2010 WATKINS AWARD CELEBRATES ATHLETIC AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

By Leland Stein III

LOS ANGELES – The National Alliance of African American Athletes (The Alliance) as it has for the past 19 years, recently recognized the nation’s supreme high school scholar athletes.

At the prestigious Marriott Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles, an exemplary group from around the nation was feted during the annual Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Awards Gala.

The award is presented each year to the "Elite Five" finalists for the top African American male high school scholar athletes in the country.

This year’s collective “Elite Five” is exceptional in every sense of the word. All are All-American athletes who dispel the lingering notion that most African-American male student/athletes are not concerned with education, only the playing fields.

These five young men combine scholarship, athleticism, community awareness and volunteerism to form at their young age the character of developing men that are primed to take a place in society as more than just athletes.

The 2010 Watkins Award Finalist are Brandon Willis of Duncan, South Carolina; David Yankey from Atlanta, Ga.; Evan Washington who prepped in Dallas, Tx; Devin Gardner from Detroit, Mi; and Eric Reid out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Master and Mistress of Ceremonies were comedian Lamont King and actress/model Claudia Jordan. The keynote speaker, Jemele Hill, a former Detroit Mumford High and Michigan State graduate, is now a columnist and television personality for ESPN.

“I think the Watkins Award is a reminder that there are a number of wonderful Black male athletes out here,” Hill told me, “who are prepared and equipped to be future leaders. Too often we never talk about or highlight young men like this. That is what makes the Watkins special, it focuses on the total person with education at the forefront.”

Hill follows a group that includes coach Tyrone Willingham, NY Times columnist Bill Rhoden, NFL coach Dennis Green, NBA player John Salley as keynote speakers, just to name a few.

This year’s group is headed to universities throughout the country. Washington an offensive lineman is carrying a 3.9 GPA and has enrolled at Louisiana State; Gardner, a quarterback, has enrolled at Michigan and carried a 3.4; Yankey an offensive lineman has enrolled at Stanford and had an 4.0; Willis is a defensive end, who has earned a 4.0 is headed to North Carolina; Reid a defensive back is also headed to Louisiana State has 4.7.

“When I first heard about the Award I did not know what to think,” Washington said. “But after this weekend and meeting all the guys, present and past, I’m thankful I made it to the ‘Elite Five.’ ”

To qualify for the Watkins Award the student/athletes have to write a personal essay, write a bio page that highlights community service and extracurricular school activities, submit official transcripts and produced at least three letters of recommendation.

“I’m a senior and I’m taking honors classes,” Reid explained, “so at first I did not want to do anything extra. I was very busy, but now that I’m here I’m very happy I did the paper work. This is unlike any fraternity I’ve seen in sports.”

In most situations it takes the parents to push the students to do the extra effort it requires to be considered for the Watkins Award.

However, in the case of Yankey, the Stanford coaching staff cajoled him to apply for the Award. “My coaches told me I would be a great candidate for the Award,” he said. Yankey joins a school that over the years have had more Watkins Finalist than any other university; the list is fast approaching 20 Watkins scholar athletes that have earn athletic scholarships to Stanford.

“The 2010 Watkins Award features another year of fine student athletes,” Everette Pearsall, Executive Director of The Alliance, said. “Each of these young men is well equipped for success academically. We have continued to recognize and honor the premier African American Scholar Athletes in the United States.”

The Watkins Award has been presented annually since 1992. Previous awardees include Rhodes Scholar, Myron Rolle, Justin Blalock of the Atlanta Falcons, Ted Ginn Jr. of the Miami Dolphins, Lorenzo Alexander of the Washington Redskins, Mohammed Massaquoi of the Cleveland Browns, Darnell Dinkins of the New Orleans Saints, LaVarr Arrington of the New York Giants, Grant Irons and Ronald Curry formerly of the Oakland Raiders, Deryck Toles of the Indianapolis Colts, Marcedes Lewis of Jacksonville Jaguars, Ernie Sims of the Detroit Lions, and Darius Walker of the Denver Broncos.

