Birmingham
Vol 1.2 : May 2011 : Get on with it! : $4:00
Par Excellence Spain Spain Reign Reign in in Family Family Fixture Fixture
Net Gains Briarwood Soccer Spring Surge
Warp Speed Chandler Hoffman Explores a Distant Galaxy
Final Moments BBB’ham 2 for 5 in State Champs
MARK WALLACE AARON EARNEST COLLEGE RECRUITING KENDELL JONSEOF GEORGIE SALEM JOHN CASSIMUS
ADAMS ADIDAS ASHWORTH ASICS CHAMPION DIAMOND DOUGLAS EASTON LOUISVILLE SLUGGER THE GAME KAEPA FRANKLIN McDAVID MAJESTIC MIZUNO OUTDOOR CAP
MOUNTAIN BROOK SPORTING GOODS
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2 : Birmingham Booster : May 2011
DECALS • AD. SPECIALTY SALES
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May 2011 : Birmingham Booster : 3
Par Excellance
:cover
14
:features
It was a finish to remember, as Michael Johnson approached the final green in the memorial tournament named after his brother. His team-mates were relying on him to help clinch the victory for the third time in four years.
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A Galaxy far, far away
Upsets abounded and Birmingham’s title haul looked dismal until the last two games of the tournament.
Ben Bludsworth (205-401-7935) benb@birminghambooster.com
stoppress:
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Spotlight on Barber Motorsports and the Indy Grand Prix.
scorecard:
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Photographers
Kathryn Cline, Mandy Hartley Natalie Smith Stephanie Williams
Contributors:: Alan Henderson, Rakau, Matt Palco, David Sharp, Alan Blalock, Duncan Hamilton Design&Layout:
ones2watch:
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Alan Henderson alanh@birminghambooster.com
hotdates:
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If you like us...
theplaybook:
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midsection
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respawn:
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Published under license of:
endzone:
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Georgie Salem, Kendall Jonseof, plus more outstanding athletes
How the changes one man made have come to signify the school code.
48 Clash
6
Commentary from the coach Like this! Our pick of the pages we like
Spring sports regular season wind-down, and preps for State championship play.
Plan “C”
Chief Operating Officer:
John Twigg (205-202 0801) john@birminghambooster.com
viewpoints: Oak Moutain girls showing strength and depth as the season heads to the playoffs.
Joe Bludsworth (205-910 6592) joeb@birminghambooster.com
Consulting Editor:
:columns
Soft Options
EDITORIAL Managing Editor:
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Two years out of High School, Chandler Hoffman has his sights set on a spot alongside his childhood heroes
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4 : Birmingham Booster : May 2011
A look at who plays when...
How to use your sports ability to secure a lucrative career in ANY field. Emerging talent in the middle schools.
John Cassimus is the epitome of a high school football hero who played his way into a business career.
Tim Tebow’s lockerroom secret. The President’s money. The 1st Lady’s act. Alternative Bowl - one man’s view. How to spoil a Free Throw attempt.
us!
Published by:
Birmingham Booster Publishing. 4816 Bridgewater Rd Birmingham, AL 35243 www.birminghambooster.com Shelby Printing Tel: 205-664-3390 Monta Saengsuvimol, Booster USA 3505 Heatherbrook Pkwy Birminghal, AL 35242 Tel: 205-202-0801
ISSN: 2159-8398 © copyright 2011. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used in any form of media without prior consent of the publishers.
May 2011 : Birmingham Booster : 5
Like Here! Like Now! Want to know what we’re doing while you’re at school? Check out our facebook page to see where we’ve been! Here’s a selection from the sites we liked last month...
Competitive sports have been a part of my life since I was four years old. The lessons I have learned and character traits I’ve developed over that time have been a tremendous asset in my short professional career. Competing in athletics will help a person in ways that would not otherwise be a part of an individual’s makeup. Discipline, determination, preparation, teamwork and leadership, to mention a few, are the traits needed to be a part of a winning team. Athletics has helped me develop those traits. Those same traits I learned on the field of play, have prepared me for the challenges I face in a very competitive business environment everyday. A large number of the people that are successful in the business world are former athletes. The traits they developed on the sports field are evident in all aspects of their life. Many parents fear their child being injured in athletics. I have had broken bones and other injuries as a result of sports. I have also been injured in my back yard. I have had friends injured in auto accidents. The value of the gains from participating in sports well exceeds the risk. I would be remiss as a media person if I didn’t encourage parents to help their children to get involved in a sport they enjoy. Whether it’s football, volleyball, track, or soccer the lessons they learn and the spirit they build will be long lasting and positive in their life. Get on with it! - Ben Bludsworth
view
6 : Birmingham Booster : May 2011
1
WakeUp Alabama
2
Fightnerd.com
Just one of the social sites from CBS42, and airing daily right before the School Bus arrives. Get a ‘heads-up’ on upcoming competitions, and build a commentary with the local presenters. They’re giving away stuff on a regular basis, like special signings with Mark Ingram, and tickets to the Indy race at Barber Motorsports.
If you’re hooked on WWF, it’s time for you to graduate to real wrestling. This site is a bit rough around the edges, but has excellent news and commentary from US and abroad, including sneak peaks at what’s making waves in the industry, and rare MMA links and free live feeds.
Most of the best links are right here on their FB page.
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Jersey Girl
4
Xtreme Sports Page
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Sports on Facebook.
A sports and on-line TV site dedicated to women, presenting everything with a tinge of pink. I’m guessing this site will bring a lot of new perspectives, and break a few of the stuffy protocols which are choking the life out of traditional sports coverage. Go for it grrrrl! We’re with you all the way!
Based in Michigan, this site includes commentary and links to everything from snow-boarding tricks to the implications of the latest liability cases. It’s still pretty new, so we’re not sure how long it will last, but for the time being it’s well worth a visit.
An eclectic mix of links to sports articles on the web. With everything from Man-U’s facebook policy to the NBA facebook page getting 8 million fans. For now it has plenty of content, so we’ll be back on a regular basis.
“One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than a hundred teaching it.” - Knute Rockne, Notre Dame, 1917-30
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May 2011 : Birmingham Booster : 7
Accelerated Classes
I missed Saturday qualifying since my wife thought my kids soccer was more important. The fact I can watch them any day was lost on her, so I dutifully complied. I’d got to watch some highly entertaining Grand-Am races, but my first glimpse of an Indy Car up close was on Race Day.
The things we suffer in the name of sports! Birmingham Booster takes time out to examine the impact of Indy Motorsports on the Birmingham entertainment scene.
Top: The first hot lap for the Indy Lites Left: Danica’s decided not to take tires and dropped from 6th to 17th Right: Turn 5 is the slowest corner and claimed many scalps - especially on the restarts.
stop
8 : Birmingham Booster : May 2011
Having been to the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix in the multi-million dollar Sepang Circuit a few years back, I was eagerly anticipating the ear-shattering screams of the cars and the throaty rumbles that shook every organ in your body.
special rounded the corner emitting a noise level similar to our house during quiet-time, and I dragged the plugs from my ears so I could hear them go by. Surely the “real” Indy cars would be louder??? I even put my plugs back in before the main event started. But alas, they too were so well behaved, my electric weedwhacker makes more of a racket. Above: Will Power and Ryan Briscoe line up abreast for the restart.
