Reginald Alceus

Outlook Staff Writer

The Florida A&M University Rattlers are putting themselves through the paces and improving in all the right places before engaging their season opener against the University of Miami’s Hurricanes, Sept. 2.

Last year, FAMU was defeated by Miami, 48 to 16. Before the anticipated rematch at Miami Gardens, Fla., FAMU’s head football coach Joe Taylor has drilled his team in preparation for the challenge ahead. The first indication of their progress was shown during the team’s scrimmage match last Thursday.

“We’ve got some good things done aside from that fact that we were able to get it done and have a simulated game in which part of the team simulated the plays of Miami, so that the travel team could get a look at it,” Taylor said. “I really thought some good came out of it. Certainly, we have to improve on the penalties, the dropped balls, and our pass protection has to improve, but because you get it in, that means you will get better. Each year is different, and you just have to be prepared and make sure each guy understands his responsibilities, that he carries out his responsibilities, and that we have to play for 60 minutes,”

Taylor noted that the team’s defense is currently its strongest asset. The formula for the team’s preparation has not deviated from what it has been. However, Taylor asserted that the team is working hard to get better at what it is doing, and that he has seen improvement among the players.

“All of the schools and football championship subdivisions start off mainly with a BCS team so this is our opportunity to get a barometer on where we are, go down, put in 60 minutes, get it done, come back evaluated and get better as each week comes,” Taylor said.

Taylor said that compared to last year, 24 players had exhausted their eligibility, and 20 had graduated, a fact he is proud of. The team was very explosive offensively last year, but its defense was inconsistent, he said. This year appears to be the way “it ought to be,” with the defense playing the role of the “tone setter.” Some of the playes’ opinions of the scrimmage were in line with their coach’s opinion.

“We did all right,” said Martin Ukpai, 21, a fine arts and animation student and quarterback for FAMU. “It seemed a little sluggish, but the main thing is that we made some pretty good plays. We have to tighten up a little bit, and hurry up and run the plays a lot quicker. I think we did an all right job, but there is still a lot of room for improvement.”

Ukpai said along with its offensive line, FAMU’s running game is likely its most notable strength, getting in some “nice runs.” Johnson agreed with Taylor that the team’s defense is its most obvious advantage, citing its seasoned secondary and its linebackers and defensive line, all of which did well in the scrimmage match, he said.

“Everything needs to improve,” said Jay Culpepper, 21, long snapper and criminal justice student for FAMU. “We can always work toward improvement. Our offense and handling of the ball needs a little work, but it’s the little things, really. Nothing that can’t be fixed before next week.”

Culpepper was confident that the team would use the remaining week until the Sept. 2 game to prepare every way they could. He said he believed Miami was just as prepared to face-off against them, but no amount of predicting would determine the winner of the season opener. Instead, he and his teammates would take the challenge as it comes and “deal with it.”

Derek Horne, Quitman, Ga.’s native son and the University of Mississippi’s former associate athletic director of nearly 15 years, will be joining the Florida A&M University staff as its new director of athletics. Many FAMU alums feel Horne’s impressive and extensive experience will be just the thing needed to revitalize and strengthen FAMU’S athletics program.

“I am honored and humbled to have this awesome opportunity to serve Florida A&M University as their next Director of Athletics,” said Horne in a press release. “My family and I look forward to this new chapter in our lives. Ole Miss has offered me the opportunity to be prepared to serve Florida A&M University with integrity, sound leadership and honor, and for that, I am grateful to Pete Boone and the University.

Horne will begin his new position Sept. 7, at a salary of $200,000, approximately $120,000 more than his salary at UM as a senior associate athletic director. His multi-year appointment to the position, under a three-year contract, was officially approved by the FAMU Board of Trustees, Aug. 17. Horne replaces former athletic director William “Bill” Hayes, who was the former director of Intercollegiate Athletics at North Carolina Central University before he became FAMU’s athletic director.

Florida A&M University President James H. Ammons was quoted as saying he needed someone who “knows, understands and appreciates the business of athletics.” There are aspects of fundraising, marketing and management of the university’s resources that are expected of the individual who can fill the position of FAMU’s new athletic director, Ammons said. Many are of the opinion that the offer to acquire Horne made by Ammons was an investment of faith to help rescue FAMU’s athletic department from its deficit of more than $4 million. Ammons personally praised Horne for his wide range of experiences at the UM and the SEC, claiming he has “the potential to help us usher in a new era of Rattler sports.”

