H.Z. Zone
SPORTS HEALTH: RECOGNIZE PAIN VERSUS INJURY AT ANY AGE...P11
Houston’s Leading Black Information Source Volume 80 | Number 24
www.defendernetwork.com
NEWSTALK
MILES PROPOSES Harsher penalties for abusive cops
P3 NATIONAL
P4
SHARPTON PRAISED
by President Obama
Entertainment
WEEK OF APRIL 14, 2011 | FREE
Mayor Annise Parker
What Have You Done for
the Black Community? H Page 6
FLAVA FLAV
Chicken reality show ready to go
P5 CHAG’S PLACE
Morgan Freeman knows success
Rev. Marcus Cosby and Audrey Cosby, IMPACT AWARDS: Wheeler Avenue Inner City Visions,Inc.
P12
Academy Award-winner Morgan Freeman is one of the busiest actors in Hollywood, and continues to star in hit after hit. In addition to traditional movie roles, he is in demand as a documentary narrator. Born in Tennessee and reared in Mississippi, Freeman hasn’t forgotten his Southern roots. See what he’s up to off-camera, and hear his advice to aspiring actors. H Page
5
UH getting
its swagger back
The University of Houston Cougars will soon be ready for some college football, and recently held spring workouts and a scrimmage. It’s obvious that the team is regaining its swagger after setbacks in the 2010 season, including quarterback Case Keenum’s season-ending injury. No one knows the Cougars better than coach Kevin Sumlin, who reveals his expectations of spring football.
defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years
H Page
10
2
DEFENDER | WEEK OF APRIL 14 | 2011
ontheweb Editorial cartoons
defendernetwork.com
Stay Connected! Experience the Defender on the world wide web.
In The Book Corner Real Talk, Real Advice, Because Bitterness Isn’t Sexy Radio host Steve Havey Says,”I’ve been Shirley’s partner in radio for over ten years now...I am amazed by how she manages to balance her personal and professional life.
Automotive highlight 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SEDAN
See more on: defendernetwork.com
News & Opinion It Doesn’t Get Uglier That This!
Harry Alford
Question of the Week Is Houston Mayor Annise Parker doing a good job?
defendernetwork.com
WEEK OF APRIL 14 | 2011 | DEFENDER
newstalk
localbriefs Teacher sentenced in attack caught on video A former teacher who was captured on cell phone video hitting a 13- year-old boy admitted she was wrong, but will not serve any jail time. It was April 2010 when Sheri Lynn Davis was caught on video assaulting a child at Jamie’s House Charter School in north Harris County. Davis pleaded guilty to injury to a child and was sentenced to five years deferred adjudication. That means her record could be wiped clean if she stays out of trouble.
HISD considers closing, consolidating schools
The Houston school board is considering closing and consolidating some schools and the changes are not tied to the current budget crisis. Back in 2007 voters approved a bond that would consolidate some of schools and board members will vote on where some students will go once the schools consolidate. These elementary Supt. Terry Grier schools could merge: Sherman and Crawford, with Crawford closing; Atherton and E.O. Smith, with E.O. Smith closing; Dogan and Scott, with Scott closing. The board would vote to change attendance boundaries for other schools, in order to accept students from the schools that are closing. Other schools that the board is looking at consolidating: Sharpstown Middle could combine with the International High School at Sharpstown; E.O. Smith Middle could be split among four other schools, and North Alternative Elementary and South District Alternative could also merge. This is in addition to the four elementary schools HISD has already said could close: Love, McDade, Rhoads, and Grimes.
Kashmere students try walkout in protest
Students at Kashmere High School attempted to stage a walkout recently, but things didn’t go as planned. School officials said the students were frustrated with plans to cut the school’s career and technical programs, so they decided to walk out. But it didn’t last long as school officials said the students were turned around within minutes.
