January 2015 edition 1 - Positive Athlete Georgia

Georgia
January 20151
Johnathan Lay
Football
Riverdale High School
Darden Hearn
Girls Cross Country
Pope High School
Do You Have A Positive
Athlete On Your Team?
Taiylar Hibbard
Girls Basketball
New Manchester
High School
Jordan Bennett
Girls Basketball
Whitewater High School
Nominate that person HERE.
Keishawn Binion
Boys Basketball
Ethan LoCicero
Boys Cross Country
Mill Creek High School
Blessed Trinity
Catholic High School
Mackenzie Miller
Gymnastics
Forsyth Central
Aaron Hays
Baseball
Peachtree Ridge
High School
View Newest Video Report Now
Table of Contents
TCA Report...................................2
GA Sports Hall of Fame...............5
Laura Eddy....................................7
McClain Hermes...........................9
Al Horford ................................. 11
Madison Lewis .......................... 13
Patrick Lamar............................ 19
P. J. Daniels................................ 23
Matt Curry................................. 25
WORK HARD.
PLAY POSITIVE.
OPTIMISTIC
ENCOURAGING
SERVANT LEADER
HEART FOR OTHERS
ADMITS IMPERFECTIONS
ALWAYS GIVES 100%
PUTS TEAM FIRST
2014-15 County/Regional Sponsored Scholarships
Chattahoochee Technical College - “Academic Excellence Award” ($500) – Given to a
Cobb County student-athlete who has also achieved academic excellence in the classroom. Sponsors of Cobb
County and Northwest Georgia Awards.
Northside Hospital - “Leadership Award” ($500) - Given to a Cobb County student-athlete
who has shown exceptional leadership skills at their school and in their community. Sponsors of the Cobb,
Northwest Georgia, North Georgia, Atlanta, and North Fulton Awards.
College Planning Institute - “Bright Future Award” ( $500) – Awarded to a Cobb County
underclassman who is developing a bright future based on their volunteerism, academics and their collegiate
planning. Sponsor of the Cobb County Awards.
Cobb EMC - “Positive Energy Award” ($500) – Given to a Cobb County student-athlete
who brought positive energy to every practice and competition. Sponsor of the Cobb County Awards.
LOUD Security Systems - “LOUD Statement Award” ($500) – Given to the student-athlete
whose positive attitude made a LOUD statement about the importance of a positive attitude to their school and
community. Sponsors of Cobb County and Northwest Georgia Awards.
ChoicesToYou.com - Positive Choice Award ($500) – Awarded to a North Fulton County
student-athlete who made a positive choice that benefited their school or community. Sponsors of the Gwinnett and
North Fulton Awards
Gwinnett Medical Center - Comeback Player of the Year Awards ($500 each) – Given
to a Gwinnett County male and female student-athlete who overcame and returned from a game-changing injury or
illness that affected their athletic participation, while demonstrating competitive achievement, sportsmanship, ethical
behavior and strong academics. Sponsor of the Gwinnett County Awards.
5
In 2002, he broke the National League saves record with
55 saves proving that with hard work and determination
anything is possible.
In 2005, Smoltz returned as a starting pitcher for the
Braves. He spent the next three years as a starter until
2008 when he returned to the reliever position and later
on underwent season-ending shoulder surgery. This was
his last season with the Atlanta Braves.
John
Smoltz
Smoltz Partners with Sports Hall of Fame to
Launch MomentUs Initiative
I
n 1987, the Atlanta Braves acquired a right-handed
pitcher from the Detroit Tigers. Over the next
two decades, this pitcher from Warren, Michigan
became one of the greatest players in Braves franchise
history with eight All-Star selections, over 3,000 career
strikeouts, over 200 wins, and over 150 saves. This
legendary pitcher is John Smoltz.
In 1988, Smoltz made his major league debut with the
Braves. After several promising seasons, he got off to a
rough start in 1991. He quickly turned things around to
finish the season 12-2 after seeing a sports psychologist
with whom he continued to work throughout his career.
John Smoltz’s list of achievements while with the Atlanta
Braves is impressive. In 1992, he was named the MVP
of the National League Championship Series. Three
years later in 1995, he was part of the World Series
Championship team with a 12-7 record. However, it was
1996 that was Smoltz’s greatest season. With an ERA of
2.94 and 278 strikeouts, Smoltz won the National League
Cy Young Award. Not only did Smoltz prove his worth
as a pitcher but he worked to become one of baseball’s
better hitting pitchers. In 1997, Smoltz was the recipient
of the Silver Slugger Award.
