Pre Gal Reception/Mixer
2009 Watkins Award
Deloitte will host the Pre-Gala Reception/Mixer on Thursday, December 4th from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. The reception will be at Deloitte, 350 South Grand, 18th Floor in downtown Los Angeles, California.
The National Alliance of African American Athletes (The Alliance) will present its 18th Annual Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Award at a Black Tie Gala February 21, 2009 at the Millennium Biltmore. The Watkins Award has been the most prestigious award given to the top African American Male High School Scholar Athlete in the country since 1992. The finalists for the award, known as the “Elite Five” will fly to Los Angeles for Watkins Award weekend activities. Watkins Award alumni attend numerous major colleges and 12 are active in the NFL during the 2008 season.
Finalists are chosen based on their unweighted grade point average, their personal statements, extra curricular activities, community service, and letters of recommendation. Each “Elite Five” winner will receive an award, a ring, and a dinner in his hometown.The Pre-Gala Reception/Mixer will be attended by numerous local celebrities, sports industry leaders, business leaders and community activists. Watkins Award Alumni will be in attendance including Chris Lewis (former member of the Arizona Cardinals, Stanford and Long Beach Poly High School), J.R. Lemon (Actor and former Oakland Raider), and other Watkins Alumni. Athletes Advisory Chairman John Salley, Model/Actress Claudia Jordan, Comedian “Lazee” Lamont King and others, will be on hand to launch the drive toward the 2009 Watkins Award Event.
This is the perfect opportunity to support the Watkins Award, mix and mingle with sports and business leaders. Donations are $20.00 with RSVP and $40.00 at the door.
The 2008 “Elite Five” were:
· Matthew Daniels of Atlanta, Georgia. Matthew was a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, and Fellowship of Christian Athlete. He played football at Fayette County High School and had a 4.0 GPA.
· Covaughn DeBoskie of Chandler, Arizona. Covaughn was a member of the National Honor Society and volunteers countless hours for local community organizations. He played football for Hamilton High School and had a 4.1 GPA.
· Brandon Moore of Trotwood, Ohio. Brandon was member of the National Honor Society and plans to study optometry in college. He played football and participated in track and field for Trotwood High School and had a 4.25 GPA.
· Kenneth Page of Columbia, SC. Kenneth was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, President of SECME, Leadership Council, Future Business Leaders of America, and volunteers countless hours in his community. He plays football, for AC Flora High School and had a 3.8 GPA.
· DeVier Posey of Cincinnati, OH. DeVier was an academic all-star for four years in football and has volunteered for several local community efforts. He played football at LaSalle High School where he maintained a 3.4 GPA.
The “Elite Five” of the class of 2007 were:
· Joseph Barksdale of Detroit, Michigan. Joseph was member of the National Honor Society, Motor City Makeover, and Class President. He played football at Cass Technical High School and has a 3.6 GPA.
· Andrew Davis of Denver, Colorado. Drew was a member of Just Say Know, Brother 2 Brother, The Drama Club, Urban League, and HOPE Community Clean Up. He played football for Montbello High School and had a 4.0 GPA.
· Bradley Stephens of McAllen, Texas. Bradley was member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, PALS and a leader in his community. He played football for McAllen High School and had a 3.7 GPA.
· Trinton Sturdivant of Wadesboro, North Carolina. Trinton was a member of the National Honor Society, Who’s Who and was Student Council President. He played football, basketball, and track for Anson High School and had a 4.1 GPA.
· Charles White of Columbia, South Carolina. Charles was a member of the National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, National Beta Club, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He played football at Blythewood High School where he maintained a 3.9 GPA.
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For more information about the Watkins Award, The Alliance, or to attend in 2009 visit our website at www.naaaa.com or email eplaybook1@mindspring.com.
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Since 1992, the Watkins Award has been presented annually to African American scholar-athletes. The Watkins Award is named for Franklin D. Watkins, the coach of championship football and basketball teams in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Previous winners of the Watkins Award include Arizona Cardinals Robert Tate, Darnell Dinkins of the Cleveland Browns, LaVarr Arrington and Lorenzo Alexander of the Washington Redskins, Grant Irons and Ronald Curry of the Oakland Raiders, Deryck Toles of the Indianapolis Colts, Ted Ginn Jr. of the Miami Dolphins and Justin Blalock of the Atlanta Falcons.
The National Alliance of African American Athletes was founded in 1989. The mission of The Alliance is to empower African American males through athletics, education and public programs.
Contact:
Reginald Grant (323) 376-1057
email eplaybook1@mindspring.com
Everette Pearsall (410) 551-3462
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