CAMPUS CARRY TAKES EFFECT IN TEXAS AND TRIGGERS CONCERN P4
FEATURE
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Houston’s Leading Black Information Source
Volume 85 | Number 40 AUGUST 4, 2016 | FREE
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NEWSTALK DR. AUSTIN LANE has high hopes for TSU
P2 NATIONAL DONNA BRAZILE holds DNC leadership post
P3 SPORTS KEVIN SUMLIN prepares Aggies for season
P8 TOP EVENTS
Kobe Harrell and Kevin Cooper at Houston Super Bowl Host Committee Legacy Leaders presentation
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OLYMPIC
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ATHLETES TO WATCH Richard Carranza
Idris Elba
As the lone finalist for HISD superintendent, Richard Carranza will lead the state’s largest school district. Learn about his background. see why HISD's Board thinks Carranza will be a perfect fit. Find out what challenge he faces.
British actor Idris Elba picked up another Emmy nomination for his role as a detective on BBC’s acclaimed drama “Luther.” See why diversity sets the Emmys apart from some other award shows. Check out all of this year’s Black nominees.
HISD finalist
Emmy nominee
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DEFENDER | AUGUST 4 | 2016
newstalk
HISD narrows search for superintendent to one Defender News Services
Richard A. Carranza will soon be named HISD’s new superintendent. The HISD Board of Education narrowed their search to one candidate, Carranza, a lifelong educator who led one of California’s most diverse and highachieving school districts – the 53,000-student San Francisco Unified School District in California – since Richard Carranza 2012. In a letter from Board President Manuel Rodriguez Jr. to HISD parents and staff, Carranza was lauded for embracing “the same values we champion here in HISD: graduating students who are globally aware, culturally competent, and multilingual.” Carranza led efforts in San Francisco to reduce student disciplinary suspensions, actions in line with HISD’s own initiative to drastically reduce suspensions. “[Mr. Carranza] has a proven record of
building a climate of trust, respect, and collaboration among stakeholders, and as a former teacher and principal, he understands the teaching and learning process. He has the ability to create a culture of high expectations for both students and staff at HISD,” Rodriguez stated. The letter also said, “After 21 days, a formal contract can be offered to Mr. Carranza,” which would put his official acceptance date somewhere during the business week of Aug. 15-19. Carranza is a former high school principal and teacher. He earned a B.A. in Secondary Education from the University of Arizona and a Master of Education degree from Northern Arizona University. He is pursuing a doctorate of education through Nova Southeastern University. One immediate challenge Carranza will face is what Rodriguez describes as “an outdated school-finance system that is taking $162 million from [HISD] schools.”
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TSU president seeks to build legacy By ASWAD WALKER Defender
Texas Southern University’s new president, Dr. Austin A. Lane, has his sights set on initiating profound change at TSU, starting with meeting the educational goals that will guide much of the upcoming state legislative session. “We’re working to bring about a new TSU,” Lane said in a meeting with members of Houston’s Black press. “I’m not here to retire, or to sit back and collect checks. I’m here to create a legacy.” That legacy includes TSU being the lead institution helping the state to accomplish its new 60 by 30 plan, where 60 percent of Texas’ college-aged students earn a college degree or certificate by 2030. To accomplish this, Lane seeks to improve TSU’s profile with local students. “We’ve got some elementary and middle school students in [Third Ward] that don’t know where TSU is,” he said. “Some high school counselors Dr. Austin A. Lane mention two-year schools to their students before mentioning TSU,” said Lane who has several initiatives to increase college readiness of secondary school students, including introducing 3rd and 4th graders to the idea of college in general, and to TSU specifically. Admittedly, Lane has a chip on his shoulder that fuels him to prove pundits wrong who believe students who choose TSU can’t handle college rigor or succeed after graduation. Lane has a special place in his heart for students outside of the top 10 percent, with less than stellar SAT or ACT scores – a description of many TSU students – because he can relate. “I was that student. And had it not been for institutions like Langston University and TSU, I wouldn’t be here today,” Lane said, alluding to another of his objectives. Lane vows to accentuate what makes TSU’s “HBCU experience" special and unique, rather than downplay it. “There’s no better feeling than feeling like you’re in the majority; receiving all the nurturing and advice you need to succeed in the world,” he said.