Horne, who is a former college basketball player, was recommended to the FAMU Board of Trustees and his position confirmed by Ammons, July 30. It was the intention of Ammons to have Horne join the FAMU athletic staff at the start of its football season, before its first game against the University of Miami Sept. 2.

From 1983 to 1986, Horne was a four-year letterman for the University of Mississippi’s basketball team, graduating in 1987. He would later assist his alma mater as the director of the CHAMPS Life Skills Program. Horne asserted that his specialty of maximizing the exposure of his institution, something that was put into practice at UM, will be applied to FAMU as well.

“My first role will be to assess where we are, identify our resources and to maximize them,” Horne said. “Sure, there are some challenges financially, not just with Florida A&M University but all around the country.” His position as associate director of athletics at UM allowed Horne to master the art of fundraising entailed the development of fundraisers, acquire knowledge in human resources, and manage the athletic sports camps and other initiatives as a representative of UM. Horne has often gone beyond the mandatory responsibilities of his position, achieving success by increasing the involvement of former student-athletes and alumni at UM. Horne is especially noted for his expertise in epitomizing UM’s athletic department. There, he worked to advertise activities such as alumni events and intercollegiate functions.

Horne’s resume includes being an NCAA Fellows Leadership Development Program participant from 2009 to 2010. In addition, he also attended the 2009 Division A-1 Athletic Directors’ Institute. Horne stated that he was “very selective” in locating an institution to commit to not just for his sake, but also for his family, who also will be making a commitment in the transition. In selecting FAMU, Horne admitted that of all the places in the world, he could think of no other place he would rather be.

Reginald Alceus can be reached at realceus@capitaloutlook.com

In 2009 Bobby Bowden endured his last year of coaching the powerhouse football team at Florida State University. During his 55-year coaching career, 33 as head coach of the Seminoles, Bowden has had some behind the scenes experiences that he has now chosen to reflect upon in his new book titled “Called to Coach: Reflections on Faith, Life and Football.” Bowden had been the face of Florida State University’s football program until he was forced to retire at the end of the 2009 football season.

The end of the Bowden era came under scrutiny from fans, alumni and boosters who had grown accustomed to Bowden winning, but were disappointed with the progress of the Seminole football team in the last few years. Bowden was pressured to retire his coaching whistle by then FSU president T.K. Wetherall, and he decided to pick up an author’s pen. The 288-page hardcover edition of the book was released on Tuesday, Aug. 24. The book details some of the experiences that Bowden has had to deal with on, as well as off, the football field, including the death of his son-in-law and grandson in a 2004 automobile accident, and the controversial details surrounding his retirement in 2009.

After forcing Bowden to retire, Wetherall refused to answer any questions about the coaching legend’s retirement, but in a recent interview with the “Palm Beach Post,” Weatherall stated the following: “The ultimate decision rested with one person and one person alone. Did the trustees have an opinion? The boosters? Absolutely. But the final decision rested on one place. There is only one person to be mad at, and that’s me,’’ Wetherall said.

The book will also offer up a dose of what it took for Bowden to become one of the all-time great college football coaches in the history of the game. Players and coaches who have interacted with Bowden over his outstanding career as a football coach reflected on his career and influence.

“Coach Bowden transcends football. He is a man who leveraged his position as a winning football coach into a living example of the Christian values he believed in. Then he shared them with his players. He personifies the ultimate father in that he inspired us to be the best that we could be, helping us build our mind, body and spirit through the game he loved. This book will deliver his message to others who will benefit— just like I have, from the life, the wisdom and the grace that is, Coach Bobby Bowden,” Warrick Dunn stated on Simon and Schuster’s website.

In an interview with Andrew Carter from the “Orlando Sentinel,” Bowden spoke of the inspiration to write the book, which reflects upon his faith. “My whole theme on things like this is trying to write something that will help somebody else, especially aiming at young people, you know. There’s so many kids coming up nowadays without families. Got nobody to lead them. Sometimes, football’s their only way out. And that’s why I tried to always encourage our coaches – hey, you might be the only daddy this kid ever has. Let’s try to set a good example for him. But anyway, I naturally like to help those kids somehow, help give them some direction as they grow up,” Bowden said during the interview with Carter.