The first ten years of Smoltz’s career were extraordinary,
but heartbreak hit in 1998 and 1999 when he spent most
of both seasons on the disabled list. Before the start
of the 2000 season, Smoltz had Tommy John surgery.
Determined to get back to pitching, Smoltz moved to the
bullpen returning to baseball as a relief pitcher in 2001.
John Smoltz continues to have a role in professional
baseball as an analyst for MLB Network and Fox Sports.
In 2012, he was not only inducted into the Georgia Sports
Hall of Fame but, his number 29 jersey was retired by
the Atlanta Braves franchise, too. Smoltz was honored
not only for his unbelievable career but for his hardwork and determination as an athlete and for the active
role he plays in his community. In addition
to his athletic accomplishments, he
founded and manages the John
Smoltz Foundation which has
raised money and awareness for
charities in the Atlanta area for
more than a decade.
Smoltz has recently teamed up
with the Georgia Sports Hall of
Fame’s MomentUs initiative.
This initiative fills a gap in
Georgia’s school curriculum
providing
an effective physical education program in high schools.
Among children, highs school students are at the greatest
risk of obesity with more than 16.5% in the obese range.
Not only will the MomentUs initiative focus on physical
and mental health, it will also integrate the stories of
GSHF inductees providing positive role models to
MomentUs participants.
John Smoltz is one of these role models. Not only is
he an all-star athlete, but he overcame adversity at the
beginning of his career and twice overcame the effects
of season-ending surgery. Smoltz was a leader in the
clubhouse and has been a model of positive community
involvement in the time since his playing career ended.
To learn more about the MomentUs initiative, please
watch the video. n
By Megan Norkunas
Proud Supporters of
High School Athletics
northside.com
Laura
Eddy
7
senior year, served as a second redshirt year for Eddy.
She returned to rehab a second time with even more grit
and focus to get healthy. In 2013, she started every game
and earned SEC honors as Player of the Week during the
season.
About a week after the 2013 season, the coaches invited
the team to a pick-up game. But that casual game resulted
in a third ACL tear for Eddy in the same knee.
“My first reaction to my dad when he walked in was,
‘I can’t do this again. I cannot go through it again.’ But
I gave myself 24 hours and decided that if I can do it
again, if I have a chance and I have one more season,
let’s do it,” she says.
Driven by a Love for Soccer
No pain, no gain.
Few people know the weight of that phrase like University
of Georgia soccer player Laura Eddy.
E
ddy, a native of Atlanta, just completed her sixth
season for the UGA soccer team as a redshirt
senior. She was a team captain and considered
one of the best midfielders in the Southeastern
Conference. But what preceded a 2014 senior season that
culminated in a trip to the NCAA tournament were three
ACL tears and a long road to recovery.
She played her freshman and sophomore years in 2009
and 2010, proving herself as a rising star on the team
and earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors that first
season. But during a preseason practice in August 2011,
Eddy came in on a late tackle and felt her knee pop.
“For every soccer player, that happening is kind of your
worst nightmare,” she says. “And so when you know that
you’ve done it, you’re pretty much just devastated.”
Eddy went into the rehab process determined to return
to the field better than ever. What would have been her
junior season became a redshirt year, and she spent nine
months working on restoring her knee to full health.
In May 2012, doctors cleared Eddy to return to the field.
Twenty-five minutes into her first full training session,
she felt her knee buckle again, this time in a non-contact,
change-of-direction situation. The MRI results showed
that Eddy had torn the same ACL again.
The 2012 season, which originally would have been her
After consulting with doctors, trainers, coaches and her
parents, Eddy decided to take the rout that many doubted
would work.
She decided to rehab a third time and
work toward one final season at
Georgia.
“There was not a doubt in my
mind—this is what I want and this is
what I can do,” Eddy said about her
third injury. “I never wanted to look
back and regret not giving it a try.”
Eddy took the 2014 spring semester off from
school to focus solely on recovering. She went on to
complete a successful sixth-year senior season injuryfree, a season that ended
in the trip to the NCAA
tournament.
Eddy now has her sights set
on playing soccer at the next
level. She is preparing to take
her talents to a professional
team overseas. Eddy knows
that another ACL tear is a
real possibility, but she is not
letting that fear hold her back.
