Alabama State University’s Homecoming (Turkey Day 2011) and a modest conversation between Mr. Derick Moore and Dr. Melvin Lowe, III has lead to an annual participation of two organizations. The Macon County Public School System and the HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) All Star Bowl are in preliminary discussions to develop a scholarship program for deserving high school athletes. Dr. Jacqueline A. Brooks – Superintendent of Education has stressed her eagerness to have such authentic partnerships and scholarship programs available to the boys and girls in the Macon County Public School System. Goal 1 - Student-Centered School Systems, Schools, and Classrooms-My goal is for all stakeholders to operate from a student-centered perspective.
From this conversation, 21 senior football players were given the opportunity to attend the 3rd Annual HBCU All Star Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia. Each of the students that attended will have formal electronic portfolios submitted to all of the HBCU Athletic Coaches who were present in Atlanta on this weekend. The portfolios will consist of a Biography, Playing Statistics, Transcripts, and ACT/SAT Scores. The LEA goals are to present deserving students to colleges and universities who can further mature their educational and athletic abilities via general enrollment and/or scholarships.
The weekend events began on last Friday evening with a Holiday Gala. Melvin Lowe; represented Macon County Public Schools in efforts of networking and making best evaluations of colleges-universities and their programs for the placement of their 21 high school senior players. Saturday’s events included various workshops and sporting clinics for elementary-middle-high school players. Sunday’s event involved the Macon County Public School System; we were the only school system in Alabama invited to attend this event. We received red-carpet treatment upon our arrival at the Westin Hotel in downtown Atlanta. We were scheduled to attend the All Star Bruch which would give the students an opportunity to meet college and university coaches and players. Due to the influx of patrons and the magnitude of the event, there was a meet and greet in the lobby of the Westin Hotel Peachtree. The students took photos and held prudent conversations regarding high school preparations for college careers as athletes. ACT/SAT assessments were a major concern of Head Coach Reggie Barlow
of Alabama State University. The former NFL draftee stated: “take advantage of your coaches and administrators assistance by taking the ACT at each assessment; you will need it to get into college”.
***Highlights………The 2011 NFL Draft weekend resulted with a total of three HBCU Football players from the 2010 HBCU All-Star Bowl game that were drafted: South Carolina State OL J.C. Culbreath - Detroit Lions, Alabama A&M DL Frank Kearse - Miami Dolphins and Florida A&M CB Curtis Holcomb to the San Francisco 49ers were all drafted in the seventh round. A record total number of thirty-five (35) players from the 2010 HBCU All-Star Bowl signed NFL free agent contracts. As participants at the high school level, we in Macon County hope to one-day (4 years) see some of our graduates in this game. The Macon County Public School System will begin January 2012 with a development program to benefit next year’s deserving athletes. Special thanks is extended to Head Coach James Lucas – Notasulga High School and Asst. Coach Tracy Stacy for assisting in taking these students to Atlanta, it was a 6:30a.m. – 10:00p.m. event. The offset of this event, included free ticket to both the game sand pre-game brunch; all sponsored by Mr. Derick Moore incorporation with the HBCU Bowl 2011.
In closing, Macon County is a student centered learning organization. We seek every opportunity to enable each of our graduates with life-long careers and employment opportunities. Programs such as these will continue to benefit the unique needs of our students, one-day and one-student at a time. Please donate modestly and generously as we are seeking to raise $10,000 for the 2012 event. Our student’s exposure and scholarship depends on it.
-- Submitted by Dr. Melvin Lowe