This preseason the Florida State University football team has undergone a variety of changes, including the replacement of Seminole coaching legend Bobby Bowden. The Seminole tradition of churning out some of the top football players in the nation appears to remain intact. Both Christian Ponder and Bert Reed have landed on preseason watch lists for some of the most coveted awards in college football.

“Excitement comes from anything that is new, which is what this program is experiencing right now. Most people view that as a positive force, which it is, but it is also a challenge,” said Ponder. “The team needs to stay focused on the process that will help carry us toward a successful year. It is easy to forget the hard work that is needed when all of this positive energy is surrounding us but hype and expectations don’t win you ballgames.”

Ponder, who will lead the Seminole offense for the 2010 season at quarterback, is a preseason Heisman Trophy hopeful. Ponder has started at the quarterback position for the previous two seasons and amassed some pretty impressive numbers. In 2007 Ponder only played one game for the Seminoles, where he completed 8 of 18 passes for 105 yards. Ponder played all 13 games for the Seminoles in 2008 and had a stellar season in his first year in the starting roll. The Seminole signal-caller ended the 2008 football season with 2,006 passing yards, completing 177 passes in 318 attempts. He also gained 423 yards rushing. In 2008 Ponder was responsible for 18 Seminole touchdowns (4 on the ground and 14 passing).

Ponder continued to show improvement during the 2009 season, as he gained 2,717 passing yards for the Seminoles. Ponder was on the road to a record setting season with the Seminoles, until he was sidelined with a season ending shoulder injury in the ninth game of 2009. Ponder led the ACC with 321.8 yards per game before being injured. Ponder finished the 2009 season with a 147.7 quarterback rating.

The Seminoles’ senior quarterback is the first Seminole to be considered for the Heisman Trophy since Chris Weinke in 2000. Charlie Ward was the first Seminole to win the trophy, honoring the nation’s top college football player in 1993. Ponder is also being considered for the Maxwell Award, which honors the college football player of the year.

“The biggest thing for me is to not forget how I got to this point. A lot of people will buy into the hype that surrounds themselves and just believe they are going to be good but forgetting about the hard work and preparation it takes to be successful at this level. I am just trying to enjoy all of the attention but at the same time am working hard to prepare myself to have a fun and successful senior year,” Ponder said.

There is no doubt that on the receiving end of many of Ponders’ passes this upcoming season will be wide receiver Bert Reed. In the upcoming season Reed will be one of the receivers being touted to win the Biletnikoff award. Reed, who hails from Panama City, Fla., will be entering this season as a junior for the Seminoles.

In previous seasons, Reed gained the confidence of his quarterback and put up impressive numbers as a go-to receiver. After being red-shirted in 2007, Reed burst onto the field for the Seminole offense. He played 10 of the 13 games and gained 551 all-purpose yards in 2008.

Reed, who played quarterback, running back and wide receiver for Bay County High School, finished 2008 with 61 rushing yards on 9 attempts, for an average of 6.8 yards per carry. He also gained 295 yards on 23 receptions for 2008. In 2009 Reed had 60 receptions for 710 yards, while running the ball 19 times for 94 yards and earned an average 5.2 yards per carry. Although he failed to reach the end zone in 2009 Reed was still considered an impact player for the Seminoles, as is evident by his selection as a preseason Biletnikoff hopeful.

The Biletnikoff award has its roots right here in the Seminoles backyard. Fred Biletnikoff played for the Seminoles as a wide receiver from 1962-1964. Biletnikoff went on to enjoy 14 seasons as a professional football player for the Oakland Raiders. During his career, Biletnikoff was selected to four Pro Bowls and received MVP honors for his performance in Super Bowl XI. Biletnikoff was enshrined into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1988 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1991, the only Seminole to ever be enshrined in both. The award is presented annually by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation and honors the best wide receiver in college football.

Special to the Outlook

NORFOLK, Va. – The Florida A&M University football team has been predicted to finish second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Eight players were voted on to the preseason All-Conference team by the conference sports information directors and head coaches at the MEAC annual Football Kickoff Luncheon.

FAMU received 268 points and two first place votes, while defending conference champion South Carolina State was predicted to finish first, as they tallied 315 points and 15 first place votes. Norfolk State was predicted to finish third with 190 points. Hampton University garnered 167 points and one first place vote. Hampton has been predicted to finish fourth in the conference, edging Morgan State by one point. North Carolina A&T was predicted to finish sixth with 150 points, followed by Delaware State with 120 points for a seventh place predicted finish. Bethune- Cookman and Howard University were predicted to finish eighth and ninth, with B-CU tallying 68 points and HU 32 points.