So as I took my seat on the bank overlooking turns one and two, I screwed my ear-plugs in tight. The call went up... “Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines...” I heard the distant rumble of the engines as the Indy Lites cars fired up, and thought gleefully of the sensory overload which was sure to follow.
Right: Winner Will Power talks to the press in Victory Lane.
Then the sound went dead as the flag dropped, and I realized the sound I could hear was the TV microphone on the grid. The cars
Despite my disappointment at being robbed of imminent ear damage, I consoled myself with the fact the Barber Motorsports track is a stunning venue, and I expect it’s a delight to drive. The course is sculpted into the rolling hills, with plenty of elevation and speed changes. It’s ringed with natural grandstands with several spots affording excellent visibility of the track.
of skill. The transitions from fast to slow caught out many drivers, especially at the hair-pin turn 5 the slowest corner on the track. For a family day out, there’s plenty of action on and off the track, and the $30 upgrade to walk the pits is well worth it. There’s everything from the carnival-like Kid’s Zone to the parades of classic cars. There’s something special about fast cars and petrol fumes. It brings out the testosterone in all of us.
Despite being quite a small track - better suited to GT Cars or Motorcycles (as was the original intent) it offered a lot of overtaking opportunities, and demanded a lot
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May 2011 : Birmingham Booster : 9 • FREE COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL • LICENSED & INSURED INSPECTION & ESTIMATE
The final stages. March and April are bountiful months sports-wise in Birmingham High Schools, as no less than six
Spring sports cram in their regular season fixtures plus tournaments, and the posturing begins heading in to May and the inevitable final showdown at the various state championships. We also take a moment to look at some of the more notable Winter sports results. bles (12) and 2nd in runs scored (35). Pitcher Chris Ellis also had a fantastic season, both with the bat and on the mound, hitting .776 for 27 RBI’s and taking 34 strikeouts in 23 innings pitched.
Winter Sports Late Notes Basketball
The Final 48, Birmingham’s biggest high-school sports event, went down without a hitch in March. We watched as Vestavia Boys and Hoover Girls threw away strong leads in their matches, and when both Midfield teams bowed out, things looked grim for the locals. But Wenonah Boys and Erwin Girls scored victories in the final two match-ups for Birmingham, and gave us a sweep in 5A. For more details check out our report on P24.
Wrestling
score
Congratulations to Hoover’s Carl Brown, who, having won the 160lb division in 2010, added the 171 lb division in 2011. Also, special praise to Alex Nickell, the Leeds 7th grader who was featured in our midsection in March. His school was hoping he might place in State Cup, but Alex won the 1A-4A 103 weight division, against significantly more mature opponents. Expect great things from this kid in the future!
Baseball
The regular season wrapped up on April 16th, with several Birmingham players making big impressions leading into the play-offs. In 6A Spain Park is looking dominant having closed out the season with a 32-9-0 record. Several of their batters had outstanding seasons, but none moreso that Alex Close. From his 81 at bats he batted .605, and ranked 1st in state in hits (49), 1st in RBIs (46), 2nd in dou-
10 : Birmingham Booster : May 2011
In 5A Briarwood went 15-8 for the season, but only lost one game in their division. The in-form batter is Daniel Robert, who batted .688, with 32 RBI’s and 19 runs. Pitcher Logan Crook pitched 44 strikeouts
Baseball: First Round Ties Home games
6A: Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa at Hoover (Friday, 4:30, 7:00, Sat 1:00) 6A: Pell City at Clay-Chalkville (Friday, 4:30, 7:00, Sat 1:00) 6A: Minor at Spain Park (Friday, 4:30, 7:00, Sat 1:00) 5A: Pleasant Grove at Briarwood (Friday, 5:00, 7:30, Sat 2:00) 5A: Sylacauga at Hueytown (Friday, 4:00, 7:00, Sat 11:00am) 5A: Moody at John Carroll (Friday, 4:30, 7:00, Sat noon) 5A: Parker at Pinson Valley (Friday, 4:00, 6:30, Sat noon) 4A: West Blocton at Oak Grove (Friday, 4:30, 6:30, Sat 1:00) 3A: Hale County at Leeds (Friday, 4:00, 6:00, Sat noon) 2A: Reeltown at Thorsby (Friday, 1:30, 3:30, Sat noon) 2A: Woodland at Victory Christian (Friday, 1:00, 3:00, Sat noon)
Away Games
in 27 innings, and hit .550 with the bat. But Hueytown led the 5A tables, with a 30-6 record including 9-0 in area play, with 5 batters scoring over .50. Leading the rankings was David Smith, with 22 RBI’s from 26 hits, at a rate of .703. The most economical of the pitchers was closer Jason Carrell who allowed just 9 hits off 27.1 innings pitched. 3A powerhouse Leeds stamped it’s authority on the area, with a 5-0 record (13-14 overall). Dylan Sheldon led the scorecard, with 23 hits. His 42 RBI’s ranked him 2nd overall in the state, and his six Home Runs ranked him 4th equal with Wenonah’s Nicholas Jackson. Dylan also pitched 14 innings, giving up 6 earned runs. The first round of the playoffs begun on 22-23 April, with two games scheduled for Friday, and if necessary, a decider on Saturday. Nineteen teams representing Birmingham were scheduled in the following fixtures: From the 16-team field in each division, 8 will advance to the 2nd round on 29-30th and four to state semis on May 13-14. The finals on May 17-20 will see the top two teams from each division compete for State Honors.
Softball
6A: Oak Mountain at Tuscaloosa County (Friday, 4:30, 7:00, Sat 1:00) 6A: Hewitt-Trussville at Grissom (Friday, 4:30, 7:00, Sat 2:00) 6A: Vestavia Hills at Gardendale (Friday, 4:30, 7:00, Sat 1:00) 4A: Calera at Holt (Friday, 4:00, 6:00, Sat 1:00) 2A: Westminster at Mars Hill Bible (Friday, 1:30, 3:30, Sat noon) 2A: Fultondale at Lineville (Friday, 4:30, 6:30, Sat 1:00) *1A: Shades Mountain at Fayetteville (Friday, 1:00, 3:00, Sat 11am)
Pelham’s High-Five It’s shaping up to be a real pressure-cooker in May, as Birmingham’s 6A schools scrap over the local playoff spots. Although trailing Hoover and Thompson in the standings, Pelham is a dark horse in the championship race, with an awesome batting lineup including five hitters in the top 10 in the state this year. Top of that list is Heather McGuirk, who is batting .510 with 21 runs and 24 RBI’s.
*Note the time change.
Thompson are even stronger, with 10
age, with 17 RBI’s from 18 AB’s. Briarwood is 3-3 for in area play. They’re batting well, but will need to do a much better job in the field to hold their competition in check. They’ve given up almost a run per innings. Morgan Reed is the most economical, giving up only two earned runs in the 17 innings she pitched.
