1. sports
2. football

BSTM
Jan. 2010 Vol. 1
R
World Cup
Soccer Preview
By Robert Woodard
Kobe
Bryant
a.k.a.
Black Mamba
Tiger Woods
On the Media
Hot Seat
Jim Brown
From Super Athlete
to Community
Activist
HBCU
Report
NFL - The 2009
Racial & Gender
Report Card
Golf
Build Stability
& Power
Michael Oher
The Movie
The Blind Side
Sweden’s
Annika
Sörenstam
MassMutual
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Bus. (413) 539-2368
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
COLUMNIST
14
Tiger Woods - On the Media Hot Seat
COVER STORY
28
Kobe Bryant - a.k.a. “Black Mamba”
SPECIAL
4
Michael Oher: The Movie the Blind Side - The Book the Blind Side:
Evolution of a Game
National Football League - The 2009 Racial and Gender Report Card
Jim Brown - From Super Athlete to Community Activist
6
12
FEATURES
MLB
16
Tony Sipp - Advancing from “Catball” to Baseball and Beyond
18
Annika Sorenstam - One of the Most Successful Female Golfers
in History
Build Stability and Power for Golf
GOLF
32
SOCCER
22
World Cup Soccer Preview
HISTORICAL BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
11
21
East Defeats West in Historic HBCU All-Star Battle
The 2009 Big Apple Classic
36
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association [CIAA]
37
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference [MEAC]
38
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association [SIAC]
39
Southwestern Athletic Conference [SWAC]
40
Other HBCUs
Cover photo from
wikipedia
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© Copyright 2004 BSTMLLC
Michael Oher
The Movie the Blind Side
The Book the Blind Side: Evolution of a Game
Michael Jerome Oher is a
professional football player for
the Baltimore Ravens. He
played college football at the
University of Mississippi for
the Ole Miss Rebels. His life
prior to college is the subject
of author Michael Lewis’ 2006
book, The Blind Side:
Evolution of a Game and the
movie The Blind Side.
average (GPA) up to a 2.65
GPA by the end of his senior
year so he could attend a
Division 1 school.
High school career
He attended school only
sporadically before he started
high school. After playing
football his freshman year at
a public school in Memphis,
Tennessee, Oher transferred
to Briarcrest Christian School,
where he was named Division
II (2A) Lineman of the Year in
2003, and First Team
Tennessee
All-State.
Scout.com rated Oher a fivestar recruit and the #5
offensive lineman prospect in
the country.
A portion of the book was
excerpted before publication
in the New York Times
Magazine as “The Ballad of
Big Mike.” The book was
adapted for film and was
directed by John Lee
Hancock. It was released on
November 20, 2009. The
movie stars Quinton Aaron as
Michael Oher, alongside
Sandra Bullock and Tim
College career
Michael Oher and Adoptive Family
McGraw. The movie was a
remarkable success, grossing $100 million in its first two weeks. After receiving scholarship offers from the University of Tennessee,
Louisiana State University, the University of Alabama, and the
Personal life
University of South Carolina, among others, Oher ultimately
Oher was born May 28, 1986, to Denise Oher, who was addicted decided to attend the University of Mississippi (UM), the alma
to crack cocaine since birth. As a result, he received little mater of Leigh Anne Tuohy and Sean Tuohy, with whom he was
constructive attention during his formative years. He repeated living at the time. His decision was not without controversy. The
both first grade and second grade, and attended eleven different National Collegiate Athletic Association suspected that the Tuohys
schools during his first nine years as a student. He also alternated had taken Oher in and added him to their will in order to secure
between time spent in various foster homes and periods with no his services as a player for their favorite college. But, an
fixed address until he was sixteen years old. Oher’s estranged investigation did not affect his eligibility. Oher’s high school coach,
Hugh Freeze, also created the appearance of possible impropriety
father was murdered, while Oher was a senior in high school.
by taking a job as UM’s Assistant Athletic Director for External
Oher applied for admission to a private school, Briarcrest Christian Affairs twenty days after Oher signed a letter of intent with the
School, at the instigation of acquaintance Tony Henderson, with school. Freeze claimed that the offer was not an example of quid
whom he was staying temporarily. Henderson was sending his pro quo for encouraging Oher to attend Mississippi, but rather
son to the school in order to fulfill the dying wish of the boy’s the result of a pre-existing relationship with Mississippi offensive
grandmother, and thought Oher might as well come along. The coordinator Noel Mazzone. The NCAA later ruled that Freeze had
school’s football coach submitted Oher’s school application to committed secondary violations by contacting Memphis-area
the headmaster, who agreed if Oher could complete a home study prospects on behalf of the school before he had officially become
program first. Despite not finishing the program, he was admitted an employee.
when the headmaster realized he had removed him from the public
education system.
Oher was living with several families and a football teammate at
Briarcrest for a year and a half or so until Leigh Anne and Sean
Tuohy, a couple with a daughter and son at Briarcrest, allowed
Oher to move in with them and began taking care of his needs,
after becoming familiar with his difficult personal circumstances.
They also connected him with a tutor, who worked with him for
twenty hours a week. He eventually brought his 0.6 grade point
4
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Oher started in 10 games as a guard during his first season with
Mississippi, becoming a First-Team freshman All-American. He
shifted to the position of left tackle for the 2006 season, and was
named to a variety of preseason All-Conference and All-American
teams. He was named a Second-Team SEC offensive lineman
after his sophomore season and a First-Team SEC offensive
lineman after his junior season.
On January 14, 2008, Oher declared that he would be entering
the 2008 NFL Draft. However, two days later, he announced his
January 2010
Michael Oher
withdrawal from the draft to return to Ole Miss for his senior
season. After the 2008-2009 college football season, Oher was
selected to the AP All-American First-Team. He made the honor
roll for the second time (the first time being his sophomore year)
at UM. He graduated with a Degree in Criminal Justice in the
spring of 2009.
Oher’s College Awards and Honors
o
o
o
o
o
o
2005 First-Team Freshman All-America
2005 First-Team SEC All-Freshman
2007 First-Team All-SEC
2008 First-Team All-America
2008 First-Team All-SEC
2008 Shug Jordan Award as the Southeast Offensive
Lineman of the Year Awards
o
o
2008 Colonel Earl “Red” Blaik Leadership-Scholarship
Award
2008 Outland Trophy finalist
BSTM
o
o
2008 Conerly Trophy finalist
2008 Lombardi Award semi-finalist
2009 NFL Draft
The Baltimore Ravens drafted Oher in the first round of the 2009
NFL Draft. Oher was the 23rd pick in the first round, a pick
Baltimore received from the New England Patriots in exchange
for the Ravens’ 1st and 5th round picks. The Tuohy family was
there to witness his draft day selection.
Baltimore Ravens
On April 26, 2009, he was assigned the #74 jersey, which was
his jersey number at Ole Miss. On July 30, 2009, he signed a 5year, $13.8 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens. He started
the 2009 season at left tackle, but was moved to right tackle after
an injury to line-mate Jared Gaither. In week eights, he returned
to right tackle. He currently has a listed height of 6’4" and a listed
weight of 310 pounds. His clocked 40 yard dash time is 5.32
seconds. Oher has thus far started every game for the Ravens in
the season.
January 2010
5
National Football
League
By Richard Lapchick
with Chris Kamke
and Derek McMechan
The 2009 Racial and Gender Report Card
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
o
The National Football League achieved an A grade on racial hiring
practices and a C on gender hiring practices in the 2009 NFL
Racial and Gender Report Card (RGRC). This gave the NFL a
combined B. In the history of the NFL Racial and Gender Report
Card, those are the best grades ever received in each category
for the NFL.
The NFL improved significantly from the previous report from a
score for race of 87.1 to 89.2 points out of 100. This was the first
grade issued for gender since the 2004 NFL RGRC when it
received a D+.
Using data from the 2008 season, the Report provides an analysis
of racial breakdowns of the players, managers and coaches. In
addition, the Report includes a racial and gender breakdown of
the top team management, senior administration, professional
administration, physicians, head trainers, and broadcasters.
Coaches, general managers, presidents and owners were updated
as of August 1, 2009.
For the third consecutive year, African-Americans played a
significant role in the Super Bowl, when Pittsburgh’s Coach Mike
Tomlin helped lead his team to the Super Bowl Championship.
In 2007, two African-American head coaches faced each other in
the Super Bowl for the first time. An African-American general
manager helped lead his team to a win in the 2008 Super Bowl.
The Report shows sustained progress in the key positions of head
coach (seven in 2006, six in 2007, 2008 and 2009) and general
manager (four in 2006, five in 2007, 2008 and 2009).
From the 2007 to 2008 season, the percentages for people of
color increased for team professional administration, players,
physicians, trainers and radio/TV broadcasters, while the
percentages remained the same for head coaches and team
senior administrators. The percentages decreased only in
assistant coaches and team vice presidents. The number of
general managers remained the same.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
The percentages for women increased for team senior
administrators, team vice-presidents and radio/TV broadcasters,
while decreasing for team professional administration. The record
of NFL League Office combined with the teams regarding the hiring
of women improved slightly, but lagged significantly behind the
progress on race.
o
percent.
In the League Office, 25 percent of the professionals were
African-American, Latino, Asian, Native-American and “other.”
Over 27 percent of the professionals were women.
No person of color has ever held majority ownership of an
NFL team.
There were 11 new head coaches for the 2009 NFL season,
three of whom were African-American: Jim Caldwell in
Indianapolis, Raheem Morris in Tampa Bay, and Mike
Singletary in San Francisco. Thus, 27 percent of the new
head coaches hired were African-American.
Despite the hiring of three African-American head coaches
for the 2009 NFL season, there was no overall change to the
total number of head coaches who were African-American.
There were six African-American head coaches in 2008. Two
were fired after the 2008 season and one retired. Thus, there
were still six African-American head coaches at the start of
the 2009 season.
The NFL started the 2009 season with five African-American
general managers, just as it had started the 2007 and 2008
seasons. One of the five, Jerry Reese, became the first
African-American general manager to win a Super Bowl when
the New York Giants won in 2008.
Amy Trask of the Oakland Raiders remained the only female
President/CEO of a team in the NFL, a position she has held
since 2005. There has never been a person of color serving
as president or CEO in the history of the NFL.
When Pittsburgh won the 2009 Super Bowl, Mike Tomlin
became the second African-American head coach to lead
his team to a Super Bowl Championship in three years.
Five out of six of the last Super Bowl teams have had either
an African-American head coach or general manager: Tony
Dungy (Colts), Lovie Smith (Bears), Mike Tomlin (Steelers)
and GMs Jerry Reese (Giants), Rod Graves (Cardinals).
The number of female vice presidents in the NFL increased
by three to a total of 20. However, none are women of color.
People of color hold more than 18 percent of senior
administrator positions on NFL teams. Nineteen percent of
the total senior administrator positions are held by women.
The percentage of women in professional administrative
positions dropped to 29 percent, marking the first time it was
recorded below 30 percent since 1999.
There was an increase in the African-American and Latino
radio and television broadcasters by three and six percentage
points to 14 percent and 18 percent, respectively.
OVERALL GRADES
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
o
o
6
The NFL received its highest overall grades ever in the history
of the NFL Racial and Gender Report Card.
During the 2008 NFL season, the percentage of white players
remained constant at 31 percent, while the percentage of
African-American players increased slightly from 66 to 67
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The National Football League achieved an A- grade on racial hiring
practices. The NFL improved from the previous report from a score
for race of 87.1 to 89.2 points out of 100. The NFL received a C
on gender hiring practices in the 2009 Report Card, the first grade
issued for gender since the 2004 NFL RGRC, when it received a
D+. This gave the NFL a combined B with 80.4 points out of 100.
January 2010
NFL Map
In the history of the NFL Racial and Gender Report Card, the A
for race, C for gender and B for the combined grade are the best
grades ever received in each category for the NFL.
For race, the NFL received an A+ for players and assistant
coaches, an A for the League Office and NFL Diversity Initiatives
and a B+ for head coaches, general managers and team senior
and professional administrators. The only grade below a B+ was
a D+ for team vice-presidents.
For gender, the NFL received a C+ for the heavily weighted (50
percent) category of team professional administrators and a C
for the League Office. It received an F for team vice-presidents
and team senior administrators, although the percentages for
women increased slightly in both categories.
NFL League Office For the first time since 2002, the NFL has
agreed to supply data concerning their league office
demographics. There was a substantial increase in the number
of league office employees during this period with 836 people
being reported as managerial, up from 203 in 2002 and 106 people
being reported as support staff, up from 83.
With the exception of African-Americans, all minorities saw an
increase in their percentage of management positions. Overall,
there was a slight decline in management positions for minorities
from 26 percent to 24.8 percent between 2002 and 2008. AfricanAmericans declined from 14 percent to 8.6 percent, while Latinos
increased from 4 percent to 4.7 percent, and Asians increased
from 8 percent to 9.4 percent. There were two Native American
managers (0.2 percent). Categorized as “others,” was 1.8 percent
of the management.
GRADES BY CATEGORY
Players During the NFL’s 2008 season, the percentage of AfricanAmerican players was 67 percent, an increase of one percentage
point from 2007. The all-time high for African-American players
was in 2003 at 69 percent. The percentage of Whites has remained
constant at 31 percent since 2006. The percentage of Latinos
and Asian/Pacific Islanders remained at one and two percent,
respectively. Of all the professional leagues in the United States,
the NFL continues to have the smallest percentage of international
players at two percent in 2008 (no change from 2007). NFL Grade
for Players: A+.
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The percentage of women in management positions increased
from 26 percent to 27.6 percent. The percentage of women in
support staff declined from 54 percent to 46.2 percent since 2002.
There were five minorities who served as vice-presidents in the
League Office. All five were African-American males.
There were 12 women who served as vice-presidents in the
League Office. All were white.
Diversity Initiatives The NFL received an A for its programs
January 2010
7
Ownership There has never been a majority owner of color in the
NFL. Denise DeBartolo York of the San Francisco 49ers was the
one woman who held ownership of an NFL team during the 2008
season.
implementation.
The progress that the NFL has made since the adoption of the
Rooney Rule in 2002 is particularly significant considering there
is virtually no college pipeline for African-American coaches.
In August 2009, Serena and Venus Williams purchased a small
minority ownership of the Miami Dolphins, becoming the first
female African-Americans to be part owners of an NFL team. Gloria
and Emilio Estefan also bought a small share in the Dolphins in
June 2009, becoming the first Cuban-American minority owners
of an NFL team, while Mark Anthony, who is of Puerto Rican
descent, purchased a small share of the Dolphins in July 2009.
Head Coaches In 2009, Mike
Tomlin helped lead the
Pittsburgh Steelers to the
Super Bowl championship,
becoming the second AfricanAmerican head coach to do
so in three years. The
Indianapolis Colts and
Chicago Bears faced off in the
2007 Super Bowl with Tony
Dungy and Lovie Smith, two
African-Americans, leading
their respective teams. It was
the first time this happened in
the NFL. It has only happened
once in the NBA and it has
never happened in Major
League Baseball.