The Rattlers placed five players on the preseason All-Conference first team and three on the second team. Philip Sylvester, 5’7” senior running back from Marianna, Fla., was the Rattlers second leading rusher, finishing the season with 455 yards on 112 carries and seven TDs. Joining Sylvester on the preseason All- Conference first team was Isaac West, a 6’2” senior wide receiver from Tallahassee, Fla., who led the Rattlers receiving core with 641 receiving yards on 36 catches and two TDs. Defensively earning preseason first team All- Conference honors for the Rattlers were Alvis Graham, Qier Hall and Trevor Scott. Graham, 6’-0” red- shirt junior from Orlando, Fla., was FAMU’s leading tackler. He finished the season with 69 tackles (39 solo, 30 asst), and 6.5 tackles for a loss of 18 yards. Graham had one sack last season for a loss of seven yards. Hall, a 6’2” senior defensive back from Cocoa, Fla., tallied 42 tackles (29 solo, 13 asst) to be the team’s fifth leading tackler. Hall also had six pass breakups and three interceptions.

Rounding out the cast of FAMU first teamers is Scott, a 6’3” red-shirt junior punter from Jacksonville, Fla. He finished last season as the Rattlers’ leading scorer with 74 points, and went 38 of 39 in PATs. Scott connected on 12 field goals in 22 attempts. Kevin Elliott, is a 6’3” red-shirt junior from Orlando, Fla. Elliott finished last season as the Rattlers’ reception leader with 44 catches for 554 yards and seven TDs. Christopher Sands, who is a 6’7” red-shirt senior offensive tackle from Tallahassee, Fla., is slated to start at right tackle for the Rattlers this season. Curtis Holcomb, a 5’11” senior defensive back from Miami, Fla., who garnered 35 tackles (21 solos, 14 asst) and two interceptions for FAMU last season. All three were second team preseason all-conference selections.

FAMU will officially kickoff their 2010 season Monday, Aug 9 as the Rattlers begin reporting for two-a-day practices. The Rattlers will open their 2010 campaign Thursday, Sept. 2 taking on the University of Miami at the Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

RICARDO LEWIS
Associate Editor

Dione Smith is a General on the basketball court. Playing point guard both as an amateur and professionally, teammates looked to her for instruction and leadership. Smith uses her experi­ences in sports to help local youth in the city of Tallahassee.

“The greatest reward that I receive while working with chil­dren is to be able to witness the smiles and laughs that they ex­press, and to know that one day they will reach their goal and be­come successful,” Smith said.

In 1997, Smith’s senior year at Godby High School, she played point guard for an out­standing state championship girls basketball team. In addition to basketball, Smith lettered in soft­ball, track and field, and volley­ball during her matriculation at Godby. She then took her talents to the University of South Flori­da, where she received numerous awards for her play on the court and her performance in the class­room. Smith graduated from USF with a Bachelors of Arts degree in communications, and a minor in sociology.

“The game of basketball and sports has taught me a great deal about life. There are many things that I have gained from playing sports. I’ve learned to become self-disciplined, determined, pas­sionate, dedicated, a team player and how to be open to change,” Smith said.

Smith returned to her na­tive city of Tallahassee, where she jumped right into her role of helping children in the areas of athletics and academics. She served as assistant coach of the girls varsity basketball team at Godby High School from 2003 through 2005, and as an assistant coach for the boys varsity team from 2006 until 2007. She also took on the task of serving as the head coach of the Godby girls weightlifting team from 2006 through 2008.

“While growing up, the inspiration to work with kids came from the compassion and love that my teachers and coaches showed me, but as I grew older, it’s been the guid­ance of God,” Smith said.

Working with children in the community and at church is something that Smith takes great pride in. She stated that her church family and her own fam­ily have helped her through some tough times in her life. Smith uses every op­portunity she can to give back and help out because she says she understands what it means to have trials and tribulations.

