Early college student has raised almost $11K 

By Sam Robinson 

sam.robinson@tryondailybulletin.com 

TRYON—In September of 2018 Mason Lassiter approached the Tryon City Council with his proposal to renovate and repair the open-air basketball courts at Harmon field. Lassiter’s plan includes resurfacing the concrete floor, replacing the basketball goals, adding a water fountain, adding trash receptacles and benches, and to have a mural painted.  

 

“The project is going really well,” Lassiter said. “I currently have just shy of $11,000. I met with an artist who wants to do the mural and we are collaborating on the design. 

 

“We don’t have an official design yet. However, I can tell you what will be on the mural: The mural will depict several famous NBA players from North Carolina such as Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Stephen Curry, and Harthorne Wingo, who is from Tryon. The players will be performing various activities such as shooting, passing, and holding up championship trophies.” 

 

Mason said he is pleased with the progress he has made so far, but wants to continue to spread the word about the project throughout the community as he has found an anonymous donor that will match donations up to $10,000. Mason will stop accepting donations for the project on July 1, 2019.  

Lassiter also said he would like to find someone willing to let him borrow scaffolding for the mural.  

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Lassiter’s project to raise money at https://www.gofundme.com/harmon-field-basketball-court?pc=em_co_shareflow_m&rcid=r01-153822535955-68edb2c2887f40cf. 

 For more information, email Lassiter at masonlassiter.2002@gmail.com or follow his Instagram account @mason_lassiter.  

 Checks can also be dropped off at the Polk County Early College in Columbus, made out to “Open-air gym donation fund.”