Fruit for Thought: the Intersection of Education, Culture, and Performance

Before my current writing life, there was  The Hilltop ,  Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form. From The Hilltop Archives Originally published in   The Hilltop , Howard University — September 26th, 2003 __________________________________________________________________________________ Double Header: Bison Soccer Against the World It doesn't happen too often. For the second consecutive week, the  men's  and women's soccer team played back-to-back games giving fans more  futbol  than they can handle. Both teams play grueling schedule and with the women independent and the men in the Atlantic Soccer Conference, catching the two at the same time and location is nearly impossible. Being one of four complete sports families, these double-headers give them a chance to see...

Before my current writing life, there was  The Hilltop ,  Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form. From The Hilltop Archives Originally published in   The Hilltop , Howard University — September 26th, 2003 __________________________________________________________________________________ Who’da Thunk It I am sorry. To my sister, my managing editor, my football rival, I am sorry, but I told you... Oakland can't touch the Broncos. Oakland won't touch the Broncos. So you Raider fans, just let it go and walk away (if you don't know the movie, shame).  Oakland gives a new meaning to retro. Forget a jersey, they're a throwback team.  Jerry Rice, Rod Woodson and Rich Gannon-- let's be for real, their combined age is about 300 and they come out of the tunnel with walkers and oxygen tan...

Before my current writing life, there was  The Hilltop ,  Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form. From The Hilltop Archives Originally published in   The Hilltop , Howard University — September 16th, 2003 __________________________________________________________________________________ Battle of the Real HU After a rainy start, the sun finally emerged Saturday afternoon in Greene Stadium, illuminating a victorious Hampton football team. The Pirates retained their bragging rights with a 14-17 win before a crowd of 10,500 jeering football fans.  "I believe in Rocky [Alessandro Marchsini]. I thought he could tie the game for us and we could go into overtime with the momentum and win. We've seen him hit field goals from 55 yards," Bison football coach Ray Petty said. Marchesini missed...

Before my current writing life, there was  The Hilltop ,  Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form. From The Hilltop Archives  Originally published in   The Hilltop , Howard University — September 16th, 2003 __________________________________________________________________________________ Things That Make You Go Hmmm....  Off jump, my Bison fans, y'all are some soldiers.  I want to give big ups to all that showed up to Greene Stadium and risked the chance of getting sick to support our football team. It rained Friday and we knew it was going to rain on Saturday, you think that was going to stop us? We showed up with hoodies, ponchos and umbrellas. Nothing was going to keep us away from the Battle of the Real HU. It's serious. To all y'all fakers, transfer, cuz there's no e...

Before my current writing life, there was  The Hilltop ,  Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form. From The Hilltop Archives Originally published in   The Hilltop , Howard University — September 12th, 2003 __________________________________________________________________________________ It’s Not a Game Y'all really thought this Howard/Hampton rivalry was about football? There is definitely bad blood between these two schools that goes beyond football, goes beyond track, basketball and soccer. Hell, it goes beyond sports. But, why can't we keep it to athletics like in the NBA, MLB, NCAA,  NFL ?  They all have their fair share of rivalries from the Lakers and the Kings, the Red Sox and Yankees, OSU and Michigan and my personal favorite, the Broncos and the Raiders. And they're a...

Before my current writing life, there was  The Hilltop ,  Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form. From The Hilltop Archives Originally published in   The Hilltop , Howard University — September 5th, 2003 __________________________________________________________________________________ Are You Ready For Some Football?   Man, it's football season already?  First, I want to give one more shout out to the Buccaneers. Big ups to the underdawgs who did the unthinkable and proved once again that while offense sells tickets, defense wins games.  Now we can finally put last year's upset behind us. But before we begin a new season, it's only proper that we take a moment it silence and pay our respects to Jerry Rice's Super Bowl hopes because they have been put to rest... Aight, th...

Before my current writing life, there was  The Hilltop ,  Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form. From The Hilltop Archives Originally published in   The Hilltop , Howard University — September 5th, 2003 __________________________________________________________________________________ Life’s a Sport Whoever said being an athlete is easy, has never been an athlete.  After play four years of sports in high school the main reason why students passed on being a full time athlete was because it was so demanding. Intercollegiate sports are no joke.  At Howard, it's taken to the next level. When a student is an athlete, sports are their life. Unlike the academic year, two semesters consisting of16 weeks of classes, athletes continue their commitment year around. Athletes don't stop ...