Clarence Higgins remembered (see page 6) Volume 23 Number 4 www.fsbgc.org Fall 2009 FSBGC MAKING CONNECTIONS WITH FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS Communications to Club members, parents and volunteers has been enhanced by the recent addition of Facebook at the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs. Facebook is becoming very popular among various age demographics and can be an effective tool in building relationships with Club members and alumni. After winning a 2009 national Boys & Girls Clubs of America Marketing & Communications award, FSBGC staff decided to strengthen efforts for Club member outreach through the social website. Besides having a main website at www.fsbgc.org, the Club also has two Facebook accounts and a YouTube site. The YouTube site contains several videos of Club activities and events, Boys & Girls Club Soccer - (L to R) Eliza Beas, Quentin including the 2008 FSBGC Hall of Fame banquet and Carey, Makayle Adkins, and Mario Lopez get ready for soccer features of the inductees. action at the Goldtrap-Gardner Boys & Girls Club. Games are played every Tuesday and Thursday evening during A p p l i c a t i o n s September and October. on Facebook will help the FSBGC “LIVE UNITED” Campaign promote programs SUPPORT OF UNITED WAY and activities by posting information that includes schedules, photos and KEY FOR FSBGC special events. “Having a Facebook site for the Club is Reaching last years total of $ 2.2 million, will be a terrific way for us to communicate” said FSBGC tech a feat that hundreds of local United Way campaign coordinator Jeff Wasson. Club schedules, photos and volunteers will attempt to duplicate during 2009. The updates are posted each week. “The new Alumni & Friends site gives us the Fort Smith Area United Way supports 33 local non- opportunity to post archives of old Club photos and profit agencies, including several Boys & Girls Clubs. newspaper articles” said FSBGC executive director Jerry 24 % of operating revenue of the Fort Smith Glidewell. “It also provides us opportunities to connect Boys & Girls Club comes from the annual United with old friends”, he added. The FSBGC Alumni & Friends Way campaign. The pacesetter campaign raised close Facebook site features a gallery of notable individuals who to $900,000 in August to get this years fund-raiser are past Club members, including professional athletes, started. The campaign chairman for the United Way is entertainers, politicians and business leaders. FSBGC board member Bill Hanna. Facebook acts as a portal point for driving traffic to the FSBGC web site. The global social networking website Local youth organizations like the Boys & was created in 2004 by Harvard University student Mark Girls Club could not effectively operate without Zuckerberg, Facebook is the largest social network with the continued success of the United Way. For more over 250 million users. information about the United Way call 782-1311. Page 2 www.fsbgc.org Fall 2009 In Memory of... Memorial contributions to the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club are invested in the Club Endowment fund. Interest from these donations generate operational support for the Club. The Endowment was established in 1940. Gifts received during the third quarter of 2009 (July, August, and September) were given in memory of the following...

MR. ED BEDWELL MR. ROY E. “BIG ED” SESSIONS by Mr. & Mrs. Okla Ben Smith by Keith Truitt MR. JOSEPH BOOKER MR. BILL UNDERWOOD by Mr. & Mrs. Okla Ben Smith by Mr. & Mrs. James Wagoner MR. JAMES CARTER MR. GARY WALKER by Mr. & Mrs. Okla Ben Smith by Brenda & MC Glidewell MR. & MRS. DAVID CARUSO by Cyndi & Jerry Glidewell by Mr. & Mrs. James Wagoner MR. ED WARMACK MS. JO HANNAH CENTER by Mr. & Mrs. Okla Ben Smith by Mr. & Mrs. Okla Ben Smith MR. LARUE WESTBROOK MR. ROY DENNIS COLLIER by Mr. & Mrs. James Wagoner by Mr. & Mrs. James Wagoner by Janie & Jim Wyatt MR. CHARLES WILLIAM “BILL” CRAIG MS. ELLIS GLEN WHIGHAM by Sharon & Sam M. Sicard by Mary & Bill Cooper MS. SUSIE SLATES CRAIG MS. HELEN BLANCHE COLE WHITSON by Mr. & Mrs. Okla Ben Smith by Cyndi & Jerry Glidewell MR. T. J. CUNNINGHAM by Jerry Kerwin by Becky & Jim Meadows College Scholarship Memorials by Monica & Joseph Meadows MS. BONNIE L. FARR MR. VIC FORSGREN by Mr. & Mrs. James Wagoner by AR Chapter Assoc. of Gen. Contractors MR. THOMAS W. HOWE MR. BOBBY NEEDHAM, SR. by The Family of Mr. & Mrs. Okla Ben Smith (for) Sue Earls MR. KEVIN BARKLEY JONES by Robyn & Bobby Needham, Jr. by Cyndi & Jerry Glidewell (for) Paul Padilla by Ann Jones by Robyn & Bobby Needham, Jr. MR. GENE L. LEHNEN by Cyndi & Jerry Glidewell FSBGC MOURNS LOSS by Jerry Kerwin OF BLANCHE WHITSON by John M. Lehnen Long time Ft. Smith Boys & Girls Club supporter Helen by Clara Czach & Pat Novak Blanche Whitson died Sept. 24, 2009 at the age of 78. She was by Betty & Irvine Sternberg a member of the FSBGC Alumni & Friends Association, and the widow of FSBGC Hall of Fame member Herman Whitson. by Mr. & Mrs. James Wagoner The Whitson family has sponsored Boys & Girls Club MR. CHESTER F. MICKLE activities for more than 50 years. Blanche is survived by three by Ethel Mickle children: Linda Sirmon, Jonsye Bailey, and David Whitson. Fall 2009 www.fsbgc.org Page 3 Gene Lehnen Dies at age 81 Former Staff Member Worked in Boys & Girls Club Movement for Twenty Years Retired Boys & Girls Club professional Gene Lehnen, died on July 24, 2009 at the age of 81. Lehnen worked in the Boys & Girls Club movement for more than 20 years. Born in Fort Smith, Lehnen attended St. Boniface and St. Anne’s Schools. He was hired by Clarence Higgins to be a unit director at the Jeffrey Club in 1960. A few years later, Lehnen became National Historic Site Film – Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club executive director members participate in a special television event filmed by AETN (AR Educational Television Network). Jeffrey unit members re- of the Boys Club in enacted battle scenes. Dennison, Texas. From Dennison, JCPenney Afterschool Lehnen went to work Round-up Benefits FSBGC for Boys Clubs of A nationwide “Afterschool Round-up” campaign has America, where he been launched by JCPenney. This is the third year that the program has been conducted. The local JCPenney store at Gene Lenhen was a field service Central Mall is supporting the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club representative. through this event. Traveling throughout the , JCPenney provides their customers with the opportunity Lehnen was responsible for helping develop and to make donations to the JCPenney Afterschool Fund at the build local Clubs. He worked closely with former cash register by rounding up their JCPenney store purchases to the next whole dollar. Last year, the Fort Smith Boys & national Boys Club directors Tom Garth and Bill Girls Club received more than $ 7,000 from the Central Mall Bricker. store. Lehnen is survived by his brother Paul Lehnen The Round-up program will be conducted October 16- of Van Buren, and his sister Clara Czach of Niles, 25, and December 4-13. Local store manager Steve Strom Illinois. He was buried at the U.S. National has been a long-time supporter of the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club. JCPenney is also a big contributor to the annual Cemetery with military honors. United Way campaign. T. J. CUNNINGHAM REMEMBERED “Accessible and affordable afterschool programs THROUGH FSBGC GUITAR PROGRAM continues to be important to millions of America’s working families,” said Mike Theilmann, On July 10, 2009, former Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club member T.J. Cunningham, died at age 27. Friends and family chairman of the JCPenney have raised funds to present a FSBGC member with a guitar as a Afterschool Fund. “As customers memorial to T.J. “We plan to give away a nice guitar each year in shop for our exceptional style and T.J.’s memory” said his father, local musician Tommy Cunning- quality at affordable prices, we ham. are inviting them to round-up their FSBGC staff will conduct an annual competition for Club purchases and provide children in members who are interested in winning the guitar. Selections need with access to afterschool will be based on need, love of music, recommendation letters and programs” he added. an essay. Page 4 www.fsbgc.org Fall 2009 SPECIAL THANK YOU Haunted Warehouse Sponsors We deeply appreciate all of the wonderful sponsors who supported the 2009 Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club Haunted Warehouse fundraiser at Fort Chaffee. CORPORATE LEVEL KISR Radio GOLD LEVEL Carman Trucking Kohl’s National Recovery Specialist SILVER LEVEL Poetry Contest Winners - finalists in the 2009 FSBGC Poetry Contest receive awards from Marilyn Foster. Pictured are (left Air Compressor Specialists to right): Malik Jackson, Dylan Gish, Marilyn Foster, Joey Cornerstone Benefits & Insurance Deschryver, Jessica Smith, Tai Norton, Tanja Harris, Patrick Cricket Communications Oetzel. CSM CASH PRIZES AWARDED IN 2009 Eastside Animal Clinic Fort Smith Plating CONTEST SPONSORED BY FOSTER Halloween Express Top participants in the annual Marilyn Foster Poetry Hickman Auto Sales Contest at FSBGC were honored at a ceremony on October Jim Saviers D.D.S. 12 at the Goldtrap-Gardner unit. My Best Friend was the JMAC (Jody’s Muffler & Auto Center) theme for this year’s contest. $ 200 in cash prizes were Midwest Sporting Goods awarded to the finalists. Pic-n-Tote Marilyn Foster has sponsored the Poetry Contest at Service Master the Club for the past 10 years. She has sponsored the Shamrock Bolt & Screw annual Essay contest for 11 years. Foster also sponsors the The Home Depot FSBGC Photography contest. “It’s wonderful to see how BRONZE LEVEL talented these kids are” said Foster. Booklets containing A & A Army Surplus Milam Business Systems several of the entries were presented to Foster and the ABC Floors Monty’s TV & Electronics finalists. Local writers and poets were used as judges. Brownfield Pharmacy Putnam-Lincoln Mercury Involved with several community projects, Marilyn Darklight Tattoo River Valley Door & Trim Foster and her husband Don have been long time Green Papaya Robin’s Lawns Ink Spot Rolando’s Restaurant supporters of youth programs, including Bost School and Jim Hall & Associates Solar Shield the Boys & Girls Clubs. Juan’s Mexican Restaurant Southwest Garage Door The annual Essay contest will be held during the Spring Master Bedding winter holidays. Applications for the Essay contest are available at each FSBGC unit. Annual FSBGC Fundraiser Division I (ages 6-11) HOLIDAY HAM & TURKEY 1st Place - Dylan Gish (EBGC) age 7 ORDER FORMS ON-LINE 2nd Place -. Joey DeSchryver (GGBGC) age 10 For the past 14 years, the FSBGC has raised funds 3rd Place - Patrick Oetzel (EBGC) age 11 selling turkeys and hams during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. This year will allow customers to Honorable Mention: Tai Norton (GGBGC) age 10 charge their orders on-line or by phone with a credit card. Division II (ages 12-18) “We are trying to make the process more user- 1st Place - Jessica Smith (GGBGC) age 14 friendly” said Helene Lewis, coordinator for the project. 