Pittsburgh
No former NFL head coach who is African-American has ever
been hired as a major college head coach. Notable AfricanAmerican former NFL coaches who routinely took their NFL teams
to the playoffs or championship games include:
o Dennis Green (took the Vikings to the playoffs eight out of 10
years)
o
Ray Rhodes (took
the Eagles to the playoffs
Steelers Stadium
and was NFL Coach of the
Year)
o
Art Shell (took the
Raiders to the playoffs,
including a Championship
game)
o
Herman Edwards
(took both the Jets and the
Chiefs to the playoffs).
To start the 2009 NFL season, there are six African-American
head coaches. After the 2008 season, Romeo Crennel of the
Cleveland Browns and Herman Edwards of the Kansas City Chiefs
were let go and Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts retired. Mike
Singletary was introduced as interim head coach of the San
Francisco 49ers in 2008 and promoted to full-time head coach
for the 2009 season. Jim Caldwell replaced Tony Dungy as head
coach of the Indianapolis Colts and Raheem Morris is the head
coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
There were six African-American head coaches at the start of the
2009 season: Jim Caldwell, Indianapolis Colts; Marvin Lewis,
Cincinnati Bengals; Raheem Morris, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Mike
Singletary, San Francisco 49ers; Lovie Smith, Chicago Bears;
and Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers.
The efforts of the Commissioner’s Office, as well as the diversity
groups appointed by the NFL in the past several years, have
brought about a dramatic change in head coaches. Former players
formed the Fritz Pollard Alliance to add pressure and create more
momentum for change.
The Rooney Rule, which requires that people of color be
interviewed as part of the search process for head coaches, helped
to more than double the number of African-American head
coaches in the NFL from two in 2001 to six in 2005. There were
seven African-American head coaches in 2006 and there have
been six each year since 2007.
The Rooney Rule was named after Steelers’ owner Dan Rooney,
who is the head of the League’s diversity committee. The NFL’s
policy is similar to the approach adopted earlier by Major League
Baseball (MLB) in 1999 under Bud Selig, which helped triple the
number of managers of color in MLB in the first few years after
8
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None of these successful
former NFL head coaches
have been selected to lead
a college team. Coaches
with far less success in the
NFL such as Dennis
Erickson, Lane Kiffin, and Al
Groh have all been selected to lead college teams. NFL Grade
for Head Coaches: B+.
Assistant Coaches The percentage of assistant coaches of
color declined in 2008 by one percent to 37 percent. There were
160 assistant coaches of color in 2008 compared to 172 in
2007. During the 2008 NFL season, the percentage of White
assistant coaches increased to 64 percent from 62 percent in
2007.
In 2008, there were eight African-American coordinators in the
NFL. Starting the 2009 NFL season, there were nine AfricanAmericans holding coordinator positions. Ron Rivera is the only
Latino. He is the defensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers.
Starting the 2009 NFL season, there were nine African-Americans
holding Assistant Head Coach positions. Jim Caldwell and Mike
Singletary were assistant head coaches in 2008 before being
elevated to head coaches. NFL Grade for Assistant Coaches:
A+.
Top Management [CEOs/Presidents] Amy Trask of the Oakland
Raiders is the only woman president/CEO in the NFL. There has
never been a president/CEO of color in the NFL.
[General Manager/Principal-in-Charge] Whites hold 84 percent
of general manager positions in the NFL, while African-Americans
hold 16 percent.
In 2008, there were five minorities serving in the role of General
Manager. During January of 2009, the Jacksonville Jaguars hired
Gene Smith as their General Manager, replacing James Harris
who had been counted in this position in last year’s report under
his position of VP of Player Personnel. Before the start of the
2009 season the Detroit Lions hired Martin Mayhew as General
Manager.
January 2010
The African-American general managers starting the 2009
season were:
o Rod Graves, Arizona Cardinals
o Martin Mayhew, Detroit Lions
o Ozzie Newsome, Baltimore Ravens
o Jerry Reese, New York Giants
o Rick Smith, Houston Texans
NFL Grade for General Manager/Principal-in-Charge: B/B+.
[Team Vice Presidents] During the 2008 NFL season, 92 percent
of all vice presidents were White, while eight percent were AfricanAmerican. There were 12 African-American vice presidents in
2008, same as in 2007. There were no
Latinos or Asians represented. The St.
Louis Rams were the only team with
more than one vice president of color.
by two percentage points to just three percent in 2008.
Head Trainers In 2008, White head trainers in the NFL decreased
from 85 to 83 percent, while African-Americans increased by two
percentage points to 17 percent of the total. There were no Latino,
Asian or women head trainers in 2008.
Radio/TV Broadcasters With the spread of popularity of the NFL
within the Latino community, more teams have been featuring
game broadcasts on Spanish speaking radio stations. This has
significantly increased the number of Latino radio/TV broadcasters
with NFL teams. For the 2008 season, 67 percent of broadcasters
were White, 14 percent were African-American, and 18 percent
were Latino. That represented a decrease of 10 percentage
Dallas Cowboys Stadium
Women held 20 of the vice president
positions of the teams during the 2008
season, up from 17 in 2007. None of the
20 female vice presidents were women
of color. Buffalo, Detroit, Green Bay and
New Orleans were the only teams in the
NFL with more than one woman as a vice
president. NFL Grade for Team Vice
Presidents: Race: D and Gender: F.
Senior Administration This category
includes the following titles but is not
restricted to: directors, assistant general
managers, chief legal counsel, chief
operating officer, chief financial officer,
public relations director and director of
community relations.
People of color held more than 18
percent of all NFL senior administration
positions. African-Americans occupied 14 percent, Asians
increased one percentage point to two percent, and Latinos
remained the same at two percent. Whites continued to hold 82
percent of these positions.
Nineteen percent of the senior administrators during the 2008
NFL season were women, which is a one percentage point
increase from 2007. NFL Grade for Senior Administration: Race:
B+ and Gender: F.
Professional Administration In the NFL, White professional
administrators decreased in 2008 by two percentage points to 83
percent of the total.
African-Americans increased one percentage point to 11 percent,
Latinos increased one point to four percent, and Asians remained
the same at one percent.
Women decreased five percentage points to 29 percent. It was
the first time women were recorded to have dropped below 30
percent since 1999. NFL Grade for Professional Administration:
Race: B+ and Gender: C+.
Physicians Ninety percent of NFL team physicians in 2008 were
White, a drop from 92 percent in 2007. Five percent were AfricanAmerican, two percent were Latino, and three percent were Asian.
This represented a one percentage point increase for each
minority category.
The percentage of female team physicians in the NFL decreased
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points for Whites and increases of three and six percentage
points for African-Americans and Latinos, respectively.
Women held three percent of the total broadcaster positions in
the NFL, an increase of two percentage points.
Stacking Most observers agree that the issue of stacking in the
NFL is no longer a major concern. In the 2008 NFL season, AfricanAmericans held 17 percent of the quarterback positions.
Quarterback is football’s central “thinking” position. Historically,
the positions of running back, wide receiver, cornerback and safety
have had disproportionately high percentages of AfricanAmericans. The latter positions rely a great deal on speed and
reactive ability. The quarterback position was the primary concern
since it was so central to the game and now that African-Americans
have broken down that barrier, concern about stacking has been
greatly diminished.
Officials In recent years, the NFL has increased diversity in the
ranks of game day officials. The number of African-American
officials has jumped from 21 in 2006 to 30 for the 2009 season.
The number of African-American referees who lead the officiating
crews has increased from one to three during that same time
frame. Prior to the 2007 season, there was a five year hiatus of
African-American officials serving on the Super Bowl officiating
crew. The 2008 Super Bowl (Giants vs. Patriots) had three AfricanAmerican officials, referee Mike Carey and officials Carl Johnson
and Boris Cheek. The 2009 Super Bowl (Cardinals vs. Steelers)
had two African-American officials, Roy Ellison and Mike Banks.
January 2010
9
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East Defeats West
In Historic HBCU All-Star Battle
From HBCSports Press Association
Offensively, Alcorn State University
quarterback, Tim Buckley, accounted
for 142 yards of total offense, throwing
two touchdowns, while rushing for 60
yards. Alabama A&M University’s
Thomas Harris (3 receptions for 51
yards) and Morehouse University’s
Achille Hendje (1 reception for 24
yards), both caught touchdown
passes.
During the course of the week leading
up to the game, players worked out for
National Football League (NFL) scouts
in a combined-like setting. Those
skills were put to the test during the
game.
“It was very special because for a very long time I did not have a
chance in the MEAC because they stopped kicking to me,” Vann
told the Tallahassee Democrat. “I knew everybody was out here
to show their talent, so they kicked me the ball. I just went all out.”
Vann’s teammate, quarterback Curtis Pulley, one of the most
exciting players in the country, participated in drills during the
week but did not play in the game due to a groin injury.
The game was a defensive battle with the East getting the better
of the battle, holding the West to 254 yards of total offense and
sacking West quarterbacks four times. Eleven plays went for
negative yards.
South Carolina State University defensive, back Phillip Adams,
impressed scouts all week with his coverage ability, and it paid
off during the game, as he intercepted a pass and broke up
another. Norfolk State University safety, Terrell Whitehead, a Buck
Buchanan Finalist, also had an interception and a pass break
up. FAMU teammates, Cameron Houston (3 tackles, 2 sacks)
and Bryan Parker (5 tackles, 2 sacks for losses) stayed in the
West backfield throughout the game.
For the West, Alabama State University linebacker, Adrian Hardy,
playing on his home field for the last time, led all tacklers with
seven, two for losses. Southern University linebacker, Allan Baugh
(5 tackles, 2 for loss) and Tuskegee University cornerback,
Justin Hannah (1 interception, 1 pass break-up) also stood out.
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Norfolk State University quarterback,
Dennis Brown, played all but one
possession for the East, and showed
plenty of leadership, completing 9 of
25 passes for 117 yards with 1 TD and
no interceptions.
Hampton University running back,
Lamarcus Coker, showed versatility
as the East’s leading receiver (3
receptions for 82 yards, 1 TD), while rushing for 35 yards on just
eight carries. Morgan State University running back, Devan
James, had 11 carries for 57 yards and 1 TD.
LeRoy Vann
Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) LeRoy Vann was named Most
Valuable Player of the game after returning a second quarter punt
81 yards for a touchdown, as the East defeated the West 26-21
at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, AL. Van returned three punts
on the day totaling 95 yards and one kickoff for 18. He returned
five punts during the regular season for touchdowns (TDs), eight
during his career.
Photo by Vaughn Wilson/FAMU Athletics
Montgomery, AL - The inaugural
Russell Athletic HBCU Bowl featured
some of the premier Black College
football seniors in the country in an
East vs. West format with players from
the Central Intercollegiate Athletic
Association (CIAA) and the MidEastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
representing the East, and the
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference (SIAC) and the
Southwestern Athletic Conference
(SWAC) players representing the
West.
The West received the ball first and moved right down the field
behind the play of Buckley, who capped the 11-play drive off with
a 24-yard touchdown strike to Hendje, and the West led 7-0. The
East settled for a 27-yard field goal from Norfolk State’s Justin
Castellat, cutting the West lead to 7-3 midway though the first
quarter. Vann’s punt return followed by a safety by Tennessee
State University’s Kalvin Baker gave the East the 12-7 lead early
in the 2nd quarter.
The West would regain the lead midway through the quarter, as
Hannah’s interception setup a short field and Albany State
University’s AJ McKenna found University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff
tight end, Remo Gay, for a 6-yard TD and a 14-12 lead. Coker’s
33-yard TD pass late in the first half would be the game-winner at
that time, giving the East the 19-14 lead.
After a scoreless third, both teams scored touchdowns early in
the fourth quarter. James scored on a 4-yard run, and Harris on a
29-yard reception from Buckley, which pulled the West to within
26-21. Despite nearly seven minutes being chewed off the clock,
Castellat’s 30-yard attempt went wide right, setting up one last
drive for the West. After the West rushed for 21 yards on its first
two plays, Buckley’s last four passes went incomplete, preserving
the East’s victory.
“You’d think it was a championship game the way these cats were
really, really competing,” West and Alabama State University head
coach, Reggie Barlow, told the Montgomery Advertiser. “That’s
football. It was a great thing, and I was just happy to be a part of
it. They competed all the way to the end. They were representing
their conferences, and the guys who laid the foundation before
them.”
January 2010
11
Jim Brown
From Super Athlete to Community Activist
By Cynthia Nevels
Legendary sports great Jim Brown was invited
work with our elected officials and the
by Congressional officials to Capitol Hill
President of the United States. Since Amer(Washington, D.C.) to discuss one of
I-Can’s inception, we have proven our
America’s most pressing social problems:
effectiveness.”
youth delinquency, crime and incarceration.
The name Jim Brown: What comes to mind?
Amer-I-Can operates in sixteen cities
Anointed by ‘The Sporting News’ as the
throughout the United States. After presenting
greatest football player of all time. As far as
a video, Brown introduced his wife, Monique
we know, that designation stills stands. From
Brown (Director of National Operations), who
1957 to 1965, Jim Brown was the Cleveland
gave the audience an overview of the AmerBrowns’ (football) offensive super weapon. A
I-Can curriculum. Monique Brown has
fierce warrior on the field, Brown’s dominance
participated in community service for years.
earned titles that today cannot be matched.
Upon hearing about Amer-I-Can, she got
In 1957, he rushed for 942 yards, giving him
involved and was very moved by the profound
the title of Rookie of The Year. This was the
changes of the participants. The Amer-I-Can
first of eight rushing titles over a nine year
motto is that everyone, no matter what station
Jim Brown
period. Despite injuries and lacerations,
in life, share the most basic needs. “Before
Brown never missed a game because he believed his participation venturing into our program, the individual must rid him or herself
determined his teams’ outcome: victory or defeat. His top seven of self-doubt and seek self-determination.” She presented some
yearly rushing totals have become standard for others to follow. of the building blocks that prepare the individual to take his or her
Owner of a championship ring and twenty NFL records, Jim Brown place in society: motivation, attitude conditioning, setting goals,
was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame. In 1966, at the top emotion control, problem solving, family relationship building and
of his game, he departed, venturing into the world of cinema and financial responsibility.
community activism. His most impressionable accomplishment
to date: Amer-I-Can.
Brown interjected, “In all the years of outreach, I’ve never been
threatened. My door is always open. Those who interact with me
Brown founded Amer-I-Can in 1988, to interact with troubled youth, realize that I care. They can feel my strength.”
to change their negative outlook and behavior into a positive mindset. He and his staff go to schools, juvenile detention centers Some of the staff, who was previously incarcerated, gave
and jails. They mediate and try to settle disputes between gangs. testimony. Involved in gang activity, Rock Johnson spent
In other words, Amer-I-Can is about creating harmony and peace seventeen years behind bars. Upon release, he realized that it
in the community.
was not the way to go. Friends referred him to Amer-I-Can. The
first inquiry did not go well. Jim Brown personally interceded.
