Perspectives on athletics

Success demands preparation, so its no surprise that Perspectives Charter Schools football team planted the seeds for its greatest season ever last summer, before practice even began. During July, the Warriors coaches finished using up the allotment of contact days they could have with their team under Illinois High School Association rules. Team leaders then told head coach Terry Jones they were going to stay in shape on their own. Jones wasnt sure how well his players would follow through on that pledge, but he was impressed with the results once preseason practice started in August.

A seasonal review of the Perspectives Charter School Sports Program

Volume 3, Issue 1, January 2013

Warriors Football Finish Impressive Season Strong

in the five-year history of the varsity football program. Perspectives also won the Chicago Public Schools Windy City Conference title with a 7-0 record. The Warriors have made steady progress in Jones three seasons as head coach, finishing 4-5 in 2010 and 5-4 last year. He credits his players intelligence and discipline for the results. Show me a good team, and I will show you a smart team, he said. This team is a smart team. That starts with the Warriors five (Continued on p. 2)

Lonnie Washington (#25) carries the ball in the Warriors IHSA State Playoff Game

It was incredible, he said after the season. That kind of leadership and discipline helped the Warriorsa cooperative team made up of players from all four PCS high schoolsfinish with a 7-3 overall record and qualify for the state playoffs for the first time

Former PCS Basketball Star Remembers Roots

Anthony Davis is living his dream, but the New Orleans Hornets rookie star has not forgotten the role Perspectives Charter Schools has played in his journey to the National Basketball Association. A lengthy article in the Times-Picayune of Greater New Orleans recently centered on how the characterbuilding tenets of PCS A Disciplined Life helped transform Davis from an unknown high school player in 2010 to the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft just two years later. Along the way, the 6-foot-10-inch forward helped Kentucky win an NCAA title and the United States win a gold medal in the London Olympics. Through his first 10 games with the Hornets (he missed about a dozen games because of an ankle injury), he averaged 14.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocked shots a game. And Davis doesnt even turn 20 until March. Those 26 principles really help you, he said in the article, referring to ADL. You sit down and examine them, and I think they can really help you become a better person in life. I think thats why, myself personally, I abide by those rules, just trying to become a better person. Theyre everywhere. Constant reminders. It makes you live a disciplined life. For Davis, the most important principle may have been, demonstrate perseverance. He did exactly that through his first three years of high school, (Continued on p. 3)

About the newsletter

This newsletters author is Barry Temkin, who retired in 2008 from the Chicago Tribune and is volunteering in the Perspectives Charter Schools athletic department. He spent his last 20 years at the Tribune writing a high school sports column that covered hundreds of schools, including Perspectives. Lauren Camplin, a DePaul University journalism graduate, did the newsletters layout and production.

Perspectives Charter Schools Athletics athletics@pcsedu.org -- @pcs_athletics -- www.pcsedu.org 312.604.2116 -Page 1

Perspectives on athletics Volume 3, Issue 1 January 2013

ADL Council successfully promotes student-athlete leadership

Developing accomplished athletes and winning teams isnt the entire ballgame for Perspectives Charter Schools. Its goals includes developing outstanding leaders as well. provide them with leadership development, athletic director Vinay Mullick said. We want to teach them life skills, how to be better teammates, how to be more well-rounded. We also want to get feedback from them about the athletic department. Assistant athletic director Makinde Adedapo said administrators hope the ADL Council will fortify the message of living the 26 character-building principles of A Disciplined Life on and off the playing field. Additionally, we are hoping to grow student leadership in an authentic way within our athletic programs, he said. Many of our council members already exhibit leadership on their respective teams, and we want them to understand that this same leadership can be

Thats one reason the A Disciplined Life Leadership Council has been established at Perspectives Leadership Academy and Perspectives High School of Technology, the two high schools located at PCS Auburn Gresham campus. The schools share a cooperative athletic program. Each of its teams has at least two student-athletes on the council, whose 27 members were nominated by coaches and administrators. The council has met monthly since October. The purpose of the council is to have a forum for these student-athletes to

applied to the classroom and in their home and school communities. Council members learn this by grappling with such real-world issues as athletic eligibility requirements, concussions, financial literacy and the business of sports. At a recent meeting, the council discussed ways to support studentathletes who are currently ineligible as well as strategies to prevent any athlete from having to sit out competition in the future. A large number of council members are underclassmen, which Adedapo hopes will provide it with good momentum heading into next year. In addition, Mullick said, Perspectives plans to expand the council program to its Joslin and Math & Science Academy high schools.