localbriefs THE 16-YEAR-OLD SON of former NFL player Antonio Armstrong and his wife Dawn Armstrong was charged with murder after the couple was found shot in their Southwest Houston home on July 29. The teen, who family members said suffered from emotional problems, called 911 saying he saw a masked man. Police were skeptical because there were no signs of forced entry and the alarm was on. Dawn Armstrong, 42, was dead at the scene. Antonio Armstrong, also 42, died at Memorial Hermann Hospital. The couple’s 12-year-old daughter, who was also home, was not injured, and
apparently slept through the incident. Armstrong played football for Texas A&M University and the Miami Dolphins. He and his wife owned 1st Class Training in Bellaire ……..SHERIFF’S OFFICIALS HAVE RULED that there was no evidence of a criminal act in the case of a 12-year-old Waco, Texas, girl who was severely injured by a rope around her neck on a school trip. The incident unfolded as kids from Live Oak School were on an overnight school trip. At some point, the children were playing with a swing that hung from a tree. The victim said the rope ended up around her neck, pulling tight and dragging her about
an inch, causing a severe burn…….. LONE STAR COLLEGE said it is saving taxpayers $81.35 million through early payoff and re-funding of previouslyissued construction bonds. LSC issued bonds in 2008 and 2009 for the construction of facilities built to accommodate student growth. Earlier this month, the bonds were refinanced at a better interest rate, saving $31.7 million over the life of the bonds. Bonds issued in 2007 and 2012 were also refinanced and yielded $14.8 million in savings. LSC also paid off a number of bond issues early which resulted in an additional $34.85 million savings for LSC taxpayers.
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AUGUST 4 | 2016 | DEFENDER
national
U.S.briefs THE MAN CONVICTED OF A BOMBING that killed four Black girls in 1963 is up for parole. Thomas Edwin Blanton Jr., who was convicted of murder in the bombing of an Alabama church could go free after serving 15 years of a life term for murder. The president of the Alabama NAACP said releasing Blanton at a time when protests are occurring nationwide over police killings of Blacks would send a horrible message. NAACP chapters statewide are sending letters in opposition to Blanton’s release, and the Birmingham chapter is sending a busload of people to oppose parole. Blanton was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2001 for being part of a group of Klansmen who planted the dynamite that exploded outside 16th Street Baptist Church……..A NORTH CAROLINA VOTER ID LAW targeted African-Americans, a U.S. appeals court ruled. The court struck down the law that required voters to show photo identification when casting ballots, ruling that it intentionally discriminated against African-American residents. The ruling will enable thousands of people to vote more easily. U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch praised the ruling……..SOME 50 POLICE OFFICERS and their supporters upset about a Black Lives Matter banner that has been hanging outside city hall in Somerville, Mass. for a year rallied to try to pressure the mayor to remove it. The president of a coalition representing 1,500 officers in 26 communities said a public building like city hall is “no place” for political slogans to be displayed. The mayor of Somerville, a largely white and historically working-class Boston suburb, had earlier promised not to remove the banner despite complaints from officers across the state. Mayor Joe Curtatone, a white Democrat, said it’s “Okay to disagree” and the only way to resolve the impasse is through an “open dialogue” about race.
VOLUME 85 • NUMBER 40 AUGUST 4, 2016 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Digital Editor LaGloria Wheatfall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila Proofer Maia Shelby
Editors Aswad Walker Marilyn Marshall Contributing Writers ReShonda Billingsley Jasemine Knowles Amber Vernon Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison
The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is 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 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).
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More people charged in Flint water crisis Defender News Services
M
ore individuals may soon be added to the list of current and former Michigan state employees charged in the Flint water crisis case. "It looks pretty obvious," said special appointed prosecutor Todd Flood. "Two agencies manipulating reports on the same day in that lock-step going to stage left. That seems significant to me, but I'm going to let that play out in the investigation." Six current and former state employees, including the woman in charge of drinking water quality, were charged in a widening criminal investigation. According to prosecutors, the allegations “show a concerted effort to cover up warning signs of lead poisoning.” According to Michigan’s Attorney General Bill Schuette, reports from two different state agencies were altered or buried to cover up the Flint water crisis on the same day in July 2015, raising concerns about high levels of lead in Flint's children and in its water. The investigation, currently encompassing more than 200 interviews and nearly eight months, is still ongoing. Individuals most recently charged include Liane Shekter-Smith, former chief of the Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance at the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality; water quality analyst Adam Rosenthal; Patrick Cook, community drinking water unit specialist; and Nancy Peeler, director of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood
Home Visiting Program. Additionally, Corinne Miller, former director of the Bureau of Epidemiology and State Epidemiologist, were charged. All involved were charged with participating in one or more of the following activities: providing misleading information, falsifying reports, “burying” information, instructing fellow employees to participate in these activities, and producing "bogus" reports that falsely indicated no significant rise in blood lead levels in children, even though all evidence indicated otherwise. A public emergency was declared in Flint in October 2015, nearly two years after citizen complaints were ignored, and city and state agencies declared water they knew was dangerous, safe to drink. With the possibility of additional charges coming, Schuette compared the legal wrangling to a mob investigation which never starts “at the top.”