Smith currently works at the FAMU Developmen­tal Research School as the GEAR UP coach. The ac­ronym GEAR-UP stands for Gaining Early Aware­ness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. Even though she stresses to students the importance of academics while work­ing through the GEAR-UP program, she cannot escape her passion and love for sports, especially basket­ball. She continues to play the game as a member of the Tallahassee Thunder semi-pro basketball team and coaches the game as the head varsity girl’s bas­ketball coach at Godby High School.

“Dione is a very kind hearted, yet driven person,” said Kevin Forehand who serves as chair of the Young Adult Ministry at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. “She is approachable, fun loving, and a pleasure to be around. She’s going to make you laugh no mat­ter what. I also know, just through conversation and our connection as educa­tors that she is passionate about developing the lives of children.”

SEAN BLACKMON
Contributing Writer

Andre Dawson, an alumnus of Florida A&M University, was inducted into major league base­ball’s Hall of Fame, July 25. Joined by former St. Louis Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog and umpire Doug Harvey, Dawson was the only player to join the ranks of baseball’s greats in this year’s hall of fame induction.

Dawson was recruited by legendary FAMU coach Costa Pop Kittles in 1973, out of Southwest Miami Senior High School. The “Hawk,” as he is known throughout baseball, led the FAMU Rattlers in runs, hits, doubles and runs bat­ted in during the 1974 and 75’ baseball seasons, be­fore being drafted in the 11th round by the Montreal Expos.

As a center fielder for the Expos, Dawson laid the foundation for what would lead to his Hall of Fame career. In 1977, he was named the National League’s Rookie of the Year. He received his first Golden Glove award in 1980 as a member of the Expos franchise. In 1987, Dawson won the National League’s Most Valuable Player award in his first year with the Chicago Cubs, becoming the first player in history to win an MVP award while playing for a last placed team.

Dawson was known for his consistent hitting and outstanding fielding throughout his career. He amassed 1,591 RBIs and is 35th on the home run list with 438. He was a supe­rior base runner during his career, being one of only six players in major league baseball history with over 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases in his career. Dawson, Willie Mays, and Barry Bonds are the only players to have over 400 home runs and 300 stolen bases.

In addition, to play­ing for the Expos, Daw­son played for the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox. He ended his playing career with the Florida Marlins and currently works in the front office of the Marlins organization.

During his induction speech, Dawson indirectly addressed the issue of play­ers’ use of performance en­hancing drugs, saying:

“Nothing is wrong with the game of baseball. Mistakes have hurt the game and taken a toll on all of us. Individuals have chosen the wrong road and have chosen their legacy. Do not be lured by the dark side. It’s a stain on the game, a stain gradually be­ing removed. But that’s the people, not the game. Noth­ing is wrong with the game. There never has been.”

During his career in the major leagues, Daw­son had 12 knee surgeries, blamed in part to his play on the artificial turf at Mon­treal’s Olympic Stadium. Though he suffered from knee problems throughout his career, he managed to gain the respect of many players around the league because of his outstanding work ethic, pleasing per­sonality, and determination on and off the field.

“No player in baseball history worked harder, suf­fered more or did it better than Andre Dawson. He’s the best I’ve ever seen. I watched him win an MVP for a last-place team in 1987 [with the Cubs], and it was the most unbeliev­able thing I’ve ever seen in baseball. He did it the right way, the natural way, and he did it in the field, on the bases and in every way, and I hope he will stand up here someday,” said Chi­cago Cubs teammate Ryan Sandberg in 2005 during his own Hall of Fame in­duction speech.

SEAN BLACKMON
Contributing Writer

There were not a lot of opportunities for young African-American men in Hubbard, Ohio when Rudy Hubbard was growing up. He had no idea of the places his talents and commitment would take him. The youngest son of George Sr., and Margaret Hubbard grew up in a lower middle class neighborhood, but the highlight of his childhood was being coached by Ernest Chiles, a neighbor that Hubbard describes as “another brother.”

“Mother took him up like he was one of her own,” Hubbard said. “ He coached all of the younger guys, but he really looked out for me.” After graduating from Hubbard High School in 1964, Hubbard received a football scholarship to Ohio State University, where he played under well-respected coach Woody Hayes from 1965 to 1967. Following his senior year at OSU, Hayes offered Hubbard an assistant coaching position, making him the first former black athlete to return as coach. OSU won the national championship during his first year and Hubbard’s career took off immediately thereafter. He recruited Archie Griffin, the only two-time Heisman trophy winner in the history of the award.