The briefing on Capitol Hill was initiated by a Congressman Rock, hesitant and still in a tough mode, was ready to go toe to
from Illinois, Danny Davis. Representative Davis was joined by toe with anyone who crossed his path. He said, “Brown challenged
Congresspersons: Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX); Eddie Bernice me to use my mind. No one had ever approached me on that
Johnson (TX); Robert “Bobby” Scott (VA); Henry “Hank” Johnson, level. Staying on the Amer-I-Can path was difficult. One of his
Jr. (GA); Gregory Meeks (NY); Diane Watson (CA) and Neil children was killed and gang members believed he was interfering
Abercrombie (HI). Said Davis about this briefing, “We have with their money operation. He said, “It is easier for me to pull the
become the most imprisoned nation on earth. Every year, more trigger than stay on the straight path to success.” Today, Rock is
than seven hundred thousand people come out of prison and a a facilitator in the Los Angeles schools, and has also established
disproportionate number of them are young Black males. Black a basketball team.
people in this country make up 15% of the population, but more
than 50% of the prison population.” He further added, “This is Leon Taft, who had been incarcerated for fourteen years, is another
unacceptable. For those who are released, we must reclaim them; success story. Brown has Taft venturing into the most difficult
get these individuals back into the mainstream of society so that prisons, interacting with diverse gangs: from the Nazi Low Riders
they can become productive instead of being seen as liabilities.” to the Mexican Mafia to the Notorious Bloods and Crips. He is
not easily intimidated by these gangs because he understands
Davis witnessed the impact of Amer-I-Can in Illinois and suggested their circumstances and outlook. Taft said, “If you want to change
that Amer-I-Can be introduced to Congressional members who for the better, the Amer-I-Can program is for you, irrespective of
are grappling with the youth delinquency and incarceration issue our differences.” Since leaving behind the gang-banging and
in their respective states.
drugging, he has become a better person for himself, his family
and community.
Brown was accompanied by staff: Monique Brown, Julian
Mendoza, Rock Johnson, Leon Taft and Dr. Walter Beach. He Another staff member, Dr. Walter Beach got involved in Amer-Iconveyed to the audience, “We came to the Hill to partnership, Can after hearing Brown talk about it in New York several years
12
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January 2010
Photo from Cynthia Nevels
Jim Brown of Amer-I-Can and
Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL)
ago. Dr. Beach and Brown go way back. They were former
colleagues with the Cleveland Browns. Beach incorporates the
Amer-I-Can curriculum in the New York school system. Julian
Mendoza, who works within the Latino juvenile system, found
Ameri-I-Can beneficial to the L.A. Latino community.
In closing, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson relayed, “All
over this country, we have youth who have low expectations of
themselves. They in turn, make poor choices. Low self-esteem,
hopelessness, and the lack of mentors lead to delinquency and
crime. We can’t walk away and expect these problems to be
someone else’s responsibility. We are all in this together.”
Congressman Henry Johnson Jr. could not have said it any better:
“Jim Brown, you were a star during your athletic career, but you
are shining even brighter in this stage of your life.”
Marcus Battle
Certified Personal Trainer
Strength Coach
USA Track & Field National
Triple Jump Champion
World Masters Athletic
Triple Jump Champion
(301) 919-6199
Serving the MD, VA, DC Areas
Tiger Woods
On the Media Hot Seat
By Leland Stein III
I’m not surprised at what has happened with the world’s greatest
golfer. After all, it is a disease that has engulfed most of Western
Culture – the disease of “Yeah . . . I got ya!”
Obviously Woods feels got, as he has taken an indefinite leave
of absence from the PGA Tour to try and regenerate his marriage
and family life.
The “I got ya” happened around 3 a.m. in the morning with the
result a $164 traffic citation. I’ve named the infamous accident
the Escalade escape escapade at the end of Tiger Woods’
driveway.
The aftermath of Woods’ in slow-speed crack-up has created a
media circus wagon that has grown as many arms as an octopus.
Woods did not help himself early on as he tossed out a scenario
that had more holes in it than an old pair of underwear.
Woods’ tried to pawn his wife, Elin, off as a hero tending to her
husband at the scene of an accident. And that is the one still on
the books as obviously he tried to protect his wife from possible
domestic violence charges.
So in protecting his wife, we may never hear the real Escalade
escape escapade story. However, Woods has indeed come out
and offered an apology for having affairs with a number of women.
His acknowledgement of transgressions brings to life the Escalade
escape escapade as a man running from his wife after she found
out about her adulterous husband. It does not take a genius to
postulate that the late-night/early-morning exodus that left car
windows broken, Woods dazed on the curb with a busted lip, and
a wife standing over him like Tyson cajoling Spinks, was fueled
by a family dispute.
I suspect Tiger was a victim on that infamous day, but we don’t
know and may never know. Some say he had it coming . . . right?
There is no defending Woods’ actions, but the level of hate and
mean-spiritness has gone beyond concern for his wife.
Welcome to the Black side of your heritage Tiger! America is very
quick to bury and castigate Black athletes that make mistakes.
There is no forgiveness.
The heat has gotten so bad that one would think he killed someone
or beat up an old lady or inhaled a pound of coke or shaved points
off his golf score in a gambling fix. Already a couple of his sponsors
have thrown him to the media wolves of judgment.
I would think in times like this, real spirit filled individuals would
pray that Woods and his family find redemption and peace. I know
from experience that we all fall short of the glory and we are all
flawed individuals that are a work in progress everyday of our
lives.
Shouldn’t we be hoping he and his wife and two kids find that
14
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family balance that will push them into a solid marriage? There
is no substitute for life experiences. We all have to go through
something to get to a place of spiritual calmness and serenity. It
does not happen by osmosis.
I hope Woods and his wife use this as an opportunity to grow
together and not let the naysayers and media circus drive them
apart.
What bothers me about all this is that it shows unequivocally that
America has moved to a point where famous people are expected
to be role models for our kids. Just because Woods is a supreme
golfer does not mean he is a perfect human. The fact of the matter
is I have never seen a perfect human . . . ever!
For those that call into talk radio and other internet vehicles, I say
get a life!!! One’s perspective of life and what is right and wrong
should not be based on those we see on television or read about
in newspapers.
Another thing that bothers me is those who gleefully exclaim
Woods’ image is tarnished forever. Why would anyone want that
to be a reality? The fact of the matter is those of monetary means
and social status has and always has been involved in the worldly
shenanigans of life. Now I’m not saying that makes it right or
okay, but it is what it is.
Kings, queens, movie stars, fictional characters and politicians
have always been surrounded by the flesh of the world. There
are simply too many transgressions to recount. Pitt and Jolie . . .
Helena and Paris . . . Tracey and Hepburn . . . Senators and too
many to list . . . Letterman and his women staff . . . Kennedy and
Monroe . . . Rodriguez and Madonna . . . Barkley and his whore..
. . and so on and so on.
Also, the elevation of publications such as the National Enquirer,
US Weekly magazine, and tabloid Web sites like TMZ.com, have
found a place in the news world and that is sad for journalism.
Soon, the art of looking someone in the face and getting out and
obtaining quotes and interviewing people is being replaced by a
“source said” or a “friend of Woods noted” or “someone, anyone
said that so and so is a jerk.”
We are in the age of sleazy. A mistress can be paid over $100,000
for selling text messages. Now what about the lady? She has
displayed no morals whatsoever by messing with a married
man. What is her culpability? Why is she not scorned, but instead
paid thousands?
I got to know Earl Woods, and he was a strong Black man who
was a Special Forces combatant. I think when he passed, it left
Tiger out on an island. I covered Woods in his high school and
Sanford years and he prided himself on the fact he spent all his
time on the golf course and was an obsessive golf hopeful.
January 2010
Tiger Woods
It is obvious he lost his shorts once he discovered women. But
that transgression is amendable and one can change his wayward
ways. Woods needs to kick himself in the behind like his Dad
would have done if he were still alive.
What good has come out of this mess? Woods has created an
international dialogue concerning celebrity, marriage, texting and
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consequences.
I guess what we found out about Tiger is after a billion dollars, he
is still a paperback playa. Because in today’s world, sexting isn’t
cute, because in divorce court, they call it evidence.
Leland Stein can be reached at [email protected].
Tony Sipp
Advancing from “Catball” to Baseball and Beyond
By Tonya M. Huffman
What do a tennis ball + cracks in the sidewalk + a sewer pothole
+ a crushed can add up to for #49 Cleveland Indians left-handed
relief pitcher Tony Sipp? It = his total graduation from childhood
days where he used these items to play “catball,” a creative way
he referred to baseball. “Basically, you just used
a tennis ball and whatever bat you could find.
The crack in the sidewalk was first base.
Second base was always the sewer pothole.
Third base was the other crack in the sidewalk.
And home plate was whatever can we’d crush,”
Sipp happily recalled.
Happy both as he reminisces on these days
and for graduating from them to go pro, Sipp’s
facial expression radiates contentment with his
bearings. “Going pro is almost like graduating
from college – you see that light at the end of
the tunnel. Upon making it pro, there was a
weight lifted off of my shoulder. I still have a lot
of work to do, for it’s difficult making it pro, and
it’s also challenging staying at this level. But
when going pro, I felt I’d reached some sort of
accomplishment.” said Sipp.
Tony
Sipp has accomplished a lot. Upon making his Major League
Debut on April 22, 2009, he finished his rookie season with a
2.93 earned run average (ERA) in 46 appearances and having
two wins, no losses, 40 innings pitched, and 48 strikeouts. He
has done promotions for the Cleveland Indians’ Special Olympics
annual fundraiser event, Fill the House for Charity. He even has a
broad enough audience where people pay homage to him, as his
facebook fan page, created by a high school student, has over
200 members…and counting. All this has happened thus far from
this 26 year old rookie. But, his success did not happen overnight,
and before his progress, he had struggles, for his journey to the
pros was far from a typical path.
Tony Marcel Sipp was born on July 12, 1983. In addition to playing
“catball” to learn the basics of baseball, this Pascagoula,
Mississippi, native discovered his competitive side by playing in
his hometown’s Youth Dixie League with his cousins and brother,
Darius, as Sipp’s father coached the team.
During these early days before Sipp developed his pitching skills,
he had a competitive spirit, a love of the game, and the drive to
find his niche in baseball. “I was more of a defensive guy. I was a
shortstop. I don’t know how that worked out, but that was my
thing. I never really was known for my pitching, because my arm
had not developed. I could locate, but I could not blow it by guys.
I’m not a guy who’d say, ‘You should have seen me when I was
young,’ because there wasn’t much to see,” said Sipp. But soon
enough, his high school experience would reveal his potential
game.
At Moss Point High School, in addition to playing tennis and
football, Sipp’s baseball skills became polished. With an adroit
arm, he learned how to throw a curveball, something his cousin
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Derek Edwards, still takes credit for to this day. Sipp’s curveball
proved to be an effective weapon, and as an upperclassman, he
threw a little harder, for his pitches had velocity, location, and life.
But the obstacle was getting a Division I
College coach to see him play. “Unless you
were some Florida child throwing 120 mph, you
weren’t going to get noticed,” joked Sipp. So
to get noticed big time, he started small,
spending two seasons at Mississippi Gulf
Coast Community College, where he was a
two-way player, pitching and playing in the
outfield.
He lettered in baseball, and drew interest from
both Alabama and Clemson Universities. His
game shined so bright, that he was eventually
offered a full ride by each University. Sipp
decided to attend Clemson and proudly
donned a Tigers’ uniform, where he primarily
manned the outfield for two seasons, his last
two years of college. At this point, since he
Sipp
didn’t have the bat to play professional ball,
and didn’t pitch enough to show his true talent,
Sipp’s light was nearly dimed as his season at Clemson ended.
But his light was not extinguished, for, in 2004, the Cleveland
Indians had two scouts attending a NCAA regional tournament
[Clemson] against Georgia in which Sipp played. He was sent
out in relief with all bases loaded and Clemson hanging to a tworun lead in the sixth. He calmly struck out the side. For a late
regional, that is usually not staffed, Sipp was blessed to be playing
in this game and seen by scouts, and his talent radiated.
His efforts paid off, for the [Cleveland] Tribe took him in the 45th
round, and offered him a generous signing bonus. “When I was
drafted, I was happy to be in the big leagues. I was nervous,
anxious, excited, and grateful all at once. I wanted to see what it
was all about,” said Sipp. Sipp learned what it was all about; even
upon being drafted, he learned that before accepting what’s major,
sometimes it’s a prerequisite to take what’s minor.
Less than two years later, after dominating at the Class A level,
Sipp was thrust into Major League training camp for Spring
Training. Scouts felt Sipp was ready and worthy of a job in the
Opening Day bullpen. But, instead, the Indians sent him to take
the minor league opportunity to play with the Akron Aeros where
he batted oblique injuries. Oblique injuries spread to elbow
injuries and Sipp reached the nadir of his minor league career
when his elbow problem progressed to him having Tommy John
Ligament replacement surgery in 2007.
Sipp refused to succumb to any struggles, and instead, he chose
to progress. He endured a slow and painful recovery throughout
the 2007 season. In June 2008, he began rehabbing in extended
spring training. Throughout his minor league career, in addition
to playing with the Akron Aeros, Sipp has played with the Mahoning
Valley Scrapers, Lake County Captains, the Kingston Indians,
January 2010
and the Columbus Clippers. Sipp got promoted from the
Columbus Clippers to the Cleveland Indians, which he considers
a rewarding upgrade.
Sipp is hoping that baseball becomes a rewarding enough career
that he’s able to give back and build a sports complex in his
hometown, where he can “bait” and “reel in” troubled children
and get them traveling on the straight and narrow path.
During off-season, upon returning to his Hurricane Katrinadevastated hometown, he sees numerous non-motivated children
occupying their spare time with vices such as drugs, and shrugging
off schoolwork and sports. He sees a boxed town of less than
18,000, a place where everybody knows everybody, an area
indigenous to pessimistic thinking and outcomes, where whatever
dreams a youngster hopes to achieve are frequently crushed like
that can Sipp once used to play “catball.” It’s almost like this
invisible box that traps everybody in there. “My city is like a crab
trap. You get close to the top and they pull you back down,” said
Sipp.
Sipp not only broke free from that box, but has mentally matured
to a position that commands respect from others and hopes they’ll
listen to him, since by nativity, he is someone they can relate to.
“The children there are just looking for something — like an
example. They don’t have a guy they can look at and touch who
did something with himself. They’re not going to listen to a nerdy
businessman type. They need someone they can relate to,” said
Sipp. Sipp can relate to being a child who looked up to positive
examples. Perhaps this is why he has grown to be a role model
for youngsters.
Sipp looks forward to another season playing for the Tribe, and
feels good about using his blessings to help others on and beyond
the baseball field. As Sipp has great “catball” memories being
creative, using the equipment around him to make the game of
baseball work, youngsters will develop great memories from using
his future fully equipped sports complex. And, it is obvious that
this role model will keep it moving in making advances on the
baseball field and beyond.
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Annika Sorenstam
One of the Most Successful Female Golfers in History
By Monica Blair
Sorenstam was born October 9,
1970, in Bro near Stockholm,
Sweden. Sorenstam has been an
all-around sports girl since
childhood. She took on tennis and
became a nationally ranked junior
player, played football (soccer) in
her hometown, and was such a
good skier that the Swedish
National Ski Team coach
suggested that the family move to
Northern Sweden as a means to
improve her skiing year round.