“I have this crazy passion
to play. I can’t imagine ever
giving it up,” she said. “I’m
sure one day I’ll be 60 and on
some women’s team trying to
run around with some knee
replacements.” n
2013-14 GEORGIA WINNERS
Sport
Name
High School
Baseball
Boys Basketball
Girls Basketball
Cheerleading
Boys Cross Country
Chase Williams
Tauqeer Bhatti
Lakiah Sims
Caitlin Parsons
Matthew Munns
Woodstock
Shiloh
Drew
Johnson
Blessed Trinity
Girls Cross Country
Football
Boys Golf
Girls Golf
Gymnastics
Boys Lacrosse
Girls Lacrosse
Boys Soccer
Girls Soccer
Softball
Boys Swimming
Girls Swimming
Boys Tennis
Girls Tennis
Boys Track
Girls Track
Volleyball
Wrestling
Strength Coach
Boys Coach
Girls Coach
Angelica Rivera
Keaton Coker
Nick Arnold
Jessica Bullock
Natalie Bauer
Matt Dominguez
Shelby Durden
Connor Knotts
Kennedy White
Madison Lewis
Warren Cherry
Caroline Filan
Tyler Born
Rachel Deese
Brandon Williams
Akua Obeng-Akrofi
Madison Swan
Tyler Haskin
Lou George
Wyatt Wilkie
Valerie Missick
Morrow
Flowery Branch
South Cobb
North Gwinnett
Walton
Peachtree Ridge
Mcintosh
Flowery Branch
Norcross
Kennesaw Mountain
Alpharetta
Milton
Kings Ridge Christian
Roswell
Forest Park
Archer
Johns Creek
Pope
Westlake
Creekview
Coretta Scott King
9
McClain
Hermes
she and her father, Matt Hermes, founded in 2009. Shoes
for the Souls donate shoes to the Atlanta Mission and they
have collected around 10,000 pairs of shoes since they
began their program 5 years ago! They are constantly
collecting shoes and will take any kind until they have
enough to make a trip to the mission.
Click here to view the CNN story and video.
McClain Hermes, Swimmer, Dacula,
Gwinnett County, GA
M
cClain Hermes started summer league
swimming when she was 4, enrolled in swim
lessons when she was 6, and joined her 1st
swim team when she was 8. McClain was always very
near-sighted but just a couple months after starting year
round swimming, in the fall of 2008, McClain developed
severe vision problems. Beginning with a detached
retina, her vision continued to deteriorate despite several
surgeries and she is now legally blind. McClain’s vision
continues to regress, and her doctors say that she will be
without any vision in 2 to 5 years. McClain has been
incredible in her unwavering determination and she has
not allowed her diagnosis and disability to stop her from
achieving her goals in swimming or life.
McClain has since become a classified Paralympic
swimmer and she continues to train as part of the
BlazeSports Swim Program with new ambitions every
day. In 2014 McClain raced in multiple high level meets
including the U.S. Paralympics Spring CanAm in Miami,
Florida, the Cincinnati Disability Meet in Ohio and the
Jimi Flowers Classic in Colorado Springs. Additionally,
this past summer she competed on the GA swimming zone
team and helped the team to a consecutive championship
title! At meets and practices, McClain, is tapped on the
head by a parent or coach in order to know when to expect
the wall for her flip turns, open turns and finishes. The
tapper is usually a long cane with a tennis ball taped to
the end of it; however, after a recent suggestion we have
started using a golf ball retriever instead of a cane because
it can be extended out pretty far and seems to work better.
McClain has put many extra hours in the pool working on
adapting her training as her eyesight diminishes.
However, her “you can do anything you set your mind
to attitude” doesn’t stop in the pool. Earlier this year,
McClain was recognized by CNN for The Impact Your
World Section for her Shoes for the Souls program, which
Q and As with McClain:
1. As your eyesight regressed, swimming must have
become increasingly more challenging, what was the
biggest challenge?
The hardest part would be having my swim team
understand that even though I am slower than they are,
due to my vision, I work just as hard as they do.
2. When did you decide to get classified and involved
in Paralympic swimming? Do you consider that
decision to have played an important role in your
swimming training and long term goals and plan?
In the summer of 2012, I started running into the wall
more often, and my mom was ready to pull me out of the
pool, but my summer coach started researching adaptive
swimming. She started tapping me, and we soon learned
that there was a local Paralympic meet that fall. We went
to it and I got classified. I think that if I was not introduced
to the Paralympic world, I would not be swimming,
because now I know there are other people like me and I
can compete on a level playing field with them.
3. Do you have a swimming idol or inspiration?
There is a Paralympic swimmer, Jessica Long, who is
a double amputee below her knees, who went to the
Paralympics at age 12; she now has 12 gold medals. She
is my inspiration, because she is always training and
works her hardest in every meet.