Black women making history running DNC Defender News Services
The shattering glass ceiling heard globally is not just the doing of Hillary Clinton, but of the groundbreaking work of Black women. While history was being made at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) with Clinton’s nomination as the first women to represent a major party in a presidential election, Black women individually and collectively made history as well. For the first time, the top three positions of the DNC were occupied by Black women: Donna Brazile, Leah Daughtry and Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, who served as the interim chair, CEO and the chair of the convention, respectively.
Reviews of the convention have been favorable, even from Republicans. Conservative ops veteran Matt Mackowiak tweeted, “This Democratic convention has been an unmitigated disaster for the GOP. Very well produced…” Brazile, Daughtry and Fudge were celebrated for crafting a convention that helped quell a possibly disastrous on-air clash between Clinton and Bernie Sanders supporters, while influencing on-the-fence independents and Republicans enough to give Clinton a boost in poll numbers. The choice of speakers highlighted their influence, including the “Mothers of the Movement,” Khizr and Ghazala Khan, the Muslim parents of slain Army Capt. Humayun Khan, and First Lady Michelle Obama.
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DEFENDER | AUGUST 4 | 2016
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AMAZING DEALS
Campus carry triggers concerns Defender News Services
With campus carry now in effect, even though the first day of class for most colleges is still weeks away, several local parents and students are expressing mixed feelings. “I don't have a problem with it,” said one mother of a Houston Community College sophomore who asked not to be named. “The dangers that were already inherent in campus life will remain, with perhaps added to the equation the ability of a young woman walking to her car from a late night of research in the library having a bit more reassurance that she can defend herself if the occasion should arise.” The new campus carry law, which started Aug. 1, allows Texas students to carry concealed handguns on campus. Only those with a license to carry who have passed a criminal background check and are at least 21 can pack heat, comforting some, like the HCC mother, but worrying others. Les Brook, whose son is a sophomore mechanical engineering major at Prairie View A&M University, thinks the law’s age requirement, background check and concealed handgun class requirement are helpful, but is still worried about her son’s safety. “Gov. Abbott is arming everyone. I just think it's scary,” Brook said. “As stressed and angry as we students get during finals or over a bad grade, the thought of some hyped up, lit up, guntoting student scares the hell out of me,” said University of Houston junior Devon Rodgers. “I can’t imagine how professors must feel.” Three University of Texas at Austin professors filed a lawsuit in federal court saying forcing them to allow guns in classrooms would violate their 1st, 2nd and 14th Amendment rights. Texas Southern University finalized its campus carry policy using input from a staff committee and input from students to develop campus areas designated as gun-free zones.
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Emmy nominations show diversity Defender News Services
With the recent run of awards shows so white, such as the Oscars and American Music Awards, many TV fans are a mixture of relieved and excited about the 2016 Emmy Award nominations that exhibit a rare yet welcomed diversity. The Emmys will be televised on Sept. 18 on ABC. For the third consecutive year, people of color have earned substantial nominations, allowing that awards program that recognizes excellence in TV series to stand out like a sore thumb in a sea of Oscar and AMA whiteness. Social critics note that the Emmy diversity is not only seen in the race and gender of individuals nominated Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross are nominated for their roles on ABC’s for awards, but also in the types of roles “black-ish.” these nominees portray. Much of the relief comes on the acknowledged and included issues surrounding representation heels of protests following the 2016 Academy of Motion Picture and stereotypes, access to casting agents, and having a seat at the Arts and Sciences ceremony in which only white scriptwriting table,” media critic Brian Gaston told the Afro. actors and actresses were chosen for the top “When you keep seeing criminals on television and they are four categories — for the second year in Black males, you have to examine the writers, the casting, and a row. the motives of the shows.” Academy president Cheryl Boone Gaston said that with Black men showing up on shows Isaacs, who is Black, vowed to increase like AMC’s “Hell on Wheels,” which became a powerful acting the diversity of the awards, a promise vehicle for rapper Common, and comedians Key and Peele on she moved toward keeping earlier this the FX show “Fargo,” the range of roles showed improvement year by inviting hundreds of people of as well. color to join the academy. “You get a show like 'Luther,' starring “The issue Idris Elba as an unconventional crime surrounding the solver, set in London, nominated against Academy Awards was so much deeper Idris Elba received an Emmy than just being nomination for his role on the BBC crime drama “Luther.”