Tennis of their line-up batting over .600. Their batting performance is arguably better than top-ranked Hoover, who is seeking out their sixth State Championship and 1st in 7 years. The Buc’s fortunes in the playoffs will depend on the performance of star pitcher Marcy Harper, who gave up just 15 earned runs in 162 innings this season. She’s also hitting .556, with 31 RBI’s (4th overall ranked) and 12 runs. Vestavia Hills and Spain Park are neck-and-neck with 4-1 records, while Mountain Brook and Homewood are struggling at 2-2 and 0-5 respectively. Vestavia’s Riane Estes has 12 runs, and 11 RBI’s, while Hannah Taylor’s 7 home runs ranks her 3rd equal in the state Home-Run rankings. Casey Craig leads Spain Park in RBI’s (15 for 29 AB’s), but Keri Krake has a more impressive average, with 14 RBI’s for only 19 AB’s. And perhaps more ominous is they have two very reliable pitchers to call on. Clay Chalkville heads up the other B’ham area in 6A, and ominously crushed Hoover 7-0 in their non-conference head-tohead. Their batting duo of Karmen Baker and Madi Gipson have 26 runs and 43 RBI’s between them, while pitcher Bethany Fronk has allowed only 4 earned runs in 39 innings. Chelsea look strongest in 5A, with a 6-0 record at press-time. They’ve run up double figures in 5 of the last 9 games played, and are outscoring their opposition 4 to 1. Kacie Craft is dong most of the dam-
Above: Briarwood Boys are odds-on to win 5A this year
Below: Aaron Ernest is having an awesome season in track
The regular season wrapped up in early April, and the first round of State play - the Sectionals, were held on April 18-21, with the top two teams in each bracket advancing. Here’s what we knew at press time: It was Goliath v Goliath in 6A boys, as last years championship finalists Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills Boys locked horns in the 1st round playoff. Despite losing to Mountain Brook in regular season play, Vestavia was able to take advantage of the absence of the Orsolini brothers due to illnesses, winning 5 singles and 2 double matches. Hopefully we’ll see them both again in the final. The four other powerhouses - Hoover, Spain Park, Oak Mountain and Gardendale - collectively scored less points than the victor. In 6A girls Mtn Brook (57pts) upstaged Vestavia (46pts) to clinch section 6 honors heading into the next round. Thompson (32pts) went down to Northridge of Tuscaloosa (49pts) in section 5, while in section 7 Hewitt-Trusville (47pts) emerged ahead of Gadsden City (36pts). Ironically, the same two teams advance in the boys division, with H-T boys team having to settle for 2nd behind Gadsden in their bracket. In 5A Briarwood showed class in both the boys and girls division, with the Boys (61pts) taking 5 singles and 3 doubles matches to cruise past Sylacauga (34pts),
while the Girls cruised to one of the most lop-sided results in the competition - they scored 63 points, which was more than twice runners-up Chelsea (28pts). Minnows Altamont started their campaign in the 1-3A sectionals well, with the girls advancing with a 13 point win over Indian Springs. They’re looking to improve on last year’s 9th place finish. State Championship finals are on 26-27 for 1-3A at the Jimmy Johns Tennis Complex in Decatur, and 28-29 for 4A-6A at Mobile (4,6A) and Montgomery (5A).
Soccer Prospects are very bright for Birmingham in Soccer. In the boys 6A Vestavia is ranked #1 in the country and are looking to preserve their unbeaten record through State. In 5A few would bet against Briarwood, who is 164-1 for the season to date. And in 1-4A the question is can the Indian Springs Senior Alex Samroz keep the team in the playoffs long enough to clinch the 9 runs he needs to secure the State Record. Hoover and Spain Park are leading the tables in girls 6A soccer. But cthe competition is so tight tha any one of the B’ham teams could walk away with the title.
Soccer: Best records heading in to state: Boys Vestavia 25-0 Hoover 20-5 Homewood 10-9 Indian Springs 20-2-1 Briarwood 16-4-1 John Carroll 15-3-2 Oak Mountain 13-4-1 Mountain Brook 11-9-3 Spain Park 14-10-2 Girls Spain Park 19-3-1 Hoover 17-5-1 Thompson 16-4-1 Oak Mountain 15-3-0 Pelham 14-9-0 Mountain Brook 13-3-1 Briarwood 8-6-2 John Carroll 6-8-0
May 2011 : Birmingham Booster : 11
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photo: Natalie Smith
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via Hillsfor lem, Vesta Georgie Sa y hitting .545 entl curr he’s her /pitc As centerfielder a junior, he has the Rebels. And although he is only Alabama. of an offer to play for The University rushing for RB, ing But Salem is also an outstand ing to find a hop is and on, seas over 1200 yards last m’s family school that will let him play both. Sale , GrandDad His has a rich tradition at Alabama. Tide. the for ed play father, uncle and cousin all
Coach
12 : Birmingham Booster : May 2011
es! Re comm end y our as sistan ts!
In Bo o want ster, we’re to pro n staff file ou ot just loo king f t t stand h e he anyon o e on y ad coaches ing “up-and r outstand ing let us o o -co u f r staff t know , pleas he future. ming” coac students. W ! If the e hing e also re’s
Our look at Who’s in the News?
:Spotlight
Wow! We had no idea there were so many talented kids out there. You can be sure that the kids who make it onto these pages are truly outstanding prospects in the world of sports. On the left hand page we’ve highlighted
our
“Athletes
of
the Month”. One male athlete,
While many are striving to achieve recognition at a state level, this kid just might be the next bright star in the future of US mens tennis.
Mac Styslinger Tennis (ex-Indian Springs)
According to Tennis Recruiting, this 17 year old Birmingham prodigy is the #1 recruit from Alabama and a National Blue Chip player. To date Mac has earned 10 USTA Southern titles, 5 USTA titles, and 4 ITF titles. Last month he was a finalist in both singles and doubles at the Easter Bowl Spring National Chamionships, and moved into the top 40 in the ITF Junior rankings, thereby qualifying for the upcoming Junior Grand Slams. In March he successfully defended his ITF junior title in Costa Rica, and earlier this year he made the quarterfinals in the Australian Open. Mac went to school briefly at Indian Springs, before leaving to attend the renowned IMG Bollettieri Academy in Florida. With an almost full-time training schedule, these day’s he’s home-schooled.
one female athlete, and one younger coach or assistant who is just beginning to emerge on the coaching scene. You may not know these names yet, but we expect you will be hearing a lot more about them in the near future.
Nathan Diehl Soccer, Mountain Brook
In the classroom Nathan achieved honors in Chemistry and History. But on the soccer field he was truly outstanding. He was MVP in Mountain Brook, and captain of his BUSA club team for 3 years. And last year he was named Birmigham Metro Player of the Year and Gatorade Alabama Player of the Year, and he was ranked 5th in the Southern Region. He has already committed to the University of North Carolina.
On the right hand page are four in-form athletes who we expect to hear a lot more about in the coming weeks. Please
help
outstanding
us
recognize
achievements
by
nominating athletes for us to review. You can call, email, or upload information on our facebook page. You’ll find us at:
www/facebook.com/bhambooster twitter: @bhambooster
Aaron Earnest Track, Homewood
Aaron came to Birmingham as an 8th grader from New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. And he’s whipped up a storm here, as one of the best sprinters (100 meter and 200 meter) and jumpers (long jump) in the country. He is a USATF and AAU All-American, and is currently ranked in the top 10 in the nation in all three events. He recently signed a track scholarship with LSU.