4. What advice would you give to another young
athlete or swimmer with a disability about getting
involved with Paralympic competitions?
I would tell another disabled athlete to get involved in
the Paralympics as fast as they can, because you never
know what you can do unless you try. n
11
Al
Horford
The basketball court is where the story of
my healthier generation begins
A
tlanta Hawks center Al Horford takes his
personal health and fitness seriously. The twotime All-Star is a member of the National
Basketball Association’s FIT Team and a self-described
“gym rat.” Now, the Hawks big man is partnering with
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation to reward select
schools in Georgia for creating a healthier lifestyle
environment for their students.
“I have to say, it makes me proud that the schools in my
state are making major strides to keep their students
eating right and moving more with the Alliance’s Healthy
Schools Program,” Horford said. “Since getting involved
fitness and the consequences of an unhealthy diet.
“This visit was extra special because I got the chance
to speak to kids on my own turf – the basketball court,”
said Horford about his trip to Langston Hughes High.
“The basketball court is where the story of my healthier
generation begins and what drives me to maintain my
health. And that’s what I wanted to share with the kids
while showing them what all is possible when you take
care of your body.”
On Dec. 11, Horford visited Parkside Elementary School
in southeast Atlanta to celebrate efforts the
school has taken to improve the health
quality of its students. Horford spent
the morning touring the campus
and visiting with kindergarten
students before speaking to over 400
third, fourth and fifth graders in the
school auditorium. Parkside was
recently awarded the Alliance’s
National Healthy Schools Silver
and Bronze medals for creating a
healthier school.
“I didn’t realize the power of developing healthy habits
until I entered college,” Horford said when asked about
the importance of early health education. “That’s when
I learned that I needed to get enough sleep, eat the right
foods, and stay active so that I would
have the mental fortitude to balance the
demands of college academics with the
physical demands of competing at the
collegiate level.”
Now in his eighth professional season,
Horford understands the importance of
taking care of his body and is doing his
best to educate the next generation of
superstars right here in Georgia. n
with the Alliance, I’ve had the chance to celebrate
healthy school changes with hundreds of students
and staff.”
On Nov. 19, Horford made a surprise visit to see the
boys and girls varsity basketball teams at Langston
Hughes High School in Fairburn, Ga. An honorary
member of the coaching staff for the day, Horford ran
both squads through drills and spoke to the players
about the importance of maintaining a high level of
Mad About
Madi
Rising senior Madison Lewis excels both on
the softball diamond and in the classroom.
What she had to overcome to do this
inspires scores of people of all ages
M
adi Lewis decided she wanted to give softball
a try after seeing her cousin play baseball.
But the seven-year-old first had to get past an
unexpected obstacle:
13
she’s pitched shutout games and
driven in game-winning runs.
Positive Athlete Profile
In the classroom, Madi has a 3.8
GPA, plus has won awards in
history and physical education.
She volunteers for food drives
and for special education
dances, and works to be a role
model for others.
Name:
Which leads us back to Madi’s
first season of softball. Because
of her recent surgery, she had
to wear a batting helmet the
entire time she was on the field
(at her first practice she still
had staples in her head). This
was true not just for practice,
but also for games. Soon, other
players were wondering why
the girl in the outfield needed to
wear a helmet.
Rising Senior
Madison Lewis
High School:
Kennesaw Mtn. H.S.
County:
Cobb
Grade:
Sport:
Fastpitch Softball
Coach:
Lisa Chapman
As the story spread of the obstacles she had overcome,
Madi became recognized as an inspiration to other
players—and to children who were struggling with
their own physical challenges. As her softball career
A recurring brain tumor.
Madi was first diagnosed with brain cancer when she
was two. Surgery removed the growth, and the next few
years were normal. But then the cancer returned, and
with it, bouts of epilepsy.
Madi had to undergo 33 treatments of radiation and
11 months of chemotherapy, plus a second surgery.
Fortunately, the treatment was a success.
And just five days after her surgery, Madi returned to
school and walked onto the field for her first softball
practice. She hasn’t looked back.
The sport became a passion for her, and she grew up on
the diamond, getting more skilled every year.
At Kennesaw Mountain High School, Madi is a threeyear varsity letterman. A pitcher and outfielder, she has
been a major contributor to the Mustangs’ success—back
to back regional championships, plus a state runnerup
finish in 2012 and a fifth place overall finish in 2013. She
makes an impact whether she’s holding a ball or a bat—
has progressed, she’s built quite a fan base of people
who delight in her success—and who look to her as an
example of what’s possible even against tough odds.