When she was twelve years of
age, she switched to the game of
golf. Her first set of clubs was
shared with her younger sister,
Charlotta, who got the even
numbered clubs while she got the
odd clubs. It was around this time
that she earned her first handicap
of 54. She was shy as a junior, in
fact, so shy that she devised a
scheme to deliberately three putt
at the end of a tournament to avoid
giving the victory speech. The
coaches saw through her scheme
and at the next tournament both
the winner and runner-up had to
give a speech. Because she had
nowhere to run and nowhere to hide from the crowd, she decided
she might as well win and the deliberate misses stopped.
10 Champion and a 1991-92 NCAA All-American. She was
runner-up to Vicki Goetze at the 1992 United States Women’s
Amateur Golf Championship, and thus received an invitation to
play in the 1992 U.S. Women’s Open, where she finished tied
for 63rd. Sorenstam turned professional in 1992, but missed her
LPGA Tour card at the LPGA Final
Qualifying Tournament by one
shot. Her professional career
began on the Ladies European
Tour (LET), formerly known as the
WPGET.
Annika
Sorenstam
Her amateur career success resulted in a win in the St. Rule Trophy
played at St. Andrews and second place in the Swedish National
Mother-Daughter Golf Tournament. Prior to starting college,
Sorenstam worked as a personal assistant at the Swedish PGA
and played on the Swedish Ladies Telia Tour, winning three
tournaments during 1990 and 1991. While a member of the
Swedish National Team from 1987 to 1992, she played in the
1990 and 1992 Espirito Santo Trophy World Amateur Golf Team
Championships, becoming World Amateur Champion in 1992.
Sorenstam moved to the United States to attend college at the
University of Arizona, after being spotted by a coach while playing
in a collegiate event in Tokyo, Japan. She won seven collegiate
titles. In 1991, she became the first non-American and first
freshman to win the individual NCAA National Championship. In
1991, she was the NCAA Co-Player of the Year with Kelly Robbins,
runner-up in the 1992 NCAA National Championship, 1992 Pac18
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Photo from Wikipedia
Annika Sorenstam is ranked as one of the most successful golfers
in history because of her outstanding achievements. She has
won 72 official LPGA Tournaments, including ten majors and 18
other tournaments internationally, and she tops the LPGA’s career
money list with earnings over $22 million, which is over $8 million
ahead of her nearest rival.
She received invitations to play in
three 1993 LPGA Tournaments,
where she finished Tied for 38th,
4th, and Tied for 9th, earning more
than $47,000. On the Ladies
European Tour, she finished
second four times, and was the
1993 Ladies European Tour
Rookie of the Year. She earned
non-exempt status for the 1994
season by tying for 29 th at the
LPGA
Final
Qualifying
Tournament. In 1994, she had her
first professional win at the Holden
Australian Open Championship
on the ALPG Tour. Sorenstam
was the LPGA Rookie of the Year
in the United States, had three top10 finishes, including a tie for
second at the Women’s British
Open.
Her breakout year was 1995,
when she won her first LPGA Tour
Title at the U.S. Women’s Open.
She finished at the top of the
Money List and was the first non-American winner of the Vare
Trophy. She became the second player ever to be Player of the
Year and Vare Trophy Winner the Year after being Rookie of the
Year. She was at the top of the LET Order of Merit following a win
at the 1995 Australian Ladies Masters and two other wins on the
LET Tour. Those wins also made her the first player to top both
the European and LPGA Tour money lists in the same season.
Her success worldwide resulted in her winning the Jerringpriset
Award in Sweden, the country’s most prestigious award in sports,
as well as being awarded the Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal.
In 1996, Sorenstam won her home LET Tournament, the Trygg
Hansa Ladies’ Open in Sweden and three LPGA Tournaments,
including the U.S. Women’s Open. Defending her title, she
became the first non-American to win back-to-back U.S. Women’s
Open Titles, passed the $1 million mark in LPGA career earnings,
and went on to win her second consecutive Vare Trophy.
After winning six 1997 LPGA Titles, she recaptured the Money
List and Player of the Year Titles. Internationally, she won on the
January 2010
Early on in the 2000’s, sources reported that Sorenstam had lost
her focus. She was no longer the best LPGA Tour player, having
been replaced by Karrie Webb. She qualified for the World Golf
Hall of Fame, when she
won the 2000 Welch’s/
Circle K Championship, but
was not eligible for
induction until finishing her
tenth year on the LPGA
tour in October 2003. She
was the first international
player to be inducted in the
Hall of Fame through the
LPGA criteria.
No
longer
in
her
preeminent
position,
Sorenstam focused on a
new
five-day-a-week
exercise
program,
including weight-lifting and
balance work which by
2003, added over 20 yards
to her driving distance.
She had eight LPGA wins
during the 2001 season,
became the only female
golfer to shoot a 59 in
competition and the first
LPGA player to cross the
$2 million mark in singleseason earnings. She set
or tied 30 LPGA records en
route to regaining the Vare
Trophy and winning her
fourth Player of the Year
and Money List Titles in
2001. A made-for-TV
alternate shot competition
was held between the two best male and female players in the
world. The result: Annika Sorenstam and Tiger Woods won over
Karrie Webb and David Duval.
Annika
Sorenstam
In 2002, Sorenstam joined Mickey Wright as the only players to
win eleven LPGA Tournaments in one season. She earned her
fifth Player of the Year Title and Fifth Vare Trophy. She successfully
defended the Kraft Nabisco Championship, her fourth major
victory, and also won the ANZ Ladies Masters in Australia and
Compaq Open in Sweden on the Ladies European Tour, giving
her 13 wins in 25 starts worldwide in 2002.
There was notable controversy when Sorenstam was invited to
play in the Bank of America Colonial Golf Tournament in Fort
Worth, Texas, in May 2003. She would become the first woman
to play in a PGA (men’s) Tour event since Babe Zeharias, who
qualified for the 1945 Los Angeles Open. PGA Tour player, Vijay
Singh was particularly critical of her presence. He was quoted
saying she had no business playing and he hoped she missed
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the cut, although he later apologized. The crowd cheered through
each hole as she shot five over par, tying for 96th out of the 111
who finished the first two rounds, missing the cut. After shooting
1-over-par 71 in the first round, finishing 73rd and on pace to
challenge for a weekend spot, she said she was nervous all day,
but pleased by her performance. Through the first round, she led
the field in driving accuracy, was in the top 20 in greens in
regulation, and was 84 th out of 111 in driving distance.
Unfortunately, poor putting (last in the field, averaging over a twoputt) cost her a spot on the first page of the first round leaderboard
and ultimately caused her to miss the cut.
She won the LPGA
Championship and the
Women’s British Open later
in the 2003 season,
becoming only the sixth
player to complete the LPGA
Grand Slam. She had five
other victories worldwide,
set or tied a total of 22 LPGA
records and earned her sixth
Player of the Year Award. In
the 2003 Skins Game, she
competed against Fred
Couples, Phil Mickelson,
and Mark O’Meara, finishing
second with five skins worth
$225,000. She received her
second Jerringpriset Award
in Sweden, plus the 2003
Gold Writers’ Trophy by the
Association of Golf Writers.
In
2004,
Sorenstam
continued to dominate and
captured her seventh LPGA
Player of the Year Award,
tying Kathy Whitworth for the
most in LPGA history. She
posted 16 top-10 finishes in
18 LPGA starts, including
eight wins, had two
additional international wins,
became the first player to
reach $15 million in LPGA
career earnings and took
her own LPGA single-season scoring average to 68.69696.
However, she played too few rounds to win the Vare Trophy.
Photo from Wikipedia
JLPGA and defended her home LET Title at the Renamed
Compaq Open. Sorenstam became the first player in LPGA
history to finish a season with a sub-70 scoring average of 69.99,
en route to retaining the 1998 Player of the Year and Money List
Titles. She also won the LET Swedish Tour Stop for the third time
running. During the 1990’s, she won more LPGA Tournaments
than any other player.
She received the 2004 Sportswoman of the Year Award from The
Women’s Sports Foundation, and the Laureus World Sports
Academy named her World Sportswoman of the Year.
In 2005, Sorenstam had a landmark year on the golf course.
She made history as the first player in LPGA player to win a
major three consecutive years at the Mizuno Classic. She
entered 21 worldwide tournaments with 11 wins that included
victory in the Scandinavian TPC, which she hosted and presented
herself the trophy. She now had an eighth Money List Title, tying
the LPGA record, an eighth Rolex Player of the Year Award (a
record) and a sixth Vare Trophy. She is the only player ever to win
Money List, Player of the Year Award and Vare Trophy in the
same year in 5 different years. When she made her seventh
consecutive Solheim Cup appearance, she finished as the
event’s all-time leading points earner, her 4 points making her
January 2010
19
Captain of the victorious International Team at the inaugural
Lexus Cup.
Her achievements resulted in numerous awards. The Golf
Writers Association of America named Sorenstam Female Player
of the Year for the eighth time (1995, 1997, 2000-2005),
Associated Press voted her Female of the Year for the third
consecutive year and she became the first woman to win the
Golf Writers’ Trophy twice in the 55-year history of European
golf’s most prestigious award. Having previously won six Best
Female Golfer ESPY Awards (1996, 1998-99, 2002-04),
Sorenstam also received the 2005 ESPY Award as Best Female
Athlete.
Sorenstam was confirmed as the number-one player in women’s
golf, when the first-ever official Women’s World Golf Rankings
were unveiled in February 2006. She relinquished this position
to Lorena Ochoa in April 2007.
She opened her LPGA season with a defense of her title in the
MasterCard Classic. She then went winless in eight starts, causing
some to talk of a slump. Her drought ended at the U.S. Women’s
Open, where she won an 18-hole playoff over Pat Hurst for her
10th major championship title, tying her for third on the list of
players with the most major championship titles. She totaled 3
wins on the LPGA and two on the Ladies European Tour, the
inaugural Dubai Ladies Masters and the Swedish Tournament
she hosted, which she defended in her home town at the course
where she learned to play.
She returned as the Ginn Tribute Tournament hostess after a
two month injury rehabilitation break, where she admitted to
being at only 85% fitness and finished tied for 36th place. She
still lacked total fitness in her next two tournaments, the LPGA
Championship, where she finished tied for 15th place, and the
U.S. Women’s Open, where, as defending champion, she
finished tied for 32nd.
At the World Matchplay Championship, she had an early round
defeat, but a more successful time in Europe, where she finished
6th at the Evian Masters, 16th at the Women’s British Open and
9th in the Swedish Tournament she hosted on the Ladies
European Tour. Sorenstam had three top ten finishes on her return
to the United States, but missed the weekend at the season closing
ADT Playoffs for the second year running.
She was winless on the LPGA Tour for the first time since her
rookie season. However, she won a worldwide title at the Dubai
Ladies Masters on the Ladies European Tour in November 2007.
Sorenstam declared herself recovered from injury and ready to
return to a complete season of competitive golf in 2008, opening
the year at the SBS Open, where she captured her 70th LPGA
Tour victory and first since September 2006. Next, she won at the
Stanford International Pro-Am in April, then following a week off,
won again at the Michelob ULTRA Open with a tournament record
score, giving her three wins and over $1 million in earnings by
mid-May. She had scored her 72nd and final ever win on the
LPGA Tour.
In 2008, Sörenstam was highly critical of other female golfers
who tried to play in the PGA tour. Her comments to Michelle Wie
20
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Annika
Sorenstam
Photo from Wikipedia
Sorenstam lost while defending her MasterCard Classic Title in
2007. She shot her highest 72-hole score in a major in nine years
at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, a result explained by her
subsequent diagnosis with ruptured and bulging discs in her neck.
This was the first major injury in Sorenstam’s 13-year LPGA
career.
for playing on the men’s tour: “I really don’t know why Michelle
continues to do this. We have a major this week and, if you can’t
qualify for a major, I don’t see any reason why you should play
with the men.”
Sorenstam announced on May 13, 2008, during a press
conference at the Sybase Classic, that she would “step away”
from competitive golf at the conclusion of the 2008 season. It
was in a playoff at the Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open, an event cosanctioned by the Ladies European Tour and the Ladies Asian
Golf tour, that she had her last tournament victory. Her last
scheduled tournament on the LPGA Tour was the season-ending
ADT Championship in November, where she failed to make the
weekend play in the event’s unique playoff structure. Her final
sanctioned LPGA appearance was as the winning captain of Team
International at the 2008 Lexus Cup in Singapore. The Dubai
Ladies Masters on the Ladies European Tour, in December 2008,
was her last professional tournament, where she finished tied for
7th.
January 2010
The 2009
Big Apple Classic
By Herbert Delancey
Photo by Herbert Delancey
New York, NY - The 2009 Big Apple (Basketball)
Classic held at Madison Square Garden in
December 2009, featured two of Black
College’s fiercest rivalries: Virginia State
University and Virginia Union University from
the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
(CIAA) and Hampton University and Howard
University from the Mid-Eastern Athletic
Conference (MEAC). The Big Apple Classic
was started in 2006 by Johnson, Inc.
(Richmond, VA) with a mission to expose the
New York Metropolitan area to the Southern
HBCU experience with the goal of encouraging
youth to pursue higher education. Virginia State
came into the contest with a 1-4 record, while
Virginia Union came in with a 2-4 record.
Hampton came into the game with a 2-6 record,
while Howard came into the game with a 0-8
record.
Both games were very exciting, as the first
game was tight and went into overtime and the
nightcap game went down to the wire, as well.
Virginia Union pulled out a 90-81 win, while
Howard won their first game of the season,
beating Hampton 56-54.
Virginia State University “Woo-Woos”
Although the weather helped prevent a bigger crowd from seeing
the games, those who braved the elements saw exciting finishes
to the games, as well as seeing the drum lines from Virginia State
and Howard, in addition to Cheyney State and Lincoln Universities
from Pennsylvania.
Neither is a stranger to Madison Square Garden. Dickerson went
to Boys and Girls (Brooklyn, NY), while Johnson went to Saint
Raymond’s (Bronx, NY). Dickerson played at the Garden with the
Kangaroos when they played Abraham Lincoln (Brooklyn, NY) in
the Public School Athletic League (PSAL) final in 2007. Johnson
played with Ravens when they played Saint Patrick’s Celtics
(Elizabeth, NJ) also in 2007.
Pageantry was added as the cheerleaders from all four schools
came to support their teams. The alumni from the respective
schools came out as well. The fans were treated to halftime
entertainment as the Virginia State University cheerleaders
(affectionately known as the Woo-Woos) performed during the
first halftime and R&B recording artist, Ryan Leslie, performed
during the second halftime.
During the post-game press conference, Virginia Union head
coach, Willard Coker, and star players Braxton Byerson and Greg
Redford shared that defeating Virginia State and winning a CIAA
game was very satisfying, but, it is a long season. They also stated
that any player that puts a Virginia Union jersey is accepting the
challenge of playing for the Panthers. Also, that the team wants
to keep the streak of consecutive wins alive.
The Big Apple Classic teamed up with the American Cancer
Society and donated a portion of the game’s proceeds to the
Society. The weekend started with a kick-off party and reception
on Friday night. On game day, in addition to the games, there
was a College Fair and Alumni after party. The College Fair
included the following schools: Alabama State University, Cheyney
University, Clark Atlanta University, Fisk University, Florida A&M
University, Hampton University, Howard University, Johnson C.