Katie Brooks Boone Track, Westminister
At the state championship s last year, then eighth grader Katie won the 300 meter hurdles, finished 2nd in the 400 meter dash, and 3rd in the 100 and 200 meter dash. She was the MVP at the sectional meet and made the all county team. This past Summer she was a national qualifier for the 200m hurdles and the long jump. In 2011 she set the Hoover Invitational meet record in the 300 meter hurdles and the 400meter dash. Katie Brooks mother, Sissy Costas Boone was an NCAA champion in the high jump at Auburn.
May 2011 : Birmingham Booster : 13
Par Excellance Filling the Gulf...
In 2006 Spain Park senior Bradley Johnson was something of a golf prodigy when he was killed in a car accident, shocking the community and the school. To help fill the void, the family established a golf tournament in his honor. And now the Bradley Johnson Memorial Tournament is arguably the most prestigious on the High School calendar with entries from all over the state.
Winning team Spain Park pose with Shari and Hugh Johnson, the parents of Bradley and Michael
The tournament is organized and run by a foundation established by the Johnson family, with the generous support of those who had been touched by Bradley’s life. It is directed by former Auburn and NFL star Al del Greco, the staff at A rare photo of Michael with father Hugh and mother Shari Johnson
Few tournaments offer such spectacular and challenging conditions as Birmingham’s Greystone Country Club. And the High School event held there for the past four years is one of the most coveted high school golf tournament in the state and southeast. But that was surely furthest from the mind of young Michael Johnson as he calmly sunk a 10 foot putt on the 18th hole. It was as emotional as it gets for his family, friends, and relatives, and a fitting tribute to his lost sibling, that he secured the victory for Spain Park in the tournament which bore his brother Bradley’s name. 14 : Birmingham Booster : May 2011
Players and coaches discuss ball drop options after an errant shot into the pond.
coach at Oneonta High School said, “Our kids look forward to the tournament. It is such a step above anything they normally get to experience. They feel like they are playing in a much higher level tournament than high school. We look forward to it each year”.
Greystone Country Club, a host of volunteers and dozens of sponsors eager to give our youth golfers something special. Part of it’s allure is the exclusivity of the event. It’s an invitational, and the field is limited to 18 fourman teams. The teams are selected from as far afield as Huntsville and Mobile, and include many kids who have already committed to play in college. All agree there’s something special about the event, that set it apart from most events on the High School calendar. Ed Peters, the golf
In the individual stakes, Will Connor of Hoover cruised to a 6-stroke victory, with a six-under par 138 for the two rounds. Robby Shelton of St. Pauls was second with even par, one shot ahead of Shoals Christian’s Ben Wood (145). Michael Johnson of Spain Park was another stroke back at 146, and Stewart Jolly of the Mt. Brook Spartans rounded out the top five with a four over par 148. While every team wanted to be top of the podium, few would begrudge Spain Park the honors. Because the drive and passion of the Johnson family makes this an emotional event for the home team. Shari and Hugh Johnson the parents of Bradley and Michael, worked incessantly throughout the weekend, and were right there on the podium to present the awards. Even Michael’s grand-dad followed the action from his appointed golfcart, and an Aunt who travelled from Atlanta was on hand to record the event for the family. And Spain Park certainly didn’t disappoint the eager crowds, making it three team victories in the four years since the tournament was established. Left: Hoover’s Will Connor advances to receive the trophy for 1st place.
“If you think you’re the best, you’ll play like the best”
The Jaguars beat their cross town rival Hoover by two strokes, with Montgomery Academy finishing third. St. Paul’s of Mobile and Mt. Brook rounded out the top five. The Bradley Johnson Memorial Tournament is not merely a showpiece, as it raises money to provide financial aid to up and coming golfers. “It’s very expensive when your child is a top golf talent and travels around the country to play in the best tournaments against the best players. We hope we can continue to honor Bradley’s memory by helping with those financial obstacles,” said Shari Johnson. This year’s tournament was an unmitigated success and will continue to be if the past is any indication of the future.
Right: Spain Park Golf Coach Chip Lindsay shows off the champions trophy
May 2011 : Birmingham Booster : 15
This page: Junior Maddie Ridgeway is a very promising center-fielder Top right: Catcher Kailey Boone is the key to the defense Bottom right: Nicole Kehr is the key to the offense, and a top college prospect
16 : Birmingham Booster : May 2011
strength of the team is it’s pitching staff. Senior Nicole Kehr is an outstanding hitter and an attractive college prospect, and currently their best hurler with a 9-1 record. She is backed up by Junior Leah Reeve and Sophomore Anna Thomaston, who promises much for the team in the future. The foundation of the defense is catcher Kailey Boone. Her ability to keep the ball in front and her strong throws to second keeps teams from getting a lot of unearned extra bases. Also Hannah Griffin at third base has a strong arm and is hitting very well in the number two spot.
Fledgling fielders soaring towards state
With the softball season barely underway, Booster goes out on a limb to highlight a team which is just beginning to discover itself. Oak Mountain Eagles were 1-1-0 in region play at the time of writing, but 23-7 for the season, which is a better record than any of the other Birmingham 6A teams. There’s good reason for our confidence... When Danny Dubose took the job as head softball coach at Oak Mountain High School twelve years ago he had a very simple philosophy. Always do the basics right and you will be successful. That philosophy earned him a state championship in his second season on the job. The Eagles finished third the next season, and today his record stands at 345 wins against just 198 losses. He has continued to hammer home that same simple concept over the years; “If you throw, catch and hit
well you will win If you don’t you lose. If we are losing, then we work on the basics until we are winning again.” And it seems his philosophy is working, if his current season stats are anything to go by.
Coach Dubose places a lot of confidence in his younger players in the infield, whom he expects to step up in the future for the team. Sophomores shortstop Caroline Seitz and Kendal Jonseof are an unbeatable combination up the middle as both field and throw well. Caroline is hitting the ball well and Kendal is recuperating from a hand injury that has hampered her hitting ability. Junior Maddie Ridgway is a good fielding center fielder with a strong arm along with Haley Thomaston. Junior Leah Reeve is a very good hitter and covers the first base corner well. He is also quick to point out that he has a good bench full of roll players who can fill in and do a good job. Coach Dubose is fortunate to draw on a solid foundation in its coaching, players, parental and school administration support. Principal Joan Doyle and Athletic Director David Hogue work to see that the athlete experience is a positive one for their student athletes. With his attention to the details, we expect this young team to be peaking later this month as the teams head to Area Play. v
This years team has some exciting emerging talent coupled with a core group of mature players who provide a solid base of consistency and leadership. The real
May 2011 : Birmingham Booster : 17
may: Monday
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Zac Brown BandVerizon Wirless Music Center ARE WE MISSING YOUR SCHOOL SPORTS EVENTS? Call the editor on 205-910 6592, or email: editor@birminghambooster.com or upload to our facebook page: Birmingham Booster
May 2011 : Birmingham Booster : 19
plan Changing the Fundamentals of the Game
When he took over the Soccer program it was in obvious disarray. Coach Wallace needed to make a fundamental change, which had little to do with the game itself. He advocated player integrity over a winning record.