2nd Place - Malik Jackson (GGBGC) age 14 “Several local businesses buy hams and turkeys as gifts for 3rd Place - Tanja Harris (EBGC) age 12 employees and clients during the holidays” she added. Go Honorable Mention: Nikya Toran (SBGC) age 12 to www.fsbgc.org for a menu or an order form. Fall 2009 www.fsbgc.org Page 5 FSBGC October Fundraiser Morland Celebrates HAUNTED WAREHOUSE 15 Years of Service DRAWS LARGE CROWD Raising $30,000 a year by frightening people is at the FSBGC something that FSBGC staff member Jason Morland It was in 1979 that Jason Morland first walked into is familiar with. For the past 15 years, the haunted the Boys & Girls Club. 30 years later, he finds himself one of the senior staff members of the Club. Morland attraction has been one of the biggest annual fund- began full-time employment at the FSBGC in 1994. raisers offered by the Boys & Girls Club. Since that time, he has worked at Jeffrey, Stephens and Haunted House fund-raisers started at the FSBGC the Evans units. during the 1980’s when the Kiwanis Club would set up “Jason is a valuable staff member” said Jerry shop at the Jeffrey unit. In 1993, Virl Brewer and Jason Glidewell, FSBGC executive director. “He has a very strong work ethic, Morland worked their first Haunted House at the Club. pays attention In 1994, the attraction was moved to the Evans unit. to detail, and is “Volunteers Robert Frazier, Steve Maddox, Scott always willing to Visalli and Greg Rickner have been very dedicated” follow-through said Morland. “We couldn’t do it without the great and get the job done”, he added. help we receive.” Other volunteers include Kari Fenby, Currently, Jared Branham and Kevin Mallon. “It’s a lot of fun” Morland serves commented Morland. The Boys & Girls Club has the two roles; Evans reputation of having the biggest Haunted House in the unit director, and FSBGC director area. For the past three years, the Haunted Warehouse of operations. He has been located at Fort Chaffee. worked as unit 100% proceeds from the Haunted Warehouse director at Jeffrey benefit the Boys & Girls Club. “It takes our customers from 1995-2002. about 45 minutes to make it through” said Morland. Morland has been at the Evans Club for the past 7 years. “Some people get really excited about the chance to be “My parents signed me up when I was 6 years old” scared”, he added. said Morland. “They ran a local flower shop, so the Club was a great place for me to spend time while they MEMBER OF THE MONTH were working” he added. AWARD WINNERS Morland and his wife Dana have three children, two July August September girls and a boy, Jadan, Lyndey and Evan. “My kids Jeffrey Kedrick Thomas Garrett Hawkins Francisco Lopez have got a dose of the Club at a very young age” he Evans Chris Jones Darrin Runke Desiree Steel said. “The Evans Club is our second home” he added. Stephens Malik Hodge Khamerea Campbell Leonard Shepherd Through Morland’s leadership, the Evans Boys & Goldtrap Mia Stout Dylan Isham Brandon McCarney Girls Club reached a membership of 1425 for 2009. The Evans Club has increased membership in each of VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH the past 5 years. AWARD WINNERS Jason is a 1991 graduate of Northside High. He July August September attended Henderson State on a FSBGC college Jeffrey Fred Thomas Franco Beleto NHS/SHS Cheer scholarship. Morland will soon complete his Evans Lyndsey Bockelman Rob Sampson NHS/SHS Cheer Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Stephens Mario Gurule Kenyatta Harris Michael Norwood the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. In his spare Goldtrap Lance Amos Kiera Bailey Maisie Strickland time he enjoys soccer and NASCAR. Page 6 www.fsbgc.org Fall 2009 NEW DISPLAY TO HONOR HIGGINS AT HUNTS PARK At the Alumni & Friends BBQ held on October 14, the Association unveiled a new sign that will honor the late Clarence Higgins. The sign, which was donated by Randy Cutting and friends at Graphic Services, highlights the career involvement of Higgins with the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club. “Higgins was Hunts Park” said FSBGC Foosball Fun - Club members enjoy after-school activities in the Boys Alumni & Friends board & Girls Club game room. Each of the four FSBGC units are open member Bill Norvell. Clarence Higgins (1910-1992) Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. til 7:00 p.m. Clarence’s son and grandson were in attendance for the unveiling. “The Boys & Girls Club is grateful for the many contributions that Higgins made throughout his career” said FSBGC board member Okla Ben Smith. “It is only fitting that we have a display to honor his achievements” Smith added. During his career, Higgins had 17 staff members who later advanced to work at other Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the country. During the 1950’ s and 1960’s, the Fort Smith Boys Club realized tremendous growth under Higgins’ leadership. “He was deeply respected” added Norvell. As director of the Fort Smith Boys Club from 1945 - 1971, Clarence Higgins was instrumental in the growth of youth sports in our community. He helped plan and construct FSBGC Support - Bill Hollenbeck and Hank Needham discuss their Hunts Park in 1947. He was closely involved in the expansion younger years at the FSBGC during the Alumni & Friends BBQ. Needham is principal at Cavanaugh Elementary School. Hollenbeck is a of the Wheeler Boys Club, and the construction of Jeffrey candidate for Sebastian County Sheriff. Boys Club. Higgins was one of the founding fathers of Fort Smith Church League in 1957, established Baseball in Arkansas, and was a leader in the growth of the baseball program. Through his efforts, Boys Club youth football games were moved to Hunts Park, and he created a partnership with St. Anne’s High School to have their home football games at Hunts Park. In 1987 he was inducted into the Babe Ruth Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1992, he was inducted into the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame. He is remembered as a Multi-tasking - FSBGC staff member Jeff Wasson helps Jeffrey Boys & humble leader whose positive influence has impacted several Girls Club members with a project as he supervises the computer lab. generations of young people. Fall 2009 www.fsbgc.org Page 7

ALUMNI NEWS Fall 2009 ANNUAL BBQ CELEBRATES ALUMNI & FRIENDS ACHIEVEMENTS “Reaching the 500 membership mark for three consecutive years is something we are very grateful for” said association president Lyn Caselman, at the annual FSBGC Alumni & Friends BBQ. Caselman thanked all of the individuals who have supported the Boys & Girls Club through the Alumni & Friends Association. Several community leaders attended the BBQ, which 2009 Alumni BBQ presentation - attendees at served as the official kickoff for the 2010 membership the FSBGC Alumni & Friends BBQ watch a video drive. The Alumni Association was established in 1991 highlighting activities during the past year. The event as a support base for the Boys & Girls Club. The name was held at Evans Boys & Girls Club on October 14th. was changed to the Alumni & Friends Association in 2006. During the past 18 years, the Alumni & Friends Association has provided more than $ 500,000 in financial support to the FSBGC. The sustaining membership drive is one of two fund-raisers conducted by the Association each year. An annual golf tournament is held in June. There are various programs sponsored by the Alumni & Friends Association, including: FSBGC College Scholarship program, Lean On Me mentoring, After-school shuttle, the FSBGC Hall of Fame and several capital improvement projects. The Association celebrates and honors the success of past Club members. Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club supporters - Lady Eady, Lewis Eady, State Senator Denny Altes, State The upcoming FSBGC Hall of Fame banquet has Representatives Frank Glidewell and former State been scheduled for November 8, 2010. Since 1991, 38 Representative Jim Medley. individuals and 3 civic clubs have been inducted. Page 8 www.fsbgc.org Fall 2009 Snapshots from the 2009 FSBGC Alumni & Friends Association BBQ

FSBGC charter member Gerald Price visits with Hall Peggy Higgins, Edna Wagoner and Janie Billy Higgins and Jim Hamilton glance of Famer Bill Norvell. Wyatt visit during the reception. at the new Clarence Higgins display.

