Local Athlete: Darnell Dockett

Lets go back to 1998. I was a freshman football player at Magruder High School.

Our homecoming game that year was against Paint Branch High School from Burtonsville.

As soon as the visiting Panthers stepped off the team bus that day, the one player we feared, Darnell Dockett, stood out among all other and began imposing his intimidation factor. A 6'3 270 man-child made of pure muscle. We had gameplanned for him all but in the end, it didn't really matter.

Dockett made all the tackles, scored all the touchdowns, called his own plays...i'm pretty sure he filled up the Gatorade bucket, did all the cheerleader cheers and drove the team bus back home when the butt-kicking was complete.

In Dockett's career at Paint Branch, he set a school record with 47 sacks. In his senior season he was USA Today prep all-America selection with 171 tackles (109 solos), 15 sacks, 2 caused fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, and 3 blocked punts.

After graduation, Dockett earned a full scholarship to Florida State University as a defensive end. In his four years as a Seminole, Dockett recorded 9 sacks, and 192 tackles (93 solo tackles, 89 assisted tackles), and set a school record for 48 tackles for losses. Dockett was named an All-American in 2003 as a senior.

In 2004, Dockett was a third round draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals, and since has had a productive professional career. This year, he is enjoying his best year as a pro. He currently has 36 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and leads the team with 8 sacks.

Local Coach: Bill Belichick

Maryland not only produces the best athletes, it produces best coaches too. Maybe the best coach...EVER. Don't think so? Let me introduce you to New England Patriots head coach William "Bill" Stephen Belichick, a Maryland native.

Bill Belichick was born in Nashville, Tennessee on April 16, 1952. Belichick was raised in Annapolis, where he spend his childhood and teenage years. Belichick's father, Steve, was a former Detroit Lions football player and was an assistant football coach at the United States Naval Academy.

After graduating high school from Annapolis High School and spending one postgraduate year at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, Belichick became a multi-sport talent at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. In edition to playing center and tight end on the football team, Belichick played lacrosse and squash for Wesleyan.

After graduating in 1975, Belichick got his first coaching job makings $25 per week under Ted Marchibroda and the Baltimore Colts.

Belichick spent the next three years coaching special teams, tight ends, and wide receivers for the Detroit Lions. He spent one season as the as a defensive assistant with Denver Broncos before beginning a 12-year stint with the New York Giants. In his first few years with the
Giants, Belichick served many different assisting duties. He was named defensive coordinator in 1985. Belichick's defensive gameplans helped the Giants win Super Bowl XXI in 1986 and Super Bowl XXV in 1990.

Belichick got his first head coaching gig at the helm of the Cleveland Browns in 1991. He was there for four years before resigning.

Belichick reunited with former Giants coach Bill Parcells to become the defensive coordinator with the New England Patriots. Once again, Belichick's defensive led his team to a Super Bowl birth in 1996. When Parcells left for the New York Jets one year later, Belichick followed him and helped turn the organization around. In 1998, the Jets came within one game of the Super Bowl.

In 2000, Belichick filled the head coaching vacancy in New England. In the past seven years, Belichick's Patriots had won Super Bowl XXXVI in 2001, Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2003, and Super Bowl XXXIX in 2004.

Not only is Belichick a great coach, but he has birthed many other head coaches in his mold around the NFL and college. Cleveland's Romeo Crennel, New York Jet's Eric Mangini ,Notre Dame's Charlie Weis, and Alabama's Nick Saban are among the coaches that Belichick gave their start.

Leonard "Len" Bias November 18, 1963-June 19, 1986

He could have been the greatest of all-time, he was Michael Jordan before there was Michael Jordan. He had potential beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. For a short period of time, he had the world at his feet. He was Len Bias.

Leonard Kevin Bias was born in Landover, Md. On November 18, 1963. Bias attended Northwestern High School in Hyattsville. During his time at NHS, Bias set many school records and became known as the best basketball player in the state.

