CARSON, Calif. -- For Carl Cooper, flipping through the pages of an old sports program is like taking a walk down memory lane. That's because this sports program is unique — it's a booklet from the original Los Angeles Watts Summer Games.

The games were created in 1968 in the wake of the Watts riots, as a means of bringing the community together in a time of chaos. By bridging the gap between student-athletes of different ethnic groups and backgrounds, the event was meant to teach young kids teamwork, understanding, and communication.

"At [my] time, you were about 15 years out from the Watts riots and as much as we understood what the games were about, we probably didn’t have a real understanding," Cooper said.

"But to have an opportunity for kids from different backgrounds, kids from different socioeconomic areas, from different communities - having an opportunity to play against each other, share camaraderie, get on the court, beat each other up, and have a great time, that’s what it’s about," he continued.

Cooper said his time in the Watts Games and his involvement in youth sports as a whole, is actually what inspired his career choice. He now serves as a deputy director with the L.A. Department of Parks and Recreation.

"I’ve been in youth sports my whole life. I just love this," Cooper explained.

And he's excited to see the legacy of the original games live on this summer as the games return under a new name: The 2019 USA City Games.

But the overarching goal remains the same; for kids from the Los Angeles area to find new opportunities through sports.

"To do it in this format where you’re pulling kids in, I think it’s a win, win," said Cooper.

The 2019 USA City Games will kick off in June.