Marlin Fretheim and Randy Bittle visit with FSBGC Keystone Club president Charlie Dye and James Wagoner Dr. Jim Saviers and Dr. Boyd Saviers. Shawnika Jones wins a door prize. share a story with Phillip Plunkett. Fall 2009 www.fsbgc.org Page 9 SPORTS 2009 Sr. Babe Ruth Baseball Fort Smith Nationals Finish Runner-up in Southwest Regional For the second straight year, the FSBGC hosted the SW Regional Senior Babe Ruth 16 year- old tournament at Hunts Park. The Fort Smith Nationals advanced to the championship game after defeating Tri-County, Texas in the semi-finals. 2009 FSBGC Volunteer Cheer Coaches Kenner, Louisiana lost to Mid-County, Texas Front row (l to r): Ashley Monroe, Taylor Bramlett, Emily Frederick, Allie Edwards, Emily Coats, Hannah in the other semi-final game. Kenner went 3-0 in Clifton. pool play earlier in the tourney, including a 10-9 Middle row: Niesha Forrest, Jill Siebenmorgen, victory over the Fort Smith Americans during the Hannah Barling, Brooke Eckes, Aschten Steward, first day of play. Lauren Abbey, Taylor Mulhern. Back row: Abbey Neel, Logan Laroche, Katie Other teams participating in the event included Johnson, Maisie Strickland, Chelsea Railey. all-star teams from Pine Bluff, Fayetteville, Monticello, Northwest Arkansas and El Dorado. LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS “There was some outstanding talent this TEAM UP TO COACH AT THE FSBGC year” said tourney director Chris Reeder. “The Thirty-three high school girls are participating as volunteer teams were very balanced which made for very cheerleading coaches at the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club this season. The students include members of the Northside High competitive games” he explained. Fort Smith was Cheer team and N-Steppers, along with the Southside High Cheer represented by all-star teams from two divisions in team and Dixie-belles. More than 160 girls participate in the FSBGC cheer program. the Westark Senior Babe Ruth league. Starting with a Cheer Clinic held on September 12 at Evans The Fort Smith Nationals were defeated by Boys & Girls Club, cheer coaches volunteer each week during Mid-County, Texas in the finals at Hunts Park. the season. “We have high school girls volunteering at each of the four Boys & Girls Club units’” said cheer coordinator Emily Kamp. Cheer coaches help the girls with basic fundamentals and Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club skills involved in being a cheerleader. “Gaining self-confidence BASKETBALL SIGNUPS in front of a crowd is very important” added Kamp. October 19 - November 13 For the past seven years, cheerleaders from the two high Rinky Dink grades 1 & 2 schools have been involved in the Boys & Girls Club program. Pee Wee grades 3 & 4 “Several of the girls who are coaching, actually got their start cheering at the Club, including Logan Laroche and Angela Midget grades 5 & 6 Taylor” said FSBGC staff member Rhonda Murphy. “We Junior grades 7, 8 & 9 couldn’t have this success without the strong support of High Senior grades 10, 11 & 12 School instructors Jean Ann Sadler (Southside) and Terri Freeny Register at any FSBGC Location (Northside).” For more info visit: www.fsbgc.org Signups for the FSBGC drill team program are being held in November for girls in grades 1-6. Page 10 www.fsbgc.org Fall 2009 FORMER FSBGC ATHLETES MAKING SPORTS HEADLINES Several former Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club members have been profiled in sports articles and television stories recently. FSBGC news makers include: BRETT GOODE – is enjoying his second full season in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers. The former Northside High center was a standout snapper for the Arkansas Razorbacks. After walking on at Arkansas as a freshman, Goode became a four year starter and was on the academic honor roll. Brett played FSBGC football for six years and has coached at the Club. Referee Kevin Mallon officiates an FSBGC Minor RYAN FRANKLIN – was named to the MLB 2009 All-Star League soccer game