Ida Williams doesn’t want this story to be about her.
The police commander, who retired her badge Friday after more than 30 years on the force, doesn’t really like recognition or attention.
But Anthoney Hampton, who runs the men’s summer basketball league at Stanley Strader Park, had to make sure a simple gesture Williams did for the program did not go unnoticed.
Every Saturday for eight hours a day, Williams could be found on the sideline of the court. While the gym was filled with bouncing basketballs, sneakers squeaking and the whistles of referees, so was the appreciation of Williams, whose presence sometimes drew side eyes.
But without her, these games wouldn’t have happened.
“I wanted to share my appreciation for Ida, because she breaks that stereotype. We don’t look at her uniform, we look at her heart. We love her,” Hampton said.
‘I helped destroy this city:’ Free Indy hoops league helps kids avoid founder’s path
On July 6, players lined up to share small tokens of their appreciation.
“It’s humbling. It’s extremely humbling,” Williams said. “To pull up today and see that they’re actually bringing me cards and these aren’t just empty cards. Every one of those cards that I received had a handwritten note.”
Hampton’s summer league for men ages 18 and older has been around for the past five years. The city would help cover the cost of security so that Indy Parks can allow for large gatherings, but this summer, it wasn’t budgeted.
If there could not be any security, there could not be a summer basketball league. The courts would remain locked.
“With this league being 18 and over, we have some men who are coming home from college, some who already have families and some as old as 40. People have this fear of a bunch of Black men getting together,” Hampton said.
Indianapolis Police Chief Chris Bailey learned about the security issue and the department “stuck their neck out for me,” Hampton said.
That’s when Williams told Bailey she would serve on the weekend.
“To be able to open up the doors and let our young men and women come in here and play basketball, this is what they want to do,” Williams said. “I just think it was the right thing to do.”
Lamont Robinson, 33, plays in the league and said the environment is family-friendly with a lot of supportive people. Even still, he understands why Williams’ presence was needed.
Violence plaguing the city: Indianapolis has violent Fourth of July night. Police use curfew to bust up groups downtown
“I appreciate what she does for us, keeping us safe and allowing us to play without having any thought in the back of our minds,” Robinson said. “Stuff happens like altercations during the games, but, to be honest, there hasn’t been any altercations.”
Robinson said players are just passionate about the game, and Black men need more outlets like the one Hampton offers them.
“I’m going to sit here and watch every one of these games because I know these guys and it’s fun. I’m out of the house but I’m also not going to get in trouble when I’m here,” Robinson said.
It’s no secret relationships are often strained between the city’s Black residents and its officers, but Williams was a welcomed presence.
“This would be one of the perfect experiences to be around a cop. She was actually willing to sacrifice her time and show that they care, reaching out to the community,” Robinson said.
Williams, who previously served on the department’s community engagement and outreach bureau, said the role isn’t just Monday through Friday from 9-5, it’s 24/7.
“When I look at these men, they’re fathers, they’re sons, they’re athletes,” Williams said. “All they wanted was a safe space to come in and play basketball. For me, the ask was extremely small.”
The team showered Williams with cards and a cake to honor her last Saturday at the court.
Ida Williams on the force
During her time with IMPD, Williams became the first Black woman in the department to graduate from the FBI National Academy. She also mentored thousands of kids and teens in Indianapolis through the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T) program.
Commander Ida Williams: Sgt. Ida Williams once inspired a fourth-grader to join IMPD. Now she’s helping him achieve his dream.
She will be starting a new role as Indianapolis Public Schools’ Director of Safety and Security.
The basketball games will continue until the end of July and Williams said the main goal is to keep important programs like this one going.
“I tell our young officers you never know who’s watching. I never knew that they were watching and paying that much attention to me being out here and that they were able to have a league,” said Williams.
Contact Jade Jackson at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com. Follow her on Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON