the 132-year-old award-winning independent student-run newspaper of the university of cincinnati
Vol. CXXXIIi Issue LVVVVVVVVII
The News Record THURSDAY | MARCH 28 | 2013
free - additional copies $1
Preservation board backs Goetz House Owners plan to sell Clifton Heights mansion, activists rally to save building JAKE GRIECO SENIOR reporter newsrecordnews@gmail.com The Cincinnati Historic Conservation Board voted 3-1 in favor of designating the Goetz House a historic landmark. Although the board’s recommendation is good news for the CUF Neighborhood Association, the organization trying to preserve the house, the Clifton Heights mansion is not saved yet. The Windholtz family currently owns the building and operated the Lenhardt’s Restaurant. The family wants to sell the Goetz House to Gilbane Development Company, who plans to turn the property into student housing. The Windholtz family claims the property drained their money for years and they can no longer continue to maintain it. “We have put over $20,000 dollars in
roof repairs over the last 10 years,” said Christy Lamice, daughter of Erika and Joe Windholtz. “We cannot afford to keep this building.” The lawyers for the Windholtz family argued designating the Goetz House as a historic landmark takes away property rights of the owners. Erika Windholtz compared CUF’s plans for historic designation of her property to her experience in Yugoslavia. “Why are you doing this to me, CUF?” Windoltz said. “My family, we had property in Yugoslavia and it was taken from us. And I feel like this is happening to me right now here in the United States.” The building is considered historically significant because of its connection with Christian Moerlein, a prominent figure in Cincinnati’s brewing history. Moerlein gifted the house to his daughter Lizzie when she married John Goetz.
The Windholtz family argued their family’s presence in the building outweighs the significance of John Goetz. “The real estate at 151 W. McMillan Street has been in the Windholtz family for 60 years,” said Arthur Weber, attorney for the Windholtz family. “Far greater than the seven years John Goetz lived in the house.” Students from the University of Cincinnati and university alumni spoke in support of CUF. Natalie Blaire, UC alumna and former server at Lendhardt’s, claimed the interior of the Goetz house is rare and unique. “There is craftsmanship inside that building that hands down does not exist — at least in most places in the city,” Blaire said. The board requested officials revise the guidelines proposed for historic conservation of the Goetz House before its recommendation is forwarded to the Cincinnati Planning Commission.
keith bowers | staff photographer
UC trustee disbarred in Kentucky UC community reacts to Chesley
disbarment, future on UC board uncertain alexis o’brien staff reporter newsrecordnews@gmail.com
The Kentucky Supreme Court disbarred attorney Stan Chesley, a member of the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees, last Thursday for his involvement in a $200 million diet-drug settlement. In 2011, the Kentucky Bar Association moved to revoke Chesley’s law license for ethical violations. The board determined he wrongfully took $7.5 million from clients in a 2001 settlement. The Kentucky Board of Governors unanimously adopted the charges and penalties levied against Chesley. The case then went to the Kentucky Supreme Court. The justices’ unanimous vote charged him with eight counts of professional misconduct including engagement in behavior involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation. “Obviously, there are many grave concerns relative to what the Kentucky Supreme Court did,” said Fran Barrett, the UC Board of Trustees chairman.“This is something [Chesley and I] are going to have to talk about to see what we can do in the university’s best interest.” Chesley’s term on UC’s Board of Trustees began in 2009 and is set to expire in 2018. Because the state holds board jurisdiction, neither the chairman nor fellow members can expel trustees. There are no state policies in relation to Kentucky’s ruling that would affect Chesley’s tenure on the board, said Paul Nick, director of the Ohio Ethics Commission. Chesley has not announced plans regarding his future on the board. “It’s really hard to tell how this news affects UC,” said Richard Miller, chair of the Faculty Senate and Board of Trustees faculty representative. “When you’re dealing with someone like Mr. Chesley, who’s very well known, people tend to have an opinion about him.” Chesley could not be reached for comment. A statement issued by Sheryl Snyder, Chesley’s attorney, noted his “previously unblemished record of legal service.” see CHESLEY | 2
lauren purkey | PHOTO editor
FIGHTING FOR RIGHTS Gay marriage supporters rallied outside of the court house Tuesday as SCOTUS considered legislation.
COURTING EQUALITY Cincinnatians in support of gay marriage cheer on justices BEN GOLDSCHMIDT CHIEF REPORTER newsrecordNEWS@gmail.com
Gay marriage supporters gathered in Downtown Cincinnati Tuesday to endorse marriage equality as the Supreme Court of the United States considers legislation prohibiting gay marriage. SCOTUS is currently determining whether Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act are constitutional. The ruling on Proposition 8 will determine whether or not individual states can choose to not recognize gay marriage, and the ruling on DOMA will determine if a federal ban on gay marriage is constitutional. Over the past two days, there were 170 protests across the country in support of gay marriage. About 40 people gathered in front of the Potter Stewart US Courthouse to cheer on the nine Supreme Court Justices, said Morgan Bonney of Get Equal Ohio and Freedom to Marry Ohio, two groups dedicated to marriage equality in Ohio. “The fire is lit, things are moving in the right direction,” Bonney said. “If things go
well in the next couple of days, it’s just going to push the movement along even faster.” Bonney cited a recent Saperstein poll that showed 54 percent of Ohioans now support gay marriage. About 62 percent of Ohioans supported the 2004 amendment requiring the state to only recognize marriages between a man and a woman. “I just got back from a trip to Mexico City, and in Mexico City now you can be gay married — the whole country recognizes gay marriage,” Sands said. “The world is slowly, slowly getting it. They’re seeing how beautiful love is no matter who you choose to be with.” Larry Jost, a philosophy professor at the University of Cincinnati, also attended the rally on 5th Street, and spoke to the group about the importance of the state recognizing gay marriage as a legal institution. He also raised questions over whether banning gay marriage is an infringement on one of the principles America was founded on — the separation of church and state. “The reason that the founders made it so clear that there would be no religious tests for any office is that they were sick of
all the religious wars in Europe,” Jost said. “Nobody’s religious liberty is being violated by allowing civil marriages. [They] think their religion should be the law of the land, but that’s not the American way.” Jost added that religions have a right to decide what marriage is in their own institutions, but the law should not be able to reflect that. Members of the UC LGBTQ community believe SCOTUS ruling will be a huge step forward, but are worried people will see this ruling as the end of the road. Though it is illegal, people are still getting fired and evicted from their homes because of their sexuality, said Kalilah Montgomery, a second-year political science student. “It happens a lot more than people care to admit,” Montgomery said.“I don’t want the federal government to think [gay marriage] is the end-all-be-all, because I realize this is the biggest thing that people focus on. Especially if you’re not in the community … gay discrimination might not be on your radar.” SCOTUS is expected to make its ruling by the end of June.
City council reacts to U-Square controversy Council passes motion to ensure union wages paid for future projects Ben goldschmidt chief reporter newsrecordnews@gmail.com
phil didion | chief photographer
PREVAILING WAGES City council passed a motion to prevent underpayment of workers.
Cincinnati City Council lost the battle over paying prevailing wages with developers for U-Square @ the Loop, but it passed a motion Wednesday to prevent future public-private developments from underpaying workers. From now on, development projects receiving financial support totaling 30 percent or more of the project’s funds will have to ensure all contractors and subcontractors pay employees the prevailing wage of $23.17 an hour. City Councilmembers Cecil Thomas, Wendell Young and Laure Quinlivan found multiple workers who were paid $500 a week for more than 40 hours of work when they investigated the U-Square development in 2012. Two of those workers, Demetrius
CHIEF.NEWSRECORD@GMAIL.COM | 513.556.5908
Garnes and Garrett Foxx, said Wednesday they were forced to sign documents when they were hired stating they would be paid union wages, but actually received close to minimum wage. Upon speaking to city council members investigating the development, Garnes and Foxx were fired by Midwest Framing, the contractor that hired them. “It was clear from these individuals there were problems,” Thomas said. “They were not properly trained, they were not paid the wage required by the contract and there were a number of other concerns.” Forge Lumber, a company that subcontracted to Midwest Framing, offered Garrick and Foxx settlements for any lost wages after city council looked into their employment with Midwest Framing. “We found that when you have a workforce that is comprised of see U-SQUARE | 2
2
Local News
NEWSRECORDNEWS@GMAIL.COM
SG lobbies to eliminate Styrofoam on campus Students claim dining halls produce too much waste, propose changes JAKE GRIECO sENIOR reporter newsrecordnews@gmail.com
JOE HILL | contributoR
SG voted to remove Styrofoam from campus.
The University of Cincinnati Undergraduate Student Government voted unanimously to begin the process of eliminating Styrofoam from campus. Styrofoam is a non-biodegradable carcinogenic contaminate that is used for many applications at UC, and when in a landfill Styrofoam, the substance takes more than 500 years to deteriorate. Campus dining halls alone consume more than 23,000 Styrofoam plates, according to the SG bill. “[Styrofoam] is kind of a useless material,” said Mark Schutte, director of sustainability for SG. “There are a lot of other options.” The alternative options are more
UC students attend art conference
expensive, Schutte said, but with the help of available grants, UC can make the change without raising prices. SG proposed that Aramark, the food service provider for UC, replace all forms of Styrofoam with a cardboard biodegradable material that deteriorates in less than two months and reusable hard plastic. Aramark implemented the eco-friendly plan before at different universities around the country. The University of Florida, the University of South Florida and Baylor University successfully collaborated with Aramark and eliminated Styrofoam from its dining halls and began using compostable plates, utensils and cups. SG wants to eliminate Styrofoam from not only UC dining halls, but from all campus facilities.
The push for the use of reusable containers for food and drink is a mission of the UC Sustainability Pledge, a joint initiative between university groups like SG, President’s Advisory Council on Environmental & Sustainability and SustainUC. The groups received support from UC’s Office of Sustainability and hope to have Styrofoam eradicated from UC campus by the fall semester of 2013. “This is something we wanted to make sure we did our outreach on, and make sure people know this is going through student government,” said Andrew Naab, at-large senator. The News Record will update this story. For more news about Undergraduate Student Government, visit newsrecord. org.
COMING OUT IN SUPPORT Photo essay by Lauren Purkey
Students, faculty present research at regional art history event ALEXIS O’BRIEN SENIOR REPORTER newsrecordnews@gmail.com Several University of Cincinnati students and faculty spent the last several days of their spring break in Columbus for the Midwest Art History Society’s annual conference. Seven faculty members and two graduate students from UC’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning each presented their original research to other professors, students and museum professionals from the region. “The art history faculty in UC’s school of art was well-represented at the conference — presenting papers, chairing panels and attending sessions,” said Lauren Tate, a DAAP adjunct instructor. “This high participation speaks to an active, interested and engaged research community in the school of art, which I am happy to be a part of.” The society’s 40th annual conference drew 150 attendees who participated in a three-day academic exchange including presentations, conferences and evening social events. “It’s the people, dedicated and scholarly, but approachable, that make this conference so very successful,” said Joseph Becherer, a member of the MAHS’ board of directors. The MAHS conference allows participants and attendees to build networks with like-minded peers in the area. “Compared to some larger conferences, the MAHS conference has a more intimate feel that allows you to get to know your colleagues,”Tate said. DAAP faculty makes it a point to continually update students on presentation opportunities at various conferences and symposiums. Tracy Flagg, an art history graduate student, took advantage of the society’s call for research and presented a session based upon Allan Rohan Crite’s 1944 illustrated book “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord.” “The most exciting thing was being able to get my feet wet by presenting my own work for the first time at a regional level,” Flagg said. “But of course it was very valuable to be able to see what others in my field are doing as well.” Flagg said she didn’t know what DAAP’s reputation with the MAHS was, but the school’s degree of participation this year reflects a dedication to scholarship. “I hope that our contribution will yield new appreciation for the art history department within DAAP and the university,” Flagg said.
Pictured: (Top Left) Jesse Bonney sings amazing grace with fellow protestors to show his support for gay marriage. (Top Right) About 40 people gather to rally in support of marriage equality across the street from the US Courthouse in downtown Cincinnati Tuesday. (Bottom Left) People, young and old, hold signs and chant to express their endorsement of gay marriage. (Bottom Right) Morgan Bonney carries a rainbowcolored flag to show support for marriage equality.
From U-SQUARE | 1 people who are desperate for work it’s easy to treat them this bad, but what we’re doing is really making that difficult,”Young said. Members of the Kentucky Ohio Indiana Carpenters Union offered rebuttals to criticism about enforcing union wages on parts of developments not publicly funded could increase costs. Dave Meier, representative for the Carpenters Union, said 25 percent of any large development goes toward labor, and the overall costs for similar developments that offered union wages to all workers only increased by 1 percent, if at all. “If paying below union wages are really cost saving, we would see money coming back from the development,” Meier said. “But we’re not seeing that.” Quinlivan said developers of U-Square originally agreed to pay all workers union wages, but sought and won a ruling from Ohio legislators, allowing them to pay workers less on privately-funded sites.
From CHESLEY | 1 “We are therefore disappointed with the court’s decision to impose such a severe sanction, especially in light of its finding that it is not shown that he had specific knowledge of the deception practiced on each client by the other lawyers,” Snyder said. Chesley, who gained notoriety after representing the victims of the Beverly Hills Super Club fire in 1977, may face
509 and 510 Swift Hall University of Cincinnati 45221-0135
Office phone 556-5900 Office fax 556-5922
The News Record FOUNDED IN 1880
NEWSRECORDNEWS@GMAIL.COM | 513.556.5908
disbarment in Ohio. Due to the two states’ informal reciprocal agreement, the Ohio Supreme Court may recognize disbarment orders from Kentucky. Ohio has not taken any action to revoke Chesley’s law license. He is currently registered as active, according to Ohio’s Supreme Court Office of Attorney Services.
Live life courtside with AT&T. Access your brackets along with high-def highlights with the LG Optimus G.™
9999
$
2-yr wireless agreement with qualified voice and data plans or Mobile Share plan req’d.
LG OPTIMUS G™ Quad-core 1.5 GHz processor 4.7” HD true-color display
AT&T is the Exclusive Wireless Partner of NCAA March Madness. ®
®
1.866.MOBILITY UC students
ATT.COM/Wireless
Visit a Store
Visit your local AT&T store and mention FAN #3892502 to learn more about student service discounts.
Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets. 4G speeds not available everywhere. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Offer ends 4/8/13. LG Optimus G requires a new 2-yr wireless agreement with voice (min $39.99/mo.) and monthly data plans (min $20/mo.) or Mobile Share plan. Subject to Wireless Customer Agrmt. Credit approval req’d. Activ fee $36/line. Geographic, usage, and other terms, conditions, and restrictions apply and may result in svc termination. Coverage and svcs not avail everywhere. Taxes and other charges apply. Data (att.com/dataplans): If usage exceeds your monthly data allowance, you will automatically be charged overage for additional data provided. Early Termination Fee (att.com/equipmentETF): After 14 days, ETF up to $325. Restocking fee up to $35 for smartphones and 10% of sales price for tablets. Other Monthly Charges: Line may include a Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge (up to $1.25), a gross receipts surcharge, federal and state universal svc charges, and fees and charges for other gov’t assessments. These are not taxes or gov’t req’d charges. Visit a store or att.com/wireless to learn more about wireless devices and services from AT&T. Screen images simulated. NCAA, March Madness and Final Four are trademarks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. All other marks used herein are the property of their respective owners. ©2013 AT&T Intellectual Property.
4
Life & Arts
MANAGER.NEWSRECORD@GMAIL.COM
What did you do over your summer break?
PROVIDED
Driven to succeed EMILY BEGLEY STAFF REPORTER NEWSRECORDENT@GMAIL.COM A University of Cincinnati student is putting his acting skills to the test in two new independent films. Michael Maloof, a third-year marketing student, will star in “By Demons Be Driven,” an independent film about a young man whose reemergence in a criminal syndicate causes suspicion within the group. The dark thriller is not Maloof’s first film — he will make his acting debut in the baseball movie “Gibsonburg,” which is scheduled for release June 7. Maloof credits close friend Bob Mahaffey with sparking his interest in acting. Mahaffey owns Xcelerate Media, a company that specializes in providing clients with interactive online learning opportunities. Mahaffey approached Maloof about “Gibsonburg” when the company began producing films. “He gave me a small role … and a couple of my other friends got roles in it too,”Maloof said. On the set of “Gibsonburg,” Maloof became close with directors Jon Kimble, Casey Smith and Tom Sanders. Kimble, writer, director, producer and editor of “By Demons Be Driven,” offered Maloof an opportunity to play a larger role in the upcoming film, which used a significantly smaller cast and crew. “Everyday on set, we had maybe four or five people where other productions have like 20 people on it,” Maloof said. “Everyone really had to wear a ton of different hats and do a ton of different things — you couldn’t just act.”
“By Demons Be Driven” was made in Ohio and received significant support from bars and restaurants in Cincinnati, Toledo and Columbus, Maloof said. The piece was filmed in local areas like the outsides of Clifton, where Maloof said many of the production’s chase scenes were captured. “It’s really cool, especially for an independent film, to have a ton of really awesome locations,” Maloof said. “We filmed everywhere from a giant, abandoned warehouse, to really popular bars and clubs, to different restaurants, to a giant, abandoned church.” Filming at diverse locations provided Maloof’s favorite aspect of the experience. “It’s really cool to see how all those different places need to be treated for where to put the camera, where to put the lighting, how the actors are going to react to being outside compared to inside,” he said. Although a release date for the film has not yet been established, “By Demons Be Driven” will be available sometime in 2013. “Right now, we’re applying to different film festivals. We’re dealing with distributions,” Maloof said. “Sometime this year, you’re definitely going to be able to see it in theaters. It might not be on the national scale, but definitely within Ohio, it will be playing in theaters.” The film will also be available on DVD, Netflix, iTunes and Amazon, Maloof said. “We might get lucky and get an even bigger distribution deal where it plays in theaters all over,” Maloof said. Maloof plans to keep acting and hopes to continue working with Kimble and Smith on future projects. He will also apply to grad school after graduating from UC at the end of the semester.
Got ahead. Lightened my course load. Saved money. Went to Sinclair.
Make the most of your summer: earn credits at Sinclair. Check out available courses and find out how credits can transfer back to UC. Take 8- or 12-week classes at one of our convenient locations or online.
Summer Full Term: May 20–August 11 Summer B Term: June 17–August 11
Dayton | Englewood | Huber Heights | Mason | Preble County | Online
www.sinclair.edu/summer
MAINTAIN YOUR MOMENTUM DON’T STOP NOW. Students with undergraduate business degrees can earn an MBA in just one year through Xavier’s MBA Momentum Program. • Waive up to nine of the 21 required courses • Save nearly $15,000 • Full-time or part-time study • Evenings or weekends • Selected courses available online • General business focus or six specialized concentrations Put your undergraduate business degree to work, and give yourself an advantage over your peers. Learn more: xavier.edu/momentum
WILLIAMS COLLEGE OF BUSINESS MANAGER.NEWSRECORD@GMAIL.COM | 513.556.5908
Classifieds 5
CLASSIFIEDS POLICY
RATES
1 All ads must be prepaid. 2 Out-of-town advertisers must send check with copy. 3 NIU’s must be signed and filled out before acceptance of ads. 4 All ad changes are due two days prior to publication. 5 No refunds unless a mistake by The News Record’s staff occurs in the advertisement. Refunds are not granted for ads placed, then cancelled. Adjustments are limited to the portion of the ad which is incorrect. Under no circumstances will an adjustment be issued greater than the cost of the ad.
7 days: $25.00 1,2, or 3 issues $0.60 per word +$10 for 7 days online
6 To receive student discount, current verification must be shown. 7 Students or student groups may not use display or classified discounts for nonuniversity, for profit businesses. 8 Advertisers should check their ads the first day of printing. The News Record is not responsible for more than one incorrect insertion. 9 The News Record reserves the right to reject any ads at its discretion, with or without notification to the advertiser. 10 These policies are not negotiable.
ONLILNE CLASSIFIED AD RATES 14 days: $40.00 monthly: $75.00 4,5, or 6 issues $0.50 per word +$20 for 14 days online
7, 8, or 9 issues $0.40 per word +$30 for 21 days online
DEADLINES Deadline for classified ads is 4 p.m., two days prior to publication. Display ad deadline is 4 p.m., three days prior to publication. Deadline for Monday issues is 4 p.m. Thursday for display ads. For classified and display advertising information, please call 513-556-5900.
1-6 Bedroom Apartments/ Houses Available University Investments, LLC ucapartments.org 513-202-6694 Terrific Locations at Affordable Prices Apartment for rent. One bedroom. $345/month. Near UC. 513-3829000. Two-bedroom, available now or through January 1. Go to our website, UC4Rent.com, or call 513621-7032
TWO HOUSES BEING REMODELED NOW!! EVERYTHING NEW!! Each three stories, four blocks to campus, five and six bedrooms, three baths, eatin kitchens, laundries, parking, cats welcome free, Available in August. $1,695 and $2,095 per month. Call Jeff, (513) 379-5300, or email gray5393@mailstation.com. No text messages, please. Two-bedroom, available now, $950. UC4Rent.com 513-621-7032.
semesterly:
3-Bedrooms in HYDE PARK. 3-BR (over 1,200 sq. ft.) with 2 bathrooms, balcony, hardwood floor, double garage. HEAT & WATER PAID. $1,350/month. pgspropertiesincincinnati@gmail. com.
10+ issues $0.30 per word +$35 for 30 days online
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
All apartment rental/sublet advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap or familial status, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for apartment rentals or sublets which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.
FOR RENT
Looking for an apartment? www. ucapartments.com FIVE BEDROOM, TWO BATH, REMODELED THREE-STORY HOUSE. Two blocks to campus, oversized eat-in kitchen with dishwasher, large bay window living room, laundry, parking, cats
FOR RENT
FOR RENT welcome free. Available in August. $1,650 per month. Call Jeff, (513) 379-5300, or email gray5393@ mailstation.com. No text messages, please. Now leasing for 2013-2014 school year! www.ucapartments.com
Completely re-modeled FIVE BEDROOM, TWO BATH, THREESTORY HOUSE. University Ave. Oversized eat-in kitchen with dishwasher, laundry, a/c, cats welcome free. Sorry no dogs. Available in August. $1495 per month. Call Jeff, (513) 379-5300, or email gray5393@mailstation.com. No text messages, please. TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT COMPLETLEY RE-MODELED. Restored hardwood floors, eat-in kitchen with dishwasher, balcony, heat-paid, free off-street parking, laundry, a/c, cats welcome free, sorry no dogs. $695 per month. Call Jeff, (513) 379-5300, or email gray5393@mailstation.com. No text messages, please.
EMPLOYMENT Certified Lifeguards/Swim Instructors and Activity Specialists – Basketball, BB Rifle, Archery, Naturalist – needed for FUN and REWARDING Summer Day Camp in CINCINNATI. Six week session begins June 17 – July 26, M – F, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM. Contact Camp Wildbrook at 513-931-2196 or campwildbrook@cinci.rr.com.
EYE TECH OPTICAL SHOW YOUR BEARCAT CARD
$99 COMPLETE EYEGLASSES $99 1 YEAR SUPPLY OF
DISPOSABLE CONTACT LENSES 40 E. 7TH ST, DOWNTOWN (ON THE BUS LINE)
(513)-421-2911
QUALITY AND CONVENIENCE AT A LOW PRICE
EMPLOYMENT
Now Renting for Fall Video Tours @ UC4RENT.COM 513-621-7032 SIX BEDROOM, THREE BATH, REMODELED THREE-STORY HOUSE. Three blocks to campus, eat-in kitchen with dishwasher, laundry, parking, central A/C, large yard, cats welcome free. Available in August. $1,750 per month. Call Jeff, (513) 379-5300, or email gray5393@ mailstation.com. No text messages, please.
NOW HIRING SUMMER LIFEGUARDS Spend ten weeks this summer guarding at Camp Brosius in Elkhart Lake, Wisc. Food and lodging included. Guard certification reimbursable. www.campbrosius. com PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS seeks PART TIME sales clerks approx 20 hours/week. Need flexible person with weekend availability. Call Mary 5130310-3933.
NEWSRECORDADV@GMAIL.COM | 513.556.5900
6
Sports
Everything To Prove
SPORTS.NEWSRECORD@GMAIL.COM
K
enbrell Thompkins, former University of Cincinnati receiver, is nearing the end of a five-year mission — a mission that has transformed him from a juvenile delinquent with seven arrests and an association with drugs to a law-abiding man on the verge of an NFL career. Joshua A. Miller | Sports Editor
LAUREN PURKEY | PHOTO EDITOR
Kenbrell Thompkins is a former wide receiver at the University of Cincinnati and a former junior college All-American with scholarship offers from every top college program in the country. He’s also a former drug dealer, a former juvenile delinquent and a former stereotype of an African American male raised in a single parent home in one of America’s worst neighborhoods, Liberty City in Miami, Fla. Kenbrell Thompkins is a man of God and a father, who hasn’t been in trouble with the law since 2008. More than anything else, Kenbrell Thompkins is a man righting the wrongs of the adolescent he once was — a man trying, ever so desperately, to clear the final hurdle in an unlikely, uphill journey to the NFL.
TOUGH TIMES IN TOUGHER PLACES “My mother raised six kids — five boys and one girl,” Thompkins said. “We were raised off of 51st Street and 12th Avenue. If you do the research on that street, it’s the home of the infamous John Doe Gang.” Led by Corey Smith, now a death-row inmate at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Dade County, Fla., the John Doe Gang was one of the largest drug syndicates in the country in the 1990s. The JDG operated as a poor man’s mafia, infamously known for executions, holding civilians hostage and bloody turf wars with rival drug runners during Thompkins’ childhood. With his mother working two jobs in order to support six children and his father not a constant in his life at the time, Thompkins’, and far too many other young men in Liberty City, was brought up in the streets — streets run by men like Corey Smith and the JDG. “I never really saw my mom that much, so everything I learned was from running the streets and adapting to what was going on around me,”Thompkins said. “Growing up in Miami, Fla. — in the area I grew up in — it was nothing but violence. Violence and drugs. I woke up to it and I went to sleep to it, so I thought that was the right thing to do and I ended up getting adapted to it. It became second nature to me.” The overall lack of guidance nearly cost Thompkins his life at age 7, when he accidentally shot himself in the arm while playing with a handgun. If the gun discharged at a slightly higher angle, he’d likely have suffered a fatal wound to the chest. By his teens,Thompkins was consumed by a lifestyle forged from a lack of guidance and the violence he was born into. “Middle school was when I started hanging with the wrong crowd and doing things that I shouldn’t be doing, as far as selling drugs, smoking marijuana, stealing and picking fights — thinking it was the right thing to do at the time.” By his 19th birthday, Thompkins was arrested seven times, three of which were drug related. But through all the tumultuous hardships, drugs and arrests, he somehow managed to keep football in his life. “I always played football growing up,”Thompkins said.“It was the sport that I always loved. It was the sport that my mom always had her kids participate in and I learned early on that I was very good at it.” Thompkins attended Miami Northwest High School, a national football powerhouse, where he bounced back and forth between playing the sport he loved and being expelled. After starting as a freshman, Thompkins was academically ineligible to play as a sophomore and was later expelled for violating school policy. He was allowed to reenroll prior to his junior football season, only to be expelled again later in the year. Thompkins managed to stay out of trouble for the rest of his junior year, which he spent at an alternative school. He re-enrolled at Northwest for the third time prior to his senior year and finished his high school football career. Not long after the season concluded, Thompkins was expelled for the third time, after being arrested on armed robbery charges. Shortly afterward, Thompkins — 18 years old — was arrested for the seventh time in a three year span. He served a 28-day jail sentence for possession of cocaine with the intent to sell. Since leaving jail after his sentence, Thompkins hasn’t been in any trouble with the law — no arrests, no drugs. Not even a parking ticket.
THE AWAKENING For many of its young men, there are only three ways out of Liberty City. In Miami’s most violent neighborhood, football is often the only positive departure. Handcuffs or a coffin are the other options. Despite hailing from the same neighborhood that produced the likes of Chad Ochocinco, Melvin Bratton and Antonio Bryant, Thompkins’ cousin, Kenbrell never viewed his athletic ability as a way out of the darkness he’d been surrounded by since his youth. Shadowed by a rap sheet with seven arrests and an association with drugs, Thompkins was barely recruited coming out of high school. His only scholarship offer was from Morgan State University. Although he signed a letter of intent to play for Morgan while serving a 21-day sentence in juvenile hall for his armed robbery charge, Thompkins never reported to the university, and his NCAA eligibility clock never started. Everything changed when his younger brother Kendall received a scholarship to play receiver at the University of Miami, a moment Thompkins refers to as one of the most important days of his life. “When he [Kendall] earned that scholarship to the University of Miami, it did something to me,” Thompkins said. “Growing up he always looked up to me to guide him and steer him the right way and, as much wrong as I’ve done by running the streets and getting into trouble and going to jail, he never did that. He never chose the route I chose; he stayed in school and earned a scholarship.” Inspired by his brother’s success, Thompkins made the decision to abandon the streets that created the troubled boy he used to be, and dedicated himself to football, the game that made him the man he is today. After a year out of football, Thompkins decided to leave Liberty City in pursuit of a chance at the junior college level. Because Thompkins was still on two years’ probation, he needed the approval of a judge to leave the state of Florida.
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Dennis Murphy gave Thompkins the opportunity he needed, the permission to leave all he’d ever known behind — a chance to leave the darkness and find the light. “It’s always good when you give a kid like Kenbrell, whose seen nothing but violence and drugs in his life, a chance and they come back later on down the road to thank you,” Murphy said. “Helping troubled kids like Kenbrell get their lives back on track and make the most of opportunities is what has kept me doing this job all of these years.”
FINDING THE LIGHT “That’s when I went to junior college and God made miracles for me,”Thompkins said. “[Junior College] is where I found my way with God and put my faith in the Bible and started reading about it each and every day.” Thompkins enrolled at Palomar Community College in San Marcos, Calif. in the spring of 2008, before transferring to El Camino Community College in Torrance, Calif. to play football in the fall. Finally away from the demons that followed him in Liberty City, Thompkins was able to devote himself to football for the first time in his life. “I made sure I put it [the dream of playing in NFL] first in my life every day,”Thompkins said. “I went to El Camino to make sure I did well in school, to make sure I lived right [and] to make sure I did whatever it takes to prove to the world that my past doesn’t define the man I am today. I went to El Camino on a mission.” Thompkins quickly burst onto the scene under the tutelage of legendary junior college coach John Featherstone. With 1,032 yards receiving and nine touchdowns in 2008, Thompkins earned All-American honors as a freshman. More importantly, he maintained above a 3.0 GPA and avoided any legal troubles. The nation’s elite football programs quickly took note of Thompkins’ meteoric rise. Florida was the first major program to offer Thompkins a scholarship. Most of college football’s upper-echelon followed suit. Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, California, Florida State, Kansas State, LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas Tech and UCLA all pursued Thompkins by the end of his sophomore season at El Camino. As a sophomore at El Camino, Thompkins was voted team captain and awarded the No. 1 jersey, which is the highest honor an El Camino player can receive. No.1 is awarded in honor of former tight end Devin Adair to the player that best demonstrated Adair’s qualities: leadership, courage, commitment and an unselfish concern for team ahead of one’s self. Thompkins lived up to the billing, hauling in more than 1,000 yards receiving for the second year in a row. He left El Camino as the school’s all-time leader in receiving yards. Thompkins wasted little time in choosing the next stop of his Growing up in journey. Persuaded by the Volunteers’ impressive Miami, Fla. — in performance against No.1 the area I grew Alabama and enticed by the chance to continue up in — it was his career alongside his El nothing but Camino quarterback and roommate Matt Simms, violence. Violence Thompkins signed a letter and drugs. I woke of intent to play for the University of Tennessee. up to it and I went Volunteer head coach to sleep to it. Lane Kiffin, who had become an adored father figure for Thompkins, was the biggest factor in his commitment.
“
”
NEW CHALLENGES ARISE While back in Liberty City preparing to pack up for Knoxville, Tenn., Thompkins — who graduated early from El Camino — was presented with yet another hurdle. “I remember I was in my car with my nephew when the Lane Kiffin story came across on ESPN and I was in shock that he was leaving,” he said. Before Thompkins and Simms ever arrived on campus at Tennessee, Kiffin bolted for the sandy beaches and higher pay rates of the University of Southern California. With Kiffin gone, Thompkins made the difficult decision to leave Simms and Tennessee. Thompkins was allowed to leave UT, with the stipulation that he could not attend another university in the South Eastern Conference. He would not be released from his letter of intent, which meant he’d likely be forced to sit out one year at whichever university he chose to play for — and there was a possibility he’d lose an entire year of eligibility. Thompkins then decided on the Oklahoma Sooners, where he was to be given a scholarship once he enrolled and was officially released from Tennessee. That too never materialized, as Oklahoma has a strict policy against admitting students with a lengthy history of legal troubles. Despite nearly two years without a run-in with the police, Thompkins’ past was haunting him once again. With little time remaining before spring practice, the No.1 rated junior college receiver in America found himself without a home. However, opportunity knocked in the form of a phone call from an NFL family member. “My cousin, Antonio Brown, who plays for the Pittsburg Steelers, played for Central Michigan under Butch Jones,” Thompkins said. “He asked me how I would feel about attending the University of Cincinnati and playing for his former coach. I decided to call coach Jones, they brought me on a visit and I ended up committing on the spot.” Like the rest of his journey, Thompkins’ time at UC wouldn’t go as planned. Thompkins immediately worked his way toward the front of a receiving-corps that included future NFL players Armon Binns and DJ Woods. Unfortunately, he was informed late in the summer that he’d have to wait a year to showcase his talents. Because Tennessee would not release him from his letter of intent and the national letter of intent appeals committee denied his request to become immediately eligible,
Thompkins was informed that he’d have to sit out the 2010 season — just two days prior to UC departing for camp. However, because of the unique circumstances surrounding his de-commitment from Tennessee, he was not stripped of a year of eligibility. Thompkins viewed the redshirt season as an opportunity and immediately went to work, on and off the field. He earned a 3.9 GPA in his first quarter at UC, spent extra time in the weight room nearly every day and, most importantly, stayed out of trouble. Three full years clear of any legal issues, Thompkins no longer resembled the troubled teen he had been. “When you look at him and you talk to him, he doesn’t look like what he’s been through,” said Antrione Archer, director of player development at UC. “When I first met him he still had a little rough around the edges, but you could tell he was in the process of really finding his identity and being comfortable with the man that he was becoming.” Thompkins missed the entire summer of his junior season with a nagging right leg injury, which severely hampered his speed and overall performance in 2011. On Aug. 17, 2011, less than a month before Thompkins was set to make his debut for UC, his life was changed forever with the birth of his first child, Kenbrell Thompkins II. “He’s more motivation for me each and every day,” Thompkins said. “When he was born, it really woke me up and I knew it was really time to step up and be a man. God has really blessed me, and fortunately he blessed me with a son, someone I have to look at every day and to give me the reason to live right and do right.” Thompkins was able to return to action for UC’s first game of 2011, scoring a touchdown in the Bearcats’ 44-14 rout of North Carolina State. Because he missed the entire summer, Thompkins never reached full fitness in 2011. By the time he began to reach full strength, UC starting quarterback Zach Collaros had gone down for the season with a broken ankle. He finished his junior season with 536 yards, two touchdowns and no legal issues. Thompkins — described by teammates as a leader on and off the field as a senior — was finally able to showcase his talents in week three of the 2012 season. With UC facing perennial power Virginia Tech in a nationally televised game, Thompkins dominated the Hokies’ man-coverage schemes. He hauled in seven catches for 134 yards, including a gamechanging 37-yard touchdown. UC defeated Va. Tech 27-24. Unfortunately for Thompkins, the remainder of UC’s season was plagued by inconsistent quarterback play and, after a mid-season quarterback switch, Cincinnati’s offense became significantly more run-based. Thompkins ended his senior season with 541 yards and two touchdowns. He graduated from UC in December 2012. “His numbers don’t tell the true story of his talent,”Archer said. “He can play.”
THE FINAL HURDLE Regardless of Thompkins’ numbers, which were restricted by things outside of his control throughout his UC career, he still possesses the talent of an NFL receiver. Thompkins was selected to play in the Texas vs. The Nation game and received an invitation to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Thompkins stood out on the first day of practice at the Texas vs. The Nation game, shining in a group of wide receivers described by former University of Miami head coach Howard Schnellenburger as an extremely talented group. Despite not cracking the top five receiver rankings in any particular drill at the combine, Thompkins impressed scouts with a solid workout and extremely precise rout running skills. Depending on the source, Thompkins is projected as anywhere from a fifth-round draft pick to an undrafted free agent. Despite more than five years with no legal troubles and no indication of the behaviors of his former life, several NFL scouts remain hesitant about Thompkins because of possible character issues. Archer, who spent a significant amount of one-on-one time with Thompkins at UC, doesn’t believe an NFL team could find a higher character player in the draft than Thompkins. “He’s not a character issue at all,”Archer said.“If anything he’s an inspiration. I’m getting goose bumps just talking about it. For him to overcome everything and have this opportunity, he’s not a guy that has issues any team should worry about.” As far as Thompkins is concerned, overcoming the reputation left behind by the actions of his past is the final objective of the mission he began at El Camino college five years ago. “To this day, my vision hasn’t changed, but to this day I’m still stereotyped,” Thompkins said. “I haven’t been arrested or in any trouble with the law since 2008, but I’m still stereotyped over my past. It’s something I have no control over, but I’m here today to tell you that the man I once was is no longer standing here. The person I am today is a humble guy, a guy that is willing to learn and a guy that is willing to do whatever it takes to live right and prove the world wrong.” Thompkins has scheduled workouts with the Miami Dolphins, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Cincinnati Bengals in the coming weeks. In his own words, “Kenbrell Thompkins has everything to prove.”