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 — January 16th, 2004 __________________________________________________________________________________ Copping State and Delaware State: Could the Lady Bison Stay undefeated in the MEAC? The contribution of freshman Melloni Benson and Christina Aden led the Lady Bison to an impressive win last Saturday over the Bears of Morgan State. At 2-0 in conference play, they headed into two MEAC games in three days earlier this week.  First to take the court at Burr Gymnasium were the Lady Eagles of Coppin State who had a 2-3 MEAC record and recently lost a close game to Delaware State last weekend.  Within...

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 — December 5th, 2003 __________________________________________________________________________________ Bison Short Circuit Red Flash     The posters are now available, get them while they're hot because supplies are limited.   For student who left after at halftime, the Bison comeback against the Red Flash of St. Francis paled in comparison to the "Dunk Heard 'Round the Mecca."    With 13:46 left in the second half, James "Mac" Wilkinson shifted into sixth gear, went baseline and rose over a St. Francis defender for a jaw-dropping facial. Spectators weren't interested in the name of...

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 — November 21st, 2003 __________________________________________________________________________________ The Queens of the Hardwood Take the Floor   "There's a level of excitement that I have. I am excited about the possibilities," said Cathy Parson, Head Coach of Women's Basketball, who has been preparing her team for the 2003-04  season . On Saturday, the Kings of the Gridiron will be forfeiting the throne to the Queens of the Hardwood. Tonight they take the court for the first time tonight against Villanova. Villanova is a powerhouse school and they finished third in the Big East, but there's no...

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 — March 28th, 2003 __________________________________________________________________________________ When All Hales Broke Loose The beauty of sports is that no team stays on top forever.   The leaders of the pack are supposed to fall every once in a while. That's what keeps the underdogs motivated - knowing  they  could be the  David  that slays the mighty Goliath.   And for Hales Franciscan, a Catholic high school on Chicago's South Side, the sleeping giant woke up.   While most of the nation was focused on the NCAA tournament, the drama that is the Illinois High School 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 — February 7th, 2003 __________________________________________________________________________________ Bison Crush Bears Monday night, the Lady Bison handed the Morgan State Bears their worst loss of the season, beating them by 61 points, 98-37. The Bears have an overall record of 1-18 and are winless in the MEAC.    "It's difficult and it's been a year of adversity," Morgan State Head Coach Angelyne Brown said. "It would be different if I had been in this situation before."   Brown came from a winning program and said that she had never been on a losing team.    At Clark Atlanta sh...

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 — February 7th, 2003 __________________________________________________________________________________ The Art of Dropping 52 It's been two weeks and Ron Williamson still couldn't explain how he scorched the Aggies for 52-points.    "It was just one of those nights when everything was going right," Williamson said.   This wasn't the first time in his career that he's had the hot hand.    In his fourth year, Williamson has scored above the 40-point mark three times. His first time was against Georgetown in 2001 when he scored 41 and he again went for 41-points the following season ag...