Black men building America’s railroads, two police officers tracking a serial killer, and Courtney Vance in the O.J. Simpson story, it’s amazing,” Gaston said. “It shows the depth of the actors, but also the potential Black men have for being something other than suspects in the minds of white America.” “I am floored that I’ve been nominated but I am even more excited that 'Luther' has been nominated as well,” Elba tweeted after learning both he and the show 'Luther' had secured nominations.
Black Emmy nominees
• Lead actress drama – Viola Davis, “How to Get Away With Murder;” Taraji P. Henson, “Empire” • Lead actor limited series – Idris Elba, “Luther;” Cuba Gooding Jr., “The People vs. O.J. Simpson;” Courtney B. Vance, “The People vs. O.J. Simpson” • Lead actress limited series – Audra McDonald, “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grille;” Kerry Washington, “Confirmation” • Lead actor comedy – Anthony Anderson, “black-ish” • Lead actress comedy – Tracee Ellis Ross, “black-ish” • Supporting actor comedy – Andre Braugher, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine;” Keegan-Michael Key, “Key & Peele” • Supporting actor limited series/movie – Bokeem Woodbine, “Fargo;” Sterling K. Brown, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” • Supporting actress comedy – Niecy Nash, “Getting On” • Supporting actress limited series/movie – Regina King, “American Crime” • Guest actor comedy – Tracy Morgan, “Saturday Night Live” • Guest actor drama – Mahershala Ali, “House of Cards”
what’sup Comedian BILL COSBY dropped a lawsuit he filed against one of the women accusing him of sexual assault. The dismissal comes 10 days after U.S. District Judge Eduardo Robreno ruled that Cosby could not sue Andrea Constand, her mother or her attorneys for speaking to investigators about her accusations. Cosby filed the suit in February, accusing the Constands, the lawyers and the National Enquirer of violating the terms of a 2006 confidential settlement…….. Mississippi native and actress AUNJANUE ELLIS has always hated the state flag, which incorporates the Confederate stars and bars
into its design. “The flag is marching orders to young men to kill. This isn’t about us not wanting people to put the flag on their trucks or fly it in their front yards. The problem is when it’s paid for with public tax dollars,” Ellis said. She has been leading the effort to publicize the issue and publicly shame state lawmakers into following South Carolina’s lead and removing the Confederate flag from all public places. Ellis co-stars on ABC’s “Quantico” and played LL COOL J’s wife on “NCIS: Los Angeles”……..LEE DANIELS has emerged victorious in a legal battle with a man who sued him,
TERRENCE HOWARD and others, claiming their hit series “Empire” is a carbon copy of his film about his life as a “gangster, pimp and drug dealer.” Ron Newt claims he met with Howard at a hotel a while back and they discussed his documentary, “Bigger than Big.” Howard allegedly was so into the project, he wanted to play Newt in the film. When “Empire” debuted to huge ratings, Newt noted the suspicious similarities and accused Daniels and company of stealing his story. He filed a lawsuit last year, seeking a billion dollars in damages. A federal judge agreed with Daniels and dismissed the suit.
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DEFENDER | AUGUST 4 | 2016
OLYMPIC
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ATHLETES TO WATCH
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Lia Neal & Si Justin Gatlin
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The eyes of the wo
By MAX EDISON Defender
he Games of the XXXI Olympiad, more commonly known as the Summer Olympics, will run from Aug. 5-21. For the first time ever the venue will be a South American city, Rio de Janerio, Brazil. More than 10,000 athletes will compete, representing 200 nations in some 42 disciplines, all with one goal, capturing a gold medal. Despite a myriad of health and social concerns that have arisen in the host city of Rio, the games will go on as planned with athletes determined to represent the United States in the international competition. Experts expect the Team USA to once again be dominant across the board in all sports. Here’s a look at the big four sports: swimming, gymnastics, track and field and basketball.
