Coach Mickey Clayton and sports reporter Rick Brown bring you another episode of Insiights Sports fast paced conversation on the latest and sometimes overlooked but interesting topics in sports. These two guys are friends so you never know where the conversation will lead. This episode focuses on the controversial topic on whether college athletes should be paid. Check it out. Like and subscribe.

Related Link:  Insiights.com

(Talladega, AL)  The Talladega College Board of Trustees authorized Talladega College President Dr. Billy C. Hawkins to employ a consultant to determine the feasibility of reviving the institution’s football program.  Trustees voted in favor of conducting a feasibility study during the institution’s spring board meeting on April 30, 2021. 

Talladega seized the Black College Football National Championship in both 1920 and 1921 under the leadership of Coach Jubie Barton Bragg. While the institution’s illustrious football program was canceled 80 years ago, during World War II, the upcoming study may help usher in a new era of football for Alabama’s first private historically black college.

“The year 2021 marks the one hundred year anniversary of our historic back-to-back championship win,” said Talladega College President Dr. Billy C. Hawkins. “Given the success of our academic and athletic programs; the recent growth and transformation of the college; and the myriad benefits of having a football program, now may be the time to revive our team. This could be great for the college, the community, and central Alabama. However, our decision will be based upon the findings of a formal feasibility study.”

Dr. Hawkins has extensive experience in bringing back a college football program. During his tenure as president of Texas College, where he served prior to beginning his presidency at Talladega, he successfully restarted the institution’s football program that had been shut down for 40 years. Texas’s football program is still thriving today. 

Talladega’s Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Jeffery T. Burgin Jr, recently spearheaded a preliminary investigation to determine the feasibility of adding a football program.  His committee surveyed employees and found that an overwhelming majority of Talladega’s faculty and staff are in favor of having a football program. Most employees believe a football team will increase student enrollment and retention; attract donations and sponsorships; and increase institutional pride.

“We are now moving forward with a true feasibility study. Adding a football program will affect community members so we want to hear their opinions. We also want to gage the opinions of our alumni and other stakeholders,” Dr. Burgin stated.

Talladega College Athletic Director Kevin Herod added, “The possibility of adding football would only enhance our athletic program and bring new opportunities to the campus, the community, and the overall collegiate experience for our students.” 

Shakayah Midgette, a 2021 graduate who served as student representative to the Talladega College Board of Trustees, stated, “The band would love to actually march at home games, and many students are excited about the possibility of attending football games on campus.  School pride has increased a great deal, and I believe a football team would help it to increase even further.  Football would attract new students as well as sponsors.”

Talladega recently launched its first-ever graduate program and constructed three new facilities — a 45,000-square-foot residence hall; the Dr. Billy C. Hawkins Student Activity Center; and the Dr. William R. Harvey Museum of Art, which houses Hale Woodruff’s renowned Amistad Murals. The 2020-2021 academic year was Talladega’s 3rd consecutive year for record enrollment increases. Talladega is consistently listed among the best colleges in the Southeast and the top HBCUs in the nation.  

As a surprise to no one, Florida A&M University head football coach Alex Wood will not return to lead the football program next season. Wood resigned a couple of days after a loss to Bethune-Cookman in the Florida Classic. Although FAMU holds a tremendous lead in the series matchup, 49-22-1, this year would be the seventh consecutive loss to BCU.

It is understood that there are two games a FAMU football coach must win each year for job security — Homecoming and the Florida Classic. A FAMU coach could probably go 2-9 and get less grief from FAMU fans if those two wins are Homecoming and the Florida Classic. If the truth be told, considering the Homecoming and Florida Classic losses under Coach Wood’s tenure, the FAMU fans were much kinder to Wood than they were to some of his predecessors. I’m not justifying that position but it is what it is.

To those of us alums not directly involved with the FAMU football program, Coach Wood seemed to be a nice guy. He was close to winning several games this season but it didn’t happen for him and the team. When a new coach replaces all of the previous staff except one person, FAMU fans expect a winning season quickly. Wood might have accomplished that with the opportunity to coach the team another season but that was not to be.