After serving as an assistant coach under Hayes for six years, Hubbard considered retiring until a chance meeting with legendary coach Jake Gaither convinced him to continue. Gaither informed Hubbard that the head coaching position was open at Florida A&M University and that he should apply. Hubbard applied and was hired. What followed was one of the brightest coaching administrations in FAMU history, which led to an undefeated season in 1977 and winning the newly formed I-AA National Championship in 1978.

Hubbard was FAMU’s head football coach from 1974 until 1985. When he accepted the head coaching position at Rickards High School in 2007, Hubbard took the philosophy and tactics he used in the past to help revitalize the program.

“Coach Hayes told me if you take a team at rock bottom and work your tail off, in four years you can bring them to respectability,” Hubbard said. “At Rickards, I’m trying to do it in three.” Albert Chester said there was a special feeling, an “it factor” about Hubbard that influenced him to be recruited to Florida A&M Univeristy in 1974 from Ribault High School in Jacksonville, Fla. Chester said that the fortitude of Hubbard’s character has a deep impact on the effectiveness of his coaching.

“All the attributes and core values you look for in a quality person, he has it,” he said. Chester believes that a mix of discipline, caring and talent created those triumphant times for Rattler football. “He was always well prepared. So it wasn’t a matter of if we were going to beat you, it was a matter of how bad we were going to beat you.” Chester became FAMU’s quarterback during their undefeated season in 1977 and led them to the Black National Championship. In 1978, they won the I-AA Division Championship. He said that it was Hubbard’s focus on consistency, not victories, that made those seasons so successful.

“We didn’t go into that season thinking about being undefeated,” Chester said. “We took it one game at a time. Rudy wouldn’t let us think beyond the next opponent.” According to Chester, part of the reason Hubbard is able to get such a good response from his players is that his relationships with them often go beyond the typical coach duties.

“He’s sensitive enough to fill all the roles that kids need. He wasn’t just your football coach he was your friend, your brother, your uncle, your confidant and mentor,” Chester said. Perhaps the strongest attribute in Hubbard is his emphasis on developing the individual beyond athletics. Chester said that for Hubbard, developing quality athletes took a backseat to developing well-rounded human beings.

“If he could have traded all the wins just for us to be productive citizens, I know he would have.” Hubbard has six children and resides in Tallahassee with his wife, Pamela.

Sean Blackmon
Contributing Writer

Being named the best track coach in the state and having an invitational meet named after him are points of pride for Jesse Forbes, Godby High School’s track and field coach. But, when asked about his greatest accomplishment, Forbes does not rattle off staggering season statistics or the number of individual awards given his athletes. Instead, he relishes in his students finding success off the track.

“Coaching athletes who want to go to college is my greatest accomplishment,” Forbes said. Born in Tallahassee in 1954 to a mother on welfare, Forbes does not feel victimized by his childhood. In fact, he believes the lessons his mother taught him during those rough times helped him become who he is today.

“We didn’t have much, but we were proud of who she taught us to be,” Forbes said. As an athlete, Forbes competed in Moscow and Russia. He accepted a football and track and field scholarship to Florida State University. However, he suffered a knee injury just two weeks into his first season.

“It [the injury] was devastating. I had to sit out a whole year,” Forbes said. Forbes was downhearted until he realized he had other options. One of his coaches, Dick Roberts, told his mother, “Your son will graduate.” In 1978 Forbes received his bachelor’s degree in physical education. He uses the experience to show students nothing is guaranteed in the world of sports, and that their studies must come first.

“I learned the hard way,” Forbes said. “You can’t run and jump your whole life, because you’re not only in school to compete,” he continued. Education is at the center of Forbes’ philosophy, and this permeates all aspects of Godby’s track and field program. His willingness to go above and beyond simply coaching is what endears him so much to those around him, according to Donald Frost, president of the Godby High School Track Booster Club.

“He is an extremely hard worker,” Frost said. “His dedication is unbelievable when it comes to the development of our kids and the track program.” “You don’t see a lot of people like him, Frost said. He and his coaches pick up trash on the field after meets, sometimes for three hours, so that people riding by don’t think negatively of the school.” Frost said that what matters most to Forbes is not the “L” or the “W” but rather the type of people his program is producing.

“You got a lot of people out there that just want to win, but that’s not his motivation,” Frost said. “It’s making sure our kids understand the value of education.” Forbes’ heavy involvement with his students can sometimes even help influence their career path.

