August 27 - September 2, 2010

New Panthers coach brings new vision

By Hal Lamar
Contributing Writer

For most college coaches, having to begin a football season with four road games would bring on a case of the grumbles and groans.

But not Clark-Atlanta University's brand new head man, Daryll McNeil.

"Actually, it's a blessing," explained McNeil, who in January hired on as the school's 12th coach since the Cardinal and Black Panthers first suited up in 1912.

"If I'm playing a home game, I'm concerned about what my athletes are doing on a Thursday or Friday night before Saturday" he said. "If I got them on the road, I know where they are the Friday before the game. I have a greater measure of control. I can keep them focused."

The Clark-Atlanta University Panthers, shown here in a recent practice, open 2010 in Jackson, Tennessee this Saturday Aug. 28 against Lane College, a team that was winless last year and also is welcoming new coach Derrick Burroughs, a former CAU assistant coach.

That kind of talk during a break at football practice was within earshot of former CAU gridders Raymond "Tweet" Williams and Robert "Bobby" Barksdale as they observed practice from "the hill" on the western side of CAU stadium.

"We haven't seen this kind of attitude about football on this campus in some years," said Barksdale, a three-time all-conference wide receiver for CAU in the 1960s.

Williams, a former Atlanta high school coach and interim athletic director at his alma mater, agreed, saying "this man is a teacher."

"We get a lot of kids here who aren't strong in fundamentals. I watch him patiently teach these athletes the fundamentals of the game. The practices are smooth and the coaches aren't screamers," he said. "Man, I saw them filming the kickers and punters. They spent nearly half an hour at that portion alone."

Indeed, McNeil has brought a new attitude to the CAU gridiron. Sundays will find him, staff and all 89 of his

charges worshipping at Cascade United Methodist Church. Talking one-to-one with his athletes is not uncommon.

"Many of these men have gone through a lot since last season," McNeil said. "My aim and the aim of my staff is to show we care for them on and off the gridiron."

The firing of former head coach Ted Bahhur during the 2009 season and Bahhur's subsequent racial bias suit against the school – Bahhur is white – brought unflattering publicity to the campus. Amid the turmoil, several experienced players left the school.

"Well," said McNeil in an easy drawl, "we were aware of the atmosphere and we came in and changed a few things. We changed the way we dressed, the approach to practice. The athletes have accepted it. We feel good about it."

McNeil has attempted to fill the gaps by recruiting three new quarterbacks to compete for the starting nod with returner TJ Smith, three junior college transfers to shore up the team's sagging linebacker core and several high school recruits expected to challenge the half dozen lettermen returning to campus.
McNeil says his offensive lineup will throw the football more./

"It's 50-50, ground to air," he said. Much of that 50 percent ground likely will come from returning back Winston Thompson, a pre-season first team all-SIAC pick and a 1,000-yard rusher two of his last three seasons.

"He is a talent," said McNeil. "He's one of the top three or four backs I have ever coached."

The Panthers open 2010 in Jackson, Tennessee this Saturday Aug. 28 against Lane College, a team that was winless last year and also is welcoming new coach Derrick Burroughs, a former CAU assistant coach.

MOREHOUSE: Head coach Richard Freeman says the 2010 Maroon Tigers "may be the most talented squad I've had here in three years."

His confidence is bolstered with the acquisition of three transfers led by 6-5, 200-pound junior college transfer quarterback Byron Ingram. The Redan High School graduate, originally signed out of high school by Georgia Tech, ended up at California's Citrus junior college before coming to Morehouse.

"He has the strongest throwing arm I have ever seen," said Freeman. "He comes from a football family (his father played pro ball) and is smart. He picks things up so quickly."

Thanks to another transfer, Ingram will have someone to throw to via Derrick Hector, a wide-receiver from Miles College. Freeman has five quarterback candidates in camp and is mum on who might start. Morehouse opens on the road against Benedict College.

'ROUND THE SIAC: Pioneer Bowl 12 between reps from the SIAC and CIAA has returned to Georgia. The post-season mix will be held in Columbus, which has been supportive of the annual Morehouse Tuskegee and Albany State-Fort Valley regular season games over the years. In 2011, the SIAC will realign itself to create an east-west division and schedule a conference championship game, joining the SWAC and CIAA.