FAMU offensive line coach Edwin Pata was named interim head coach by outgoing athletic director Milton Overton who has taken the athletic director position at Kennesaw State. Overton will be succeeded by interim athletic director John Eason.

Pata is that only person from the previous coaching staff that Wood did not replace. Pata has coached at FAMU for five years and earned his masters degree in sports management from FAMU. The FAMU football team has already let it be known that they want Coach Pata as the permanent head football coach. They’ve even started a hashtag on social media — #NoOneButCoachPata.

Edwin Pata is a graduate of North Miami High School where he earned honors on the gridiron as an All-State tight end. He earned his undergraduate degree at Florida State University and played football under Coach Bobby Bowden. Pata was very complimentary of Coach Wood’s progress with the program. Pata could be that person to make the program a winner again.

In the meantime, a nine-person search committee for the FAMU head football coach has been established. The committee members are: interim Athletic Director John Eason, former FAMU trustee Spurgeon McWilliams, FAMU National Alumni Association President Lt. Col. Gregory Clark, Rattler Boosters Treasurer Selvin Cobb, FAMU professor Ebenezer Oriaku, FAMU linebacker Elijah Richardson, 220 Quarterback Club President Eddie Jackson, SBI Dean Shawnta Friday-Stroud and FAMU’s director of track and field Darlene Moore. Although the need for a Committee is questionable, it would really be great if the search committee included FAMUans from South Florida who are not current FAMU employees. 

It has been stated that there is no timeline for selecting the head coach but that interim status does impact recruiting. Dr. Larry Robinson was named permanent president of FAMU today. The selections to fill the interim athletic director and head football coach positions should not be rushed but should be filled as quickly as possible for the sake of program stability.

Let’s Go, Rattlers! 

 @vanessawbyers

Related Link: Watch it: Edwin Pata introduced as FAMU's interim head football coach

CHICAGO – In the off-season, after the Super Bowl loss, Cam Newton – loving son, new father, star quarterback of the Carolina Panthers and lightning rod for critics – finally takes off his cape. In the EBONY exclusive, Trust and Believe by Charles F. Coleman, Jr, he openly addresses his regrets and rewards, and what all the controversy was really about.  In his first in-depth interview since the Super Bowl, Newton answers the questions that America wants to know – Does he regret making those pre-game comments? How does he feel about the loss? And what are his true feelings on the controversial post-game interview? 

The story also explores the media coverage of Newton and ponders the racial lens through which he is often peered going back to his early career, including threatening accusations in college. Those challenges at the start of his public life led some to doubt Newton’s ability to have a successful NFL career at all. He speaks to EBONY about those hurdles now as defining moments. “It made me think, ‘Let me get my shit together, dawg.’ That same story gives me the discipline [to make better decisions] when I’m out now,” says Newton.

Despite critics, the genuine source of Cam’s strength and resolve becomes evident after Coleman’s intimate time with the family. He reports that unlike what is often seen in both fictionalized and real depictions of Black sports stars, the Newtons are not the stereotypical clan who made it out of the ghetto thanks to the athletic prowess of their son. Rather they are a working class family from Atlanta’s College Park suburb, deeply rooted in the church. “When I see family,” Newton says, “I see the supporting cast that has helped propel me.”

Editor-in-Chief, Kierna Mayo’s takeaway from time with The Newtons, was the power of his mother’s influence on her son’s life.  In the story “Jackie ‘My-Love’ Advice from Cam’s mom on keeping kids close”, Mayo spoke with the NFL mom about the art of staying connected to your children over time.

In celebration of Black mothers, the April/May issue features: “Mama’s Boy", an interview with CNN Anchor Don Lemon where he opens up about the expansive love and sacrifice of his mother, Katherine Clark, and how it shaped his world; “Mother Nature”, insights from one woman’s holistic pregnancy journey, along with natural and organic editors’ picks beauty buys; “Sex, Dating & the Single Mom” by Entertainment Director, S. Tia Brown which urges mothers to get their mingle on and offers how-to tips; and Senior Editor Jamilah Lemieux’s column Honey Child,  “Always Be My Baby”, where she explores the complex and evolving relationship between mothers and daughters through her experiences.