Smith University, Lincoln University (PA), Livingstone College,
Morehouse College, North Carolina A&T University, Shaw
University, Spelman College, Saint Augustine’s College, Tuskegee
University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and
Xavier University.
Paul Kirkpatrick scored on a dunk with 5 seconds remaining to
give Howard University a thrilling 56-54 win over Hampton
University in the Fourth Annual Big Apple Classic at Madison
Square Garden before 6,981 fans. After the Hampton Pirates (27 overall, 0-1 in the MEAC) tied the game at 54-all with 14 seconds
left, the Howard Bison called a timeout with seven ticks left.
Following the timeout, Howard put the ball in play and Curtis White
found Kirkpatrick under the right side of the basket. The Bison
center turned and threw down the shot that capped off a highly
competitive game between two rivals. “That last play was executed
just the way we wanted,” said Howard head coach Gil Jackson.
“Interestingly enough, it is called “New York’ because I love the
Knicks.”
A special feature to the contest was two local players, who had a
homecoming of their own: Howard’s Anton Dickerson (#4) and
Tyreak Johnson (#14), both playing in their first Big Apple Classic.
Most fans went away having enjoyed two very exciting games. If
this year’s Classic games are indicative of what we have to look
forward, I can not wait for next year’s games.
BSTM
January 2010
21
World Cup
Soccer Preview
By Robert Woodard
The World Cup comes to South Africa this summer, the first held
on African soil. This has the potential to be the most intriguing
competition in the history of the event. Opening up the festivities
was the December 4th draw ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa,
where 32 lottery balls decided the eight first round groups and
perhaps the fate of the participants.
World Cup Venues
American hopes for glory literally ended for World Cup 2006 on
draw when they were grouped with the Czech Republic, Ghana,
and eventual World Cup winner Italy in the first round. This time
out, the U.S. landed comfortably in Group C with England,
Slovenia, and Algeria, a draw that made them favored to advance
to the second round.
The U.S. opens up on June 12, 2009, with a dream matchup
facing one of the tournament favorites, England, in what will
certainly be the most hyped game in U.S. soccer history.
Not only do the two nations share a common fan base and a
certain sense of respect, they play similar styles. Add to the
mixture, Americans like Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey play in
the English Premier League (EPL) and enjoy tremendous
popularity among English fans. The same holds true for English
stars like David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, and Steve Gerrard,
who are favorites for American fans that follow the EPL on TV
and spend millions on EPL jerseys and merchandise.
Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria
The U.S. defeated England 1-0 in their only previous World Cup
meeting in 1950, in the biggest upset in Cup history. In their last
meeting, England prevailed in an easy 2-0 win in May 2008.
Beating England would all but assure the U.S. would make it to
the second round, a loss would not be the end of the world, and a
draw would still be a great result.
The second game against Slovenia sets up as a must-win
scenario. The Americans should be able to handle Slovenia, but
cannot take them lightly. Slovenia upset Russia to earn its trip to
South Africa with a highly organized defense that only allowed
four goals in qualifying.
Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town
The final U.S. first round match is against Algeria, who qualified
by beating African Cup of Nations champions, Egypt, 1-0 in a
tiebreaking playoff. Algeria, although considered the softest touch
of all the African nations except South Africa, still has the players
to compete with the U.S.
U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer and ESPN analyst, Alexi Lalas, sees
the U.S. chances of advancing even with a loss to England
positively stating, “If you can’t find a way to beat Algeria and
Slovenia, you don’t deserve to move on.”
To accomplish that, the Americans will have numerous injury
problems to overcome. Defender Oguchi Onyewu is in a fight
against time to regain fitness to regain his starting job after
22
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January 2010
Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg
World Cup Qualifying Countries
[ in Green ]
South Africa
Map of South Africa &
Locations of Stadiums
Polokwane
Pretoria
Rustenburg
Nelspruit
Johannesburg
Bloemfontein
Durban
Port Elizabeth
Cape Town
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January 2010
23
straining a patella tendon. The injuries suffered by forward Charlie
Davies in a car accident means someone will have to step up as
a capable replacement.
Prediction: Winner-England, Runner-up-U.S.
Here is a quick rundown of the remaining groups
Group E: The Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
The opening day in this group will set the stage for who joins
Holland in the second round. Holland will surely beat Denmark
and Japan. Cameroon will face off with the winner, having a leg
up on advancing. Cameroon, with African Player of the Year,
Samuel Eto’o, has played well in previous World Cups and looks
World Cup Venues
Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Mexico certainly had to feel lucky drawing host nation South Africa
in the World Cup opener. South Africa is the weakest team in the
tournament, but the overwhelming enthusiasm of their fans gives
them a fighter’s chance. Uruguay plays some of the dirtiest soccer
on the planet, making them a difficult team to beat. France barely
qualified, depending on a controversial handball goal to lift them
over Ireland. Still France has the quality and experience at the
top level to win the group.
Prediction: Winner- France, Runner-up Mexico.
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece
Argentina’s new coach, Diego Maradona, struggled to qualify, but
their faithful fans cling to the hope that Lionel Messi will finally
live up to his potential. The remaining teams, Nigeria, South Korea,
and Greece possess the athleticism and steel required to frustrate
Argentina’s attack. Each of them falls short on the offensive end,
so the team that manages to knock in a few goals will surely
advance.
Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane
Prediction: Winner-Argentina, Runner-up-Nigeria.
Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana
The “Group of Death” locks four teams capable of winning the
group in mortal combat with only two survivors. The Germans will
bring their trademark technical ability and mental toughness, which
should take them deep into the tournament. The rest of the group
will battle it out for the other spot in the second round. Ghana, led
by Michael Essien, is a compelling squad that will benefit from a
huge fan base traveling to South Africa, which could tip the scales
in their favor. Serbia and Australia are relentless physical teams
with enough skill players to pressure the ball all over the field and
produce enough offense to upset Germany and Ghana. Deciding
the group will go down to the final seconds of group play.
Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein
Prediction: Winner-Germany, Runner-up-Ghana.
Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban
24
Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit
BSTM
January 2010
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to rebound after not qualifying for World Cup 2006. Japan is a
skillful team that plays with a frenetic energy that causes untold
problems for the opposition. Denmark’s chances depend on
beating both Japan and Cameroon, an unlikely outcome.
World Cup Venues
Prediction: Winner-The Netherlands, Runner-up-Cameroon.
Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Defending World Cup Champions, Italy, has to feel good about
the draw. The only team in the group likely to give them any
problems is Paraguay. Paraguay is a legitimate Top 20 team that
could give Italy a game and do some damage in the tournament.
Slovakia is a solid run of the mill team, but certainly not in Italy’s
class. New Zealand will enjoy the sights, some South African
wines, play their three games and go home to watch the rest of
the tournament on TV.
Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg
Prediction: Winner-Italy, Runner-up-Paraguay.
Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal
This is a different Brazil from previous editions of the five time
World Champions. This Brazil team does not play the beautiful
soccer according to its tradition; it’s more a European style team,
willing to do the dirty work to win. Portugal features former FIFA
Player of the Year, Christiano Ronaldo, and a lineup of skilled
players. Their weaknesses are in defense and in not possessing
a quality goal scorer to compliment Ronaldo. Ivory Coast is the
best of the African nations, and it would be a pity if they failed to
advance beyond the first round due to the strength of the group,
a fate that befell them in 2006. Didier Drogba is a game-breaking
player that can score goals in bunches and the key for the Ivory
Coast to succeed. Little is known about North Korea and less is
expected of them.
Prediction: Winner-Brazil, Runner-up-Portugal.
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth
Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras,
Chile
If Italy was happy about their group, Spain is
delirious with delight over facing lightweights
Switzerland, Honduras, and Chile. If the fragile
Fernando Torres stays healthy, Spain could
challenge Brazil. Chile has a slight edge on
Switzerland and Honduras and is a good bet to
advance.
Prediction: Winner-Spain, Runner-up-Chile.
Reactions of the draw reflected the cautious
hopes of the 32 teams wanting to make a good
showing. Brazil, Spain, Italy, Argentina, and
England expect to win the Cup. For teams like
the United States, it means winning a few
games and going as deep into the tournament
as possible. Getting to the final eight would be
a remarkable accomplishment for U.S. soccer,
not making it to the second round would be a
disaster.
The draw ceremony was the first of many events
placing South Africa on the world stage, and it
was a huge success. Many more are sure to
follow this summer, culminating in the
coronation of a new World Champion in July.
26
Soccer City in Johannesburg
BSTM
January 2010
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
Society of American Baseball Research
Two Students College Scholarships
Annual Essay Writing Contest
TWO SABR NEGRO LEAGUE $2,500 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
With the start of that final year of high school, the Negro Leagues Committee (NLC), a
component of the non-profit Society of American Baseball Research (www.SABR.org) is proud to
present there annual essay writing contest with a $2,500 cash award.
The NLC was formed in 1971, in an effort to research and preserve the history of AfricanAmericans in baseball before the re-integration of the game and to support efforts to give them
historical recognition.
For more information about the NLC go to:
http://www.sabr.org/sabr.cfm?a=cms,c,259,5,5,0
Since 1998, the NLC has hosted a Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference in cities across the
country. The Conference promotes activities to enhance scholarly, educational and literary
objectives. Some of NLC’s initiatives include; 1) donation of books to local schools and/or
libraries, 2) raising funds to purchase headstones for unmarked graves of former players, and 3)
the essay writing contest.
The Negro League Conference is the only symposium for the past 12 years dedicated exclusively
to the examination of black baseball history.
An essay of 1,000 words or less, for one of the following questions must be submitted:
“What influence or impact did Jackie Robinson, as the first African American to play
modern day Major League baseball, have on the Civil Rights Movement?
or
“What are the comparative aspects of the historical breakthroughs of Jackie Robinson in
baseball and Barack Obama in politics?”
For specific information about the scholarship application, go to:
http://www.larrylester42.com/assets/Uploads/Scholarship-form-LL.pdf
Application Deadline: February 19, 2010
Kobe Bryant
a.k.a. “Black Mamba”
Kobe Bean Bryant plays the shooting guard
position for the Los Angeles Lakers in the
National Basketball Association (NBA).
Bryant enjoyed a successful high school
basketball career and made instant
headlines when he decided to go directly
into the NBA upon graduation. He was
selected with the 13th overall pick in the
1996 NBA Draft by the Charlotte
Hornets, then traded to the Los Angeles
Lakers. He and then-teammate,
Shaquille O’Neal, led the Lakers to three
consecutive NBA championships from
2000 to 2002. After O’Neal’s departure
following the 2003–04 season, Bryant
became the cornerstone of the Lakers
franchise. He led the NBA in scoring
during the 2005–06 and 2006–07
seasons. In 2006, Bryant scored a
career high 81 points against the Toronto
Raptors, the second highest number of
points scored in a single game in NBA
history, second only to Wilt
Chamberlain’s 100 point performance.
Bryant was awarded the regular
season’s Most Valuable Player Award
(MVP) in the 2007–08 season and led
his team to the 2008 NBA Finals as the
first seed in the Western Conference. He
won his fourth NBA championship in 2009,
leading the Lakers to their fifteenth title. He
also won his first Finals MVP Award. In
2008, he won a Gold Medal as a member
of the 2008 Summer Olympics U.S. Men’s
Basketball Team, occasionally referred to
as “The Redeem Team,” a play on the
name of the first Olympic team that featured
NBA players, the Dream Team. Since his
second year in the league, Bryant has
started in every NBA All-Star Game that has
been hosted, winning the All-Star MVP
Award in 2002, 2007, and 2009. In 2009,
Bryant had the top-selling jersey in the
United States, Europe, and China.
Although known by several names
throughout his career, Bryant’s current
nickname is Black Mamba.
Bryant was born August 23, 1978, in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the
youngest of three children and the only son
of former Philadelphia 76ers player and
former Los Angeles Sparks head coach,
Joe “Jellybean” Bryant and Pamela Cox
Bryant. His parents named him after the
famous beef of Kobe, Japan, which they
28
saw on a restaurant menu. When Bryant
was six, his father left the NBA and moved
his family to Italy to begin playing
professional basketball. Bryant became
accustomed to his new lifestyle and learned
to speak Italian and Spanish fluently.
During summers, Bryant would come back
to the United States to play in a basketball
Kobe Bryant
summer league. He started playing
basketball when he was 3 years old and at
an early age, he learned to play soccer.
His favorite team was AC Milan. He has
said that if he had stayed in Italy, he would
have tried to become a professional soccer
player. He is a big fan of former FC
Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard and
their former player Ronaldinho. Upon Joe
Bryant’s retirement from playing basketball
in 1991, the Bryant family moved back to
the United States.
He earned national recognition during a
spectacular high school career at Lower
Merion High School located in the
Philadelphia suburb of Lower Merion. His
father coached him his sophomore
(second) year of high school. At Adidas
ABCD Camp, Bryant earned the 1995
senior MVP Award, while playing alongside
future NBA teammate Lamar Odom.
While in high school, then 76ers coach
John Lucas invited Bryant to work out and
scrimmage with the team, where he played
one-on-one with Jerry Stackhouse. In his
senior year of high school, Bryant led the
Aces to their first state championship in 53
years. During the run, he averaged 30.8
BSTM
January 2010
points, 12 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 4.0
steals, and 3.8 blocked shots in leading
the Aces to a 31–3 record. He ended his
career as Southeastern Pennsylvania’s
all-time leading scorer at 2,883 points,
surpassing both Wilt Chamberlain and
Lionel Simmons. He received several
awards for his performance his senior
year, including being named Naismith
High School Player of the Year,
Gatorade Men’s National Basketball
Player of the Year, a McDonald’s AllAmerican, and a USA Today All-USA
First Team Player. His SAT score of
1,080 would have ensured his
basketball scholarship to various toptier colleges. Ultimately, however, the
17-year-old Bryant made the decision
to go directly into the NBA. Bryant’s
news was met with a lot of publicity at
a time when prep-to-pro NBA players
was not very common (Kevin Garnett
being the only exception in 20 years).
Bryant has stated that had he decided
to go to college after high school, he
would have attended Duke University.
Bryant was chosen as the 13th overall
draft pick by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996.
Prior to the draft, Bryant had worked out in
Los Angeles in which he scrimmaged
against former Lakers players Larry Drew
and Michael Cooper. According to then
Laker manager Jerry West, he “marched
over these people.”
On July 1, 1996, West traded his starting
center, Vlade Divac, to the Hornets in
exchange for Bryant’s draft rights. Since
he was still 17 at the time of the draft, his
parents had to co-sign his contract with the
Lakers until he was able to sign his own
when he turned 18 before the season
began.
During his rookie season, Bryant mostly
came off the bench behind guards Eddie
Jones and Nick Van Exel. At the time he
became the youngest player ever to play
in an NBA game (a record since broken by
teammate Andrew Bynum). He also
became the youngest NBA starter ever.
Initially, Bryant played limited minutes, but
as the season continued, he began to see
some more playing time. By the end of the
season, he averaged 15.5 minutes a game.
He earned himself a reputation as a high-
flyer and a fan favorite by winning the 1997
Slam Dunk Contest. Bryant’s performance
throughout the year earned him a spot on
the NBA All Rookie Second-Team.