GYMNASTICS
Simone Biles & Gabby Douglas
This year’s U.S. women’s gymnastics team could very well be the most talented ever. The squad features a former gold medal winner and the most dominant women’s gymnast since the last Olympics, who happens to be local.
Simone Biles is the odds-on favorite to dominate the women’s competition. The Spring, Texas resident is the three-time world allaround champion (2013-15), four-time U.S. national all-around champion (2013-16), three-time world floor champion (2013-15), twotime world balance beam champion (2014, 2015), and a member of the gold medal-winning American teams at the 2014 and the 2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. “I feel accomplished, motivated. There are just too many things that I feel right now and it’s just amazing,” Biles said. “I can’t put how I’m describing into words. And, I’m just very ecstatic, honored, and blessed to be able to represent the United States at the 2016 Rio Olympics.” Gabby Douglas is back for her second Olympic competition. Douglas became the first U.S. athlete to win both team and all-around gold medals. She is also the first Black gymnast to win an individual Olympic gold medal.
SWIMMING
There is historical significance to this year’s U.S. women’s swim team and it has a local twist. Simone Manuel, 19, of Fort Bend Austin in Sugarland and Lia Neal 21, from Brooklyn, NY, both Stanford teammates, made history before the Olympics even began. It will mark the first time two African-American women have been
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Carmelo Anthony
orld will be on Rio
n the U.S. team. No strangers to big time competition, Neal captured ronze in London in 2012 and Manuel is a two- time NCAA champ. They will compete as teammates on the 4x100 freestyle team. Manuel will also be competing in the 50-meter freestyle competition “I was pretty nervous for most of my races. Just making the team in tself is a great accomplishment. Just getting to Rio, all the nerves will e gone and I think I’ll be able to swim a little bit faster,” Manuel said. On the men’s side Michael Phelps will participate in his fifth Olympic games. Phelps owns a record 22 Olympic medals, including 18 olds, and will be a captain of the men’s team.
TRACK AND FIELD
At 34, former gold medal winner Justin Gatlin is the “old man” on he men’s track and field team. Gatlin won gold at the 2004 Olympics n Athens before serving a four-year suspension. He won a silver medal ehind Usain Bolt at the 2012 Olympics in London. He also took ilver behind Bolt in the 100, 200 and 4x100 at last summer's world hampionships. LaShawn Merritt, a former gold medal winner returns o seek gold in the 400 meters. Kerron Clement (LaPorte,Tx) will be unning for gold in the 400 meter hurdles. On the women’s side veteran Allyson Felix seeks to become he first American woman to win gold in the women’s 200 and 400
he Houston area for over 85 years
Tamika Catchings
meters. Brianna Rollins will compete in the 100 meter hurdles. Vashti Cunningham, daughter of former NFL QB Randall Cunningham, is a hopeful in the high jump. Both the men’s and women’s teams are paced by veteran international performers. Which young stars will rise to the occasion and become household names is the mystery.
BASKETBALL
Even though familiar names like LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kobe Bryant will not play in Rio, expect the U.S. men to once again always be the best group of talent anytime they walk on the court. Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony are veteran international performers and have the medals to prove it. Expect newcomers like DeMarcus Cousins, Kyle Lowery, Kyrie Irving, Draymond Green, DeAndre Jordan and others to allow Coach Mike Krzyzewski to mold them into a cohesive unit. The U.S. women are the five-time defending Olympic gold medalists. The odds are that they will capture their sixth. Sue Bird, Tamika Catchings, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Brittney Griner and Seimone Augustus lead an all-star group of players that should give head coach Geno Auriemma the option to play at any pace against any competition.