at Goldtrap-Gardner. team. Franklin represented the St. Louis Cardinals as a pitcher for the national league during the All-Star game. Franklin threw a scoreless inning and was visited by President Obama in the Club house. Franklin finished the season with 37 saves and a 1.92 ERA. Coach Tony LaRussa credits Franklin for leading the Cardinals to a National League central division title. The Spiro, Oklahoma native played baseball as a youth at the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club. FRED PERRY – is playing football this season for the Winnipeg Bluebombers of the CFL. Last season Perry played for the Edmonton Eskimos. A seven year veteran of the CFL, Perry was a CFL All-Star in 2006 and 2007. He led the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a Grey Cup title in 2007. Perry is a former member of the Stephens Boys & Girls Club. He was a standout football player at Northside High and Southern Arkansas University. KODI BURNS – is an all-purpose offensive threat for the SEC Auburn Tigers. Burns has played quarterback, running back and wide receiver for the War Eagles. Burns, a Junior, was named MVP of the Chick-Fil-A Bowl when he was a Freshman. Kodi is a former member of the Jeffrey unit and played football at the FSBGC for six years. GUS MALZHAN – serves as offensive coordinator for Auburn FSBGC football coach Marcus Emerson gives his University football. Malzhan has enjoyed three successful seasons players advice during action at Hunts Park. as a College football offensive coordinator, including stints at Arkansas and Tulsa. He is regarded as one of the most innovative minds in the sport. He is a former member and employee of the Evans Boys & Girls Club. Malzhan was guest speaker at the 2006 FSBGC awards banquet. TYLER WILSON – is receiving action as quarterback for the Arkansas Razorbacks this fall. The former Greenwood High standout is an outstanding football and baseball player. Wilson played sports at the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club while in elementary school. DICK BUMPAS – defensive coordinator for the TCU Horned Frogs, is regarded as one of the top coaches in the nation. Bumpas started his college coaching career in 1977. He was inducted into Cheer coaches provide instruction to Club members the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. Bumpas began playing during the annual FSBGC Cheer Clinic. football as a youth at the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club. Fall 2009 www.fsbgc.org Page 11 COLLEGE & PROFESSIONAL PLAYER WATCH Former Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club members who are currently Professional athletes: NAME SPORT TEAM Henry Burris Football (CFL) Calgary Stampeders Derek Fine Football (NFL) Buffalo Bills Ryan Franklin Baseball (MLB) St. Louis Cardinals Craig Gentry Baseball (MLB) Texas Rangers Brett Goode Football (NFL) Green Bay Packers Allen McFerren Golf (PGA) Midwest Q School Fred Perry Football (CFL) Winnepeg Bombers GENTRY GETS HIS FIRST Former Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club members who are START IN THE “BIG LEAGUES” currently participating in College athletics: It’s a long way from Hunts Park to Oakland Coliseum. NAME SPORT COLLEGE Texas Rangers outfielder Craig Gentry knows both Ethan Adamson Golf UA Fort Smith facilities very well. The former American Legion star for Shanita Arnold Basketball Univ. of Arizona Fort Smith Kerwins has made it to the Major Leagues. Ryan Barnes Basketball Central Baptist On September 24, Gentry was in the starting lineup Thomas Biocic Baseball Carl Albert St (OK) for the first time when the Texas Rangers visited the Chad Burnett Track Arkansas Athletic’s at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Gentry, Kodi Burns Football Auburn who played most of the 2009 season for the Frisco Nick Crawford Tennis Jackson State Roughriders, joined the Rangers on September 1. Tyler Davis Baseball UA Fort Smith “I’ve been waiting for this pretty much my whole life” Nate Durham Track Arkansas Gentry