THE VILLAGER Page 8 ~ March 2, 2012 www.theaustinvillager.com SPORTS Eastside Field an VILLAGER SPOTLIGHT East Austin Staple Aaron Ross a champion on all levels and a pick and did not know People asked what I was doing, but I Henderson why did you want Award winner (nation’s knew I was going to take do this? His answer was, top defensive back). The that asphalt lot out, put some “Track and football was my Big 12 Defensive Player goalposts, grass, sprinkler ticket in education so instead of the Year ranked third system and a clock there.” of offering a 500 or 1000 on the squad with 80 In 1999, Henderson scholarship if you work for tackles (59 solos). He had a sack, two stops for By: Terry Davis wanted to build a track something whether it is base- around the football field. ball, football basketball track losses and 19 pass deflec- The reason he wanted to if you can get a scholarship. tions. He caused three @terryd515 build the track was local I can only offer something to fumbles, recovered two Eastside Memorial track teams were not al- my community what I got and picked off six passes. Field at Yellow Jacket Sta- lowed to use at the Univer- from my community. What I He also scored once dium has meant many things sity of Texas nor the Austin got from my community were while averaging 10.4 to many people. For some Independent School Dis- great playgrounds.” yards on 23 punt returns. the stadium is a training tricts facilities. The original On one occasion on the The Giants selected ground to get better as an ath- cost to build the track was track, Henderson noticed a Ross with the 20 pick in lete, for others it is a place to $350,000. Henderson had 60 year old gentleman and 68 the 2007 National Foot- compete against peers. a successful film company at year old woman was walk- ball League Draft. As a Some of the regular visitors the time, but did not have ing their 90 year old mother Aaron Ross. Photo courtesy of the New York Giants rookie, Ross played in 15 to Eastside want to shed a that type of money to give with her walker, with the games had 45 tackles pound or two. Eastside is away. walker setting the pace. By: Terry Davis lowed to play in his three interceptions and even a place for family mem- Henderson went on a Henderson said, “I Aaron Ross was re- freshman year with the one interception was re- bers can connect and enjoy fast to order to raise the tired.” He wonders how long cently in town to partici- University of Texas. In turned for a touchdown. a causal lap while having a funds for the track. He he can continue to do it. The pate in a community his second year at Texas The Giants would go to nice conversation. vowed not to eat or go last couple of years he has event. Aaron Ross is a Ross played in thirteen Super Bowl 42 and would Eastside has been a home until he had the funds. been thinking about giving up vital member of the New games, but did not start. defeat the New England staple in the East Austin com- Henderson went on radio operating the track. York football Giants. The Patriots. munity for twenty years. and television stations to at- Henderson said, “He wants Giants recently just won Ross and the Giants Eastside is located on the tract attention to his cause. Parks and Recreation or the the Super Bowl over the had to wait four years to former site of L. C. Ander- He would set up a tent in the Austin ISD to do the mainte- New England Patriots. return to the playoffs. The son High School at the cor- middle of the field and stayed nance on Eastside but would Ross could have been on wait was worth it. The ner of Rosewood and Neal. there for seven days and on like an African American a celebration tour after Giants would play the Eastside was the brain child the seventh day he had the group to control the activities winning his second Super Patriots in Super Bowl 46 of Thomas Henderson. necessary funds to build the of Eastside. He wants some Bowl ring, but he found in Indianapolis, IN. The the time to return to Aus- Aaron Ross and wife game was a rematch of Henderson is an Austin track. new enthusiasm some new Sanya Richards native, alumni of the old The cost of the track blood, someone who cares tin to assist in a charity Super Bowl 42 when the Anderson High School and cost twice as much to build and want to carry the mission event. In 2003 Ross split time Giants gave the Patriots former player for the Dallas because of drainage issues. own and keep it in our Ross could have at corner back and their only loss of the sea- Cowboys. Henderson Thanks in part to Hensel hands.” even pull of the event, be- played in twelve games. son. The Giants won the wanted to give back to his Phelps and some engineers The annual operating cause of a tooth injury the As a junior, Ross rematch against Pats 21- community. There was not a they were able to build a costs for Eastside are around day of the event. How- earned All-Big 12 Con- 17. Ross started in both quality place for the kids in drainage system and prevent $50,000 per year. The oper- ever Ross would go to the ference honorable men- Super Bowls for the Gi- the neighborhood to practice the track from flooding. ating costs are being covered dentist and would still tion. He started two ants. football. Before Eastside Henderson is famous for hit- my Henderson and some of make it to participant