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n 1999 Mark Wallace resigned his tenure teaching elementary students at Briarwood to follow his faith on a mission trip to Ireland. Four years later he returned to Birmingham, without a job. Briarwood understandably could not hold his job open that long, but with a little divine intervention, an opening came up for a Bible studies teacher at the middle school level. At the same time the soccer coach resigned to take a job in California, and Mark, who had spent years coaching his own kids in Briarwood Soccer Club asked for the job. It wasn’t a very prestigious role at the time. The program was a
20 : Birmingham Booster : May 2011
shambles, and was losing talent to other sports.The team had a bad reputation for the way they played the game and an overall attitude problem. As the head coach at a Christian School he realized he did not want his soccer team going in the same direction they had gone in the past. What Mark brought to the job was an attitude of tolerance and respect for others. In what is now widely practiced throughout Briarwood’s sports programs, he advocated that development off the field is as important - perhaps moreso - as the game itself. It was with some trepidation that Mark laid out his philosophy, which we’ve dubbed...
“Plan C - The Christian Approach”
»» Cussing was out. This applied to games, practice, school, anytime. »» Deliberately dirty or unnecessarily rough play was out. Treat others as you would have them treat you. And if you got a yellow card, you would miss the first half of the next game. »» Arguing would not be tolerated - whether it was with teammates, coaches, other players or referees. »» Referees were to be respected at all times, no exceptions. (He is adamant that the refs are doing their best, and encourages his kids to engage the refs in a positive manner - never questioning their decisions).
He wasn’t sure if he could get the kids to buy into this, and even if they did, would the program withstand the backlash of ‘turning the other cheek’? Could he fielded a team of gentlemen, and still be competitive, or was he doomed to languishing at the bottom of the rankings? He needn’t have worried. By the end of the first season, the answer was a resounding yes to the philosophy. They finished that season with a 26-4 record, were Birmingham Metro Champions and 5-A State Champions, with one of their players named the player of the year. But Mark points out that there are other accomplishments that mean as much to him, or more! He’s most proud of the way his players conduct themselves on and off the soccer field - the respect they have for the other players and officials, and the positive impact this has on everyone involved. This is not limited to practices and games either. The team makes a point of engaging others at every opportunity. They regularly host pizza meals for visiting teams, so the players can get to know each other better, and as a team they’ve visited opposition players injured in other games and in the hospital. For them this is a natural extension of being a Christian Athlete.
“The building of character in sports is a skill that many coaches con= veniently overlook”
The building of character in sports is a skill that many coaches conveniently overlook in an effort to field a winning team. But Mark Wallace has proven that you can do both if you are willing to put in the effort. He had achieved what many coaches take decades to do - created a program with integrity and continuity - and he’d achieved it inside one year. The foundation was set for a program that is now recognized as one of the best in the state. In the years since, Mark has taken Briarwood Lions to the final four every year except one, including five state finals, and two state championships. Do good guys have to finish last? You be the judge.
May 2011 : Birmingham Booster : 21 April
the neighbor’s yard. Chandler works with young soccer players at Oak Mountain High School during a trip home from UCLA.
While most parents would be steering their children to Football and Baseball, the Hoffmans inexplicably decided to enroll Chandler in soccer. Neither his father, Jon, nor his mother, Angie, had any knowledge of the sport, but after an encouraging comment from a fellow church member who’s kids played soccer, they decided to let Chandler try his luck.
He had one chance to prove himself, and two games to do it in...
...a couple of goals would’ve secured him a scholarship... ...his five goals gave him his choice of college on his terms 22 : Birmingham Booster : May 2011
Chandler Hoffman’s rise from the recreational leagues in Birmingham to his scholarship at UCLA and a spot in the Galaxy training camp blends raw talent with divine providence, and is a useful roadmap for any kid hoping to pursue a career in sports. Like so many Alabama kids Chandler was a natural sportsman. At three his passion was Baseball, and even alone he would practice tossing a tennis ball against the wall, and catching it. At an age when most kids were struggling to knock a ball off a Tee, he could pitch up his tennis ball and knock it into
Chandler’s first competitive team was the Jets ’91, at the American Soccer Club (now part of BUSA). Two of his team-mates were born to ex-soccer-playing dads - a rarity in those days - and these two parents became the force that molded the team over the next five years (until the team was provided with “professional coaching”). While Hank Lavallet built the enthusiasm and commitment in the boys, Scott Snell taught them his “Secret Moves”. In reality they were the step-overs, feints and hooks that we refer to as “Core Skills” these days, but back then they were nothing short of magic tricks. Under the mentoring of Scott and Hank, the Jet’s 91 beat all-comers. They started by cleaning up the Governors Cup (as youngsters, this was the peak of their season), and later the State Cup. The only year they lost the final Chandler was injured late and missed the PK shootout. They even secured a 3v3 National Championship at the premier tournament at Disney World Wide of Sports.
Photo: Jon Hoffman
Chandler’s High 5
Photo: Corey Nolan
It will come as no surprise that Chandler took to the sport, and was immediately scoring goals. But without the guidance and nurturing of his first coach(es) this could have come to nothing.
In his freshman year at UCLA in 2009 Chandler wasted no time working his way into the first team. He started 15 of 19 games, and his 5 goals were enough for 2nd highest goal scorer on the squad, and secured him a spot with the LA Galaxy training camp over the summer. He broke his leg during pre-season training prior to the 2010 season, putting him out for half the season. He came back for the last 11 games, but was only really match-fit for the last six. Even with this limited playing time he scored six goals, for an average of .551, which was highest in PAC-10. He’s coming into the 2011 season in full fitness, and we’re all expecting this to be his break-out year.
UCLA celebrate a Chandler Hoffman goal
Photo: UCLA Athletics
Over the next two years he pushed his total goal count to 121, ranking him in the top three in Alabama. Oak Mountain lifted the Championship again in his junior year, along with a bunch of accolades from the sporting press, but were denied in his senior year by a thigh-
“pretty much every coach could get immediate access to his show-reel, and take action while it was still fresh in his mind.”
Photo: Jon Hoffman
The truth is, by his senior year, Chandler was already looking to the West. He spent much of his Junior year canvassing campuses and after visiting a number of schools, had already unofficially committed to UCLA. Surprisingly, his scholarship had little to do with his club or school successes. With so little attention (and money) channeled into mens soccer, college coaches do very little travel to watch individual players, and rely on two main sources for basing their recruiting decisions: First, they rely so much on external sources, like video or news stories. Chandler marketed himself in a way that few others were doing at that time - he reduced his showreel to 2 4-minute you-tube videos, and attached a link to his emails. This meant that pretty much every coach could get immediate access to his show-reel, and take action while it was still fresh in his mind. (His highlights are still on you-tube, if you need further inspiration). And then there’s the US Youth Development Academy, which draws talent together from all over the country for semi-annual showcase matches. This provides a targetrich environment for the coaches, who can get a look at literally thousands of prospects in a weekend.
Chandler’s emails and phone calls had done enough to garner the interest of dozens of coaches, and the Development Academy Showcase in Chicago was to be his stage - if he could perform well, his scholarship opportunities would be magnified. Things looked tough for the Birmingham team, who bused overnight to save costs. But Chandler was supreme in his execution, scoring a hat-trick in his first game and a brace in his second, for a tournament high-5, and his pick of schools.
Chandler in action for UCLA
Who is the next Chandler Hoffman?
BUSA 01 - 2010 U8 National Champions. L to R: Brooks Rice, David Wrona, Will Reichard, Jackson Carter, Nick Pope, Tanner Tessman
Photo: Kristi Rice
As a freshman at Oak Mountain, Chandler was inducted straight into the Varsity team, and he played in all 25 games that season. He set a freshman record scoring 13 goals, and helped Oak Mountain to a quarter-final playoff. By his sophomore year he was the top scorer for the team, scoring 30 goals and 10 assists on his way to a Championship ring and the 6A MVP award.
