THE VILLAGER Page 4 ~ August 17, 2012 www.theaustinvillager.com City ~ State ~ National News Former Players Return to Honor John Chaney Dems Helping Obama Get Re-Elected by Donald Hunt Special to the NNPA from the Philadelphia By Dianne Anderson are about 400,000 eligible His- Tribune Special to the NNPA from the panics who are still not regis- Eddie Jones flew in from Precinct Reporter tered to vote. Weston, Fla. Lamont Ferrell and Hardworking volunteer “That’s a really big tar- Jerome Dowdell came up from At- Vanessa Martinez, a team get, so the Party is working lanta. Players from all over the leader with http://www. on that,” he said. country wouldn’t dare miss the barackobama.com, went Also, the President’s chance to honor Hall of Fame abroad for a month, and when project, Organizing for coach John Chaney for making a she came back, she was difference in their lives. America, has been covering There were more than 25 shocked at how local involve- a lot of ground with its phone- former Temple basketball players ment with her coffee house banking in San Bernardino. who paid a special tribute to phone-banking sessions hit Mr. Hawkins expects that Chaney on Saturday afternoon at new highs. with Election Day so close, the Philadelphia Platinum Grill in She and others have interest in volunteerism will Former Temple basketball player Lynard Stewart, left, talks with Hall of President Barack Obama Chestnut Hill on Crittenden Fame coach John Chaney at a banquet to celebrate Chaney on Satur- met regularly at the local grow in the coming weeks. Street. day, August 4 at the Philadelphia Platinum Grill in Chestnut Hill. — Starbucks or Coffee Bean The Democratic Party The special banquet was PHOTO/BILL ACHUFF over the past year, calling on see a lot of the Hispanic com- has recently reorganized, and organized by Ferrell and Darrin coach. I appreciate everything. Also in attendance were a voters, pitching the important munity volunteering, but she’s now meeting around the Pearsall, who put together the When I go different places people couple of Chaney’s basketball issues, reminding them to get program where Temple players hoping that will soon change Democratic Central Commit- recognize me. They know I’m standouts from his Cheyney told stories of their playing days ready for the big day, or come as Election Day draw near. tee with a lot of energy to- from Philadelphia and Temple State teams. Keith Johnson, for Chaney. They also did some out and volunteer for the big Within the Hispanic ward targeting the Black vote, University. The first thing they Coppin State assistant basketball light roasting and toasting. The boss. population there has been especially in the 47th Assem- asked me is how is it playing for coach, played on the Wolves’ players talked about the road Since last August, her some difficulty in outreach as bly District and the Victor Coach Chaney? How were the 5 1978 NCAA Division II champi- trips, the 6 a.m. practices and other phone-banking for President o’clock (morning) practices? You onship team. Michael Blackshear older women tend to take on Valley area. memorable moments they shared know, I get a joy and a pleasure to played on one of Chaney’s Final Obama has pulled many new the political party of their hus- But the biggest way the with their legendary coach. talk about coach because he’s Four teams at Cheyney State. volunteers together to make bands. Or, often they will not Dems are working the More than anything it was well respected. Not only is he a Chaney led Temple to a 516- a difference in something that attend events without being grassroots community is by a chance for several of the play- Hall of Famer. He’s a Hall of Fame 253 record and 17 NCAA tourna- most everyone with a cell accompanied or get permis- connecting people to Demo- ers to thank Chaney, who not only coach and an even better person.” ment appearances from 1982- phone can do. coached these players, but sion from their husbands. Still, cratic clubs countywide. Jones had some great 2006. Prior to that, Chaney’s helped to shape and mold their “People are now be- she’s not seeing that kind of Mr. Hawkins said that words for the longtime mentor record was 232-56 at Cheyney lives for the better. coming more motivated,” she attitude with her peers. organizing is key, connecting who taught him a number of life- State, including one national title. The testimonials were very said. “There is a good pro- With less than 100 days individuals with each other, long lessons on North Broad His legacy includes some great moving. Aaron McKie and Eddie portion of the African Ameri- until Election Day, she said either through canvassing or Street. years as a coach, but he also pro- Jones were two of the players who can community, and also the “Coach, what you have vided his players with a chance that her focus is on bringing phone-banking, was the spoke at the event. McKie and done for everyone in here, we to receive a good education and white community.” more volunteers, and getting strength and strategy of the Jones had stellar college and can’t put a price on it,” Jones said. make better lives for themselves Some of the increase as many phone callers on President’s last election. It’s NBA careers. McKie grew up in “Without you I would have been and families beyond basketball. might be some healthy com- board as they can. They are also the way he’ll win again. North Philadelphia and played his one of the same little guys in the “It’s great to see these guys petition starting to kick in as working with a lot of team “Everything is stepping scholastic basketball for Simon neighborhood talking about what interacting with each other in a the Dems get fired up to beat Gratz. Jones hailed from Blanche spirit, and caffeine. up now. Traditionally, the could have been and what should brotherly way,” Chaney said. “To Ely High School in Pompano the big money behind the “They know it’s going to people like to wait until La- have been. You brought us hear that their son or daughter is Beach, Fla. McKie and Jones Romney campaign. be a hard challenge, and they bor Day and pick it up, but around and showed us life. You going to Temple it just explains so played on three NCAA tourna- Martinez, 20, attends try to do as much as they we’re picking it up now early. taught me how to be a father. You much about what was said to me ment teams including one of UCR, and said that she’s still can,” she said. We can’t wait,” Mr. Hawkins taught me how to be a husband.” about one of our great teachers, Chaney’s five Final Eight teams. waiting to see students her In addition to McKie and Marcus Foster. He said, ‘You can In San Bernardino, said. Both are Temple graduates. Both Jones, there were several other take one poor kid out of a poor and own age on campus get more community activist Walter To find out local Demo- spoke glowingly of their coach. former Temple players who spoke humble living and you can take that involved. Hawkins said that they are cratic clubs and volunteer in- “Coach came to get a little such as Chris Laws, Dwight youngster and send him through “They aren’t quite there putting a lot of energy on pull- formation, see www.san kid out of North Philadelphia who Forrester, Nate Blackwell, Mike high school and college. He can yet,” she said. “They seem ing the Latino vote into the bernardinodemocrats.org really didn’t have much going for Vreeswyk, Derrick Brantley, Jason change the dynamics of his entire motivated for a while, but it’s Democratic Party with a big To find phone bank him,” said McKie, now an assis- Ivy, Tim Perry and Jerome family. That’s what you heard to- on and off.” focus on increased registra- events in your neighborhood, tant coach with the Philadelphia Dowdell. Ferrell was the master day.” And she also doesn’t 76ers. “You injected life into [me] of ceremonies. tion. Even so, he said there see www.barackobama.com..