September 23, 2004

Spartans and Bears visit Castillero to promote higher education

Visit was part of SJSU’s
three-day ‘Read-2-Lead Classic’

By Sheila Sanchez
Staff Writer

From left, football players George Hopkins, Donny Richardson, Alfonzo Custis, Patrick Perry, J.T. Callier, Terrance Grant, Deshawn McGregor, Donte Brawner, Joseph H. Wright, Andre Williams and Coach Charles Nach and team coordinator Keith Allen visit Mrs. Surginer’s sixth grade class at Castillero Middle School as part of San Jose State University’s Read-2-Lead Classic to promote literacy. Photo by Sheila Sanchez

One by one, the tough looking African-American men recounted their childhood hardships growing up in single-parent families and overcoming great obstacles to enter college and play football.

“My father died when I was 7,” one said.

“I was in several foster homes,” said another.

In the end, their personal tragedies didn’t affect their academics or their dreams for the future.

One graduated 10th in his class; another was a valedictorian. They entered Morgan State University with academic and athletic scholarships.

Speaking to a group of about 20 sixth graders in Mary Surginer’s class at Castillero Middle School, the players used their athletic appeal to instill in the students a desire to do well in school and prepare for college.

“A college degree is like a high school diploma,” said one of the players. “That’s why I’m going to graduate school. You really have to work hard on your academics because now everyone is doing it. You have to work hard to make yourself stand out from other people.

He continued: “The hardships just make you a stronger person. They build your character.”

Another player said he followed his coach’s advice: “As long as you give it your all, we can’t be mad at you and you’ll never be mad at yourself if you give it your all.”

The men are all football players from San Jose State University and Morgan State University in Baltimore, Md., who visited the Almaden campus the morning of Sept. 17 as part of SJSU’s three-day Read-2-Lead Classic, to promote literacy and leadership skills.

“Whether you’re lower class or upper class, it just comes down to personally doing the right thing,” said another player, wearing the Spartan’s blue and white uniform. “It’s your future.”

Another player, who converted to the Muslim religion and who also grew up in a single-parent home in tough inner city Baltimore, said, “One thing that helped me was a strong spiritual and educational foundation.”

Others credited their coaches for positively influencing their lives.

Their stories were so touching that they seemed to inspire several students to begin the academic year with a stronger desire to get better grades and stay physically active.

It was not surprising to hear the childhood dramas from players of the small and predominantly-Black Morgan State University.

To play football at Morgan State University, they had to prepare to take the SAT exam and have high GPAs.

“College is about time management and being responsible,” said one player.

After the tough questions, students asked the players if they had girlfriends, had been on magazine covers, practiced football and went to the gym to work out.

Surginer and Castillero Middle School principal Sandra Engel were delighted with the visit.

“I’m hoping it will motivate the students to keep their academic standards up and go on with their education and make the most of their time in school,” Surginer said.

The players, who arrived in brand new Hummers, invited the students to look at the vehicles.

The Read-2-Lead program teams SJSU athletes with youth in the community to improve reading habits and promote the pursuit of higher education.

It was developed by Fitz Hill, head football coach for the SJSU Spartans, who has been selected by CityFlight Magazine as one of the “10 Most Influential African-Americans” for his contributions to the Bay Area and the African-American community.