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DEFENDER | AUGUST 4 | 2016
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sports
Texas A&M football prepares for big year
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By MAX EDISON Defender
he Texas A&M University Aggies finished the 2015 season with an 8-5 record overall, 4-4 in SEC competition. Though they play in the SEC West, the toughest division in all of college football, the expectations of head coach Kevin Sumlin have the College Station fan base a bit anxious. With an experienced quarterback at the helm and a wealth of experienced talent on defense, expect the Aggies to be the surprise team in the SEC West this year. The Aggies return six starters on offense and seven on defense for the 2016 campaign. Among the players not returning are last year’s starting quarterbacks Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray, who both transferred out of the program at the end of the 2015 season. Offensively, the Aggies welcome a new offensive coordinator in Noel Mazzone from UCLA. They also welcome talented Oklahoma QB transfer Trevor Knight. Knight has big-time arm talent, but developed somewhat of a gunslinger/Brent Favre mentality which resulted in poor decision-making. Nevertheless, Sumlin feels comfortable that as a graduate transfer, Knight is the type of mature personality his Aggie offense needs. “The greatest teacher is experience and I think what has helped Trevor is some of that gunslinger has won games and some of that gunslinger cost him his job and put him in the situation that he's in,” Sumlin said. “I think Noel Mazzone has a record of dealing with quarterbacks in a way that can present their strengths and not try to fit a square peg into a round hole,” Sumlin said. “There's a combination of good things happening around him. Besides our receiving corps, the environment that he's in right now has given him the opportunity to grow. He's a talented guy and fortunately he's an experienced guy.” Knight might just be the luckiest signal caller in the nation because the Aggie offense is literally bursting at the seams with explosive playmakers. All four of the Aggie starting receivers return: Christian Kirk, Ricky Seals-Jones, Josh Reynolds and Speedy Noil. Together the group accounted for 18 receiving TDs in 2015. Both Knight and Kirk are on the Maxwell Award watch list for college player of the year. It will be running back by committee with a host of talented backs lining up in the backfield. Expect Trayveon Williams, Kwame Etwi, James
White and Kendall Bussey to all see considerable time in the backfield. The offensive line will be good, but not great, lacking the first round star power they’ve had over the past four years. Avery Gennesy, Koda Martin and Erik Martin will anchor that unit. Defensively, second-year defensive coordinator John Chavis has a variety of talented playmakers with which to work. The Aggies can lay claim to the top defensive end tandem in the nation. Junior end Myles Garrett is considered by many pundits as the No. 1 defensive player in the nation. His running mate Daeshon Hall has first-round talent as well. Sumlin knows his defensive group has a chance to be special. “Our front is going to be good,” he said. “We have a rotation, a two-deep, that's going to be, talent-wise, as good as anybody in this league. Our two ends are national, award-caliber guys. Daylon Mack is down to 313 instead of 340, so he can play more than two plays in a row. That's going to be important. He doesn't mind me saying that, because he knew it. So that should make him better. Kingsley Keke gave us great depth last year and Zaycoven Henderson played a lot of football.” The linebacker group is solid although a bit undersized. Otaro Alaka returns from injury and will be joined by Shaan Washington and Richard Moore. The secondary is experienced with Nick Harvey, Priest Willis and Donovan Wilson at cornerback. Justin Evans and Armani Watts are solid at safety. The Aggies’ biggest issue is a brutal schedule. They open against UCLA at home on Sept. 3 and then play Auburn, Arkansas, South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama over the next seven weeks.
Coach Kevin Sumlin
Defensive end Myles Garrett
Quarterback Trevor Knight
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Receiver Ricky Seals-Jones
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AUGUST 4 | 2016 | DEFENDER
h.s.zone
Super Bowl program gives students prospects
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By AMBER VERNON Defender
n partnership with the non-profit Change Happens!, the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee granted nine high school students the opportunity to work with staff on planning Super Bowl 51 and discover frontoffice careers in sports this summer. The program was named by participants as Legacy Leaders because of the values it implemented such as integrity, leadership, respect, confidence, responsibility, discipline and innovation. As one participant reflected on his experience, he could not help but smile as he recalled his favorite outing with the group. “I had a lot of good times but going to the ranch was my favorite part,” said Ethan Shepherd. “There, we learned how to deal with different personality types. The horses had different color blankets based on their personalities. The cowboy taught us how to interact with the animals based on their personality type. That’s a skill, I can use anywhere. It was an experience I’ll never forget.” The students were chosen through Positive Pathways, a program of Change Happens! that provides opportunities for young offenders to enhance their educational and career goals. Change Happens! CEO Rev. Leslie Smith said he was glad to have linked with the Super Bowl Host Committee to make a difference in the community. “These young people got the opportunity to be exposed to things that they’ve never been exposed to,” said Smith. “When the Super Bowl Committee joined hands with Change Happens! they made dreams come true.”