Other Watkins Family members are Shane Battier (Duke, Class of 1997), Marcus Houston (Colorado State, 2000), 2001 finalist J.R. Lemon (Stanford, NFL), 2008 finalist Matthew Daniels (Duke), 2008 finalist Covaughn DeBoskie (Cal), 2008 finalist DeVier Posey (Ohio State), 2005 finalist Vincent Oghobaase (Duke), 2001 finalist Michael Craven (Stanford, L.A. Avengers), 1999 finalist Chris Lewis (Stanford, NFL), 2006 finalist and projected NFL 1st round pick Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, just to name a few.

The Award has evolved into a fraternity of scholar athletes, who have collectively put community service and academics at the top of their agenda.

One of the better things about the Watkins Award's Gala each year is that many of the past winners return to honor the new young men selected into this family of scholar athletes.

Visit www.naaaa.com online for more information.

Leland Stein can be reached at lelstein3@aol.com.

WATKINS AWARD CELEBRATES ATHLETIC AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

By Leland Stein
Los Angeles-Recently the National Alliance of African American Athletes (The Alliance) hosted its 18th Annual Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Award at a Black Tie Gala at the Millennium Biltmore in Los Angeles.

The Watkins Award is the most prestigious award given to United States premier African-American scholar-athlete.

Said keynote speaker and Deloitte Financial CEO David Williams:"This is a wonderful group of young black men. Their potential for greatness is evident. Their combination of scholar and athletics is special indeed."

The Watkins 2009 "Elite Five" unequivocally met Mr. Williams great compliment.

After an exhaustive nation-wide selection process that saw the "Elite Five" produce comprehensive essays, letters of recommendation, demonstrate community and school service, present official transcripts and documented athletic prowess, the final five was feted in a Heisman like affair.

The Watkins Award is a means for recognizing exceptionally talented African-American male athletes who, by their example, help promote high academic standards and a commitment to community service.

Watkins Trophy Award finalists are expected to be leaders in efforts to empower and improve diadvantaged communities. It brings young men face to face with the reality that through sports, they have an opportunity and an obligation to do more for their communities.

Although the five that were flown to Los Angeles are considered the "Elite Five" and all are considered winners, one gets honored as the Watkins Man of the Year.

For the Watkins class of 2009 All-American wide receiver Jamal-Rashad Patterson from Henry County H.S. (McDonough, Ga.) was awarded the 19th annual Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Trophy. Patterson carries a 4.65 GPA and has already committed to play at Stanford.

"The Watkins Award is unlike any I have seen or been apart of," Patterson said. "This is like a family and it rewards black males for academics and athletics. Although I was selected the Watkins Award winner, I feel that all of us are winners. This is a great group of guys and we'll be friends forever."

The four other Watkins winners were Stanford signee Jemari Roberts (Long Beach, Ca./Wilson H.S.) Georgia signeeChristopher Burnette (LaGrange, Ga./Troup County H.S.) Florida bound Jelani Jenkins (Silver Springs, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel H.S.) and Richard Wilson (Spanish Fork, Utah), who is headed to BYU.


All four are high school All-Americans and like Patterson are exceptional scholars. Burnette plays tackle and carries a 5.1 GPA, wide receiver Roberts has a 3.9 GPA, Jenkins a linebacker has a 3.96 GPA and Wilson a tight end carries a 3.8 GPA.

"I was watching ESPN and I saw Myron Rolle's story and they mentioned that he had won the Watkins Award." Wilson explained," so I got interested in how he was a great athlete, but was also an excellent student. I said I want to be recognized like him."

Another purpose of the Watkins Award is to change the way African-American athletes are perceived and viewed. Too many times announcers only exclaimed the athletic gifts Black athletes possess and ignore the intellectual acumen that many also are gifted with.

The Watkins 2009 "Elite Five" joins a Watkins Family of exceptional national honorees including Florida State safety and Rhodes Scholar Rolle, the 2006 honoree, Shane Battier (Duke, class of 1997), Marcus Houston (Colorado State ,2000), Ronald Curry (North Carolina, Oakland Raiders, 1998), Justin Blaylock (Texas, Atlanta Falcons, 2002) Darnell Dinkins (New Orleans Saints, 1995), LaVarr Arrington (N.Y. Giants, 1997) and Lorenzo Alexander (Washington Redskins, 2001).

One of the better things about the Watkins Award is that many of the past winners return to honor the new young men on the block. The Award has evolved into a fraternity of scholar African-American athletes, who have collectively put community service and academics at the top of their agenda.