Dione Smith, head coach of Godby’s girls’ basketball team has known Forbes since he trained her to compete in the Olympics. “Any time I needed anything, he was there for me. He always made sure I had my head on straight and kept my grades up,” Smith said. Even though it’s been some time since Smith and Forbes trained together, she said she has seen no change in his approach.

“For him, it’s not just about being an athlete. It’s about making sure you have the academic success and the tools to be successful in your career and life,” Smith said. “Anytime someone calls, he gives advice. He’ll always tell you, ‘I’m just a phone call away,’ and he is –day or night.”

It has come to light via the Internet in recent weeks that the nation’s two NCAA Division I historically Black collegiate sports conferences – the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) – were proposing a revival of the former Heritage Bowl. The revived event would be staged under a new name, the Legacy Bowl, which would pit the football champions of the two leagues in a postseason extravaganza beginning in December of 2011, and will be televised nationally by ESPN.

The former Heritage Bowl was played from 1991 through 1999, with the league champions squaring off annually until 1996 when the NCAA reinstated the MEAC’s automatic postseason bid. Beginning in 1996, the MEAC sent an alternate squad, rather than the championship team, to the Heritage Bowl, a turn of events that put a damper on the game, eventually leading to the two conferences putting the event on hold

The proposed Legacy Bowl deal would reportedly net $3 million to be split between the two leagues, and to protect the integrity of the game, this time, the MEAC reportedly would forgo the NCAA playoffs so that its’ champion could appear against the SWAC winner, an idea which has ruffled the feathers of some MEAC team supporters. Those MEAC fans argue that forgoing the playoffs constitutes a “retreat” from being a fully participating member of the NCAA.

Fans who oppose the idea of the Legacy Bowl argue that it would hurt recruiting and send a negative message to the current players and coaches about their ability to compete for a national title. This is a point to ponder by decision makers at the member schools, particularly in the MEAC, which has two of the only three HBCUs – Florida A&M and South Carolina State (Tennessee State is the other) – to ever win an NCAA playoff game.

In fact, FAMU won the first FCS (then I-AA) title in 1978, and owns a respectable 5-6 record in the NCAA playoffs, including a breath-taking march to the national semifinals in 1999. South Carolina State has been very competitive in its recent playoff appearances, pushing their playoff opponent, FCS power Appalachian State to the limit in each of the last two years.

The potential bowl payout divided among the member schools of the two leagues, it is argued, could easily be exceeded by individual teams playing guaranteed games against major colleges. So perhaps it is the financial angle that the MEAC and SWAC are undoubtedly looking at, as they witness the huge amounts of money being generated by the major conferences for their member institutions through broadcast, marketing and sponsorship deals. And given the financial straits many HBCUs are in, both academically and athletically, the league commissioners find themselves under increasing pressure from member schools to generate additional revenue for them to plow back into their sports programs.

Even without the recent national economic downturn, the financial challenge of fielding a Division I sports program, which requires a minimum number of 14 sports be carried, along with other factors, has been causing HBCUs to stretch their annually generated dollars past the breaking point for years. The major schools recognized long ago that even with their huge alumni and fan bases, that a strategic business approach had to be taken to offset the deficits that come from running athletic programs which may have only two or three sports (football, men’s basketball) that generate a positive cash flow, and to insure the long-term future of these programs.

Since the 1980s that has led to the major conferences securing increasingly more lucrative broadcast contracts with national and regional networks, and long-term marketing and sponsorship deals with media and advertising power brokers such as IMG, ISP and others. In fact, the eternal “dash for cash” was the driving force behind the recent conference expansion talk among the Division I power conferences this summer, which saw some teams (Nebraska, Colorado, Utah) change leagues, while others stayed put; for now. Meanwhile, the HBCUs are in the unenviable position of working to stay relevant in the NCAA Division I conversation, both competitively (recruiting in particular) and financially.

HBCUs made the move from Division II to Division I in the late 1970s, riding the wave of the collective richness of their past athletic legacies without a clear strategic plan to sustain that success on a higher level. The current Legacy Bowl debate is one in which all stakeholders in HBCU athletics ; governing boards, presidents/chancellors, faculty and staff, coaches, students, alumni and boosters – need to seriously engage in, thinking not just about one football game, but perhaps about the very future of HBCU athletics.