3
Miles proposes harsher penalties for abusive cops By Aswad Walker Defender
With the eyes of the nation on Texas regarding recent incidents of police brutality and misconduct, Houston State Rep. Borris Miles has authored a bill – HB 1471 – that seeks to enhance the penalty for official oppression for law enforcement officers from a misdemeanor to a felony, depending on the severity of injuries to a victim. “Official oppression” is the legal term for police officers or any public servant using their position of authority to subject individuals to unlawful mistreatment, arrest, detention, search, seizure, dispossession, assessment or lien. “Official oppression” also covers sexual harassment and the intentional and unlawful denial or impeding of an individual’s ability to exercise their rights as a citizen. HB 1471 was introduced in the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. Several local individuals testified, including Dr. D.Z. Cofield, president of the Houston NAACP; James Douglas, Thurgood Marshall School of Law; Dwight Watson, Texas State University professor; and Kevin Petroff of the Harris County District At-
State Rep. Borris Miles
torney’s Office. “I was shocked when the rogue police officers who beat Chad Holley were only charged with a misdemeanor,” said Miles. “HB 1471 gives prosecutors a valuable tool they need to go after police officers who abuse their position.” At present, official oppression is con-
sidered a Class A misdemeanor. If enacted, HB 1471 will enhance the penalty to a third degree felony if a law enforcement officer causes bodily injury, and to a second degree felony if the public servant causes a serious bodily injury. “As a former law enforcement officer, I understand the pressure and high emotions that can occur on the job and believe the vast majority of Houston police officers are professionals,” said Miles. “However, when rogue cops get out of control and abuse the civil rights of a teenage boy, we must make sure that the punishment fits the crime, and toughening the penalty for official oppression will do just that.” In response to the Chad Holley beating last year, Miles has also filed HB 3357 which would create a Houston Citizens Police Review Board. The review board will have the power to investigate acts of police misconduct and recommend action throughout the state. Moreover, Miles authored HB 1472, which will make sure records of all complaints against individual police officers are retained so that citizens can know the complete history of complaints lodged by citizens against a particular officer.
Legislation fights addiction while reducing crime By Aswad Walker Defender Texas’ Senate Criminal Justice Committee recently heard testimony from probation departments, treatment providers, judges, religious leaders, civil rights groups and others in favor of a bill that seeks to create a blueprint for effectively and cost-efficiently handling individuals in the criminal justice system suffering from substance abuse. The bill, C.S.S.B. 1076, authored by Houston State Sen. Rodney Ellis, is touted as an evidence-based practice that will allow judges to more appropriately utilize community supervision, and where resources allow, place non-dangerous individuals with drug possession offenses into a tailored treatment program. Such placements would be based in part on the individual’s risk assessment and amenability to treatment. In fiscal year 2010, more than 16,000 individuals were incarcerated for drug possession offenses, not including the potentially thousands more with substance abuse cycled through county jails. According to NAACP Texas officials, the strategies proposed by
C.S.S.B. 1076 will provide individuals with a greater chance of fighting their addiction, thus providing a positive impact on their families and communities. Another key point, especially as legislators wrestle with the state’s budgetary shortfall, is the fact that taxpayers will not have to foot the bill for costly and ineffective incarceration. In Texas, treatment programs combined with community supervision cost five times less than incarceration. According to the state budget-making authority, Texas spends $18,539 per year on each inmate, while community supervision along with drug treatment programs, cost $3,227 per individual per year. Additionally, per the fiscal note attached to state legislation that would have accomplished similar outcomes, taxpayers would save more than $108 million in the first biennium and $474 million over five years. “Especially in light of Texas’ budget shortfall, this policy deserves strong consideration and support among state policy-makers,” said Ana Yáñez-Correa, Ph.D., executive director of the Texas Criminal Justice
Coalition. In addition, C.S.S.B. 1076 proposes to create a vehicle that will reinvest 20 percent of cost savings in communities, thus improving their ability to help county residents suffering from substance abuse, outside of incarceration. “The state of Texas would benefit from this smart-on-crime bill,” said NAACP Texas head Gary Bledsoe. “Both cost-effective and humane, it comes from a place of hope rather than fear by treating drug abusers as human beings who can grow and recover from their dependencies.” “In many cases drug abusers do not need to go to prison, they need to go to treatment,” said NAACP President & CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous, who was in Houston recently for the organization’s Region VI advocacy conference. “The money that we are spending on overcrowded, failing prisons could be more efficiently used to fund rehabilitation programs that help addicts break the cycle of dependence and repeat incarceration,” Jealous said.
defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years
4
DEFENDER | WEEK OF APRIL 14 | 2011
defendernetwork.com
national
U.S.briefs
Obama praises Sharpton’s group By Cyril Josh Barker Special to NNPA from New York Amsterdam News President Barack Obama went to New York with a renewed vigor to address the National Action Network’s annual gala. He hit on several key points as he praised the organization’s 20 years of existence. The now-confirmed candidate gave a rousing speech that was well received by the nearly 1,200 people – mostly Black – in attendance. After a gracious introduction from the organization’s president, Rev. Al Sharpton, Obama received a standing ovation. He opened by acknowledging Rep. Charles Rangel, former Mayor David Dinkins and the 20th anniversary of NAN. “The National Action Network has not changed its commitment in the last two decades,” he said. “Not only in the lives of African Americans,” but for the
broader American family. Making little mention of his 2012 run, Obama commended his supporters for their work and loyalty. “If you stand with me and believe in what we can do together, if we put our shoulders to the wheel of history, we can move this county to the promise of a better day,” he said. The president highlighted some of his successes, and said that many have forgotten the good that he’s done. He noted how General Motors recently announced plans to rehire laid off workers, showing signs that the economy is on its way back. He said that a half million jobs were created in the first three months of this year. “We’re making progress, but we are not there yet. I will fight for jobs and I will be in the fight for opportunity,” he said. “We are going to keep fighting until every family gets a shot at the American dream.”
Census 2010: Did Blacks fill it out? By Cyril Josh Barker Special to NNPA from the New York Amsterdam News
As the country begins to take a first look at its population by the numbers, Black Americans are getting a startling story. In major cities across the country, census numbers are revealing a shrinking Black community in urban areas such as Chicago, New York, and even Washington, D.C. Different factors are contributing to America’s “Black flight,” but one obvious question comes into play: Did Black Americans participate fully in the census? Historically, African Americans have been one of the most underrepresented groups during the census. Even with aggressive marketing last year geared toward the Black community that included faith-based outreach, forums and neighborhood meetings, the numbers don’t add up. According to the Pew Research Center, one in five people may not have filled out their census forms, citing that
many Americans either had a lack of interest or did not trust the government. In 2010, 12 percent of U.S. residents said that they weren’t sure if they would participate in the census, and 6 percent said they definitely would not. One-third of people believed the census was a device by the government to locate illegal immigrants, while one-fourth didn’t trust the government or had privacy concerns. The Census Bureau reports that 74 percent of Americans filled out the census in 2010, up from the 67 percent who filled it out in 2000. But questions remain regarding the accuracy of figures for the New York City metropolitan area, for example, which may have significantly undercounted real population increases. Several elected officials are teaming up to challenge the census results, saying that there was a miscount and prove that the city has a much higher population.
Congressional agreement prevents government shutdown
Democrats and Republicans recently agreed on a budget deal to keep the federal government open for business. Lawmakers reached an agreement to create a five-day stopgap funding bill, with a longer-term budget deal to be worked out later. The funding extension will cut spending by $2 billion, and Congressional leaders said the framework was in place for a long-term deal that would cut $38.5 billion in spending through Sept. 30, the end of the current fiscal year. The Democrats wanted $33 billion in budget cuts while the Republicans wanted to slash $61 billion in spending, a proposal that they later reduced to $40 billion. Afro staff
Survey says Blacks watch more TV than any other group
African Americans spend more time in front of the television set than any other ethnic group, according to a new report released by Nielsen Media Research. African Americans led all ethnic groups with seven hours, 12 minutes of television consumed each day. The U.S. average of TV consumption is five hours, 11 minutes daily, Nick Jeffrey, an outreach and research coordinator in Miami, said the Nielsen statistics might be a reflection of recent job loss and economic troubles in America. “You have a lot of time to watch TV when you don’t have a job,” he said. Afro staff
Alleged Malcolm X assassin named in Marable book
The late scholar Manning Marable offers “explosive” revelations in his new book, Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention. However, just days before his book’s launch, the writer, lecturer, and civil rights activist died in New York City after a long illness. Marable was 60. Based on years of research, the book offers a controversial new interpretation of Malcolm’s death, naming five alleged conspirators, including the triggerman, 72-year-old Al-Mustafa Shabazz of Newark. Historian Abdul-Rahman Muhammad first published the claim in a blog almost a year ago. Marable credited Muhammad for the lead, which was backed by others in the Muslim community. Muhammad said Shabazz’ identity was “an open secret.”
VOLUME 80 • NUMBER • 24 APRIL 14 - APRIL 20, 2011
Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Editor Von Jiles Associate Editors Reshonda Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila
Columnist Yvette Chargois Sport Editors Max Edison Darrel K. Ardison Contributing Writers Aswad Walker Webmaster Corneleon Block
The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender audited By Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2011 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).
defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years
WEEK OF APRIL 14 | 2011 DEFENDER
defendernetwork.com
what’sup H New Bounce TV network targets Blacks
Former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young and a group of businessmen and entertainment industry luminaries announced the formation of Bounce TV, with the aim of presenting the nation’s first-ever, free, over-the-air broadcast television network designed exclusively for African-American audiences. Set to launch this fall, the channel will target African Americans primarily between the ages of 25-54 with 24-hour programming that will include movies, live sporting events, documentaries, inspirational faith-based programs, off-net series and original dramas.
H Bigger jury pool needed for Jackson’s doctor trial
With lawyers raising a new theory involving money and its role in Michael Jackson’s death, a judge is summoning a third panel of prospective jurors for the involuntary manslaughter case against Dr. Conrad Murray of Houston. Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor, who has already screened 340 prospects and cleared 147 of those for availability, has said a larger pool is needed from which 12 jurors and six alternates will be chosen. The judge indicated many prospects will have to be eliminated because they hold strong views on the highly publicized case. Only three in the initial pool said they hadn’t heard about the upcoming trial. After this initial phase, prospects who remain will be questioned in person beginning May 4. Pastor has set opening statements for May 9.
H Flava Flav chicken reality show ready to go on air? Flava Flav is returning to reality TV. Now his new chicken joint in Clinton, Iowa, is being looked at as the focal point for a new show. Crews filmed the grand opening of the restaurant recently and now the owners are working on a “sizzle reel,” a 10-15 minute promo piece. According to the Public Enemy hype man, the show will feel something like “Happy Days” and give audiences the opportunity to see what it’s like running a franchise.
Coming up …. Picnic in the Park The 9th annual Picnic in the Park: Linking Families Together, April 16th, 2011, noon4pm George Bush Park 16756 Westheimer Parkway picnicatthepark@mhmraharris.og The Houston Improv Faizon Love April 15-17 Actor (“Friday”) and comedian performs www.improv.com
entertainment Morgan Freeman
5
shares views on success By Kam Williams
Morgan Freeman was born in Memphis on June 1, 1937, although his grandmother in Charleston, Miss., reared him. He developed an interest in acting at an early age, but enlisted in the Air Force upon graduating from high school. He again pursued his passion after being honorably discharged, struggling until his Broadway debut in “Hello Dolly” in 1968. That led to work on TV and in film and a storybook career, which included an Academy Award for “Million Dollar Baby.” KW: If a person unfamiliar with your work wanted to watch just one of your films, which one would you suggest? Mf: I think I would recommend “Invictus.” KW: Since you’ve contributed your immense talents to so many great films, I’d like to know which one is your favorite. MF: “Glory.” KW: Did you have a role model, whenever you played Go d? MF: Yes.
KW: And who was that? MF: Me. [Laughs heartily] KW: Are there are any community-based, charity organizations you’re working with in Mississippi? MF: My own. I have a charity dedicated to education. KW: After what movie did you finally say to yourself, “I have arrived!”? MF: “Street Smart.” KW: Did you ever feel like giving up and doing something different at anytime during your acting career. MF: Oh yes, many times, however, not during my career, but while trying to get my career going. Absolutely. I have many friends and Providence itself to thank for not having given up. KW: Do you have any advice for young actors desiring to become actors? MF: Well, if they’re already actors, then there’s no desire to become actors. What they’re looking for now is success, to become paid actors. And the only advice I have for them is to persevere. Just keep plugging away. Keep going. Don’t give up. The surest way to fail at anything is to give up.
Gregory School gets original John Biggers drawing professor at Texas Southern University. The Gregory Biggers (1924-2001), School is beaming at was an internationallyits newest addition – a acclaimed painter, sculptor, rare drawing by the teacher, and philosopher. He renowned artist, Dr. was born in Gastonia, N.C., John Biggers. on April 13, 1924. Biggers Gerald B. Smith, explored his own life and chairman and CEO heritage through the study of Smith, Graham of art at Hampton Institute & Company Invest(now Hampton University) ment Advisors, L.P., in Hampton, Va. donated “Our Future,” The African Amerian original Dr. John can Library at the Gregory Biggers drawing School is the newest of three circa 1963-1983 to the Gerald B. Smith, chairman and CEO of Smith, Graham & Company Investment AdviHouston Public Library sors, L.P., and his wife Anita, an avid art collector, donated “Our Future,” an original special collections operated by the Houston Public Library. African American Library Dr. John Biggers drawing circa 1963-1983 to the Houston Public Library African American Library at the Gregory School. Also pictured is Houston Public Library Located in Houston’s historic at the Gregory School. director Dr. Rhea Lawson. Freedman’s Town, the library is Smith, who along with housed in what was once the Edgar M. Gregory School, which served his wife, Anita, is an avid art collector, acquired the drawing from as the first public school for African Americans in Houston. As the first Biggers himself. The drawing is appraised at $85,000. library of its kind in Houston, it serves as a resource to preserve, proThis is HPL’s second acquisition of a Biggers original art mote, and celebrate the rich history and culture of African Americans in work. Biggers donated a mural “Birth from the Sea,” circa 1964-66 Houston, the surrounding region, and the African Diaspora. to the W. L. Johnson Neighborhood Library when he was an art
defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years
6
defenderne
DEFENDER | WEEK OF APRIL 14 | 2011
coverpage
Mayor Annise Parker
What have you done for the Black community? By Marilyn Marshall Defender
I
n her quest for re-election, Mayor Annise Parker says that progress has been made during her first term in office, yet there is still work to be done. The question is, “What has she done for Houston’s Black community?” In an exclusive interview with the Defender, the mayor discussed her accomplishments and her goals. She addressed friction between the Black community and the Houston Police Department, and the city’s budget woes. Parker, a former city controller and City Council member, took charge as mayor in 2010 after defeating African-American candidate Gene Locke in a runoff. Locke recently endorsed Parker for re-election, as did former Mayor Bob Lanier. She said so far, her first term has been “intense.” “Having already been in office 12 years before I became mayor, I knew the city and I knew what the job involved. I was well prepared and well trained for it, but the pressures of the economy and having to constantly scramble on the budget has been extremely difficult to deal with,” she said. “Right now, I’m in the midst of budgetary issues, redistricting, and implementation of a drainage fee. Any one of those things would be plenty to do for a whole year, but we’re doing all three at
Minority Department Directors Robert Gallegos – Affirmative Action (will be replaced by a minority) Mario Diaz – Aviation Nelson Espitia – Citizens’ Assistance Office Stephen Williams – Health and Human Services Omar Reid – Human Resources Dr. Rhea Lawson – Library Chuck McClelland – Chief of Police Harry Hayes – Solid Waste Scott Minnix – General Services
Mayor’s Minority Inner Circle Waynette Chan – Chief of Staff Marta Crinejo – Agenda Director William Paul Thomas – Council Liaison Jenn Char –Director, External Affairs Keith Wade – Advisor Source: Mayor’s Office once.” Parker views the city’s plan to rebuild drainage and street infrastructure as one way to generate jobs in the Black community. She is also implementing reforms to ensure that more tax dollars stay at home to support local employment. “ReBuild Houston will be one of the largest jobs programs in the city’s history,” she said. “These will be the types of jobs that build middle-class families. I am committed to seeing that Hire Houston First applies to ensure
that these jobs go to Houstonians. “In addition, I have worked with business and community leaders to bring capital investment and the jobs that accompany that spending to Houston. We have brought to Houston programs that help entrepreneurs, like the $25 million partnership with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Initiative.” She added that, “With the new director I plan to appoint soon, the Affirmative Action division will change its focus to provide more opportunities for
small minority-owned businesses.” Parker listed steps she has taken to improve inner-city neighborhoods. “I am continuing my efforts to demolish crack houses and abandoned apartment buildings in minority communities. We demolished 186 dangerous houses on Demolition Day last year and plan to tear down more this year,” she said. “We also demolished two large abandoned apartment complexes in Acres Homes that had been hurting property values and preventing economic investment in that community. And, even in
defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years
What does Mayor Pa affirmative action? @ really difficult financial times, I have committed to moving forward with projects like the renovation of Emancipation Park.” Another issue impacting the Black community is its historically strained relationship with HPD. The issue resurfaced after the release of videotape showing the violent arrest of a 15-year-old burglary suspect, Chad Holley. Four officers were indicted in the case, seven were fired and 12
etwork.com
WEEK OF APRIL 14 | 2011 DEFENDER
7
Top from L to R: Mayor Parker posed with volunteers and City Councilwoman Wanda Adams (standing second from left) who worked on the Extreme Home Makeover for a Houston resident. The mayor honored the Texas Southern University SWAC Champions on the steps of City Hall for a celebration rally. Bottom from L to R: As a supporter of the 2010 AIDS Walk, Mayor Parker took pictures with other participants. Parker shakes hands with one of the Interfaith Ministries delivery workers as he distributes Meals on Wheels. During the kids’ events, Parker looks for a high five during the Final Four festivities.