“Madi is a hard worker and a driven young lady who
does not let her disabilities slow her down on the
softball field,” says her coach, Lisa Chapman. “She
has aspirations of playing college softball and I expect
nothing less for her.”
Those who’ve watch Madi over the last few years would
expect nothing less, either. n
Don’t wait until you graduate! Earn
While in High School!
Accel  Dual Enrollment  Joint Enrollment
Move on When Ready
For more information, visit our website at
www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu
Enrollment > Admissions > High School Student
Email: [email protected]
Campus Locations:
Appalachian
Canton
Marietta
Mountain View
North Metro
Paulding
Gilmer Co.
APPALACHIAN
CAMPUS
Bartow Co.
DISCOVER
you
A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia. Equal Opportunity Institution.
CCN_PositiveAthleteAd_FINAL.indd 1

ATLANTA
NORTH METRO
CAMPUS
PAULDING
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CANTON CAMPUS
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WOODSTOCK
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MARIETTA CAMPUS
AUSTELL
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9/22/14 11:28 AM
15
High School
Athletes
Transition to
College
C
ollege is a time of new opportunities that include
classes in interesting subjects, friends, added
responsibilities and extracurricular activities.
Between jobs, family, academics, and time with friends,
college students, such as the ones at Chattahoochee
Technical College, are busier than ever. Some students
find that the pressure of deadlines and difficult schedules
to be too demanding to consider sports, still others find it
a necessity to participate in collegiate athletics.
The transition from high school athletics to college
can be a seamless one at the right college or university.
Whether considering intercollegiate teams or intermural
competition, student athletes at Chattahoochee Technical
College see sports as a way to build leadership skills,
strengthen skills and make friends. Recent studies by the
NCAA have said the same thing, finding that 15 percent
of college athletes are the first members of their families
to attend college and that college student-athletes
graduate at rates higher than college students in general.
“Student-athletes represent their school, community,
family, friends and themselves in a different way than
the general student,” said Chattahoochee Technical
College Athletics Coordinator David Archer. “Studentathletes are held to a higher standard of excellence in
both the classroom and the field or court of competition.
The level of commitment, dedication and discipline
necessary to perform at a high level in their chosen sport
also transfers into their efforts academically.”
The business world is focusing on creating a team
environment with employees. Student-athletes are
exposed to learning about leadership, time management
and how to effectively work with others toward a common
goal. They also develop a sense of pride and belonging
at their school of choice through team accomplishments.
Additionally, there are health benefits to college athletics
even at the 2-year-college level. The lifestyle developed
as a student-athlete can carry over into one’s professional
life. Former student-athletes tend to find the time to work
out and eat right because that discipline and routine are
already within him or her.
“Discipline and the ability to work with others in a team
atmosphere are two of the most important lessons that
can be transferred to the classroom and workplace,”
echoed Archer.
Not all student-athletes in high school go on to pursue
the same sports in college. Sometimes injury, changes in
interest, or differing opportunities mean tough choices
for student-athletes. The benefits of the student-athlete
continue beyond the days of competition. Those lessons
of dedication, time management, and drive can go a
long way toward success in the classroom and in the
workplace. Finding the right fit between academics and
athletics can be challenging, but balance is possible with
the right focus.
“My advice would be first to decide what your educational
pursuits are,” said Archer. “Then research to find the
best possible schools that have the sport you participate
in which also has the academic majors you need to study.
I think Chattahoochee Technical College actually offers
a great opportunity for those student-athletes who seek
to use their education to enter the workplace quickly, as
well as, as those who plan to move on to more traditional
four year colleges and universities.”