PCS football program sees a brighter future ahead

(Continued from p. 1) captains: Gregory James Jr., Sergio Norvell, Andre Veasley, Lonnie Washington and Jimmie Williams. James, a senior linebacker/tight end, was the defensive MVP, Norvell, a senior linebacker/tight end, won the defensive impact award. Veasley, a senior who starred in his first year at quarterback, was named the most improved player. Washington, a speedy senior running back/defensive back who ran for 1,960 yards and scored 23 touchdowns, was the offensive and team MVP. Williams, a senior receiver/defensive back, won the impact award Veasley, Williams, senior defensive tackle/fullback Isiah Kyle, senior offensive tackle Denzel Parker and junior offensive lineman Christopher Hawkins earned all-conference recognition. Washington and James received all-state recognition. Norvell and James were named academic all-state. PCS lost its opening two games, both nonconference, then won seven straight before losing 23-7 to Shepard on Oct. 26 in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs at Gately Stadium. Six days earlier, the Warriors had defeated Hyde Park 30-14 in a game that decided the conference title. turnees include Hawkins, junior defensive back/running back Jahleel Griffin, junior offensive lineman Romanus Hutchins, sophomore linebacker/fullback Javontae Tharpe-Gibson and freshman receiver/linebacker Hakeem Adebompe, whom Jones expects to start at quarterback in 2013. Help also should come from coach Randle Williams sophomore team, which was 7-3. The freshman team, under Jason Wise, finished 3-3. Jones said having stability in the coaching staff and getting more young players with grammar-school football experience are helping to solidify the future of Perspectives football. Thanks to his players approach to football and life, Jones believes PCS can become a state championship contender. Our vision is to compete at a high level and with discipline, he said. A lot can be accomplished through discipline. These young men have accepted the challenge and discipline we have provided. People are more enthusiastic about what is going on with Perspectives football.

The teams prospects for next season remain bright. Top rePerspectives Charter Schools Athletics athletics@pcsedu.org -- @pcs_athletics -- www.pcsedu.org 312.604.2116-Page 2

Perspectives on athletics Volume 3, Issue 1 January 2013

Girls volleyball continues successful run Former soccer star holds

The Perspectives Leadership Academy/ Perspectives High School of Technology girls volleyball team made history in 2011, winning the first conference volleyball title for any PCS network high school. Top contributors included seniors coaches workshop Hannah Rhea and Ragene Hancock, Coaches teach, but they need to junior Anndrianna Ramsey and keep learning too in order to help freshman Jewel Watts. their athletes fulfill their potential.

Its reward was to move up from the Pink 2 conference to the tougher Blue 2 league. The Warriors, though, handled the move just fine, compiling a 12-6 record and placing for the first time at the Little Village Tournament. Top contributors for co-head coaches Eron Powell and Amber Taglia included junior captain Willeasha Love, senior Omunique Hubbard and sophomores Destiny Williams, Chanelle James, Tatyana Powell and Crystal Lackey.
Joslin High SchoolVolleyball Team at the PCS Volleyball Showcase all Showcase

Thats why Perspectives Charter Schools offers periodic professional development sessions for its coaches. The goal, athletic director Vinay Mullick said, is to help coaches sharpen their skills, especially when it comes to such things as leadership and motivation. Kelly Lindsey, a former womens soccer star and coach, conducted an interactive workshop Sept. 28 at the Auburn Gresham campus for all Perspectives coaches.

It was great to have Kelly on campus to share some of her lessons The Perspectives/IIT Math & learned as a college and professionWe had a young team this year, Science Academy team had a 0-5 al athlete and coach, Mullick said. and I am very excited about our fu- record but made progress toward Her time with the coaches was very ture, Powell said. The girls learned becoming a more competitive well spent and was a great experifundamental skills this year, and team, head coach Lindy Smalt said. ence for everyone there. we can expand on that for next Top contributors included senior year. Lindsey was a four-year letterNina Ridgner, sophomore Kamaria winner and two-time co-captain at Rasul, junior LaShay Holloway and The Joslin volleyball team had a Notre Dame, one of the top collefreshman Zaria June. 22-player turnout and finished 2-4. giate womens soccer programs in the country. She also played professionally and with the U.S. womens national team and coached in (Continued from p. 1) Now hes a very wealthy young man, professional soccer and at such when he struggled to catch the eye of with seemingly millions more to come. universities as Colorado, Texas and any NCAA Division I college coach. But Davis, following the ADL principle California at Berkeley. She is now an to be a life-long learner, nonetheless accomplished performance coach Before my senior year, I just thought plans to return to college to get his in Chicago. basketball wasnt for me, Davis told degree.