arker have to say about @ defendernetwork.com were disciplined. What was her reaction when she first saw the tape? “I was appalled,” she said. What does Parker have to say to Black Houstonians who mistrust the department? “We can do better,” she said. “I have complete faith and confidence in our police chief and command staff. This is never going to be a situation where we say, ‘We’ve fixed everything. We’re fine. We
don’t have to worry about it.’ I think this is something that you constantly have to monitor, and you have to have oversight and checks and balances. It starts with the leadership and I think we have a great chief and a department committed to doing the right thing.” The city’s budget woes are a concern as well. In March, Parker outlined cuts that could result in layoffs of more than 2,300 city employees. Services such as police, fire and solid waste will face department cuts of 5 percent, while most other departments will have to reduce spending by 27 percent. Black employees – who com-
prise 36 percent of the City of Houston workforce – are among those who could lose their jobs. Parker said she is trying to save jobs, and explained the city’s predicament. “I fought all through last year to preserve our commitment to public safety and also to protect the other services. But we were thrown a curve in February when we got the latest property tax information and there had been a downturn. We thought we were this far into the recession that things were going to be picking up. We had to scramble. Harris County had to scramble,” she said. “I’m doing everything in my power to save jobs. But ultimately the budget has to balance and I
cannot raise taxes. I cannot add any major new revenue source. So something’s got to give and we’re a service organization. I understand that all of these budgetary decisions impact people’s lives very directly.” Parker has also focused attention on the controversial drainage fee that resulted from voter approval of Proposition 1. City Council recently passed the measure exempting existing church, school and government facilities from the fee, which will be levied beginning in July. Homeowners will pay an average of about $5 a month, and the fee will appear on water bills. Some Houstonians wonder why senior citizens on fixed
defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years
incomes were not exempt from the fee. “State law only allows us to exempt churches, schools and government entities. It does not allow any individual exemptions,” Parker said. “However, we are aware of the needs of the disabled and seniors on fixed income, so we are creating a half million dollar water fund.” Now that she is seeking a second term, Parker has a message for voters of color. “There’s nobody better prepared to handle the problems facing the city of Houston,” she said. “You may not always agree with me but you’ll know where I stand on the issues and I’ll always tell you the truth as I know it to be.”
8
DEFENDER | WEEK OF APRIL 14 | 2011 defendernetwork.com
Experience
CSTEM’s programs are supported by its corporate partners: Shell Oil Company, Schlumberger, ASME, KBR and State Farm
classifieds
Place an ad Call now!!
(713) 663-6996
defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years
defendernetwork.com DEFENDER | WEEK OF APRIL 14 | 2011
9
10
DEFENDER | WEEK OF APRIL 14 | 2011
defendernetwork.com
sports
Cougar spring football
regaining the swagger
W
By Max Edison Defender
hat a difference a year makes for the Houston Cougars. Prior to the 2010 football season the anticipation was rampant. Coming off of a 10-2 season and their second consecutive bowl appearance, with a record-breaking, Heisman candidate quarterback, 2010 was supposed to be the year. Unfortunately in this script there was no happy ending. All-American candidate quarterback Case Keenum and his back-up Cotton Turner were both lost for the season due to injury in the third game against UCLA and things went downhill from there in route to a disappointing 5-7 season. This year, coming into spring workouts the Cougars had to circle the wagons, regroup, regain their confidence and get their swagger back. They have already received the best news of the spring. Keenum has been granted an extra year of eligibility. Keenum, who is continuing his rehab from knee surgery, was not in uniform for the recent Red/ White scrimmage, which signals the end of spring workouts. Keenum’s absence in the lineup allowed coach Kevin Sumlin to evaluate his backups. “We wanted to get our quarterbacks, David Piland and The linebacker Cotton Turner, unit lead by #42 Phillip Steward some work. and #8 Sammie We acBrown will provide strength on defense.
complished that,” Sumlin explained. “We wanted to get our young receivers better. That means anybody who’s here and hasn’t played. Guys like Isaiah Sweeny, Gino Collins, DeAndre Perry and Darian Lazard all played very well and we feel better about our depth at that position.” Defensively, the Cougars under second-year defensive coordinator Brian Stewart are looking to polish up their 3-4 scheme. “The guys are doing a great job this spring defensively,” Stewart said. “They know what Running back Bryce Beall believes the Cougars can once again be a potent offense. to anticipate. They understand to be. Everyone else in the secondary is what I call and why playing up to expectations.” An area of concern last year was the Cougar defense’s inability to stop the run. In an effort to shore up that area they have incorporated more beef up front. “We’ve really increased the profile of our team not just in weight, but height as well,” Sumlin said. “We’ve got a couple of freshman coming in who are over 300 pounds that are D-linemen. We also have a junior college transfer that’s in that same neighborhood. That will give us immediate depth and maybe one or two starters.” Sophomore linebacker Phillip Steward agrees that reinforcing the run defense was high on the list of spring workout priorities. “We wanted to make sure we improved our run defense and I think we took some positive steps in that direction,” Steward said. “We still have to do some work on gap containment, but we made some big strides and we’ll keep working I call it.” more on those things in the fall.” “Our front seven is the same guys as Senior All-Conference running back last year with new coaches,” Stewart conByrce Beall has seen both the highs and tinued. “I thought the mix of the two tolows in his career as a Cougar. His goal is gether this spring worked well, they should to go out on top, but first the team has to be our strength. Our backend is all new. regain its confidence. Jeffery Lewis switching back from offense “Offensively we need to get our to cornerback has done an excellent job. swagger back,” Beall said. “We were the D.J. Hayden and Chevy Bennett a pair of number one offense in the nation two years JUCO transfers are what we expected them
in a row. When Case got hurt I think we lost our confidence. It we get that confidence, that swagger back on offense and on defense, we’ll be alright.” Offensively Beall believes their No. 1 job will be to protect the quarterback. “We’ve got a young offensive line that needs to come together very quickly and we worked on that this spring,” No. 25 added. “I could see the progress as the weeks went by during the spring. My goal and the goal for the running backs was to improve our run and pass blocking. We want to block for each other and make sure we block to protect the quarterback.” For Beall the spring practices are all about the team fine tuning and preparing for their major objective in the fall. “For the seniors, our goal coming in as freshmen was to win a championship (CUSA). We haven’t done that yet and I think this is the year you see us bounce back and get it done.”
defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years
WEEK OF APRIL 14 | 2011 DEFENDER
defendernetwork.com
h.s.zone
sportsbriefs Nash to appear in Hall of Fame Girls H.S. All-Star Game
Sports health:
Recognize pain versus injury at any age By Darrell K. Ardison Defender
T
here’s an old sports adage that real athletes learn to play with pain. No pain, no gain is the saying that I’ve heard over the
attend the U.S. National Jump Rope Championship in Galveston, June 23-26. One of the more relaxing fitness activities is water tubing. The Guadalupe River in Texas is rated as one of the top tubing destinations in the nation. However, if you’re looking for local options, a water park might be in order. Waterworld is no longer available, but Splashtown is still open for business on the city’s north side. Summer track, water skiing, swimming, boogie boarding, roller skating,
years. However, there’s a fine line that shouldn’t be crossed when it comes to a potential injury. Recently, a friend of mine crossed that line when she chose to ignore an aching right heel following one of her runs. The annual Houston Marathon was less than a week away and the only thing on her mind was completing her 10th race and earning veteran status. She did complete the 26.2 miles (albeit slowly), and was later diagnosed with a torn plantar ligament that has It is not always good advice to play through the pain. her sidelined for six to eight weeks. For the first time in 29 years, she can’t participate in bike riding, tennis, ice skating or just a walk at your nearby park are other the fitness workout that she loves. options for those who want to become So what is the lesson learned? more physically fit Don’t ignore pain. Realize that even Doctors prescribe workouts for better the best of road warriors can develop health chinks in the armor. Consult a profesA global initiative called Exercise sional and find out the real reason for is Medicine encourages doctors to your discomfort. prescribe exercise in the same way they Activities for the young prescribe medication. and older “Exercise helps ensure you can Whether you prefer the more comlead the life you want, well into your plicated double Dutch version or just eighties,” said Timothy Church, M.D., plain up and down, jumping rope can Ph.D, director of preventive medicine burn 10 to 20 calories a minute. research at Pennington Biomedical ReIf you require some inspiration,
11
search Center in Baton Rouge. “There’s no pill for that.” ‘Painkillers’ may already be in your kitchen In addition to exercise, good nutrition is a must for a healthy lifestyle and longevity. The right foods can prevent aches and pains at a young age, while easing them as you get older. Recent research indicates that some foods pack as much pain-fighting power as pain medications sold overthe-counter. Red grapes contain a powerful compound called resveratrol that blocks the enzymes that contribute to tissue degeneration. A good intake of fish, especially salmon, mackerel, sardines, halibut, light tuna, snapper and trout, keeps your heart in good shape while taming the pain or swelling from joint inflammation and migraines. Cherries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries are high in antioxidants called anthocyanins. Pain-calming anthocyanins are instrumental in reducing inflammation in muscles. Ginger has been used as a digestive aid for years. Yet the spice is also an effective pain-killer. A six-week study conducted by the University of Miami revealed that nearly two-thirds of patients with chronic knee pain reported less soreness after taking a ginger extract. New research suggests ginger may also help tackle post-workout pain.
The inaugural Texas Hall of Fame Girls High School All-Star Game is set for May 7 at Baylor University in Waco. Worthing’s Jenzel Nash will play in the game after completing her senior season as the top-scoring girls prep player in the nation. Nash averaged nearly 38 points per game (37.7), 8.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 5.4 steals per game. She will be attending UTEP next fall. “I hope to play well in the game and stay in shape for college,” she said.
