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by Hal Lamar CAU linebacker Curtis Johnson captures 2007 Jake Gaither TrophyThe winner of this year’s Alonzo S Jake Gaither Trophy, the so called “Black Heisman” for HBCUs is Clark-AU linebacker Curtis Johnson. He received the hardware Saturday night (2/23) at the 74th All Sports Jamboree of the 100% Wrong Club held amid lavish ambience at the Renaissance Hotel near Atlanta Airport. Johnson was not on hand to receive the honor. Like last year’s recipient Justin Durant of Hampton University, he was at the Indianapolis NFL Combine attempting to move his storied grid career to the next level (and INSIDE operatives tell me several teams, including the Atlanta Falcons are interested in acquiring the services of the Lauderhill Florida ace). His head coach, Ted Bahhur , accepted for him and told the hundreds gathered at the banquet that Johnson is not only a great athlete on the field but off it.
“ I saw him share his meal plan with other kids who didn’t have one,” said Bahhur. INSIDE had predicted back in October that Johnson would get the honor. On a team with a losing record, he excelled, leading Division II in sacks and tackles for loss. Having watched him play most of last season, I knew the kid would go far. He was everywhere the ball was and gave 100% even in a losing effort -0- This year’s 100% Wrong Jamboree was not without it’s levity which came in spades from retired South Carolina State head football coach Willie Jeffries. The co-MC wasted no time getting into the funnies. High School superlatives in metro Atlanta were also applauded via an awards breakfast earlier Saturday morning and they got some great advise and no small amount of chastising from parents, coaches and other mentors at a skull session. One who really
let them have it between the eyes was Ken Hudson. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native son who smashed the color bar among NBA referees in 1968 admonished those high schoolers who came in late. “Get an alarm clock,’ he scolded the athletes. Willie Slater, head coach at Tuskegee who keynoted the breakfast, credits his success in taking the Golden Tigers to a 12-0 record in only his second year as a head coach, to respect for authority yet standing on your convictions and beliefs. -0- There was a lot of interest from coaches about the Athletic Director vacancy at Clark-Atlanta. Brenda Edmonds Square resigned several weeks ago and is now reportedly on the campus of Alcorn State University as special assistant to the president ..There will also likely be some curiosity from academics about the presidential vacancy on campus. Current president Walter Broadnax has told the school’s board of directors he plans to retire. Several names have already been suggested including former Spelman College professor and Barber-Scotia president Gloria Tinubu. She is in back in Atlanta running her own consultancy business. -0- It seems the men’s teams to watch in next month’s SIAC basketball tournament in Birmingham, Alabama are Clark-Atlanta University and Fort Valley. The Panthers have won three of their last five games (all were overtime victories), have bested cross-campus rival Morehouse twice this season and are 1-1 in regular season play against conference leading Benedict. Fort Valley has won 12 of its last 13 games ( as of February 25) .. Morehouse, meanwhile, has got to get back on track. The Maroon Tigers have lost 8 of its last 11 games (as of February 25) and closed out the regular season Monday (2/25) with a loss to conference leading Benedict. Provisional SIAC member Clalfin College continues to roll right along. The school separated by only a fence from South Carolina State University is kicking. They have only lost two games this season (Morehouse and Benedict). They closed out the regular season Saturday night with a win over Albany State to give them a 24-2 mark for the season…….. On the women’s side of half court, CAU’s Lady Panthers have found a niche the last few weeks. They’ve won five of their last six games as of February 23rd ,including a 73-70 victory over second place Fort Valley. . And Claflin’s ladies are mirroring their male counterparts. . They are 20-6 in regular season play and have won 8 of their last 9 ballgames .Yet, conference leader Tuskegee is the team to handle. The Lady Tigers have polished off 8 of their last 9 competitors, losing only to Claflin. -0- INSIDE has been told that Morehouse’s grid team will be playing on the left coast this 2008 against the Panthers of Prairie View A&M. INSIDE will be keeping its eyes on Henry Frazier who went to Texas to try and do something with a grid program that was once the laughing stock of black college football.(most of us writers thought he had lost his mind) Last year, he compiled a 7-3 record and has the campus excited. Got an item or comment?
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