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August 20 - 26, 2010

Way back to the top

By Stan Washington
Senior Writer

ROSWELL – When it comes to heroes in James Blake's life, none stands taller than his father, Thomas Reynolds Blake.

Once ranked as high as No. 4 in the world, tennis star James Blake hopes to regain his top-ranked form before the U.S. Open starts later this month.

Blake credits his father for molding him into the becoming the pro tennis player – and the man – he is today. So, it was a no-brainer for Blake to honor his dad by naming his new clothing line after his late father who died of cancer in 2004.

"When I signed with Fila they gave me the opportunity to create my own line. Instead of doing one just called the James Blake line, I wanted to do one for my father who inspired me to play tennis, who inspired me to be who I am, so I named it Thomas Reynolds in honor of him," Blake, 30, said during an interview at the PGA Superstore in Roswell.

Black said he also named it Thomas Reynolds "to distance it even a little bit more away from me. It doesn't have the Blake name in it. It's just his first and middle name. It's something really special to me and gives me a sense of pride."

In town to compete in the recent Atlanta Tennis Championships and to debut his new line, Blake is one of the only male tennis professionals who actually designs his own signature line.

Blake said that he wanted to do a line of clothes that included the classic look but with the new material that draws perspiration away from the body and appeals to both the professional and amateur player.

"I wanted to do something that was comfortable. When players get clothes they know when they are comfortable, so I wanted to do something that a player could enjoy - on and off the court," he said.
His father was a stylish dresser, Blake said, and this line is a tribute to him. "I smile every time I see someone with it on."

The line features crew and collared shirts, pants, shorts and jackets.

"I've gotten into a little bit more with the classic lines with the collared shirts that I like I wore at Wimbledon and what I will be wearing the at the U.S Open," Blake said.

"That to me is really something that I like using the classic look with some of the new materials. In a way it's a tribute to my father in how he dressed and looked," he sad. "I like that style with the new material because it performs better."

Although he has always loved the game of tennis, Blakes credits his father for pushing him harder.
"One thing he preached and he practiced what he preached was work ethics. You stick to what you plan on doing and do the best you absolute can," he said. "That was something he did in his work and in his personal life and everything. To see that as an example made me what to achieve everything possible in this sport."
Blake is going to have to push himself even harder to return to being a top-ranked player. His once ranked as high as No. 4 in the world, but due to a knee injury that kept him out of the French Open, he has dropped out of the top 100 to 115th.

After a near career-ending neck injury in 2004 during practice for a tournament in Rome, Blake realized that his tennis career could be over in a flash. Since that time, he has learned to enjoy every aspect of the game more.

On July 3, 2007, Blake released his autobiography Breaking Back: How I Lost Everything and Won Back My Life, which discussed his comeback after that unlucky 2004 season. It debuted at Number 22 on the New York Times Best Seller list.

Blake said the injury made him realize "how quickly this could end."
"I could not be doing this two, three or fours years from now," said Blake, who has earned nearly $7 million in prize money playing tennis. "I could be done with my career because you never know what could happen with injuries or illnesses."

He knows working his way back up the rankings will be grueling and tough, which is contrary to the outside view of living tennis professionals living a glamorous lifestyle.

"The schedule is tough," Blake explained. "You are on the road so often and most of the year you are away from home. Keeping in shape and doing whatever you need to do when you are on the road is a little bit tough but something I enjoy."

Blake said he's looking forward to competing in the U.S. Open later this month because it's his favorite tournament and his game is better suited for the hard court.

"I grew up playing on them. My game is probably tailored for that a lot better," he said.

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August 6 - 12, 2010

Sports and fitness

By SHANDERIA K. POSEY

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Sharon Davis of Madison can't bear the thought of her daughter having to grow up without her because she didn't make her health a priority.

``I lost my mom when I was 16, and she's two years from that now and I don't want her to go through what I went through,'' Davis said.

About two months ago, Davis started exercise classes at Fitness Clinic in Jackson. When the center announced plans for its Teen Weight Loss Camp, she decided her daughter, Shari Perkins, 14, should join.