The summer program kicked off with guest speakers such as former NFL players Eric Dickerson and Spencer Johnson. In addition to leadership workshops and projects, the students also visited sites such as Fox 26 Houston (KRIV), George R. Brown Convention Center, Toyota Center, Minute Maid Park and the Houston Downtown Aquarium to get exposure to a variety of career opportunities. The four-week program came to a close after final presentations were held at Massa’s Grill where the students were tasked with creating innovative ideas for Super Bowl 51. The students presented their recommendations before Houston Super Bowl Host Committee staff, sponsors and community leaders. Earlier, the students were elated to be fitted for suits from Michael Strahan’s own collection at JC Penny. The suits were a surprise donation by the retail store and Strahan himself. “We all know how important a first impression is, so we were thrilled to offer these young men from the Legacy Leaders program [suits] to ensure they look professional and stylish when they share their big ideas with the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee,” said Strahan. Senior director of external communications Kevin Cooper and director of community relations LaMecia Butler worked closely with the students throughout the program. Cooper was proud to see the impact the program had on the students’ lives. “We wanted to help out the community as much as we can,” said Cooper. “We wanted to make a difference in someone’s life. Ethan used to sit and draw all day in the beginning but by the end of the program, you couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.”
sportsbriefs Dwight Jones dead Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Dwight Jones, a former Wheatley High School, University of Houston and NBA star who died July 25 at age 64. Jones competed for the UH Cougars from 1971 to 1973, scoring 951 points in 54 games. As a two-year starter he helped lead the Cougars to a combined 43-11 record with back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Jones competed for Team USA during the 1972 Olympics and tied as the leading scorer for the American squad, which controversially lost the gold medal game to the Soviet Union. Jones was taken in the first round of the 1973 NBA Draft with the No. 9 pick by the Atlanta Hawks. Over the next 10 seasons, he played for the Hawks, Houston Rockets (1976-79), Chicago Bulls (1979-83) and Los Angeles Lakers (1982-83). “Dwight was a tremendous competitor, who represented the University of Houston and his nation well during his playing career,” said Kelvin Sampson, UH head basketball coach. “While his health declined in recent years, he faced those challenges with the same courage and spirit that made him one of our program’s greats. Our hearts go out to Dwight’s family and friends and all those who knew and loved him.”
Jr. Olympians in Houston Over 12,000 youth recently descended on Houston for the AAU Junior Olympics. Athletes from some 48 states, in nine different age categories for girls and boys, participated in the full gambit of track and field events at the Humble ISD track complex. Athletes braved the sweltering heat to compete with the very best in their age category from across the nation. The youngest competitors were 8 years old. “As we prepare to watch the U.S. track and field team compete in Rio, remember that many of those athletes got their start in AAU Junior Olympics,” track icon Carl Lewis said. “The champions in this meet are the future of track and field.”
Olympians invade PVAMU The U.S. men’s and women’s track and field teams visited the campus of Prairie View A&M University to get some much needed, last-minute conditioning in before heading to Rio. They worked out on PVAMU’s recently completed, state-of-the-art track facility which had the Olympians impressed. “I’ve been really impressed with the track complex here at Prairie View,” sprinter Justin Gatlin said. “This is a beautiful facility. The track surface is very nice and I see we have the stands complete with shade to try and keep fans cool. I like that. Hopefully after the Olympics we can come back and do something here. I think I can speak for all the athletes, it’s been an enjoyable experience.” Natasha Hastings, a two-time Olympian and a 4x400 gold medalist, echoed Gatlin’s thoughts. “This has been a good experience for us,” Hastings said. “This is a great facility here at Prairie View and believe it or not this heat and humidity helps us prepare for the weather in Rio.”