It was only natural that he would attend the University of Maryland, which is located directly down the street from his high school in College Park. Bias was a two time All-American during his time at UMD. He was also twice named ACC player of the year in 1985 and 1986. Bias impressed basketball fans with his ability to score at will and his athleticism. During his college career Bias was considered one of the most dynamic players in the nation. Bias was considered by many draft experts as the most complete player ever to come out of college. Bias was the first player ever to be compared to Michael Jordan, even though MJ himself was only in his second NBA season.

Bias was selected by the defending NBA champion Celtics as the second overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft. Bias and his father flew to Boston, from Washington, DC. To meet with Celtic officials. He returned to Maryland the next day to celebrate with family and friends. Bias arrived to campus at around 11:00 p.m. Shortly after, he left campus nad drove to an off-campus gathering, which he attended briefly before returning to his dorm at 3:00 a.m. Bias took a lethal dose of cocaine which, because of its location and method of ingestion, went immediately to the autonomic nerve center of the brain. There, it shut down the nerve signals that tell the diaphragm to allow the body to breathe.

Bias was rushed to the hospital, but was dead before his arrival. He was pronounced dead at 6:32 A.M. on June 19^th 1986 of a cardiac arrhythmia caused by a cocaine overdose.

The impact of Bias’ death was felt across the nation. Four days after his death, 11,000 people packed Cole Field House in College Park for a memorial service. Those speaking at the service included Boston Celtics president Arnold "Red" Auerbach, who said he had planned for three years to get Len onto the Celtics, and that “the city of Boston had not been so shaken since the assassination of John F. Kennedy.”

Local Athlete: Rudy Gay

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1. A phenomenon, esp. a young prodigy: a twelve-year-old tennis phenom
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Not many athletes to come from this area could have been able to draw comparisons to NBA superstars at a young age. Rudy Gay did.

Ever since the Baltimore city native was a young child, it was known that Gay was destined for greatness.

Gay played two seasons of varsity basketball at Eastern Technical High School in Essex, Md. After his sophomore season, Gay transferred to basketball powerhouse Archbishop Spaulding High School. There, Gay became one of the nation’s top basketball prospects. Gay was named to first team All-Baltimore catholic league as a junior and as a senior. Gay was also honored as the Baltimore Sun's co-player of the year. He was a McDonald's All-American, and a Parade First Team All-American in his senior year after averaging 21.2 points per game, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks.

After graduation, Gay took his talents to University of Connecticut, where his talent paid instant dividends. He was a co-winner (Jeff Green of Georgetown University) of the 2005 Big East Conference Freshman of the Year award. Rudy was also named ‘National Freshman of the Year’ by The Sporting News.

In the summer after his freshman year, Gay was invited to play for the U.S.A. Men's Under-21 World Championship Team. He averaged 10.5 points a game and 5.5 rebounds. In the same summer, Gay was nominated as Big East Preseason player of the year.

During his sophomore season, Gay was one of four division one college players nominated for the Naismith Player of the Year Award. Despite not winning the award, he received many accolades that year. Gay was a unanimous choice as a first team All- Big East and All-American. He averaged 15.2 points per game during his sophomore season, leading the Huskies to a 30-3 record and a berth in the Elite 8.

Gay entered the NBA draft the next year and was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 8^th overall pick. His draft rights were traded to the Memphis Grizzlies the same night in exchange for Shane Battier.

Blast From the Past

Their aren't many sports packages that are dedicated strictly to local Maryland athletes. In fact, after in depth research, I really couldn't find any.

However, I was able to witness something that was similar to a Maryland-only sports package that made me feel very proud of my state.

This past Friday night, I was able to attend University of Maryland's Midnight Madness at the Comcast Center in College Park. Midnight Madness is a tradition at most universities which gives fans a chance to watch their basketball's team first practice. At the University of Maryland, Midnight Madness is more than tradition, it is almost like a school holiday.

Comcast Center was packed full of students, fans, and alumni decked out in red, yellow, and black. Before the men's and women's basketball teams took the court, a short video was aired on the big screens hanging above the court. The film was a overview of the many sports highlights U of Maryland has had over the past decades. From the football team's historic come from behind victory over Miami in 1983 to the men's basketball national championship in 2002. Every big moment was touched on, and each second filled me with more pride.