Chandler hoists the 6A Championship trophy in 2007
In writing Chandler’s story, we’re reminded of another youth team in Birmingham which is experiencing similar success to the Jets 91 team. The BUSA 2000 Blue team is almost all playing up a year, and in some cases a couple. Last year they played in the 99 DII league (for competitive experience) and managed 7th in state. And six of the players also won the Disney Wide World of Sports 3v3 tournament in their age group. Look out for these kids in coming years.
May 2011 : Birmingham Booster : 23
Photo: UCLA Athletics
In a Galaxy far, far away...
Photo: Robert Mora / LA Galaxy
Chandler guards David Beckham during a Galaxy scrimmage
strain early in the quarterfinal match against Hoover.
24 24 : : Birmingham BirminghamBooster Booster: :May May2011 2011
It was a dream run for Vestavia Hills, as they turned a losing season into a real chance at a State Championship. And the Midfield girls team was all the buzz, as they looked to extend their never-beaten record and lift their 4th consecutive 4A title. But in the end, it was inner-city rivals Wenonah and Erwin who carried Birmingham to two titles. The Magic Dragons. 5A Boys: Wenonah 89 - Lee Huntsville 85 We wonder how much the Pleasant Grove Spartans took out of Lee Huntsville, who had robbed us of another all-Birmingham final by defeating the Spartans 65-62 in overtime the day before. The final looked to be the biggest mismatch of the tournament when the Generals jumped out to an 11 point lead before Wenonah even got on the scoreboard. And the Dragons didn’t give us much to cheer about in the next 24 minutes, as the Generals maintained that margin through to half time, and consolidated further to lead by 16 points at the end of the 3rd quarter.
We have no idea what Coach Cedric Lane said to his boys at the break, but the Dragons were a different team in the 4th. Although the Generals managed to post an additional 2-point buffer in the 4th before the dragons came out of hibernation, they were struggling to hold their opponents. With less than five minutes remaining on the clock, the Dragons huffed and puffed, and blew the Generals out of the arena. In just 2 1/2 minutes they scored 17 unanswered points to steal the lead, and despite a brief glimmer of resistance from the Generals, the Dragons were able to build a margin and protect it. Without a doubt the stand-out player was Jeremy Bogus, whose 25 points and seven rebounds were a crucial part of the victory for the Dragons.
See-Soaring Eagles. 5A Girls: Erwin 48 - Fairfield 47 With due respect to the Tigers and Eagles fans, we were just excited to see two Birmingham teams competing for the championship. At this point despite fielding 8 teams in the final 48, we were yet to pick up a championship. And this game was exactly what we hoped for. The teams were perfectly matched, and neither made a significant break during the match. Erwin’s highest lead was 7, and Fairfield’s 5, as the lead see-sawed 14 times during the match. It all came down to the last 13 seconds when Krista Simmons was fouled with Fairfield trailing by 1 point. She missed her first shot,
May 2011 : Birmingham Booster : 25
Photos: Mandy Hartley
All that Hoopla
but scored the second to tie the match and put pressure on Erwin to make the last play. But when Fairfield fouled Erwin’s stand-out player Porschia Blue on the return, their hopes looked dashed. With 4 seconds left the Tigers had one last chance to counter. After sinking the first, Porschia missed her second, and in the ensuing flurry Fairfield could not beat the clock up the court. It was a thrilling end to an exciting match.
Bucs scuttled in the 4th. 6A Girls: Bob Jones 39 - Hoover 36 This match was a defensive battle as both teams struggled to get points early on. Halfway through the first quarter the teams were tied at 4 points each, but the Bucs showed class to pull ahead by 10-7 at the end of the 1st quarter. They continued to extend their lead through the 2nd, carrying a six point cushion to the half, which they built to 10 points early in the third. But the Patriots capitalized on some shoddy shooting by the Bucs and pulled the lead back to 2 points leading into the final quarter.
Both teams could smell the victory, and neither made a clear break. But with a little more than 4 minutes on the clock, and trailing by 3, the Patriots turned up the heat, scoring five unanswered points to scuttle the Buc’s championship run. Only two of the Buc’s reached double figures, Breion Allen with 11 points and 3 rebounds, and Chardonae Fuqua with 10 and 4.
Rebels without Applause. 6A Boys: Murphy 65 - Vestavia 59 The fairy-tale run for the Vestavia Rebels came to a crunching halt at the end of the 3rd quarter of the semi final against Murphy. The Rebels, who are possibly the only team to make the play-offs with a losing record, looked to be cruising when they jumped to an early 8-pt lead. But the Murphy Panthers paced themselves to perfection, and patiently stalked their prey, before pouncing at the start of the fourth quarter. Three times Murphy went ahead in the 4th,
26 : Birmingham Booster : May 2011
and three times the Bucs rallied back, but the fourth time the Rebels were unable to make the shots they needed to regain the lead. The end result flattered the Panthers, and Vestavia will be ruing the 10 points in missed Free Throws which would have given them their day in the finals. There’s much they’ll take away from their performance for the 2012 season.
Mid-life crisis 4A Boys/Girls The Midfield Patriots should be very proud of having both their Boys and Girls teams reach the final four in
4A. And although the Boys crashed out in the Semis to eventual winners Butler, the girls team were the talk of the
Photos from Vestavia’s semi-final loss to Butler. Courtesy Mandy Hartley
But the out-sized Alabama Team were unable to rein in the might of Mississippi in the second half, and allowed 6‘6” Daniel Grieves (21 pts) to tear the heart out of the locals with an 11-pt streak to turn a 7 point deficit into a 2 point lead. GIRLS: Mississippi 73, Alabama 60
Miss-ed Opportunities. Both the Boys and the Girls Alabama High-School All-Star teams squandered first half leads to hand victory in both matches to Mississippi at the Pelham Civic Center in March.
“...the 4-time champions were heavily favored over their Montgomery rivals.”
tournament. Having won the title every year since coming up to 4A, and after crushing Good Hope in their semi-final, the 4-time champions were heavily favored over their Montgomery rivals. But this was not to be their day. Despite dropping behind 13-5 in the first quarter, the Patriots rallied in the second, trailing the Rams by 5 points at half time. They dropped another 5 points in the third quarter, before succumbing to the constant Rams pressure. In the final quarter the Rams outscored the Patriots Despite the rather dismal team performance, there was one positive aspect for Midfield, and that was the performance of stand-out player Jasmine Steele. She was topscorer of the game with 26 points and 7 rebounds. Her performance counted for 2/3 of the teams points.
BOYS: Mississippi 85, Alabama 74 Alabama rued the loss of 6’6” Vestavia Hills center William Truss, who withdrew from the match-up the previous day after aggravating an earlier injury. Much of the mantle fell upon Birmingham’s Ricky Tarrant (Pleasant Grove), who led the Alabama offense with 15 points, earning himself the MVP honors, in a valiant effort which saw Alabama leading comfortably through much of the match.