The EBONY Spring Double issue also boasts an essential Spring film and TV guide, a special men’s sneaker roundup and “World Passport”, the new international style section.

The 2nd Annual Zo’s Winter Groove will be held January 15 – 18, 2016 in the City of Miramar and Miami-Dade County.  This year is slated to be a event-filled weekend with activities for the entire family to enjoy.   

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

On Friday, January 15, 2016 Alonzo Mourning will kick off the Winter Groove Weekend with a Youth Summit hosted by Florida Memorial University that will include special presentations from Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President of Florida Memorial University, Kevin Powell, Author and Political Activist and Natasha Eubanks, Founder- Young Black & Fabulous.

On Saturday, January 16, 2016, Alonzo Mourning and friends will start the day with a 5K Run/Walk followed by a Family Fun Day and Health & Wellness Fair at Miramar Regional Park.  There will be lots to do for everyone including free Zumba and Yoga lessons, a CrossFit obstacle course for fitness enthusiast along with free sports clinics for youth ages 7-16.  All Family Fun Day activities are free and will also feature a kid’s zone, free health screenings and more. Delicious foods from various food trucks from Miami- Dade and Broward counties will be onsite.

On Sunday, January 17, 2016, Alonzo Mourning and friend Cedric The Entertainer will host the 2nd Annual Zo’s Winter Groove Comedy show featuring the Laff Mobb - Malik S., J.J. Williamson, Barry Ribs, Meme Simpson, and Marshall Brandon. The comedy show will be held at the beautiful J.W. Marriott Marquis in Downtown Miami and will kick –off with Red Carpet Arrivals and a VIP reception at 6:00 pm.

On Monday, January 18, 2016, Zo’s Winter Groove Weekend comes to a close with the Zo’s Hall of Fame Golf Groove at the beautiful Turnberry Isle Miami Resort & Country Club.  Golfers will include former and current players from the NBA, NFL and MLB. 

Zo’s Winter Groove benefits the Mourning Family Foundation and its mission to support education, mentoring and advocacy for youth and families in South Florida.

Miami Central retained the coveted ‘Commissioners Cup’ in the local high school football match-up against Miami Northwestern. As the trash-talking about the game subsides, it seems what happened after the game is a hot topic on social media.

Here’s what popular Miami Central alum DC Clark wrote on Facebook:

The Fruit Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree:

By now everyone knows that Central defeated Northwestern in football this weekend. But the bigger story is our student athletes failed to shake hands after the game. After a player from one team stomped on a player from another team while he was lying on the turf cramping, the coaches felt it was best for the players to go directly to the bus without shaking hands. In hindsight, the better move should've been to line them up, tell them beforehand that if anyone say and do something out of the ordinary they will be kicked off the team, and proceed to shake the opposing team's hand.

This rivalry has been very heated over the years with Alumni and former coaches coaching at each other's school. Most of the players played with each other growing up. So things are a little more heated than most. But what most Alumni and students don't know is both Alumni Associations are working together through ICARE (Inner City Alumni for Responsible Education) to solve the problems that plague us all. Also both Alumni Associations put in $1,500 each to hold a Joint Tailgate Party before the game. (Funds came from our Commissioners). But what our students mostly see is all the shit talking we do leading up to the game.

In the final analysis, we as adults have to do a better job in conveying to our children that it's just a game. We have to let them know that most of us know each other and in some cases are relatives of one another. Ultimately we have to let them know IT'S NOT THAT SERIOUS. Remember from birth, our children mimic everything they see us do. If they think we place winning and losing a football game before everything else then they will do the same thing. And with some of them belonging to gangs and carrying weapons, things can turn ugly real fast. It is up to us to let our children know that it's only a game and it’ s not life and death.