The girls displayed perseverance and self-control, co-head coach Jacqueline Mensik said. Janet Lee is the other co-head coach

Davis carries PCS roots to NBA

the Times-Picayune.

I wasnt getting any looks. Guys always come and look at you in your junior year. I always heard that. Scouts come in your junior year. Scouts come in your junior year. No one came in my junior year.

When basketball is over for me in my career, I still want to go back and be a high school head coach, he said. Those things will never stop. When this is all over, I still want to go back to high school and coach, probably for my old high school team. The Joslin campus.

Her workshop, The Secret of the Slight Edge: Developing a Culture of Champions, aimed at helping coaches develop a mentality that will transform individual potential into high performance on and off the athletic field.

Perspectives Charter Schools Athletics athletics@pcsedu.org -- @pcs_athletics -- www.pcsedu.org 312.604.2116- Page 3

Perspectives on athletics Volume 3, Issue 1 January 2013

Perspectives Joslin boys soccer, cross country look to build off progress
The Perspectives Joslin boys soccer team spent its inaugural season last fall learning the sports fundamentals. This year the team took another step, playing its first games. The 15-player team finished 0-2, but junior Sultan Oloko and sophomore Ricardo Alday produced the first goals in program history, each on an assist by junior and team captain Edgar Del Toro. We are hoping to build upon the fundamentals that we learned this year, to add players to our roster and to encourage players to be highachieving student-athletes, head coach Rachel Urista said. We are a work in progress, but we have a great core of student-athletes leading the way to create a great program. Cross Country The Perspectives Leadership Academy/Perspectives High School of Technologys boys and girls cross country teams had another successful season. Head coach Rodney Stephen qualified three athletes out of the Riverside-Brookfield Class 2A state regional meets to the sectionals: sophomore Tristan Rogers of the boys team and junior Willeasha Love and sophomore La Mona Rocquemore of the girls team. Other top runners were junior Robert White and sophomore Nilita Renua. Stephen was pleased that 10 boys and 10 girls competed this fall. This has been the largest team weve ever had for cross country since Ive coached here, which means more kids are really enjoying the family and team concept that we are trying to instill in our studentathletes, he said.

Perspectives Middle School sports continue to improve

Volleyball The Perspectives Middle Academy 7 -8th-grade volleyball team had a solid season, finishing 3-4. Quaytasia Dail, an 8th-grader, was the teams top player.
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We have many 7th-graders coming back, head coach Amanda Yost said. We worked hard to make a huge improvement in their skills, especially bumping and serving. Flag football The Math & Science Academy flag football team drew 22 players and posted a fine 5-1 record under head coach Floyd Urrutia. Top players included 8th-graders Montrel Kennedy and Stephon Jones on offense and Javn Wilson and Brandon Bracey on defense. Urrutia praised his players focus as well as their helping one another to become better players on and off the field. Perspectives Middle Academy had a rebuilding year but laid the foundation to resume its customary success next season. It was a growing season, as we had a lot of 6th- and 7th-graders who gave up a lot of size to the 8th-graders we were playing against, said coach Tristan

Roche, whose team was 2-7. We had a few close games that came down to the final play but couldnt pull any out. Were hoping to build on this year with all our returning athletes and get back to the top of the Perspectives network and CPS playoffs next year. Roches top contributors included 8 -grade quarterback/defensive lineman Shomari Tillett, 7th-graders running back/linebacker Emmanuel Gipson and running back/cornerback Andre Taylor and 6th-grade wide receiver/kicker Sydney Smith.
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Quaytasia could always be counted on to make her serves and bumps, even in pressure situations, said Bridget Brennan, who coached the team along with Stephanie Madziar. The girls practiced hard and really improved over the course of the season, especially with their serving and bumping. They also always positively supported and encouraged each other. PMA also had a 6th-grade team, which finished 3-2 behind coach Maureen Roderick and captain Mykira Tucker. Perspectives/IIT Math & Science Academy was 0-5. Top contributors included 8th-graders Nicole Fields, Paige Penn, Daija Lee, Dulcibella Larbi and Kelvana Fipps and 7th-graders Journee Lockridge and Trinity Coleman.

MSA and PMA joined Joslins team in Year 2 of the Perspectives Charter Schools Middle School Flag Football League, once again with support from the Chicago Youth Sports Alliance. Soccer Perspectives Joslins soccer team finished 0-4 this season behind 7th-graders Pedro Palacios and Alex Martinez and 8th-grader Frederick Baker. Head coach Kenneth Borre hopes to attract more players next fall and break into the winning column.

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