from back in the day.   Miles takes the time to acknowledge them before every game.  Holmes himself has been a loyal fan of the Goodman games since 1999.  He proudly proclaims that he has only missed two games in over 10 years and that’s because of family obligations.

The season ticket holders consist of six guys and five ladies who have the cohesiveness of a family.  “Everyone tries to get here by 5pm and secure a spot. We’re family.  Whoever gets here first holds it down for everyone else”  Holmes explains.

Holmes recalled the history and evolution of the Goodman Games the last 10 years and is proud of where the league is today. “I remember when the backboards were white, not glass like they are now.”

During the first two years of covering the Goodman League I noticed the love and acknowledgement the season ticket holders were getting from the players during warm-ups.  Holmes, Rasheed “Sheed Dollar” Allen, partner “PK” and the others in the group exchanged pleasantries with the likes of Kevin Durant, Mike Beasley, Tre Kelley, Lonnie Harrell, Andrew “The Sponge Bob” Washington, and Kurt “Trouble” Smith.  All players and I mean everybody took the time to give Holmes and his crew the love.

If Holmes has to recall the “tipping point” in the growth and recognition of the Goodman League, it would be when Washington Wizards All Star guard Gilbert Arenas visited the courts and started playing. “Gil came down to the court in his Ferrari but he didn’t act like a prima donna.  He just wanted to play ball.  Gil set it off and it’s been rolling from there.”

Holmes likes to take the time to point out the positive effect the games have had on the community. “In the 10 years he’s attended the games, they’re been no major incidences involving bodily harm. “Nothing bad has happened to anyone down here during the summer games.”

Holmes credits this to the fact that no one wants to have their name associated with tarnishing what the Goodman League has done in regards to the entertainment value it brings to the community and now the basketball world in general.

Holmes goes on to talk about when a slender 16 year old phenom named Kevin Durant first graced the courts.  “Kevin was a skinny as a rail but his was quick and jumper was there.  He was about 6’3” but you knew he was going to be something special.”

I asked Holmes if any big time celebs will visit the gates this summer. “Everyone’s asking if Obama is going to show up because of his love for basketball.  You never know but if he wanted to no doubt I could get him a spot.”