Alabama, who won back-to-back titles in 2007, 2008 and 2009, were looking to avenge last years loss to Mississippi. And although they were in contention for 38 of the 40 minutes of play, they let the last two minutes get away as Mississippi rampaged, outscoring the locals 13-2 to take the game by a 13 point margin, and their second win in a row. Monique Jackson (Central Phenix City) earned the MVP title for her game-high 17 points, and 12 rebounds, including 7-of-12 from the field. She was ably supported by Tia Faleru, who scored 9 points and 7 rebounds, while her Central Phenix teammate Kristi Mokube backed up defensively with 10 rebounds. This was the first back-to-back win for Mississippi since the event has been contested, and we expect Alabama to be looking to make sure they don’t go 3 forv 3 in 2012.
Booster congratulates all who participated, especially the five boys and two girls from Birmingham on the roster: Players BOYS Ricky Tarrant Jeremy Bogus William Truss Jeremy Watson Marvin Whitt, Jr. GIRLS Porshia Blue Amanda Toliver Victoria Billingsley
Ht
Pos.
School
College
6’1” 6’6” 6’7” 6’7” 5’9”
G G C F G
Pleasant Grove Wenonah Vestavia Hills Homewood Homewood
Tulane University Undecided Spring Hill Undecided Undecided
5’9” 5’5 5’10”
G G G/F
Erwin Minor Wenonah
Undecided South Alabama Undecided
May 2011 : Birmingham Booster : 27
The Full Life Ahead Foundation was created in 2002 to assist individuals with disAbilities and their families to live lives of HOPE: The HOPE to live the lives of their choice; The HOPE to dream and use their unique gifts to succeed; The HOPE to open doors of opportunity to work in a world full of choices. Based in Birmingham, Full Life Ahead provides services and information nationwide on the topic of school-livingwork transition for individuals with disAbilities. Full Life Ahead was founded by Henry Barclay, Judy Barclay, and Jan Cobb, all parents of children with disAbilities who understand the challenges that never go away and the frustration of hearing others say “No, they can’t” and “Never” again and again. Services provided by The Full Life Ahead Foundation are many and varied: Facilitating HOPE teams to help families bring communities together to brainstorm possibilities and solutions; Providing thousands of hours of personal technical support by email, phone, or in person; Leading expos, seminars and conferences to broaden knowledge about transition from school to life; Hosting 3 Family Weekend Workshop/Retreats at Children’s Harbor with relevant presentations and programs for all ages; and Disseminating Full Life Ahead workbooks nationally helping individuals with basic goals. The Foundation touched over 9,000 people in the past year. Additionally, Full Life Ahead workbooks (in English and Spanish) have been sold to thousands of families and institutions worldwide, as well as given to hundreds who could not afford to purchase a copy. Since teachers and parents are allowed to make copies from the book, it is impossible to estimate the reach our workbook has attained and the number of lives it has impacted. Please help so we can continue to serve families at all ages and stages of transition to imagine and live their fullest lives possible!
For More Information on How You Can Join Us As A Camper, Volunteer or Supporter, Visit www.FullLifeAhead.org
Helping Other People Envision
28 : Birmingham Booster : May 2011
athletic ability to secure your career. If your goal is to be a doctor, then you’re already being paid to play - you’re getting the cost of your tuition, which is far more than any of your friends are getting. And choosing to be a doctor won’t diminish your love of the game, or your ability to enjoy
it vicariously, from the comfort of your home or a seat in the stands. Only you won’t have the threat of bodily harm that these athletes live with every day, or the uncertainty of your future. I’m sure the stands at the Tostitos Bowl in Arizona was full of former athletes and their families.
Are you going to college to become a pro-athlete or a Doctor? Because if you’re good at sports, you can leverage your skills to do either. But I can assure you that your chances of being a good doctor are probably better than your chances of being a great footballer, and that’s what it will take to live comfortably for life in your chosen field.
drew Luck opted to remain at Stanford and finish his degree before approaching the pro’s. And Greg MacIlroy never lost focus on his Rhodes Scholarship prospects throughout his time at Alabama.
So when you’re considering where you want to play at college, think not 1 year ahead... not even five years... but think where you want to be in 10 years or more. A nice home in a good neighborhood; a healthy family; enough money to do the things you want without too much thought?
But the choices you make at High School are likely to have an even bigger impact on your later life. No matter where you play you’ll learn life lessons which will serve you well in your career. And ask your fathers and mothers - they’ll tell you that some of their best friends, and fondest memories, were spawned on the sports fields.
Sure it’d be nice to have a home like Derek Jeter’s, or drive a Bentley Continental, but in reality very few players ever get to keep those for long. For the vast majority of High School Athletes, success on the sports field is far more likely to convert to success in other careers. Think about how you can use your sports talents to get the career you want. There’s numerous high profile cases of college athletes turning down the chance to go pro so they can finish their degrees. An-
So you have to ask yourself... do I want to be a sports hero now, or should I consider what I’ll do after I hang up my cleats? The lucky few can entertain both, but for most it will mean trading off better sports programs for quality academics. It also probably means playing a bigger role in a lesser team. Choosing to participate at a lower level of competition is not selling out on the sports you love. You’re using your
Photo: Stephanie Williams
What if Sports is the only thing?
A very small percentage of kids have no interest in a career outside of sports. The plan to enrich their lives and their families prospects by carving their name in the athletic record books. If you’re planning on using college to leverage your pro-career, here’s what you’ll face... 1. You need excellent credentials on the field at High School, and a very good recommendation from a known and trusted coach or recruiter. If your coach is mediocre, or your school program is unimpressive, consider a change of school. 2. You have to stay fit, because a prolonged stretch on the sideline could tip the momentum on your career. Take those strength and conditioning drills seriously. 3. You HAVE to act responsibly, and that starts NOW! In this i-photographer era, anything you do could be in the public domain by tomorrow. And if one errant photo can damage athletes like Michael Phelps, they will get you nixed before you’ve even been accepted. 4. And certainly don’t do anything illegal. We read of scholarships revoked due to petty-theft, or driving under the influence, and in many cases this is a career-ending episode - no second chances. 5. And if all else fails, consider the route Cam Newton took to get his career back on track. Although his hiatus from the SEC was for ‘unconventional’ reasons, his year at Blinn College in Texas preserved his college elegibility while giving him another chance to showcase his talents.
play
May 2011 : Birmingham Booster : 29
Hasaan Hawthorne Wrestling Riverchase Middle School Hasaan was born with a condition to where his legs were cut off just above the knees. To many people this would be a major disadvantage but to Hasaan it was a challenge. As a lot of people saw on ESPN when Arizona State’s Anthony Robles became an NCAA Champion, wrestling is a sport where handicaps can be overcome, and Hasaan has truly learned from his example. “Hasaan never once complained about the situation he has been dealt. Instead we came up with a plan to utilize his strengths. He worked very hard all year and in his first season of wrestling won 15 of his 35 matches. Considering that many wrestlers don’t win any matches in their early years, that’s quite an achievement, we can expect him to have a great career over the next 5 years as Hasaan moves up through the High School ranks.
Crawford Flach, Homewood Patrick Martin, Berry Middle School Golf For the third straight year the Berry Middle School golf team has won the Hewitt Trussville Invitational Golf Tournament. They won by a 10 stroke margin on the par 37, 9 hole course. Lowest individual score went to Crawford Flach (right) from Homewood Middle School with a 1 over par 38. Runner-up was Patrick Martin (left) from Berry Middle School with a 2 over par 39.