For more information on the athletics opportunities and
academic programs at Chattahoochee Technical College,
visit www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu. n
Congrat
To This Mont
Bari Steel
10 Softball
Riverwood High School
Graeme Stinson
11
Fulton
Baseball
Norcross High School
Gwinnett
Brennan Garriques Cross Cntry
12 Creekview High School
Cherokee
Isabella Palermo
GirlsLax
11 Cobb
Kell High School
Aaron Hays
12
Baseball
Peachtree Ridge High School
Gwinnett
Darden Hearn Girls Cross Cntry
10 Pope High School
Cobb
Ethan LoCiceroBoys Cross Cntry
12 Mill Creek High School
Johnathan Lay 12 Gwinnett
Football
Riverdale High School
Clayton
You Can Nominate Any Athlete,
Any Time, Any Where
ulations
17
hs Nominees
Zach Strong
12 Mount Paran Christian High School Cobb
Jackie Williams
10 Football
Volleyball
Chapel Hill High School
Matt Curry
9
Football
Fellowship Christian School
Madison Deese
12 Douglas
Fulton
Cheerleading
Etowah High School
Cherokee
Jordan Bennett Girls Basketball
11 Whitewater High School
Fayette
Keishawn Binion Boys Basketball
12 Blessed Trinity Catholic High SchoolFulton
Mackenzie Miller
10 Gymnastics
Forsyth Central
Forsyth
Taiylar Hibbard Girls Basketball
12 New Manchester High School
Douglas
CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE
YOUR SCHOOLS FAVORITE ATHLETE
A SK THE EX PE RT
Carrick Brain Centers and Concussion Treatment
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY EXPERTS DISCUSS NEURO-PLASTICITY
Frederick Carrick, D.C., PhD.
Andre Fredieu, M.D
Cagan Randall, D.C., D.A.C.N.B.
Brandon Brock, M.S.N., NP-C
James Duffy, D.C., D.A.C.N.B.
When you look at the entire
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and treatment, there hasn’t
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deficits, restoring more
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Concussions
What is the treatment philosophy at
Carrick Brain Centers?
Accelerate Recovery
We focus on the principles of Neuroplasticity, in essence
the brain has the ability to heal itself through stimulation of
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About Us
Headquartered in Dallas with
another location in Atlanta,
Georgia (Marietta), Carrick Brain
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or degenerative conditions that
affect the brain and central nervous system, have experienced a
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Patients are supported by a
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Contact Us Today
Dallas Campus (214)-771-8885
105 Decker Ct, Suite 120,
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1950 Spectrum Circle, B-200
Marietta, GA 30067
Want to learn more? Schedule a consultation today!
www.CarrickBrainCenters.com
Toll Free: 855.444.2724
19
three-point shots in leading the Titans to a 23-8 record
last year and to the 6AAA championship game, earning
him second-team all-state honors as a senior by the
Atlanta Journal-Constitution (he was named first-team
all-region 6AAA as a junior and senior).
That kind of shooting would be welcome by Georgia
Tech, which shot 31.5 percent from three-point range
last season.
While he can shoot the ball, Lamar showed he was a
good all-around athlete throughout his high school
career, playing running back for two years and also
doing the 100- and 200-meters and the high jump. But,
in the end, basketball won out.
Doctor In
The House
Freshman Patrick Lamar soldiering on to
help Jackets 3-point shooting
B
asketball may seem like a matter of life and
death, especially at the time, but freshman guard
Patrick Lamar has the ability to keep things in
perspective and has set goals for himself extending
beyond the game.
His long-term goals really would be a matter of life and
death.
“I’d like to be an officer in the Army and hopefully be
a medic,” said the Marietta native and Blessed Trinity
Catholic High School star. “I really enjoy medicine, I enjoy
how the human body works and I enjoy learning about
that. So I figured a medic would just kind of incorporate
all of those things. I kind of want to be in the thick of
things on the battlefield so....”
But his is more than a pipe dream. He showed in high
school that he can play and especially shoot, something
he hopes to prove he can do so on the D-I level.
Only the second player in Blessed Trinity history to
score 1,000 career points, Lamar hit 42 percent of his
“I always liked trying to experience different sports ever
since I was young but really my focus on basketball has
been trying to get a scholarship since I started playing
basketball,” he said. “That was my dream to get a
scholarship and I figured I kind of had to put
all my time into one sport and basketball’s
always been my love.”
Unlike with sports, the choice
of where to attend college was
much clearer. All signs pointed
to Georgia Tech.
“It was really, the Engineering
program. I’m studying Biomedical Engineering and
it’s the No. 2-ranked Biomedical Engineering school
in the country,” he said. “That played a huge factor in
it, the ability to play basketball here. They all kind of
contributed to make this decision really the right one.
Down the road there’s the carrot of possibly playing in
the ACC.
So which does he think will be tougher: mastering
Biomedical Engineering or Coach Brian Gregory’s
playbook?