The Woodlands is No. 1 in softball national poll
After being ranked No. 1 in Texas all season, the Woodlands has taken over the top ranking in this week’s ESPN/Rise Magazine national poll. The Highlanders are 28-0 on the season. Tomball is ranked No. 23 in the national poll and No. 5 in the state. Bellaire is No. 42 in the nation and No. 4 in the state poll.
As season ends Rockets face dilemma -- what to do next
Now that the Rocket season is over, it’s time for a post mortem. The Rockets finished above .500, but for the second consecutive year they’ve missed the playoffs. GM Daryl Morey has some major decisions to make this offseason. Head coach Rick Adelman’s contract is up. Do you resign him? Does he want to come back? If not Adelman then who? How about current assistant coach Elston Turner or former Rocket Mario Elie? Meanwhile what do we do with oft-injured center Yao Ming, whose contract is up. Is he worth the trouble at any price? These are some big decisions for the Rockets this offseason. Meanwhile, stand by for a NBA players strike.
Derrick Rose NBA MVP, no question....NBA finals?
Now that the NBA regular season has concluded, is there any doubt that Chicago Bull point guard Derrick Rose is the league’s MVP. The third year pro from Memphis has almost singlehandedly willed the Bulls to the Eastern Conference’s best record. He’s averaging 24.9 ppg., 7.9 assists and 4 rebounds per game. A quick show of hands of all the experts who selected the Bulls over Miami’s dream team or Boston’s Bruise Brothers. Yeah, that’s what I thought. Don’t be surprised if the Bulls, led by Rose, make it to the NBA finals.
Join Darrell Ardison and Max Edison for the “Daily Word” in high school, college and pro sports.
defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years
12
DEFENDER | WEEK OF APRIL 14 | 2011
defendernetwork.com
For Event Coverage ..visit
defendernetwork.com
chag’splace
IMPACT AWARDS…..Wheeler Avenue Inner City smiling the entire afternoon. Continued success!........... Visions, Inc., and the Women’s Guild presented their 47th AN EQUATION FOR SUCCESS…….The Houston Annual Fashion Show and Audrey H. Lawson IMPACT Chapter of the American Association of Blacks In Energy Awards Luncheon at the Hilton (AABE) hosted their 2011 Scholarship Americas Hotel. This award Luncheon and chose the theme, is given to women who have Education + Energy + Excellence = Join Yvette Chargois made significant contributions An Equation for Success. Scholarship to our community. Those recipients with a promising future in More photos on defendernetwork.com honored were Alaina Benford, energy included Lewin Staine, Jose Genora Boykins, Naomi Hines, Martinez, Ghori Mohammed and See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroads with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m. Charlene James and Sandra Breonna Harris. The organization’s Solis. Over 900 folks attended mission is to ensure the input of Blacks the event that was emceed by and other minorities into the discussion Jose Grinan and Judge Vanessa Gilmore. The excitement and development of energy policies, regulations, research and development technologies, and environmental issues. of the event had Rev. Bill and Audrey Lawson and Rev. Marcus Cosley and First Lady Audrey Cosley Executive vice president of engineering and operations
Events of the Week
IMPACT Awards Honorees Sandra Solis, Alaina Benford, Genora Boykins, Naomi Hines and Charlene James
Ahmad Shaheed and Dr. K. Denea Stewart-Shaheed
Dallas Deputy Chief Malik Aziz and Officer Johnnie McFarland
Nina Smith, Jose Grinan and Vanessa Gilmore
Scholarship Recipients Lewin Staine, Breonna Harris, Jose Martinez and Ghori Mohammed.
Former Police Chief C. O. Bradford, Police Chiefs Doug Brinkley and Charles McClelland
with AGL Resources, Ralph Cleveland, delivered the keynote address. We salute chapter president, Terry Stringer, treasurer, Andrea Thomas, and all committee chairs for a successful luncheon. Congratulations!.......... TOP COPS……The Southern Region of the National Black Police Association (NBPA) hosted its 2011 Spring Education and Training Conference. Top cops attending included national chairman and Dallas Deputy Chief, Malik Aziz, former Police Chief C. O. Bradford, Police Chief Charles McClelland, Sugar Land Police Chief Doug Brinkley, Fort Bend County Constable Ruben Davis and Sergeant Joe Lee, to name a few. NBPA is a national organization of African-American police associations dedicated to the promotion of justice, fairness and effectiveness in law enforcement. Continued success!.......
Rev. Marcus Cosby and Audrey Cosby
Terry Stinger, Ralph Cleveland and Andrea Thomas
Fort Bend Constable Ruben Davis and Sergeant Joe Lee
defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years