Here are a few responses to Clark’s post:

At the end of the day, this is another teachable moment for the student-athletes at all schools and for the adults in their lives. I agree that football is not that serious, it's just a game. The reality for many boys is different, it's very serious. For many of them, their parents see football as an opportunity out of poverty and a better life for the family. Their coaches want to win. That's a lot of pressure for a child. Adults have fed the goal of attaining riches and fame to these young boys’ psyche since the pee wee leagues. Sports has been stressed more than academics for many, if not most, of these boys and now we expect them to behave in a civilized manner when losing against a rival in an important community competition?

The unsportsmanlike conduct between the players at Central and Northwestern needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. The principals and coaching staffs of both schools should meet on neutral ground, discuss the behavior, and shake hands like men. Anyone not willing to follow the rules should be removed from the team regardless of their playing ability and status. It’s simple, very simple.

 ~ Va-Va

The Miami Central Rockets and their fans traveling to the football game against the Hoover (AL) Bucs received racist taunts.

This is the latest foolishness to remind black people that the more things change, the more they remain the same in the eyes of some people in these United States of America.

Miami Central High School Head Football Coach Roland Smith received a letter from a Hoover High School fan advising the Miami Central fans to take their chicken bones back to Miami and to pickup their red cups that they use to drink Kool-Aid and liquor after the Bucs whip the Rockets asses. Of course the fan's taunting would not be complete without dropping the N-bomb also.

Miami Central is scheduled to play Hoover High School in Hoover, AL tomorrow, August 23rd, 2014 @ Noon EST/11AM CST. The matchup will be broadcast on ESPN. The Hoover Bucs are a top-ranked team so this should be a great game.

Hopefully, this incident as well as the turmoil in Ferguson, MO are teachable moments for individuals that work closely with black high school football players. Many of these athletes will be presented with the opportunity to play for PWIs that might lead them to the financial wealth of professional sports. If they are blessed to enjoy that experience, it is incumbent upon them to use their opportunity and access for community-building purposes.

To be clear, there is no reason to believe that the letter from the Bucs fan is reflective of the feelings of most of the folks at Hoover high School. The Rockets will use it as motivation to victory. Let's Go, Rockets!

Some Miami HEAT fans are not so accommodating in accepting Lebron James's decision to go back to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Check this from WPLG - Channel 10. Wow.

Thank God Lebron James finally made the announcement. Yesterday, via an essay published in Sports Illustrated, officially notified the world that he's going back to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Are Miami HEAT fans disappointed? Heck yeah, but you have to respect the man’s decision, even if you don’t like it. Lebron obviously came to terms with the reaction to his departure from the Cavs back in 2010, I don't understand how he did that but the decision is his, not mine or any other fan or Pat Riley and Micky Arison for that matter. Miami might be a second home for them but it’s not home and any reasonable person should understand that.

The Domino Effect of Lebron’s decision included the re-signing of Chris Bosh and rumors of Chicago’s interest in Dwyane Wade, although that seems questionable. What’s most fascinating in this situation is that just as in the Decision Pt. 1, Pt. 2 reiterates Lebron’s control over his career. It also illustrated just how much influence he has in the NBA ond worldwide media. Waiting for the Decision Pt. 2 dominated the news to the point that I’d really had enough of the emotional manipulation. 

I have to admit I would have lost money had I bet on Lebron returning to the Cavs. After such vitriol from the fans and team owner, Dan Gilbert, when Lebron announced his move to the Miami HEAT back in 2010. Rest assured there will be no burning of Lebron James Miami HEAT jerseys this time --- not unless someone is just seeking attention. This is Miami, someone might try to sell you a Lebron James Miami HEAT jersey and tell you it’s now a ‘collector’s item,’ but burning? I don’t think so. Speaking of losing money, Lebron’s James move back to the Cavaliers will reportedly cost the Miami area $100 million.

