www.theaustinvillager.com THE REVEALER THE VILLAGER/September 4, 2020 ~ Page 5 John Thompson Was More Than A Coach

By John Harris Jr. VILLAGER Sports Columnist

(VILLAGER) - They don’t make them like John Thompson any- more. Thompson passed away at the age of 78 on August 30. He will be re- membered as the first Black head coach to win a major collegiate champi- onship in when he led Georgetown to the NCAA Division I national title in 1984. sponse was typical from get here.” the school. and guiding the Hoyas to pionships at their respec- I’ll always remem- the big man, who stood 6- Black people loved Thompson was a 24 consecutive tive schools. ber Thompson’s response 10 and was ’s Thompson for those proud Black man who postseason appearances. But Thompson was when a white reporter backup on the Boston words. His actions per- spoke his mind about race In later years, more than a basketball asked him two years ear- Celtics: “I resent the hell sonified Black Lives Mat- and didn’t care what Thompson’s success at coach. lier about becoming the out of that question,” Th- ter. people thought during a Georgetown led to other He had a 97 percent first Black coach to lead ompson said. “It implies Thompson was a time when there weren’t Black coaches such as graduation rate for his his team to the Final Four. that I’m the first Black trailblazer whose pro- that many Black coaches Nolan Richardson (Arkan- players at Georgetown At the time it was coach capable of making gram was adopted by at major colleges. Thomp- sas) and with the school proudly Thompson’s first of three the Final Four. That’s not Black folks around the son coached mostly black (Kentucky) not only re- pointing out that 76 of the trips to the Final Four in close to being true. I’m country, who wore teams at predominantly ceiving opportunities at 78 players who played four years with the Hoyas. just the first one who was Georgetown jackets even white Georgetown, win- major colleges, but going four seasons under Th- Thompson’s re- given the opportunity to though they didn’t attend ning nearly 600 games on to win national cham- ompson received the de- grees. In 1989, before the start of Georgetown’s home game against Bos- ton College, Thompson walked off the court and turned the coaching du- ties over to an assistant coach to protest the NCAA”s Proposition 48 that would prohibit schol- arship athletes (primarily minorities) from playing their freshman seasons if they failed to qualify aca- demically. Georgetown head coach John Thompson said hugs presenter and former No, they don’t make he’d win a national title if he could get Ewing coach John Thompson during the Hall of them like John Thompson to Georgetown. He made good on that Fame induction ceremonies in 2016. Elise anymore. He broke the statement in 1984. (AP Photo) (Anonymous/AP) Amendola, AP Coach T. mold. Love Groove Virtual Music Festival Millions of Texans could be shielded from By AFRO Staff evictions under new Trump administration order BY JUAN PABLO GARNHAM | TEXAS TRIBUNE (TXT) - The federal Security Act expired in and that they tried to get government announced a late July. But that measure any available govern- nationwide eviction only delayed evictions for ment assistance for rent moratorium Tuesday that tenants in federally or housing. They will is designed to protect backed housing. The new also have to state that renters from losing their order from the CDC is they have been unable homes until the end of more extensive, protect- to pay rent due to loss of the year. The order could ing most renters who ex- income, work or health keep millions of Texans pect to earn no more expenses, and that they from being evicted. than $99,000 in annual might be at risk of income in 2020, or homelessness or dou- Housing advocates Heather K. Way (AFRO) - This Labor Day weekend, the Love $198,000 if filing a joint bling up if they are had been calling for such Groove Music Festival is back for its third annual order but said more pro- return. evicted. broad protections since music extravaganza. Due to COVID-19 social distanc- tections are needed, and “The prior morato- Finally, renters will the start of the pan- ing restrictions, the festival will transition to a vir- representatives for land- rium that Congress have to state that they are demic. A previous mea- tual backdrop featuring eight local artists over a two lords expressed concern adopted only covered using their “best efforts” to sure, which expired in day period. Founded in 2017, this showcase aims about its potential impact tenants in certain feder- pay rent on time. Tenants July, only stopped evic- to bring all genres of music together for a uniquely on their businesses. ally backed properties. can face criminal charges tions in homes that were blended musical experience. Rent, typically one Less than half of renters for false statements in their backed by federal loans. The festival puts Baltimore’s rising stars on dis- of the largest items in were covered by the documents. The new order, is- play, and is one of the few shows that is produced any household’s budget, prior protection,” said Housing advocates sued by the Centers for by young artists in the Baltimore area. Attendees has become one of the Heather K. Way, director also warned that more Disease Control and Pre- can look forward to grooving to music genres like top worries of Texans of the Entrepreneurship action is needed, includ- vention and set to be jazz, rock, hiphop, neo-soul, pop and blues. “Love who have lost their jobs and Community Devel- ing rent relief. published Friday, says Groove Music Festival looks for unique artists who due to COVID-19. Ac- opment Clinic at the Uni- “This action delays that COVID-19 is a “his- genuinely love music! It doesn’t matter how many cording to a survey from versity of Texas Austin. but does not prevent toric threat to public followers or listeners you have, as long as you love the U.S. Census Bureau, “This order covers all evictions. Congress and health” and that eviction the craft,” Love Groove Founder John Tyler told the 39% of renters in Texas renters that meet an ad- the White House must moratoriums can facili- AFRO. weren’t certain they ditional criteria. There get back to work on ne- tate quarantining. Artists, in particular, have been hit hard by the could pay their rent in are no limits in terms of gotiations to enact a “I want to make it global pandemic, but this festival is an opportunity August. Most eviction the type of housing.” COVID-19 relief bill with unmistakably clear that for artists to recoup some of the lost revenue. Pro- moratoriums enacted Tenants will have to at least $100 billion in I’m protecting people ceeds from this event will go toward an artist fund during the pandemic’s provide declarations to emergency rental assis- from evictions,” President along with Our Victorious City Foundation (OVCF), initial blow to the their landlords stating tance,” Diane Yentel, Donald Trump said in a a Baltimore-based organization that provides re- economy have expired. that they meet all the re- president of the Na- White House press re- sources to inner city youth. A provision included quirements in the order, tional Low Income Hous- lease. The festival will take place virtually on Sept. 4 in the federal Coronavirus including that they fall ing Coalition, told The In Texas, advocates and Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit Aid, Relief and Economic within the income limit Washington Post. for renters applauded the www.lovegroovemusicfestival.com.