“I think both of them,” he said, with a laugh. “I might
have to say Bio-Med studies. Basketball is nothing new
to me. Plays will be hard to memorize but once I get the
hang of it, it will just be memory for me.” n
Melanie White is a proud sponsor of Positive Athlete
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


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
Top 2% Nationally
Life Member Million Dollar Club
Phoenix Award Recipient
International Presidents Elite
International Diamond Society
Certified Relocation Specialist
Accredited Relocation Consultant
Previews International Property Specialist in Luxury Homes
Cendant Mobility Marketing Specialist
You can find out more information about Melanie on her website at:
http://www.coldwellbankeratlanta.com/MelanieWhite
Operated by a subsidiary of NRT, LLC. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Melanie White is a proud sponsor of Positive Athlete









Top 2% Nationally
Life Member Million Dollar Club
Phoenix Award Recipient
International Presidents Elite
International Diamond Society
Certified Relocation Specialist
Accredited Relocation Consultant
Previews International Property Specialist in Luxury Homes
Cendant Mobility Marketing Specialist
You can find out more information about Melanie on her website at:
http://www.coldwellbankeratlanta.com/MelanieWhite
21
At each camp, the coaches and instructors were looking
for campers to be recognized as Positive Athletes of
the camp. These recipients received a certificate and
a Positive Athlete GA t-shirt, along with having their
photos posted on the Positive Athlete GA Facebook page.
Hawks Promote Positivity with Happy
Campers
T
he Atlanta Hawks made a “positive” move in their
youth camp program over the summer months.
Partnering with Positive Athlete Georgia, the
Hawks conducted several week-long camps throughout
the metro Atlanta area, teaching youngsters the basics
of the hardwood and instilling positive life values into
the campers.
The Hawks Director of Basketball Programs, Jon Babul
said of the partnership, “The message
that Positive Athlete Georgia is
delivering to the Atlanta sports
community is aligned with the
value system which our Atlanta Hawks
Community Basketball Program is
predicated. We are proud to be
teammates with Positive Athlete
Georgia on this initiative and plan
to grow the partnership in 2015.
Promoting the benefits of “positivity” is
a priority at each of our camps, and we believe that by
delivering this message we can impact the lives of our
campers far beyond the sport of basketball.”
Positive Athlete Georgia is excited to continue their
partnership with the Atlanta Hawks over the course of
the next year and on into the future, with involvement
growing in youth leagues and increases in athlete
recognition during Hawks events. n
23
in preparation for the 2006 NFL Scouting Combine -founded San Diego’s Carter-Prince Evolutionary Fitness
Theirs is a multi-platform shop offering fitness training
for a wide variety of clients, plus motivational speaking,
and instruction on meditation.
Daniels remains a bachelor and has no children, yet
he frequently works with kids and with his first book
he’s hopes to reach many more through the primary
character, Danny Yukon.
The Power
Within You
Former Jacket PJ Daniels has authored a
children’s book on how to cope with their
lives
T
ime has shown Prince “PJ” Daniels Jr. to be
creative and determined, and with that in mind
perhaps it won’t come as a surprise that the
former Georgia Tech running back is about to debut as
an author.
His climb up the depth chart in 2003, when he rushed for
1,447 yards - including 307 yards and four touchdowns
in a Humanitarian Bowl win over Tulsa - was a story in
perseverance worthy of a book itself.
“He is a young ethnic kid who lost his father in the military,
and he is trying to cope,” Daniels said. “He’s a chatter box,
and he had to learn how to overcome the sorrow that he fell
into because of the loss of his father, and face his fears.
“The main thing is to give people a chance to hear their
inner thoughts, and de-stress and relax. It’s also to get
a chance to see a lot of things that are going on in your
life. It’s more reflection. I do that with the athletes whom
I train, clients I train and in motivational speeches.”
Injuries short-circuited Daniels’ brief NFL career with
the Baltimore Ravens, and when he left the game in
2008, he went - for lack of better terms - off the grid and
came to grips with the help of meditation.
“I took a sabbatical for about a year after I left the NFL,
and that helped,” said the Houston native. “I went to the
mountains, the Ozarks, and meditated. The longest I was
there was a month, but I would go back and forth and
talk to my guru.
Co-author Pamela Hill Nettleton and illustrator Liza
Biggers worked with Daniels to make his literary project
happen.
A year earlier, after all, he was seventh or so on the Tech
depth chart.
“The story is about teaching kids how to meditate,
but also that they are the genie,” he explained. “The
character stumbles upon this lamp, and the lamp helps
him facilitate his powers within himself to overcome his
fears, and build confidence in himself . . .
So, when, “Danny Yukon and The Secrets of the
Amazing Lamp,” comes out in the next couple weeks,
Daniels, 31, will once again have seemingly come out of
nowhere to taking a leading role.