`I convinced my daughter to do this. If Mama can do it, she can do it as well,'' Davis said.
About 25 girls ages 12-16 are taking part in the monthlong camp where they are learning not only to shed a few pounds but how to lead a new, healthy lifestyle.

They must keep daily food journals, recording breakfast, snack, lunch, snack and dinner meals. Using the website _ myfitnesspal.com _ allows them to monitor calorie intake.

Monday through Thursday they complete a 45-minute workout of march aerobics patterned after the marching band style of historically black colleges and universities.

``Most of these kids are out of shape more than adults,'' said Barbara Broadwater, executive director of the clinic. ``They don't have the stamina.''

The workouts can become intense, but instructor Matthew Haynes tries to keep them fun.
``If I keep your mind off the pain and the unpleasantness of working out, then you will tend to do it longer,'' said Haynes. ``This is your chance to see how it would be on the field because an HBCU marching band is like nothing else.''

Haynes also teaches march aerobics to adults at the center. He applauds parents who set the right examples for kids.

``If you don't do right, they won't do right,'' he said.

Davis is living out that sentiment. She has lost 22 pounds since taking the classes and is eating foods she never considered before. Now her family opts for salads instead of fries and makes turkey burgers at home instead of going out.

``This has been a blessing to me. It has been one of the best things that ever happened to me in regards to health,'' said Davis, who admits her previous bad habits were beginning to rub off on Shari.
The teen performed ballet for seven years, played soccer for three and participated in basketball two summers ago. But her eighth-grade year centered on academics.

``I never got a chance to do my exercises like I was supposed to,'' said Shari, who has set a goal of losing 48 pounds with what she learns during the camp. ``I want to get healthy. I don't want to be in that category of being pre-diabetic.''

She's already learning that eating some foods is not worth the hassle.

``If I have to search for the burgers (on the website) and find the calories, I'm just not going to eat it,'' Shari said. ``I haven't drank soda in four days.'' She chooses flavored water instead.

Jaylin Williams, 11, of Clinton, is changing her approach to healthy living as well.

``I've learned how much water to drink. We're supposed to eat five times a day and by 8 o'clock you shouldn't be hungry,'' said Jaylin.

Before starting the camp, she skipped breakfast and lunch and just had dinner. The rising seventh-grader wants to lose 32 pounds.

Jaylin's grandmother, Donna Ferrell, of Clinton, has worked out at the center for two years.
She knew exercise would keep her mobile after arthritis in her spine was detected. Another plus, her dosage of high blood pressure medication has been reduced, and she's shed 47 pounds.

``I don't want her to deal with childhood obesity, diabetes. I just want to get her healthy and fit,'' Ferrell said of her granddaughter.

The camp costs $25 for the month. The girls get T-shirts, a DVD of the march aerobics routines so they can practice at home and a water bottle.

Ferrell pays $299 for the 12-week adult classes.

``Some people think it's expensive, but it's not that expensive, because you're going to waste it on something else anyway,'' Ferrell said.

She stays motivated by staying in the beginner's class where newcomers tend to be more excited. But she has witnessed ``happy tears'' from grueling workouts led by Haynes.

Haynes hasn't seen any tears from the girls in the camp. He recently introduced crunches and other floor exercises.

``Oh, it burns,'' some girls called out as the session wrapped up.

They will earn prizes for reaching milestones during camp.

If enough boys had signed up, organizers say a second class catering to them would have been offered.
Despite Mississippi being ranked the fattest state for the fifth consecutive year, parents and clinic staff see the camp as a way to turn the tide.

Haynes' main advice to all ages is to work out for the right reasons.

``Unfortunately, our society is a visual society. I always tell the kids and adults don't do it for anybody else, do it for yourself,'' Haynes said. The only exception is when adults opt to get healthy for their kids.

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July 23 - 29, 2010

Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward

Young athletes in the 2010 Junior Braves Classic appear awestruck by Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward July 17 at Junior Braves Academy located in the Carver Homes community. The junior ballplayers also participated in a skills competition and got to attend a Braves game later that evening. Heyward tells The Atlanta Voice in a video interview why he chose baseball over other sports. See the interview at theatlantavoice.com or on our Facebook page. (Photo by Pouya Dianat/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)

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