In his second season, he received more
playing time and began to show more of
his abilities as a talented young guard. As
a result, Bryant’s point averages more than
doubled from 7.6 to 15.4 points per game.
He was the runner-up for the NBA’s Sixth
Man of the Year Award, and through fan
voting, he also became the youngest NBA
All-Star starter in NBA history. He was
joined by fellow teammates Shaquille
O’Neal, Nick Van Exel and Eddie Jones,
making it the first time since 1983, that four
players on the same team were selected
to play in the same All-Star Game. Bryant’s
15.4 points per game was the highest of
any non-starter in the season.
The 1998–99 season marked Bryant’s
emergence as a premiere guard in the
league. With starting guards Nick Van Exel
and Eddie Jones traded, Bryant started
every game for the lockout-shortened 50
game season. During the season, Bryant
signed a 6-year contract extension worth
$70 million. This kept him with the Lakers
till the end of the 2003–04 season. Even
at an early stage of his career, sportswriters
were comparing his skills to that of Michael
Jordan and Magic Johnson. The playoff
results, however, were not as good, as the
Lakers were swept by the San Antonio
Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals.
Bryant’s fortunes would soon change when
Phil Jackson became coach for the Los
Angeles Lakers in 1999. After years of
steady improvement, he became one of the
premier shooting guards in the league,
earning spots on the league’s All-NBA, AllStar, and All-Defensive teams. The Los
Angeles Lakers became premier
championship contenders under Bryant
and Shaquille O’Neal, who formed an
outstanding center-guard combination.
Jackson utilized the triangle offense he
used to win six championships with the
Chicago Bulls, which would help both
Bryant and O’Neal rise to the elite class of
the NBA. The three resulting
championships were won consecutively in
2000, 2001, and 2002.
He started the 1999–2000 season
sidelined for six weeks due to an injury to
his hand in a preseason game. After
returning and playing the first full season
as a starter, he saw an increase in all
statistical categories in the 1999–2000
season. This included leading the team in
assists per game and steals per game. The
Kobe Bryant
duo of O’Neal and Bryant backed with a
strong bench led to the Lakers winning
67 games, tied for 5th most in NBA history.
This followed with O’Neal winning the MVP
and Bryant being named to the All-NBA
Team Second-Team and All-NBA
Defensive Team for the first time in his
career (the youngest player ever to receive
defensive honors). In the 2000 NBA Finals
against the Indiana Pacers, he injured his
ankle in the second quarter of game 2 and
was out until game 4. In game 4, O’Neal
fouled out of the game in over-time, so
Bryant took the lead and scored eight
points and put the Lakers ahead 120–118
for the win. With a game 6 victory, the
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January 2010
Lakers won their first championship since
1988.
Statistically, the 2000–01 season saw
Bryant perform similarly to the previous
year, except Bryant was averaging 6 more
points a game (28.5). It was also the year
when disagreements between Bryant and
O’Neal began to surface. Once again he
led the team in assists with 5 per game.
The Lakers, however, only won 56 games,
an 11 game drop off from last year. The
Lakers would respond by going 15–1 in the
playoffs. They easily swept the Portland
Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, and San
Antonio Spurs, before losing their first
29
game against the Philadelphia 76ers in
overtime. They would go on to win the next
4 games and bring their second
championship to Los Angeles in as many
seasons. During the playoffs Bryant played
heavy minutes which brought his stats up
to 29.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.1
assists per game. In the playoffs,
teammate O’Neal declared Bryant the best
player in the league. Bryant ended up
making the All NBA Second-Team and All
NBA Defensive Team for the second year
in a row. In addition, he was also voted to
start in the NBA All-Star Game for the 3rd
year in a row.
In the 2001–02 season, Bryant
played 80 games for the first time
in his career. He continued his allround play by averaging 25.2
points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5
assists per game. He also had a
career high 46.9% shooting and
once again led his team in assists.
While making the All-Star Team and
All-NBA Defensive Team again, he
was selected to the All-NBA FirstTeam for the first time in his career.
The Lakers won 58 games that year
and finished second place in the
Pacific Division behind in-state rival
Sacramento Kings. The Lakers
played the Kings in the Western
Conference Finals. The series
would stretch to 7 games, the first
time this happened to the Lakers
since the Western Conference
Finals in the 2000 NBA Playoffs.
However, the Lakers were able to
beat their division rivals and make
their third consecutive NBA Finals
appearance. In the 2002 Finals,
Bryant averaged 26.8 points, 51.4%
shooting, 5.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists per
game, which included scoring a quarter of
the teams points.
At age 23, Bryant became the youngest
player to win three championships.
In the 2002–03 season, Bryant averaged
30 points per game, and embarked on a
historic run, posting 40 or more points in
nine consecutive games, while averaging
40.6 in the entire month of February. In
addition, he averaged 6.9 rebounds, 5.9
assists, and 2.2 steals per game, all career
highs up to that point. Bryant was once
again voted on to both the All-NBA and AllDefensive 1st teams, and came in third
place in voting for the MVP Award. After
finishing 50–32 in the regular season, the
Lakers foundered in the playoffs and lost
in the Western Conference semi-finals to
the eventual NBA champions, San Antonio
Spurs, in six games.
30
In the following 2003–04 season, the
Lakers were able to acquire NBA All-Stars
Karl Malone, and Gary Payton to make
another push at the NBA Championship.
With a starting lineup of four future Hall of
Famers, O’Neal, Malone, Payton, and
Bryant, the Lakers were able to reach the
NBA Finals. In the Finals, they were
eliminated by the Detroit Pistons in 5
games. In that series, Bryant averaged
22.6 points per game and 4.4 assists. He
shot a mere 35.1% from the field. Phil
Jackson’s contract as coach was not
renewed, and Rudy Tomjanovich took over.
Shaquille O’Neal was traded to the Miami
Kobe
Heat for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, and
Brian Grant. The following day, Bryant
declined an offer to sign with the Los
Angeles Clippers and re-signed with the
Lakers on a seven-year contract.
Bryant was closely scrutinized and
criticized during the 2004–05 season with
his reputation badly damaged from all that
had happened over the previous year. A
particularly damaging salvo came when
Phil Jackson wrote The Last Season: A
Team in Search of Its Soul. The book
detailed the events of the Lakers’
tumultuous 2003–04 season and has a
number of criticisms of Bryant.
Midway through the season, Rudy
Tomjanovich suddenly resigned as Lakers
coach, citing the recurrence of health
problems and exhaustion. Without
Tomjanovich, stewardship of the remainder
of the Lakers’ season fell to career
assistant coach Frank Hamblen. Despite
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January 2010
the fact that Bryant was the league’s
second leading scorer at 27.6 points per
game, the Lakers floundered and missed
the playoffs for the first time in over a
decade. The year signified a drop in
Bryant’s overall status in the NBA, as he
did not make the NBA All-Defensive Team,
and was also selected to the All-NBA Third
Team.
The 2005–06 NBA season would mark a
crossroads in Bryant’s basketball career.
Despite past differences with Bryant, Phil
Jackson returned to coach the Lakers. The
team posted a 45–37 record, and returned
to the playoffs. Despite Bryant’s 27.8
points per game in the first round
against the Phoenix Suns, the
Lakers were eliminated. The
Lakers broke down, and ultimately
fell to the Suns in seven games.
During the regular season, Bryant
scored 81 points in a 122–104
victory against the Toronto Raptors.
In addition to breaking the previous
franchise record of 71 set by Elgin
Baylor, his 81-point game was the
second highest point total in NBA
history, surpassed only by Wilt
Chamberlain’s 100-point game in
1962. In that same month, Bryant
also became the first player since
1964 to score 45 points or more in
four consecutive games, joining
Chamberlain and Baylor as the only
players ever to do so. For the month
of January, Bryant averaged 43.4
points per game, the eighth highest
single month scoring average in NBA
history and highest for any player
other than Chamberlain. By the end
of the season, Bryant set Lakers
single-season franchise records for most
40-point games (27) and most points
scored (2,832). He won the league’s
scoring title for the first time, posting a
scoring average of (35.4). He finished in
fourth place in the voting for the 2006 NBA
Most Valuable Player Award.
During the 2006–07 season, he was
selected to his 9th All-Star Game
appearance in which he logged 31 points,
6 assists, and 6 steals, earning his second
career All-Star Game MVP Trophy. Bryant
scored a season-high 65 points in a home
game against the Portland Trail Blazers,
which helped end the Lakers 7-game losing
streak. This was the second best scoring
performance of his 11-year career. The
following game, he recorded 50 points
against the Minnesota Timberwolves, after
which he scored 60 points in a road win
against the Memphis Grizzlies, becoming
the second Laker to score three straight
50-plus point games, a feat not seen since
Michael Jordan last did it in 1987. The only
other Laker to do so was Elgin Baylor, who
also scored 50+ in three consecutive
contests in 1962. On the following day, in
a game against the New Orleans Hornets,
Bryant scored 50 points, making him the
second player in NBA history to have 4
straight 50 point games behind Wilt
Chamberlain, who is the all-time leader with
seven consecutive 50 point games twice.
Bryant finished the year with a total of ten
50-plus point games, becoming the only
player beside Wilt Chamberlain in 1961–
62 and 1962–63 to do so in one season.
He also won his second straight scoring
title that season.
season, earning his eleventh consecutive
All-Star Game start. During the 2009 NBA
All-Star Game, he tallied 27 points, 4
assists, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals. He was
awarded the All-Star Game co-MVP with
former teammate Shaquille O’Neal as the
Western Conference All-Stars defeated
their Eastern counterparts, 146–119.
Throughout the 2006–07 season, Bryant’s
jersey became the top selling NBA jersey
in the United States and China. In the 2007
NBA Playoffs, the Lakers were once again
eliminated in the first round by the Phoenix
Suns, 4-1.
The Lakers started the playoffs winning
against the Utah Jazz, defeating the
Houston Rockets and the Denver Nuggets.
The victories earned the Lakers their
second straight trip to the NBA Finals and
The Lakers finished the season first in the
Western Conference with a 65–17 record,
and finished second overall in the NBA.
Bryant was runner-up in the MVP voting
behind LeBron James. He was also
selected to the All-NBA First-Team and AllDefensive First-Team for the seventh time
in his career.
Bryant’s 6th overall. The Lakers defeated
the Orlando Magic in the Finals to become
the 2009 NBA Champions. Bryant was
awarded his first NBA Finals MVP Trophy
upon winning his fourth championship,
becoming the first player since Jerry West
in the 1969 NBA Finals to average at least
32.4 points and 7.4 assists for a series and
the first since Michael Jordan to average
30 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for a
title-winning team.
Bryant continues to lead the defending
champion Lakers as an elite team during
the 2009-2010 season. By December 23,
2009, the Lakers held a league-leading 234 record. Of Bryant’s notable contributions
in the season, he made a game-winning,
buzzer-beating, one-legged three point
shot against the Miami Heat on December
4, 2009. He considered the shot one of the
luckiest he has ever made.
In 2007, Bryant became the youngest
player (29 years, 122 days) to reach 20,000
points, in a game against the New York
Knicks, in Madison Square Garden.
Leading his team to a Western
Conference best 57–25 record, they swept
the Denver Nuggets in the first round.
Bryant was officially announced as the
NBA Most Valuable Player, his first for his
career. In addition to winning his MVP
Award, he was the only unanimous
selection to the 2008 All-NBA Team for the
third straight season and sixth time in his
career. He would then headline the NBA
All-Defensive First-Team with Kevin
Garnett, receiving 52 points overall,
including 24 first-place nods, earning his
eighth selection.
The Lakers defeated Utah Jazz to set up a
Western Conference Finals berth against
the San Antonio Spurs. The Lakers
defeated the Spurs in 5 games, sending
themselves to the NBA Finals against the
Boston Celtics. This marked the fifth time
in Bryant’s career and the first time without
Shaquille O’Neal he went to the NBA
Finals. The Lakers then lost to the Boston
Celtics in 6 games.
In the 2008–09 season the Lakers opened
the 2008–2009 campaign by winning their
first seven games. Bryant led the team to
tie the franchise record for most wins to
start the season, going 17–2, and the
Lakers went to 21–3 by the middle of
December. As a result the Lakers remained
the top seed in the Western Conference
standings the entire season.
Kobe Bryant
Bryant continued his dominant play in the
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January 2010
31
Build Stability and Power
For Golf
From the Desk of Charles Lightfoot
Looking for some cutting edge gym training techniques designed
to enhance every golfer’s performance level? Combining effective
comprehensive compound resistance routines will help in your
understanding the dynamic actions in your golf swing.
This approach to improve your playing ability is to work on one of
the most important tools you have in your golf arsenal…your body.
A poorly trained body will never truly be able to find that fine
synergistic combination of power, strength, and mental athleticism.
The following instructions will help you distinguish the positions
of your body where physical, sensory, and mechanical concepts
entangle in your brain. It is a study for you to identify unnecessary
movements and circumstance that are associated with limiting
your range of motion, loss of power, and rotational instability. It
also attempts to open a mental door for you to accept new
paradigms for building a fundamentally sound swing.
Getting ready
Every time you turn your shoulders around your spine, they move
on a plane where there are only two options for your arms to
swing in relation to your shoulders. The arms can either swing
independently around and your body onto a plane angle or your
shoulders and big muscles can initiate such movement. The
following drill will improve your golf swing, but you have to really
work at it.
Your lower body supports the upper body in producing effective
shoulder turns by minimizing the leverage drawn from the hips
and solid knees. In isolating the shoulder girdle from the lower
body, athletes can immediately uncover and reveal their true range
of flexible motion. You will be amazed, if you don’t cheat.
Getting set
The benefit of this type of training is that it avoids muscular
destruction, which causes abnormal body recovery that can disrupt
your ability to play. Not only will you target greater portions of
muscle in a less aggressive manner, but also systematically
expand the sense of balance in the body. This will immediately
change the way you think.
More importantly, I suggest that golfers avoid weight and high
impact strength training routines. Should you overtrain; it is quite
possible that you will lose your sense for touch, feel, tempo, and
most of all, timing. Gym training for golf has to also fit your specific
body type and performance level. Many gym-training techniques
are designed for core strength that may challenge your muscles.
Overtraining your upper body muscles can be a disaster when
trying to assemble a powerful back swing.
Stretching is often one of the most forgotten factors in golf fitness,
which I find extremely vital. If you have limited time to train,
dedicate most of it to improving your flexibility. This not only
reduces the risk for injuries, but increases athletics, which in
golf, leads to greater driving distance and accuracy. When your
big muscles remain flexible, they warm-up easily and respond
dynamically without the exertion or manipulation of your smaller
muscles.
Instruction
Each session should begin with a series warm-up drills. We have
listed a few that we recommend. For helpful hints and correct
form, feel free to contact us for more details.
Warm-ups
Start with jumping jacks, front knee lunges, crisscross, squat
thrust, hand behind the head low jumping jacks and mountain
climbers. Cork screws should get that heart rate up. One set of
eight reps should be sufficient.
32
BSTM
Position 1: Seated
Seated on an exercise ball or stability ball, begin the routine with
both feet placed firmly on the ground. When viewed from the front,
your shoulders must be square and your spine should appear
perfectly straight in an upright centered position. Align your
shoulders directly over the hips with your feet and knees slightly
outside your shoulder line. This can help with stability and balance.