“The power is within you, and I use the lamp for kids
to help facilitate those powers within themselves. I’m
always inspiring people to believe that anything is
possible if you believe it.” n
He has co-authored a children’s book about one of his
personal and professional passions - meditation - to help
teach young people, “how to cope with their lives.”
A few years ago, he and former Texas A&M football
player Jason Carter - who he met while working out
By Matt Winkeljohn
How it works:
• Nominate any athlete as a Positive Athlete from any High
School boys or girls sport at any time.
• Anyone can nominate an athlete, NOT just coaches.
Parents, family, teammates, classmates or friends can
simply fill out the form if they think their choice meets the
7 criteria for a Positive Athlete.
• Anyone can nominate any person for any sport at any
time. Obviously, you will want to nominate while that
sport is in season. Our Positive Athletes are chosen once a
month for a sport. There will be only one Positive Athlete
per sport.
• Positive Athlete of the Year. At the end of the school year,
we will chose (with the help of coaches and administrators
of your school) the Positive Athlete of the Year, both
boy and girl. That choice will be made from the monthly
winners and be awarded scholarship monies.
• The Positive Athlete of the Year will be submitted for
further consideration and the opportunity to win more
scholarship monies.
• Regional Winners - from the individual school system (not
all school systems will have this option)
• State Wide Winners - from the final school’s winners, we
will determine the final state wide winners for additional
recognition and scholarship monies. Plus, the opportunity
to meet some of the top professional athletes in the area,
including Hines Ward
• Get Started: Fill out the form below. Our selection team
will take the information and evaluate and talk to coaches
before naming the Positive Athlete for that particular sport.
CLICK HERE TO MAKE
YOUR NOMINATION
FOR POSITIVE ATHLETE
Victory
Over Vision
25
Matt knew that playing football would be tough, and the
main question was what position to play. “When I first
started, they wanted me to play offensive and defensive
line. As I went through my first season in seventh grade,
I started to get to play a few games at the end of the year
as a linebacker, “ said Matt.
After just a few weeks at linebacker, Matt says he knew
he had found his position. “It kind of just clicked for me.
I knew that this was the position that I wanted to play. I
like giving the hits rather than taking them,” joked Matt.
W
hen the Fellowship Christian Paladins
football team strapped on the pads on
Friday nights this Fall, the team knew they
were part of something special. This year marked the
tenth anniversary of the football program at Fellowship,
a small private Christian school nestled in the roaring
suburbs of Roswell. But, something even more special
took place this year on the field, thanks to a young man
that uses his faith to overcome his biggest obstacle.
Matt Curry is a freshman middle linebacker for the
Paladins. Standing just over 5’9”, you may think that
he is just your average junior varsity linebacker. But,
after meeting him, you’ll quickly realize that he is quite
possibly one of the most inspiring high school Positive
Athletes in the state of Georgia.
Matt was born with a condition called ocular albinism,
a genetic condition that does not allow his eyes to
correctly process light. Because of his condition, Matt
is unable to see sharp images of any kind and has severe
astigmatisms in both eyes. He is forced to play with
20/200 vision – which is considered “legally blind.”
So if he is “legally blind,” why is he playing football
-- because he loves the game so much. “Growing up, we
always went to the Georgia games, so I love football and
I love contact. Even when I was in fifth and sixth grade,
we would play football without pads on, just for fun. So,
when I came to Fellowship Christian and saw there was
football, I decided that I had to try it out.”
In his first high school season, Matt is widely recognized
as one of the hardest workers on the team, and his
performances have reflected the dedication he has. In
fact, he was on the field during what was arguably the
Paladins’ most exciting win of the year. “Playing our
biggest rival, Mt. Pisgah, on our tenth anniversary of
having a football program,
our
starting
middle
linebacker got injured and
the coaches had me play
the entire fourth quarter –
where we got to stop them
on their last drive to save
the game.”
“Being a Positive Athlete means a lot to me because it
brings me back to putting Jesus first. I am always in a
positive mood when I am glorifying him out on the field.
It also means being a great teammate and lifting them up
when they are down. I always try to keep my teammates
up because I know we have to enjoy this while we can.
We aren’t promised a tomorrow, so why not be positive
today?
If I didn’t have Jesus, I don’t
even know where I would
be right now. The Bible
says that I am fearfully
and wonderfully made,
and The Lord tells us that
he knows the plans that He
has for me, so I know that
He has everything under
control. Even if my vision
is bad, I know that someone
probably has it worse than
I do, so I want to use my
condition to inspire people.”
n