As I watched the highlight film, I couldn't help but remember all the great sports moments I would watch growing up. I felt like I was back in my younger days and reliving my past. From the cheers from the crowd, I had a feeling that many fans felt the same thing I did.

Bright Futures

I wrote an article for the Towson Towerlight this weekend speaking about the lack of role models in this country. I was concerned that young children would have trouble finding heroes because of the many scandals in the world of professional sports.

However I was able to find two young men who have not been negatively affected by growing up in an age where having a positive role model is out of the norm. On the contrary, they have flourished despite the negative influence and are well on their way to bright futures.

Nigel Sydnor and Miles Code are freshmen at Saint Paul’s School in Brooklandville, but you wouldn’t be able tell by looking at them. Both well over 6’2, muscular build, and walk around with a maturity and demeanor that rival most grown men. The Randallstown natives have been friends, not to mention excellent basketball players, for most of their lives. Both of these young men were heavily recruited by private schools in the area and realize their maturity now will play a large factor in their futures.

“I have a lot to look forward to in the next four years here at Saint Paul’s and then hopefully to college,” Sydnor said. “I really want to live up to my potential and make something of myself”

Sydnor and Code both hope to attend college together. Even though they are only 14 years old, they are both highly touted recruits and already are being sought after by high-ranking programs.

Sydnor and Code will lead Saint Paul’s when they host Baltimore Lutheran on Tuesday, December 4th .

Local Athlete: Carmelo Anthony

Veni, vidi, vecci. A famous latin phrase uttered by Julius Caesar. It means, “I came, I saw, I conquered.” Caesar was speaking those words to the Roman senate about his victory at the Battle of Zela.

He may as well of been talking about Carmelo Anthony, too. Because when Anthony moved to Baltimore with him mother at the age of eight, he did just that. He came to Maryland, he saw what lay before him, he took over.

Carmelo Anthony was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1984. He moved to West Baltimore with his mother, his two brothers, his sister, and his half sister in 1992. Anthony took up basketball when he arrived in Maryland, as began to flourish immediately.

Anthony attended Towson Catholic High School from 1998-2001 where he was became an area legend. He was named ‘The Baltimore Sun’ metro player of the year, and the Baltimore Catholic League player of the year in 2001.

Anthony transferred to prestigious Oak Hill Academy for his senior season and became a national All-American.

Anthony earned a full athletic scholarship to Syracuse University and made an instant impact. Anthony tallied team highs in points scored per game (22.1), rebounds per game (10), and minutes played per game (36.4) as a freshman.

Anthony lead the Orangemen to their first ever Men’s basketball National Championship in 2003. He scored 53 points in the Final Four, including 33 points against Texas in the national semifinal. His efforts earned him the NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player award, making him the second consecutive Baltimore native to win the award (Juan Dixon of University of Maryland won award in 2002). On the season, Anthony was named national freshman of the year, conference freshman of the year, first team All-Big East, and second team AP All-American.

Anthony departed Syracuse after just one year of college, opting to pursue a lucrative NBA contract. He was selected with the third overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets. Since being in the league, Anthony has not only shown why he was such a promising prospect out of college, but helped to turn the Denver franchise around.

In his rookie season, he led the Nuggets to their first playoff appearance in almost a decade. He bacame the second youngest player in NBA history to score 30 points in a game and the second youngest player in NBA history to score 1,000 points for his career. He was also a member of the 2004 bronze medalist Men’s basketball team in the Summer Olympic Games in Athens.

Anthony continues to give back to the Baltimore community. Anthony hosts an annual 3-on-3 tournament, oversees "HOOD Movement", is helping fund the revitalization of a local community center for local youth, and recently opened the ‘Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center’. Anthony recently contributed $1.5 million to Living Classroom Foundation, which provides education, job training and community service programs for people in East Baltimore.

Although he birth certificate doesn’t say born in Maryland, he has become an icon in the state and I am proud to call him one of my own.