You should gradually progress back to where the feet are pointed
straight, with your feet at shoulder width and knees slightly bent
inward. Hold a 6 to 10 pound medicine ball directly at shoulder
level in front of the chest with both arms equally extended. This is
your optimum position.
Starting your backswing with the upper body can prevent the
interrupting movements associated with an ineffective sequence
of motion. Allow the big muscles of the shoulder and torso to
initiate movement. A proper shoulder turn will put you in the best
possible position for creating power.
You should keep the medicine ball in front of your chest throughout
January 2010
the rotation. (In an advanced position, you can allow your left
hand to pivot over the right at the 9 o’clock position and conversely,
the right hand over the left at the 3 o’clock position; as if you are
in the center of a clock)
Start the sequence by turning the upper torso so that your goal is
for the left shoulder to reach under the chin. Make sure that your
arms remain uninvolved while they extend at shoulder level around
a tight and centered spine. Slowly rotate the upper torso from
center to the right. Use a medicine ball beginning at 6, 8, or 10
pounds. Do a complete routine as a modified circuit with 20
repetitions resting 30 to 60 seconds between each set. Repeat
the same routine in the opposite direction (to your left). Focusing
on a piece of tape placed on the wall or using the mirror is helpful.
Exercise Data: Shoulder, Torso
Main Muscle Worked: Back, Shoulders, and Chest
Other Muscles Worked: Pectorals, Latissimus Dorsi, And Hip
Flexors.
Equipment: Weighted Bar, Core Ball
Mechanics Type: Comprehensive Compound
[In the above picture, master trainer, Jake Cintron, lightly applied
pressure to the waist and shoulder of personal trainer Anthony
Vitali in order to examine his core stability and tension.]
This position models a modern golf swing type in which the better
part of the power generation takes place from a coiling action
around steady legs. You also can see that the width, height and
extension from the radius of the swing arc are all powerfully
balanced.
In each exercise, it is necessary to monitor key positions, such
as level eye angle, keeping your chin up, head position, arms,
feet, knees, spine tilt, and equal body alignment. These are useful
training guidelines for improvement of better fundamentals from
beginners to advanced golfers.
Position: 2 Standing
Remember that your goal is to insure that the right shoulder gets
to reach under the chin before allowing the head to release in the
direction of the chest and arms to your target position.
At its maximum, you should be experiencing an increased full
Range of Motion (ROM) of rotation from the shoulder girdle of
180 degrees in order that your sternum rotation is from 3 o’clock
to 9 o’clock.
A tightly centered movement can load, store and release pure
power from the upper torso.
Advanced students can modify the routine. You can maximize
your shoulder pressure by using a weighted bar in full range
motions from right to left, equal-distant in both directions. It
improves the leverage of the takeaway by pulling the shoulders
back in even alignment with the spine, thereby averting “floating”
shoulders (when the shoulders move around in their sockets).
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Place a weighed bar on your upper back. Lift your chest up and
stomach sucked-in while keeping your shoulders back, in line
with your hips as you look down the angle of the bar. (See photo
for demonstration)
Your arms must be kept at a 90 degree angle while holding the
pole with your palms facing outward.
Your stance must have your knees slightly bent with your feet
January 2010
33
Join with BSTM
pointed forward at shoulder width. (Advanced students can do this with a medicine ball held between the knees.)
You should strongly hold a posture so that your spine will be tilted at approximately 20 to 25 degrees, while holding your chin up and
your eyes level with your toe line or fixed on a targeted spot. Maintain your balance and don’t over rotate your hips by allowing the
knees to travel past the toes. (Think solid knees) Stabilization of the lower body position is crucial to performing this routine effectively.
Performing these drills in front of a mirror will allow you to make a visual connection between the brain and your muscle memory.
Here, we used a 20-pound bar for the shoulders and a 6-pound medicine ball for the legs.
Exercise Data: Shoulder, Hip, and Knee Rotation
Main Muscle Worked: Back, Shoulders, legs
Other Muscles Worked: Pectoralis, Latissimus Dorsi, Hip Flexors Adducts thigh.
Equipment: Weighted Bar, Core Ball
Mechanics Type: Comprehensive Compound
As I stated, following this type of training routine will increase the ROM of the upper torso and stabilize the lower body to help
eliminate unnecessary movement that can cause power leakage and compensations. Unnecessary joint motions or muscle contraction
can retard the transfer of power. Maximizing the torso-pelvic separation factor will ultimately improve strength, balance, angular
acceleration and momentum. Improvement of this nature will allow you to develop a more dynamic blend of components in your
power system.
Therefore, no one part of the body, upper or lower, is over-powered or gets in the way of your full potential. The varieties of techniques
we offer are communication skills for your body that help create a physically reproducible model. This approach will help you find the
proper information for removing patterns in your mind that self-sabotage your game improvement.
It should be noted that these routines are recommendations that players can utilize to increase flexibility and power. Please
remember that all athletes have their own unique physical, mental, and emotional needs and may require individualized programming
and evaluation by qualified, accredited professionals. [Photos courtesy of Charles Lightfoot]
For
o
o
o
personal consultation contact:
Charles Lightfoot, Golf Trainer / Writer mailto: [email protected] or call 201-892-327.
Jake Cintron, ALAG Sports Trainer, mailto: [email protected] or call 201-674-8411.
Anthony Vitali, ALAG Contributor / Personal Trainer, mailto: [email protected], or call 201-880-9283.
BSTM
January 2010
35
CIAA
Bowie State University, MD - Chowan University, NC - Elizabeth City State University, NC - Fayetteville State University, NC
Johnson C. Smith University, NC - Lincoln University, PA - Livingstone College, NC - St. Augustine’s College, NC
St. Paul’s College, VA - Shaw University, NC - Virginia State University, VA - Virginia Union University, VA
CIAA Legends Recognized at Big Apple Classic
The Big Apple Classic held in Madison Square Garden recognized CIAA Legends at halftime
of the VSU vs. VUU game.
L-R:
Necole Simmonds of Johnson Inc.
Peggy Davis, President of the CIAA.
Ernest Brown, WSSU, NCAA 1967 National Championship team, and played for the Harlem
Globetrotters.
Richard “Juice” Glover, WSSU, 1963 and 1964 CIAA Player of the Year, drafted by the
Baltimore Bullets.
Jack DeFares, WSSU, Tagged the Kangaroo Kid setting records in high school a star
basketball player for the Legendary Big House Gaines.
The CIAA Announces 2009 All-Conference Football Team and
Players of the Year
Hampton, VA - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association announced the 2009 honorees for the All-CIAA Football First Team
and Players of the Year.
This year’s All-Conference Team is led by Offensive Player of the Year, Quarterback CJ Westler of Chowan University. Westler
finished this season at the top of the Conference in passing average, 285.6 (234 for 432) and total offense, 240 yards rushing, 2,856
yards passing, 309.6 average.
Defensive Player of the Year, Quintez Smith, represents the Shaw University Bears, where he ranks first in Division II in interceptions;
9 for 302 yards and 4 touchdowns. Smith, a defensive back, has also accumulated 49 total tackles for the season; 35 solo.
Fayetteville State University’s Austin Turner is Special Teams Player of the Year. Turner, a senior place kicker, tops the Conference
in scoring (Kick) and scoring with 34-37 points after touchdowns; 17-29 field goals for 85 total points.
The Players of the Year and All-Conference Teams were formally recognized at the CIAA Football Championship Luncheon.
2009 ALL-CIAA FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE TEAM
[POSITION] - NAME - SCHOOL - CLASS - HT - WT - MAJOR - HOMETOWN
[TIGHT END] Karvin Gwaltney, ECSU, JR, 6’4, 220, Physical Therapy, Ivor, VA [LINEMEN] Melvin Rogers, CU, SR, 6’3, 330, Sports
Management, Margarettsville, NC - Dylan Stivers, ECSU, SR, 6’6, 305, Criminal Justice, Guerneville, CA - Edawn Coughman, SU,
JR, 6’6, 310, Recreation, Atlanta, GA - Markus Copeland, VSU, JR, 6’4, 270, Physical Education, Lynchburg, VA - David Mims,
VUU, JR, 6’8, 335, Business Management, Charlotte, NC [WIDE RECEIVERS] Robert Holland, CU, FR, 6’2, 175, Graphic
Communications, Newport News, VA - Jeremy Franklin, JCSU, JR, 6’3, 195, Sports Management, Casselberry, FL
[QUARTERBACK] CJ Westler, CU, SR, 5’10, 190, SSPE, Marion, OH [RUNNING BACKS] Rodney Webb, BSU, JR, 5’9, 208,
Communications, Baltimore, MD - Raymond Williams, SU, JR, 6’0, 190, Recreation, Cleveland, OH [KICK RETURNER] James
Proctor, BSU, SO, 5’9, 152, N/A, Capital Heights, MD [PLACE KICKER] Austin Turner, FSU, SO, 6’2, 240, History, San Diego, CA
2009 ALL-CIAA FOOTBALL DEFENSIVE TEAM
[POSITION] - NAME - SCHOOL - CLASS - HT - WT - MAJOR - HOMETOWN
[LINEMEN] Yusef Dorman-El, BSU, SR, 6’5, 240, Social Work, Baltimore, MD - Marcus Crump, SAC, SR, 6’6, 240, Engineering
Pittsboro, NC - Malcolm Jenkins, ECSU, JR, 6’5, 235, Sports Management, Florence, NJ - Brandon Fortune, VSU, SR, 6’4, 265,
Guidance, Fredericksburg, VA [LINE BACKERS] Marcos Esquivel, FSU, SR, 6’2, 235, Business, Mesa, AZ - Fred Sparkman, SU,
JR, 6’2, 220, Recreation, Columbia, TN - Hurley “Tre” Hemphill, VUU, SR, 6’1, 240, Business Management, Kannapolis, NC
[DEFENSIVE BACKS] Terence Peete, Jr., BSU, JR, 6’4, 237, Pedology, Memphis, TN - Justin Hamiliton, ECSU, SR, 5’10, 170
Sports Management, Washington, DC - Jeff Gowdy, FSU, SR, 5’10, 175, Business, Jacksonville, NC - Quintez Smith, SU, SR, 6’1,
195, Recreation, Dublin, GA [PUNTER] Vincent Pacifico, SU, SO, 5’10, 180, Kinesiotherapy, Palm Coast, FL [PUNT RETURNER]
Reggie Smith, ECSU, SR, 5’11, 195, Criminal Justice, Fort Wayne, IN
Copyright (c) 1997 - 2006 The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
36
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January 2010
MEAC
Bethune Cookman, FL - Coppin StateUniversity, MD - Delaware State University, DE - Florida A&M University, FL
Hampton University, VA - Howard University, DC - Maryland Eastern Shore, MD - Morgan State University, MD
Norfolk State University, VA - NC A&T State University, NC - SC State University, SC - Winston-Salem State University, NC
MEAC Announces 2009 Football Postseason Awards
Virginia Beach, VA - Florida A&M
quarterback Curtis Pulley was selected as
the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
(MEAC) Offensive Player of the Year and
Morgan State’s George Howard earned the
Defensive Player of the Year honor, as
voted on by the MEAC head football
coaches and sports information directors.
Mike Mayhew of North Carolina A&T
earned the Rookie of the Year Award and
South Carolina State’s Johnny Culbreath
was selected as the Offensive Lineman of
the Year.
For the second straight year, Coach of the
Year honors went to South Carolina State
head coach, Buddy Pough. Pough led the
Bulldogs to a 10-1 overall record and a
perfect 8-0 mark in conference play for the
second year in a row. The Bulldogs earned
their second straight playoff berth, and
currently boast a record 19-straight
Conference victories.
honor three times.
Pulley led the MEAC in total offense with
2,705 yards and ranked third in rushing and
passing. He completed 60-percent of his
passes (137-of-226) with 1,824 yards and
12 touchdowns. He led the Rattlers in
rushing with 881 yards on 122 carries with
six touchdowns. The Hopkinsville,
Kentucky, native earned five Conference
Offensive Player of the Week honors and
is a finalist for the Walter Payton Award.
Mayhew emerged as a key offensive threat
for the North Carolina A&T Aggies this
year. In 10 games of play, Mayhew led the
Aggies with 111 carries for 471 yards and
six touchdowns. He also caught 14 passes
for 125 yards and was named the MEAC’s
Rookie of the Week. Mayhew ranks sixth
in the MEAC in rushing and kickoff returns
(20.57 avg/g), and tied for 13th in scoring.
Howard becomes the second straight
Bear ’s player to earn the MEAC’s
Defensive Player of the Year honor.
Howard led the MEAC in tackles with 130
(11.8 per game) including 73 solo and 57
assisted. Howard recorded nine tackles for
a loss of 40 yards, one pass break up, two
quarterback hurries and three forced
fumbles this season, and earned the
MEAC’s Defensive Player of the Week
Culbreath aided a dominating Bulldog
offense that accounted for 4,160 total yards
including, 1,745 yards on the ground.
Behind Culbreath’s blocking, the Bulldogs
finished number one in the MEAC in pass
offense, total offense, and scoring offense.
Culbreath’s efforts also aided running back
Will Ford, who became the MEAC’s and
Bulldog’s All-Time leading rusher this
season, and produced 1,010 yards on the
ground.
2009 ALL-MEAC FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE TEAM
[POSITION – NAME – CLASS – SCHOOL – HOMETOWN]
QUARTERBACK Curtis Pulley, r-Sr., Florida A&M, Hopkinsville, KY RUNNING BACK RB Will Ford, Sr., S.C. State, Travelers Rest,
SC - LaMarcus Coker, Sr., Hampton, Nashville, TIGHT END Lamont Bryant, So., Morgan State, Newport News, VA WIDE
RECEIVER Oliver “Tre” Young, Sr., S.C. State, Charleston, SC - Chris Bell, r-Jr., Norfolk State, Norfolk, VA OFFENSIVE LINE
Juavahr Nathan, r-So., S.C. State, Ladson, SC - Josh Harrison, r-Jr., S.C. State, Lake City, SC - Johnny Culbreath, Jr., S.C. State,
Monroe, GA - Robert Okeafor, Jr., Florida A&M, Jacksonville, FL – CENTER William Falakiseni, Jr., Norfolk State, Tafuna,
American Samoa
2009 ALL-CIAA FOOTBALL DEFENSIVE TEAM
POSITION – NAME – CLASS – SCHOOL – HOMETOWN
DEFENSIVE LINE Justin Lawrence, Sr., Morgan State, Jetersville, VA - Dexter Jackson, Sr., Bethune-Cookman, Jacksonville, FL Kendrick Ellis, Jr., Hampton, West Palm Beach, FL - Josh Turner, r-So., Norfolk State, Chesterfield, VA - Jarrell Herring, Sr., North
Carolina A&T, Detroit, MI LINEBACKER George Howard, Sr., Morgan State, Chesapeake, VA - David Erby, r-Jr., S.C. State, Rock
Hill, SC - Julio Sanchez, Jr., Hampton, Miami, FL - Terrell Whitehead, Sr., Norfolk State, Virginia Beach, VA DEFENSIVE BACK
Antwane Cox, Sr., Bethune-Cookman, Miami, FL - Justin Ferrell, So., North Carolina A&T, Danville, VA - Phillip Adams, Sr., S.C.