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mid
Stephen Payne Soccer Vestavia Hills Soccer Club Although a pupil at Oak Mountain Middle School, Stephen plays soccer for Vestavia Hills Soccer Club, where he currently plays up a level for the State Champion U15 team (mostly high-schoolers). Coach Luke Whittle says he’s a very technical player, who is honest and hard-working. He also made the Region 3 representative team in the Olympic Development Program as an attacking mid-fielder. Stephen has two exceptional opportunities ahead of him. He has already been accepted to play in the Chicago Fire academy team. And he recently trialled at West Ham United in the UK, and is awaiting their decision in the next couple of weeks.
Jonathan Harvey Track and Field Bumpus Middle School Jonathan is an outstanding student and a tremendous athlete for Bumpus Middle School. His coach, Chris Croyle said, “he not only works hard to be excellent at whatever he is doing he tries to help his other teammates do better”. He ran a 4:47 time in the 1600 meters, a 2:13 in the 800 meters and vaulted 11’ 6” in the pole vault at the Mt. Brook meet. He easily won all three events. He was almost a half of a lap ahead in the 1600 meters. He started vaulting after all the other vaulters had missed at 8’ 0”. He won by three and a half feet. Coach Croyle said, “his talent, hard work and dedication will make him as good as he wants to be”
May 2011 : Birmingham Booster : 31
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32 : Birmingham Booster : May 2011
re ness - a major supplier of imprinted sportswear for the cycling industry - which he sold in 1996. After a three year stint as an Atlanta insurance broker, John’s entrepreneurial blood was boiling. Thanks to his time at Alabama, he knew how to leverage a good deal, and he knew about franchising. Recognising the potential of his parents business, the original Zoe’s Restaurant in Homewood, John expanded the concept to forty-eight restaurants in 12 states. He has recently sold the rights to the Zoe’s chain and is involved in another restaurant as well as community activities. He is an avid hunter and has recently bought a 1200 acre hunting camp in south Alabama which he refers to as his ‘refuge of serenity’.
The Path to Serenity
John Cassimus is the epitome of a high school football hero who played his way into a business career. With minimal experience he founded several businesses before turning his family’s restaurant into a national brand.
His work ethic, determination and leadership ability are a direct result of his involvement in sports.
The road that has led John to his present day success began on the football field as an eight year old. With a coach that taught him that winning comes from hard work and pushing yourself beyond what you think you can do, it helped him develop a work ethic that has not faltered in allowing him to continue no matter how hard the job was. As an All-American running back at Mountain Brook High School he had many offers to play college football at some of the best programs in the country. He committed to play for The University of Alabama but wavered briefly when offer a coveted scholarship by the University of Notre Dame, which was a national powerhouse at the time. Despite the fact the offer to play for the Irish was an awesome opportunity, after weighing his actions, he decided to honor his original committed and go to Alabama. Integrity and accountability for your decisions is a part of being the successful person he wanted to be. Success is measured in different ways based on an individuals values, and this is one of John’s many.
As a football player at the University of Alabama, John was under no illusions as to why he was there. He was not looking towards a career as a professional athlete, and instead put his scholarship to good use to secure a career in business. John graduated from Alabama in 1989 with a degree in corporate finance. With a briefcase filled more with determination than knowledge and experience, John worked at several jobs. In 1993, just four years after graduating, he opened his first busi-
John is very quick to credit his ability to be successful in business to the character traits he developed as an athlete. His work ethic, determination and leadership ability is a direct result of his involvement in sports. He is quick to point out being a good businessman requires other skills as well. “Learn to be a good communicator, develop a good team to support you, create a large network of people in business and socially, be sure you enjoy what you are doing, prepare yourself to be successful, do the very best you can and don’t worry about the competition. And take tremendous pride in what you are doing,”. Something tells me this Footballer still has a few plays up his sleeve.
May 2011 : Birmingham Booster : 33
called “Let’s Move”. She’s put together a simple and easy-tofollow plan of action on how to eat right and stay healthy, with an emphasis on getting enough exercise. Her site is loaded with resources, so check it out at www.letsmove.gov
Heads or Tailbackers
A photo doing the rounds of Tim Tebow and his Hyperbaric chamber
Hyper-bowl Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Has Tim Tebow been using a hyperbaric chamber for 2 years? And if so why? The official line seems to be to help him acclimatize to playing at Mile High Stadium, but in the original statements uncovered by TMZ, he’s quoted saying “it greatly accelerates the recovery process”. For those of you who don’t know, a Hyperbaric Chamber is used by divers to decompress, and also by aircrew to duplicate the effects of oxygen starvation at high altitude. Assuming he’s using it to get more oxygen-rich air into his lungs, I wonder how long it’ll be before this apparatus gets ruled out for giving him an unfair advantage.
Cuban is one of the many who feel a play-off system would be more equitable, and he’s prepared to put his money where his mouth is. Already he’s formed the company to develop this concept, and is currently in the “exploratory” phase. I guess that means he’s punted the ball, and is waiting to see who’s going to step under it. Read more of his venture here: http:// sports.espn.go.com/dallas/ncf/ news/story?id=6136815
Get Radical As happens in any family, occasionally a big brother has to step in and stop the bickering amongst smaller siblings. In this case, the argument is the BCS Championship, and how to decide who plays.
Moving together It’s not just Barak that’s concerned about your health. First Lady Michelle Obama has created an initiative of her own aimed at school kids,
Heads, or Tailbackers. An ESPN survey of college football players has some colleges scrambling for cover. The study, ranking the top 25 teams (from 2009 season) based on the integrity of their athletes indicated that 204 out of 2837 players had criminal records. While the immediate response was defensive, Booster questions which is worse... the fact that 7% of our college sportsmen have criminal records, or that it’s commonly held that 13% of Congress have convictions? Mark Twain hit the nail on the head when he said “It
Distractions It seems Basketball matches are all about distracting the opposition free-throws. Even at the Final 48 the crowds were obviously orchestrated and well drilled on the art of distraction. So just what is the best way to upstage your opponents? Who better to ask than the NCAA, who have done in-depth research on the practices. Concerted movement can tend to draw the eyes, and Dallas Mavericks say this could reduce opponents free throw percentage by up to 8%. Exposure to sustained noice over 85 decibels causes fatigue. Basketball games are often over 120db.
The Presidents Money Whether Obama’s plans for a healthy economy are working or not is a matter for debate. But we aren’t going anywhere near that issue. Instead, we’ll focus on his plans for a healthy population, which seem to be heading in the right direction, if only a few big school systems would jump on board. He’s set up the “Presidents Council on Fitness and Nutrition, loaded with political rhetoric and the occasional health tip, and he’s created the “President’s Challenge” to encourage educators to get their students fitter. These specially minted coins could be yours if you stay fit!
I think he’s on the right track with this one, since it seems to be quite low budget, and user-driven. He’s minted some pretty cool ‘champion’ coins with the presidential seal on them, which you can earn if you adhere to the program. What kid wouldn’t want a trophy like that? Check out his website at www.presidentschallenge.org
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34 : Birmingham Booster : May 2011
could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly native American criminal class except perhaps Congress.”
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May 2011 : Birmingham Booster : 35
36 : Birmingham Booster : May 2011