CBS 58's Hometown Athlete: Freddie Owens writes the book on Stark Park

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- "You know, even in college, you know, you give me something to write about and I usually got A's on those assignments," Freddie Owens says with a laugh.

That's Freddie Owens, who wrote the book Echoes of Stark Park, growing up on Milwaukee's north side.

"Very tough area to grow up in, you know, with the poverty and the crime and other influences," Owens says. "And you know, back in my time- we were growing up in the 80's and 90's- a lot of the neighborhood parks throughout the city brought communities together."

The foundation of Stark Park. Let's start with the sports end of it. What did that teach Freddie?

"It taught me a lot of valuable lessons that I still carry forth to this day," Owens says. "You know, even as a middle-aged man. But, you know, discipline, determination, teamwork. Responsibility, you know, that park just did wonders for me growing up."

After a star role at Milwaukee Washington, Owens received a prized scholarship to play for the Badgers.

"Yeah, so Dick Bennett offered me the scholarship. Pretty much accepted it before he even got done giving me his spiel," Owens says with a chuckle.

He's best known for a game-winning shot with one second left against Tulsa in the NCAA tournament.

"You know, there's not a month that goes by where I'm not having a conversation with somebody, regardless of where I am, about, you know, where they were and what they experienced and who they were around, you know, when I made that shot," Owens says.

For Owens, the echoes of Stark Park live with him for life.

"No dream is too big," Owens says. "You know, no matter where you come from. No matter what your circumstances are. Especially, you know, you come from a tough upbringing. That anything is possible."