Several past winners and finalists were on hand, including Rolle, Houston, 2001 finalist J.R. Lemon (Stanford, NFL), 2008 winner Matthew Daniels (Duke), 2008 finalist Covaughn DeBoskie (Cal), 2008 finalist DeVier Posey (Ohio State), 2005 finalist Vincent Oghobaase (Duke), 2001 winner Michael Craven (Stanford, L.A. Avengers), 1999 finalist Chris Lewis (Stanford, NFL), 2006 finalist and current Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, just to name a few.

One of the biggest ovations of the night went to Rolle, who was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship in November. He has decided to bypass the NFL draft in April and will spend the year at Oxford, England, working on a masters degree in medical anthropology.

The mission of the Alliance is to help young African-American males achieve in every field of human endeavor.

African American Scholar Athletes receive top Honors

Los Angeles, CA (December 29, 2008) – On Saturday, February 21, 2009, at 6:00pm, The National Alliance of African American Athletes (The Alliance) will recognize another stellar group of high school athletes from across the nation for the Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Award. The award is presented each year to the nation's top African American male high school scholar athlete.

The five finalists in alphabetical order are: CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS

* Christopher Burnette of LaGrange, Georgia – Chris is a member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, volunteers for Tiger Team School Mentorship Program, National Merit Scholar, and an Army All American All Star. He participates in football and track & field at Troup County High School and maintains a 5.1 GPA.



* Jelani Jenkins of Silver Spring, Maryland - Jelani is a member of the National Honor Society, Black Student Association, Xaverian Leadership, volunteers for Eyas Advisor Mentoring, and an Under Armour All American. He participates in football and track & field for Our Lady of Good Counsel High School while maintaining a 3.96 GPA.



* Jamal-Rashad Patterson of McDonough, Georgia – Jamal is member of the Who’s Who Among Americans, National Society of High School Scholars, United States Achievement Academy, National Beta Club, and an Under Armour All American. He participates in football is a state track champion at Henry County High School while maintaining a 4.65 GPA.



* Jemari Roberts of Long Beach, California - Jemari is a member of the Distinguished Scholars Program, President of XMen Service Club, volunteer coach for The Youth Soccer League and 1st Team All Moore league. He participates in football and track & field at Wilson High School while maintaining a 3.9 GPA.



* Richard Wilson of Spanish Fork, UT - Richard is an Academic All Region, received the Hope of American Award, member of HOSA Club and volunteers countless hours at his church with youth. He participates in football and track & field at Spanish Fork High School where he maintains a 3.8 GPA.

The Watkins Award ceremony will be held at the prestigious Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

"The 2009 Watkins Award features another year of fine student athletes," Everette Pearsall, Executive Director of The Alliance, shares. “Each of these young men is well equipped for success academically. We have continued to recognize and honor the premier African American Scholar Athletes in the United States.”

Finalists are chosen based on their unweighted grade point average, their personal statements, extra curricular activities, community service, and letters of recommendation. Each winner will be recognized in Beverly Hills, receive an award, ring, and dinner in their hometown.

Sponsors of this year’s event include Deloitte & Touche, LLP, Disney, Peoples Financial Services, Pink’s Hot Dogs, Remy Martin, Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles, Nash Management Group, Norman Lewis Limousine, Ehlers Cadillac, and Jostens Corporation who manufactures and donates the Watkins Award trophy and rings.

Media representatives are invited to cover the awards ceremony. For more information about the Watkins Award, The Alliance, or to get tickets for the awards ceremony visit our website at www.naaaa.com or email everedy@aol.com

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The Watkins Award is presented annually to African American scholar-athletes since 1992, the Watkins Award is named for Franklin D. Watkins, the coach of championship football and basketball teams in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Previous awardees include Rhodes Scholar, Myron Rolle, Justin Blalock of the Atlanta Falcons, Ted Ginn Jr. of the Miami Dolphins, Lorenzo Alexander of the Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals Robert Tate, Darnell Dinkins of the Cleveland Browns, LaVarr Arrington of the New York Giants, Grant Irons and Ronald Curry of the Oakland Raiders, Deryck Toles of the Indianapolis Colts, Marcedes Lewis of Jacksonville Jaguars, Ernie Sims of the Detroit Lions, and Darius Walker of the Houston Texans.



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



12th Annual Watkins “Teen Summit” ..information.



The nationwide “Watkins Award “for African American High School Male Scholar Athletes.