Now Miami HEAT fans must wait while Miami HEAT president Pat Riley works his magic in putting together a team for the upcoming season. Here is Riley's official statement on the departure of Lebron James. A class act, no nasty letter like Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert.  

 All the best to Lebron. LET'S GO HEAT!

- VB

(MIAMI, June 26, 2014) — The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department will present the Mayor’s Cup Youth Golf Series, during the months of June and July.  A series of two unique summer golf competitions, for boys and girls, which include the “Mayor’s Cup Youth Golf Tournament” for seasoned golfers, ages 17 and under, and the “Mayor’s Cup Youth SNAG Golf Challenge” for beginner golfers of all abilities, ages 14 and under.  The annual youth sporting events are part of the Youth Sports Championship Series, an initiative of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez aimed at increasing participation in youth athletics. Registration is now open for both golf competitions.

As a father, grandfather and lifetime advocate of the long-term health benefits of regular exercise for children, Mayor Gimenez knows first-hand the esteemed values developed from continuous involvement in athletics. “Youth sporting events, such as the Mayor’s Cup Youth Golf Series, are a great way for children to learn how to play and compete in a sport,” he said. “Through sports like golf, they also learn life-skills such as good sportsmanship, teamwork, responsibility, and discipline, which are the core ingredients for successful living.” 

Mayor’s Cup Youth Golf Tournament and Championship - Ages 17 and under

Sponsored by Golf Miami-Dade and the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade

Miami-Dade Parks’ five golf courses are designated tournament sites. Qualifying tournaments were held at Palmetto Golf on June 15 and at Briar Bay Golf on June 22.  Below are the dates and locations of three remaining qualifying tournaments. Advance registration is required. The cost is $10 per player. Tournaments tee off at 11:00 a.m.

June 29

Country Club of Miami

6801 NW 186 Street, Miami 

(18-hole site)

July 13

Crandon Golf at Key Biscayne

6700 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne

(18-hole site)

July 20

Greynolds Golf Course

17530 W Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach

(9-hole site)

The format for the Youth Golf Tournament is individual stroke play and by age division: 12 and under, 13-15 and 16-17. Top golfers from each of the five qualifying tournaments will compete in the Mayor’s Cup Golf Championship taking place on August 10, at Crandon Golf. The public is invited to attend and watch the Championship free of charge. 

Mayor’s Cup Youth SNAG Golf Challenge and Championship – Ages 6-14

Sponsored by Golf Miami-Dade, Jack Nicholas Learning League, 2 Up Golf Club of Miami, Inc., and Golfing Gals

The innovative “Starting New At Golf” (SNAG) program offer players of all ages and abilities the opportunity to learn and play the game of golf in almost any environment. Since 2013, SNAG/JNLL (Jack Nicholas Learning League) has been a component of the Miami-Dade County Parks’ Fit2Play® after-school and summer camp curriculum.  The format uses lighter, kid-friendly golf clubs, Velcro balls, targets, and other teaching tools. 

Youth SNAG Golf teams will consist of four (4) players and be co-ed, having at least one boy and one girl on a team.  Teams in the 6-9 and 10-14 age groups are invited to participate in one of these regional SNAG Golf Challenges being held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., on July 22:

North Region

Gwen Cherry Park

7090 NW 22 Avenue, Miami

Central Region

Tamiami Park

11201 SW 24 Street, Miami

South Region

Goulds Park

11350 SW 216 Street, Miami

Registration is free and required by Monday, July 21. Age-appropriate golf equipment will be provided. The regional SNAG Golf Challenges will culminate in the Mayor’s Cup Youth SNAG Golf Championship, taking place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., on August 11, at Tamiami Park.  The public is invited to attend and watch the Championship free of charge. 

To register for the Mayor’s Cup Youth Golf Series competitions and for more information, visit www.PlayMiami.org, or contact Chris Evans at (305) 755-7885 or [email protected].

Registration fees for these sports competitions support the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade’s efforts for the youth sports development component of Miami-Dade County Parks’ Fit2Play® after-school and summer camp programs.