State, Rock Hill, SC – PUNTER Jahmal Blanchard, Sr., Hampton, Ft. Lauderdale, FL – PLACE KICKER Trevor Scott, r-So.,
Florida A&M, Jacksonville, FL - Blake Erickson, So., S.C. State, Pensacola, FL – PUNT RETURNER LeRoy Vann, Sr., Florida
A&M, Tampa, FL
HBCU Members of the Sports Network All-American Team
First Team Offense
None
First Team Special Teams
PR - Leroy Vann, Florida A&M, Sr.
First Team Defense
DL - Christian Anthony, Grambling, Jr.
S - Terrell Whitehead, Norfolk State, Sr.
Second Team Offense
None
First Team Special Teams
KR - Mareo Howard, Ark-Pine Bluff, So.
Second Team Defense
LB - George Howard, Morgan State, Sr.
Second Team Special Teams
PR - Kiare Thompson, Grambling, Jr.
Third Team Offense
WR - Juamorris Stewart, Southern, Sr.
Third Team Defense
SS - Anthony Beck, Prairie View, Sr.
FS - Jason House, Southern, Jr.
© Copyright 2005 meacsports.com
BSTM
January 2010
37
SIAC
Albany State University, GA - Benedict College, SC - Claflin University, SC - Clark Atlanta University, GA
Fort Valley State College, GA - Kentucky State University, KY - Lane College, TN - Lemoyne Owen College, TN
Miles College, AL - Morehouse College, GA - Paine College, GA - Stillman College, AL - Tuskegee University, AL
2009 SIAC Football All-Conference Teams Announced
The 2009 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference All-Conference Teams have
been selected, led by Albany State and Fort
Valley State Universities, who both had
eight total selections each. Tuskegee had
seven players selected followed by
Morehouse and Clark Atlanta with six total.
Clark Atlanta had the most second team
selections with five.
Albany State was led by quarterback, A.J.
McKenna, and running back, Demetrice
Johnson, who were both first team
selections. McKenna and Johnson helped
lead Albany State to an 8-3 overall record
and a Division II playoff berth. Lineman,
Joseph Ephrem, and defensive back,
Mario Fuller, make up the rest of Albany
State’s first team selections.
Fort Valley State has five first team
selections led by wide receiver/return
specialist, An’thon Harris. Harris, a junior,
was voted to the first team at both wide
receiver and punt returner after catching
seven touchdowns, which tied for the
Conference lead with the other first team
selection at wide receiver, Antoine Mitchell
of Tuskegee. Harris, who was among the
league leaders in punt return average, is
joined on the first team by three of his
teammates including tight end Rodriguez
Render, lineman Colin Cordell, and punter
Marquette King.
McKenna was also named this year’s
Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player
of the Year. The senior signal-caller
accumulated 2,355 yards of total offense,
including 2,027 passing yards and 19
touchdowns, all which led the Conference.
Seniors, Justin Hannah of Tuskegee and
Zimier McCloud of Clark Atlanta, were
named co-Defensive Players of the Year.
Hannah, a defensive back from
Birmingham, Alabama, is a three-time
First-Team All-Conference selection. He
had three interceptions this season, as
teams tended to throw away from him,
including two returned for touchdowns.
McCloud, a Philadelphia, PA native, led the
Conference in tackles per game,
averaging 10.2 per contest (92 total
tackles).
Coach Willie Slater of Tuskegee University
was named Coach of the Year for the
second straight year after leading
Tuskegee to a fourth consecutive
Conference Title. Defensive back, Dejuan
Williams of Fort Valley State, earned
Freshman of the Year honors. He led the
Conference in interceptions with six,
including three in their win over Albany
State. Other notable First-Team players
include SIAC leading rusher, Quinn Porter
of Stillman, and two-time First-Team AllConference selection, Ramone Harewood
of Morehouse.
2009 All-Conference First-Team Offense
[NAME – CLASS – HOMETOWN – INSTITUTION]
QUARTERBACK A. J. McKenna, SR, Scranton, PA, Albany State University RUNNING BACK Demetric Johnson, SR, Thomson,
GA, Albany State University - Quinn Porter, SR, Los Angeles, CA, Stillman College WIDE RECEIVER An’Thon Harris, JR, Atlanta,
GA, Fort Valley State University - Antoine Mitchell, JR, Atlanta, GA, Tuskegee University TIGHT END Robert Smith, SR, St. Louis,
MO, Lane College OFFENSIVE LINEMAN Joseph Ephrem, JR, Troy, IL, Albany State University - Colin Cordell, SR, Douglasville,
GA, Fort Valley State University - Ramone Harewood, SR, Christchurch, Barbados, Morehouse College - Robert Dorsey, SR, Los
Angeles, CA, Tuskegee University - Christopher Hymel, SR, Gramercy, LA, Stillman College
2009 All-Conference First-Team Defense
[NAME – CLASS – HOMETOWN – INSTITUTION]
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN Chris Jinks, JR, Miami, FL, Benedict College - Tyrell Henderson, SR, Columbus, OH, Kentucky State
University - Brandon Anderson, SR, Toxey, AL, Tuskegee University - Junior Galette, SR, Philadelphia, PA, Stillman College
LINEBACKERS Zimier McCloud, SR, Philadelphia, PA, Clark Atlanta University - Michael Thompson, SR, Springfield, OH,
Benedict College - Charlie Wilson, SO, Montgomery, AL, Morehouse College DEFENSIVE BACK Mario Fuller, SR, Jesup, GA,
Albany State University - Marquez Gibson, JR, Augusta, GA, Benedict College - Justin Hill, JR, Phoenix City, AL, Miles College Justin Hannah, SR, Birmingham, AL, Tuskegee University
2009 All-Conference Special Teams
[NAME – CLASS – HOMETOWN – INSTITUTION]
KICK RETURNER Jamaree Gordon, JR, Atlanta, GA, Kentucky State University PUNT RETURNER An’Thon Harris, JR, Atlanta,
GA, Fort Valley State University PLACE KICKER Ian Mullin, JR, Long Beach, CA, Morehouse College PUNTER Marquette King,
SO, Macon, GA, Fort Valley State University
2009 All-Conference Superlatives
Offensive Player of the Year: A. J. McKenna, Albany State University
Co – Defensive Players of the Year: Justin Hannah, Tuskegee University & Zimier McCloud, Clark Atlanta University
Freshman of the Year: Dejuan Williams, Fort Valley State University
Most Valuable Player: A. J. McKenna, Albany State University
Coach of the Year: Willie Slater, Tuskegee University
@Copyright 2004 thesiac.com
38
BSTM
January 2010
SWAC
Alabama A&M University, AL - Alabama-State University, AL - Alcorn State University, MS - Arkansas-Pine Bluff College, AR
Grambling State University, LA - Jackson State University, MS - Mississippi Valley State University, MS
Prairie View A&M University, TX - Southern University, LA - Texas Southern University, TX
K.J. Black and Christian Anthony
Named SWAC Players of the Year
Prairie View A&M University quarterback, K.J. Black, and Grambling State University (GSU) defensive end, Christian Anthony,
headline the 2009 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) All-Conference Football Team.
Black was selected as the Offensive Player of the Year, and Anthony was voted the Defensive Player of the Year. Texas Southern
University quarterback, Arvell Nelson, was voted the Newcomer of the Year, and GSU Kicker, Ari Johnson, was voted the Freshman
of the Year.
Black, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound junior from Louisville, KY, led the Panthers to their first Western Division Championship and seven
consecutive wins. He completed 144 of 202 passes (71.3%) for 1,775 yards with 19 touchdowns and four interceptions. Black
ranked second in the FCS in passing efficiency rating (172.18). He posted a pair of 300-yard passing games and had five multitouchdown passing games, including a career-high five scoring passes in the regular season finale vs. the University of ArkansasPine Bluff.
Anthony (6-4, 275, Birmingham, AL) led the SWAC in solo tackles (55), and tied for sixth in the Conference with 76 tackles. He was
third in the Conference in sacks (8.0), second in tackles for loss (15.0), and was the only defensive linemen in the country with five
interceptions, two of them returned for touchdowns. He also led the SWAC in forced fumbles (five) and fumbles recovered (three).
Nelson (6-5, 210, Cleveland, OH) led Texas Southern University to their first winning season and first winning record in Conference
play since 2000. He was third in the Conference in completion percentage (57.6%), and ranked second in passing yards (2,392
yards) with 12 touchdowns.
Johnson (5-11, 180, Corona, CA) led all SWAC players (both kickers and non-kickers) in scoring with 90 points. He converted 36 of
38 extra points and 18 of 23 field goals (78.3 percent).
A total of 19 players earned All-Conference Honors in consecutive years - WR Thomas Harris, K Jeremy Licea, DE Jeremy Maddox,
and OL Xavier Manuel (Alabama A&M), DE Christian Anthony, OL Revay Smith, RS Kiare Thompson, and RB Cornelius Walker
(Grambling State), OL Eric Jones and DB Malcolm Palmer (Jackson State), RB Donald Babers, DB Anthony Beck, OL James Dekle,
DE Quinton Spears and P Pedro Ventura (Prairie View A&M), QB Bryant Lee and WR Juamorris Stewart (Southern), DB De’Markus
Washington (Texas Southern) and DB Kevin Thornton (U. of Arkansas-Pine Bluff).
RB Ulysses Banks earns All-Conference for the third time in his career (return specialist in 2006; running back in 2007.)
2009 SWAC Football All-Conference First-Team Offense
[POSITION – NAME – INSTITUTION – HEIGHT – WEIGHT – CLASS – HOMETOWM]
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN Xavier Manuel, Alabama A&M, 6-1, 307, Sr., Vinegar Bend, AL - James Dekle, Prairie View A&M, 6-2, 285,
So., Miami, FL - Revay Smith, Grambling State, 6-1, 305, Sr., Port Allen, LA - Ramon Chinyoung, Southern, 6-1, 295, Sr., Houston,
TX - Tim Tusey, Prairie View A&M, 6-3, 295, So., Houston, TX TIGHT END Warren Matthews, Southern, 6-3, 240, Sr., New
Orleans, LA WIDE RECEIVER Juamorris Stewart, Southern, 6-3, 195, Sr., Baton Rouge, LA - Thomas Harris, Alabama A&M, 6-0,
210, Sr., Alexander City, AL RUNNING BACK Ulysses Banks, Alabama A&M, 5-8, 172, Sr., Birmingham, AL - Donald Babers,
Prairie View A&M, 5-9, 170, Jr., Houston, TX QUARTERBACK Bryant Lee, Southern, 6-2, 195, Sr., Boutte, LA KICKER Ari Johnson,
Grambling State, 5-11, 180, Fr., Corona, CA
2009 SWAC Football All-Conference First-Team Defense
[POSITION – NAME – INSTITUTION – HEIGHT – WEIGHT – CLASS – HOMETOWM]
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN Christian Anthony, Grambling State, 6-4, 275, Jr., Birmingham, AL - Jeremy Maddox, Alabama A&M, 6-0,
244, Sr., Grand Bay, AL - Malcolm Taylor, Alcorn State, 6-3, 245, Jr., Brooksville, MS - Quinton Spears, Prairie View A&M, 6-4 220,
Jr., Montgomery, TX - LINEBACKER Adrian Hardy, Alabama State, 6-2, 197, Sr., Selma, AL - Freddie Fairchild, Univ. Arkansas Pine
Bluff, 6-2, 225, Sr., Little Rock, AR - Cliff Exama, Grambling State, 6-0, 226, So., N. Miami Beach, FL – DEFENSIVE BACK Malcolm
Palmer, Jackson State, 6-0, 190, Sr., Autaugville, AL - Jason House, Southern, 6-0, 190, Jr., Laurel, MS - Rechard Johnson,
Alabama State, 5-11, 190, Sr., Montgomery, AL - Anthony Beck, Prairie View A&M, 6-2, 205, Sr., Channelview, TX - PUNTER Pedro
Ventura, Prairie View A&M, 5-9, 170, Jr., Houston, TX RS Kiare Thompson, Grambling State, 6-1, 185, Jr., Sacramento, CA
Freshman of the Year: KICKER Ari Johnson, Grambling State, 5-11, 180, Fr., Corona, CA
Newcomer of the Year QUARTERBACK Arvell Nelson, Texas Southern, 6-5, 210, Jr., Cleveland, OH
Offensive Player of the Year: QUARTERBACK K.J. Black, Prairie View A&M, 6-4, 224, Jr., Louisville, KY
Defensive Player of the Year: DEFENSIVE LINEMAN Christian Anthony, Grambling State, 6-4, 275, Jr., Birmingham, AL
Copyright © 2001-06 Southwestern Athletic Conference
BSTM
January 2010
39
Other HBCUs
Featured This Month
Lady Tigers Earn Top Defensive Ranking
Savannah, GA - The Savannah State University (SSU) women’s
basketball team is ranked in the top ten in three categories in games
played through December 20, 2009 among Division I teams. The
Lady Tigers lead the nation in 3-point field goal defense and is
ranked second in scoring defense and field goal scoring defense.
SSU yields 19.1 points a game in 3-pointers, gives up 45.9 points a
game and has limited opponents to shoot 31.2 percent from the
field.
South Carolina State, Allen, Stetson and Columbia all were held to
one made 3-pointer against SSU and shot a combined 4-for-37
from 3-point range. SSU has only give up 50 or more points four
times this season.
Only South Carolina State and Norfolk State have shot 40 percent or
better from the floor against the Lady Tigers and four teams (Florida A&M, Columbia, Alabama State and Jacksonville State) have
shot 25.9 percent or worst.
UDC Women’s Basketball Team Believes in Community Service
Washington, DC - Since 1988, Food &
Friends, a Washington, D.C., based
organization, has been providing
counseling, packages, meals and
groceries to residents around the D.C.
Metro area living with HIV/AIDS and other
illnesses. These services offer relief for
those infected and their families,
making a nutritional, balanced lifestyle
available, giving them peace of mind.
The University of the District of Columbia
Firebirds Women’s Basketball Team
continues to show the importance of the
work that Food & Friends does by
offering a few extra hands to prepare
meal orders and deliveries, make goody
bags, and stuff envelopes.
The Team returned to Food & Friends
on December 18, 2009, to show their
concern for Food & Friend’s clients and
to demonstrate and emphasize that
what you do off the court is what really
counts.
That emphasis was placed in its proper perspective again by the Firebirds as they spent the morning helping prepare and pass out
packages of donations for those served by the organization.
UDC Athletic Director Patricia Thomas spoke about the importance of athlete involvement in the community saying, “Our women’s
basketball program’s commitment to Food & Friends supports a core value of the University of the District of Columbia and the
NCAA.” This project was the second within a few weeks in which UDC athletes have been involved assisting the Washington
community.
“The experience of giving back to our community not only helped us to appreciate some of the things we take for granted each day,
but also to bring our team closer together, said Head coach Lester “Jay” Butler. “Our team believes that serving others is just as
important as playing well on the court.”
40
BSTM
January 2010
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