in games at cornerback and Ross feels he is truly was built the kids were play- ting the lottery, but all of this his wealthy friends. Eastside the event. This goes to ranked tenth in the nation blessed and excited about ing on fields on 12th Street activity occurred before he is looking for additional funds show the character of with a 14.7-yard average the situation of having a which were not football fields. hit the lottery. He won the for improvements to the fa- Ross. on 34 punt returns, re- national championship Henderson created the lottery ninety day after com- cility. If you would like to Ross was born in San turning two for touch- and two Super Bowls un- East Side Youth Services and pleting the track. show your support of Antonio, Texas, but downs. He also had three der his belt there. Ross Street Outreach (ESYSSO). The lighting system for Eastside you can send a do- moved to Tyler, Texas interceptions with nine said, “In his wildest ESYSSO is a 501(c)(3) and the track cost $500,000, nation to P. O. Box 1415 while he was in high pass break-ups. He was dreams you just want to was able to obtain a $40,000 however Henderson was Austin, TX 78767-1415. school. While in Tyler seventh on the team with play in one super bowl grant from Darryl Royal and able to get them for free. Henderson said, “I have Ross played for John 62 tackles (35 solos), and have a chance to win his foundation. Henderson When asked how he did played in three super bowls Tyler High School, he was adding two stops behind two is indescribable.” said, “I took that $40K went that Henderson jokingly but building Eastside Field is named second-team the line of scrimmage. Ross is married to over to old Anderson foot- said, “If I tell you I would the greatest thing I have ever Class 5A All-State after Texas won the National Sanya Richards, an ball stadium with a shovel have to kill you.” done in my life.” posting six interceptions, Championship game this Olympic gold medalist three fumble recoveries, season. and the world’s top- Longhorns Look To Get Off The NCAA Bubble and only allowed one In 2006 Ross ranked female 400 m run- J’Covan Brown has touchdown reception as a started all games for ner and graduate of St. taken the team on his shoulders senior in 2001. Ross Texas. He earned All- Thomas Aquinas, on Feb- this year. Brown leads the con- played cornerback and American and All-Big 12 ruary 26, 2010. The wed- ference in scoring with 19.5 wide receiver at John Conference first-team ding was also featured on points per game. Brown is not Tyler. honors, in addition to an episode of WE TV’s only the scoring leader; he is Ross was not al- being named the Thorpe Platinum Weddings. the leader of the six freshmen on the team. At various time The Spurs Return to The Friendly Confines of Texas this season Brown has been the Charlotte Bobcats on a coach on the floor directing Friday March 2 and the the team to run the game plan Denver Nuggets on Sunday and getting them where they March 4. need to be. Also while away, Tony Super freshman Myck Parker participated in the Kabongo has played well NBA Skills competition when in the lineup. Kabongo and came out the winner. has had a tendency of pick- The skills challenge is an ing up unnecessary fouls obstacle course that fea- which lands him on the bench tures the top point guards for long stretches of time. in the displaying their skills. Sheldon McClellan has been The course tests the skills a force off of the bench. by making each player Julien Lewis has been taken dribble, pass and shoot. under the wing on Brown and The player with the faster has been a good defensive time in two rounds is the force for the Horns. winner J’Covan Brown looking to the Big Dance. Photo by Terry Davis. The Longhorns have Parker Wins! Photo courtesy of Noah Graham/NBAE/ In winning, Parker won By: Terry Davis The Longhorns most likely will proven they can play with any Getty Images a $25,000 scholarship for a The next few days for the not get their twentieth win of team in the conference, but member of the Boys and Texas Longhorns will deter- the season until next week have not played a complete By: Terry Davis to have a very long road Girls Club of America. mine if they will make it to the when they play in the Big 12 good two halves this season. The Rodeo trip was a trip. Parker defeated Deron Wil- NCAA tournament for the 14th Tournament in Kansas City. If the Horns can put together very good trip for the San The Spurs went 8-1 liams of the New Jersey Nets year in a row. The Longhorns The Longhorns needs to win three good games to finish the Antonio Spurs. The Spurs on the Rodeo trip and have in the final round of compe- have played good this year but at least two games to burst the season they will make the take the annual trip because won 12 of the last 13 games tition. Parker was methodi- not great. bubble floating around the tournament and they could be of the Rodeo that takes place played. The Spurs have cal during the course appear- The Longhorns have lost program and get a guaranteed spoilers against some unsus- in the AT&T Center every only lost one game at home ing to move in slow motion 6 games by 5 or less points. spot in the big dance this year. pecting team. February and force the Spurs all year. The Spurs will host but finishing in 29.2 seconds.