University of Florida: A Track & Field Powerhouse

By: Jimbo Brown

Dedric Dukes bringing home a 1st place finish

University of Florida is considered one of the best schools to attend in the world. Being one of the top-ranked public schools, UF has one of the biggest fan bases. This wonderful institution has excelled both academically and athletically. The Warrington Business School just won 1st place at the national case competition and the girl’s gymnastics team took home a National Championship in 2014. The track program has had the most consistency since Coach Mike Holloway took over about a decade ago.  The Gators are coming off of a successful weekend at Florida Relays track meet. The men and women teams finished with 20 individual personal records and 17 top-five finishes.

Coach Holloway aka “Mouse” a UF graduate is the nucleus that makes the machine produce greatness and consistency. He was an assistant coach on the 2012 USA Olympic team. Through his 8-year career with the Gators he has develop 12 individual national champions. The men’s and women’s programs has won multiple of indoor and outdoor SEC conference championships. If the teams didn't win out right, they either tied with another powerhouse or finished in the top-three. The men’s program has had more success overall bringing 5 team national championships; 3 indoor and 2 outdoor. The program wouldn't be as successful if it wasn't for the talent coach Holloway is able to recruit throughout the year.

Holloway is a mastermind when it comes to recruiting. He has always been able to get the most talented runners in the nation. Both teams are stacked with runners, jumpers and throwers from across the nation. Even though the Gators can have any student-athlete in the country, Holloway focuses on the talent in the state of Florida. Ebony Eutsey and Robin Reynolds two of the most decorated Florida High School athletes. They have contributed to the success of the women program, along with many others. On behalf of the men programs, the athletes that have come through have went on to represent the university and the country all over the world. Will Claye, Tony McQuay, Christian Taylor and Jeff Demps have contributed to our countries Olympic success. Coach Holloway has modeled many athletes to NCAA legends. The track & field program has produced 47 All-Americans and 141 All-American Honors. To have a great program at any level of competition you have to have a great leader.

This past indoor season yielded great results for the University of Florida Men’s program, with them winning the SEC championship this year. Najee Glass posted the second fastest 400m time in the nation this year and the 8^th fastest time in school history. With this early success, he will do nothing but progress. Coach Holloway is one of the best coaches in the nation and has built a program that will continuously  grow.

The Bigger Picture: Jackson Robinson West striped of Little League World Series Title

By: Jimbo Brown 

Life has shown us that if you are in a position of power (race, money, title) you are somewhat above the rest of society. You are more than likely will go through life without any major hiccups. Growing up in the 90’s when most of the MLB stars were using PED’s while the people in charge turned the blind eye. Alex Rodriguez, arguably one of the greatest Yankee players admitted to the DEA that he used Performance Enhancement Drugs for a two-year period. Even though the MLB has since tightened their polices, the actions of the 90’s probably played a part in A-Rod decision making. Kids easily can see that if you are in a position of power the rules of life are beneath you. This got me to thinking about the Jackie Robinson West little leaguers.

If your not familiar with the situation, an all black team of little league baseball players from the inner city of Chicago had some players out of their region on the team. This was against the rules of the Little League World Series and had their 2 championship titles vacated. The players of Jackie Robinson West will be hurt because they are not the Little League World Series Champions. The memories created can never be destroyed. I believe the committee did make a impact on the future athletes of the world. 

I believe that this can be an example for future generations to learn from. With great success it can be great failure. The adults in the situation failed the kids. The committee could have slapped them on the wrist and punish them for the next year, instead extreme measures was took and the title was striped from the team. We may prevent the next Josh Gordon or Johnny Manziel from happening once they get success. 

Season of Giving: 1st Annual Turkey Bowl Extravaganza

By: Jimbo Brown

“Good works is giving to the poor and the helpless, but divine works is showing them their worth to the One who matters.” - Criss Jami

One day while exploring the clouds, I had a flashback of some of the great times my close friends and I enjoyed together. These times included throwing one of the biggest house party in Tallahassee, Florida, to playing football every thanksgiving morning. The one I remember the most was when my homeboy from Oregon gave us some gear and we all was out there looking like baby Ducks. This was one of the few times that we could all get together and indulge in an activity that brought us all together. It became an event that us and other compadres would look forward to while home for the holidays. Once I came down from cloud surfing, the idea of making this an annual event for the community was stuck in my mind. Thus, the 1st Annual Turkey Bowl Extravaganza Fundraiser/Flag Football Game was born. 

C-Town Athletics, Behind the Scene Kings and Beautiful Spirited Women has put together this event. The purpose of this event is to give families the ability to have a thanksgiving dinner that we believe everyone should experience. Most people have the pleasure of eating a hot meal on Thanksgiving while others can only day dream about it. These organizations want this event to bring the community together and show that there are people that care. 

TBE2K14 is half fundraiser/food drive and half flag football game. This event will be held on November 23rd from 1pm-5pm at Betty T Ferguson Sports Complex. The day will be filled with music, giveaways and flag football. An limited amount of thanksgiving baskets will be given to the families that need it. There will be two flag football game: CTA vs BTSK and Total Package vs Go Gettas. Come out and enjoy yourself at this community event. 

Miami Youth Football: More than Just a Platform

By: Jimbo Brown

Growing up in Miami, their were not many opportunities for the youth to succeed. We were constantly surrounded by violence and drugs either being sold or used. In other cities, it might be unusual to see crack pipes or baggies on the streets, but in the inner city of Miami that’s every day life.  When living in Miami it is easy for you to get sidetracked and into the gang/drug culture. Those were the successful people we saw on a daily basis.  We have no choice but to turn to little league sports, football being the most popular.Youth football helped kids in  my generation in multiple ways. It keep us off the dangerous streets of Miami, helped us learn discipline, and build a brotherhood with peers we normally wouldn’t have. 

If you were able to withstand the desire to join that culture, the people in it would encourage you continue on the sports route to success. Our coaches were extended father figures and for some the father figure that they were missing. Some coaches would get so involved where they would pick kids up for practice, pay for participation and supplies, plus get involved in academics for those who needed it. When you got in trouble at home or in school the coaches would discipline you on top of being punished at home. Running, crabbing and having to hit the whole team are just some of the disciplinary tools used. Lifetime friendships have been made through playing optimist football. Most of my friends I have either played with or against during my optimist career. The Miami youth football scene is filled with many teams in several different leagues. 

When it comes to the popularity of Miami youth football it is known and respected throughout the country. Years back Uncle Luke and Snoop Dogg hosted a day filled with the best youth teams throughout the country. Most of the teams were from the Miami and  California pop warner leagues. Miami's Pop Warner and South Florida Youth Football League was arguably the two best leagues and where most of the talent in Miami was found. The programs that had consistent success and talent were: North Dade, Bunche Park, Scott Lake, Gwen Cherry, NW Boys & Girls Club, Liberty City and Miami Gardens. Many players have became stars on their high school, college and professional level. 

Teddy Bridgewater, Devonta Freeman, Allen Hurns, Eugene Smith and Kayvon Webster are just a few players who continued their success throughout all three levels. These individuals and a host of others serve as role models and give the youth hope that their dreams can come true. Showing the youth in their communities that dreams do come true.