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etirement is supposed to be a reward for decades of hard work, but if you haven’t planned well, the milestone may be a dark cloud on your horizon. In fact, new data shows that nearly 50 percent of Americans are most afraid of outliving their income or the inability to maintain their current lifestyle, and nearly 20 percent are worried about having enough money to cover health care expenses. The research, released by the Indexed Annuity Leadership Council (IALC), also found that despite these very real fears, Americans are failing to take action to address them. For example, a quarter of Baby Boomers, the age group closest to retirement, have less than $5,000 saved for retirement. To take control of the uncertainty and create peace of mind when it comes to retirement, here are some simple steps you can follow: Make a budget – Those who plan for retirement are estimated to save three times more than those who don’t. Take into account that your expenses may increase during retirement, specifically for items
such as health care and travel. Revisit your budget periodically to make adjustments Balance is key – Investing in a 401(k) is a great way to start a retirement portfolio, but putting all your eggs in one basket is a common mistake. One method to provide balance to your retirement portfolio is to add some more conservative, low-risk products, such as fixed indexed annuities (FIAs). Plan to adjust – A savings strategy that makes
sense today might not fit your needs in five, 10 or 20 years. Factors like market volatility, changes in your career or personal life, can impact the amount you’re able to save. Monitor the balance – While it’s not as critical to track the ups and downs of your portfolio in your younger years, the closer you are to retirement, the more important it becomes to be aware of your account values. Small changes count – Seemingly little adjustments can have a noticeable impact on your finances over time. For example, packing your own lunch and giving up an evening out with friends once weekly will allow you to direct that money to a retirement account instead. Also, pay your credit card bills on time. Make it automatic – Set up scheduled transfers so you don’t forget or aren’t tempted to spend the money you planned to save. Treat your retirement account as a debt you owe and pay yourself every month. Visit FIAinsights.org. for more tips and tools.
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HHBCUAA 5K RUN/ WALKATHON FAIR……..Houston HBCU Alumni Alliance held Shepherd, Kenry Flukers, John Ferrell, Katherine Leblanc, and Roe’shoun Bradford. In its 5K Run/Walkathon Health, Hunger, and Higher Education Community Fair at MacGregor attendance were Rev. Leslie Smith, Quashanique Mitchell, Kevin Cooper, LaMecia Butler, Park. Local alumni chapters and community members came out to compete in the run, kickball Host Committee staff, sponsors, Change Happens! staff and other community leaders…….. tournament and flag football. Participants included Brandon Kimmins, Tionni Kimmins, SWAG ACHIEVEMENT ORGANIZATION BANQUET……..The Swag Achievement Angela Smith, Rebekah Threlkeld, Latecia Murphy, Jan Matthews, Priscilla Smith, Organization held its 1st Annual Young Scholars Banquet at St. John’s Downtown Church. Jetola Anderson-Blair, Shaunte Norris, Missy Washington and many others…….. SUPER With Susan Alexander’s leadership, the organization aims to promote quality opportunities BOWL HOST COMMITTEE PRESENTATIONS……..The for children and transform their lives through education. The keynote Houston Super Bowl Host Committee Legacy Leaders held their for the banquet was Jerry Ford Jr. and Robert Lampkin Defender TOP EVENTS speaker presentations at Massa’s Grill. This summer, in partnership with the was the inspirational speaker. Family and friends of the scholars were More photos on defendernetwork.com non-profit Change Happens!, the Host Committee gave high school treated to live performances from Victorio Menghi, Shelle, Courtney students first-hand access to its staff and partners in the industry to Brook, Tiffany West and La Trese Cotton. The scholars honored were inspire and encourage pursuit of front-office careers. Leading up to the presentations, the Victoria Adeniran, Lynette Amaram, Antonette Atori, Lurvin Bernandez, Lance Byron, students were fitted for suits that were donated by JCPenney and Michael Strahan. During the Kirbee Celestine, Trevor Dinh, Christine Egu, Jaida Ellis, Ibukunoluwa Falana, Mayra presentations, the students gave recommendations to the Super Bowl Host Committee on social Gonzalez, Janis Hernandez, Sebastian Hurtado, Sada Leondard, Alejandra Lizama, media strategies, what destinations and hot spots should be shared with visitors, and what local Alondra Martinez, Ariel Nguyen, Uche Ohoebuem, Vanessa Phung, Alejandra Rangel talent are good for performances. Presenters included Kobe Harrell, Darion Harrell, Ethan and Kelsei Young.
Tionni Kimmins, Brandon Kimmins, Angela Smith, Rebekah Threlkeld
Latecia Murphy, Jan Matthews, Priscilla Smith, Jetola Anderson-Blair
Kobe Harrell, Kevin Cooper
Quashanique Mitchell, Kenry Flukers, Roe’shoun Bradford, Katherine Leblanc
Jerry Ford Jr., Robert Lampkin
Susan Alexander, Misty Bishop
Shaunte Norris, Missy Washington
Darion Harrell, Ethan Sheperd, Kobe Harrell, Kenry Flukers
Larry Byron, Lynette Byron, Jerry Ford Jr., Lance Byron
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