said. “Just being up here has been awesome. It is Josh Garcia Baseball UA Fort Smith a great feeling.” Gentry’s first major league hit ( a double) Blake Gentry Baseball Southeastern OK came on September 26 against the Tampa Bay Rays. Ian Gilley Baseball Texarkana JC Gentry hit .303 for the Roughriders with 100 runs Brad Gilliam Baseball Williams Baptist scored, 21 double, 7 triples, 8 home runs and 53 RBI’s. Sammy Hassen Baseball Arkansas Tech He also led the Texas League in steals, and was the first Cody Hatman Baseball Arkansas Tech Frisco player in history to score 100 runs. Matt Henry Baseball McNeese St. During his youth, Craig played basketball at the Ashley Hobbs Basketball Southeastern (OK) Goldtrap-Gardner Boys & Girls Club. From 2000-2002, John Koch Baseball Arkansas State he played American Legion baseball for Kerwins. Former Marion Kursh Basketball UA Little Rock Kerwin coach Chuck Holcombe remembers Gentry as Daniel McKinney Baseball Southeastern (OK) one of the most talented athletes to play in Fort Smith. Josh Miller Baseball Carl Albert St. (OK) “He’s the fastest ballplayer I’ve ever seen” said former Blake Mitchem Basketball Univ. of the Ozarks teammate and FSBGC staff member J.P. Sonnier. “The Matt O’Neal Baseball St. Louis University guy can fly” he added. Dalton Person Football Univ. of Gentry graduated from Fort Smith Christian High Hunter Phelan Football Southeastern (OK) (now Union Christian Academy), where he was a track Kyle Pippen Baseball Williams Baptist and basketball standout. After playing two years of Junior Daniel Ramsey Baseball Crowder JC (MO) College baseball at UA Fort Smith, Gentry finished out Slick Shelley Football Tulsa his college career with the Arkansas Razorbacks. He was A.J. Smith Football Arkansas Tech a 10th round pick of the Texas Rangers in the 2006 MLB Timothy Starson Football Arkansas State draft. Robbie Stocking Football Southeastern (OK) Other former Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club members Dawson Urrutia Track Missouri Southern who have played major league baseball in recent years Michael Vann Basketball UA Fort Smith include Ryan Franklin (St. Louis Cardinals) and Kevin Tyler Wilson Football Arkansas Lomon (Atlanta Braves). Cameron Young Baseball UA Fort Smith Page 12 www.fsbgc.org Fall 2009 BOYS & GIRLS CLUB BRAIN?????GAME Fun Page 1. in 1860, the first Boys Club was established where? PERPLEXING PUZZLES a) Hartford b) Boston c) New York City d) Philadelphia A. What number is one-half of one-third of one-tenth 2. How far does human blood travel in one day? of 6,000? a) 12,000 miles b) 1,200 miles c) 120 miles d) 12 miles B. You have a fox, a chicken, and a sack of grain. You 3. What U. S. President purchased Alaska? must cross a river with only one of them at a time. If a) Andrew Johnson b) Andrew Jackson you leave the fox with the chicken he will eat it; if you c) Woodrow Wilson d) Grover Cleveland 4. What is the largest city (by population) in the world? leave the chicken with the grain he will eat it. How a) Tokyo b) Mexico City can you get all three across safely? c) Shanghai d) New York City 5. What team did Vince Lombardi coach during his last season in C. Beulah died in the Appalachians while Craig died at the NFL? sea. Everyone was much happier with Craig’s death. a) Chargers b) Dallas Cowboys Why? c) Washington Redskins d) Green bay Packers 6. What is the chemical symbol for Gold? D. What number best completes the sentence? a) Ag b) Go 100 ____? 101 98 102 99 103 c) Gd d) An 7. Where was Coca-cola first bottled? E. What seven letter word has hundreds of letters in it? a) Mississippi b) Arkansas F. My daughter has many sisters. She has as many c) Alabama d) Georgia 8. What does the Italian musical term “adagio” mean? sisters as she has brothers. Each of her brothers has a) slow b) strong twice as many sisters as brothers. How many sons and c) adoring d) comic opera daughters do I have? 9. Which actor has received the most Academy Award nominations?

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