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VOL 5/ISSUE 1

FAN PAGE / CHEERLEADERS / PLAYER’S INK / TRAVEL / COMMUNITY

The 2014 BMW i8

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Carnell Moore

Jeff Louderback

PREMIER PLAYERS 5

Departments & Features

8 A Home Run For Kids

10 Advice For A Significant Life

14 Who Would You Take With #1 Pick?

16 Dashon Goldson Reflects On Everyday Life

24 CJ Motte Wants More For The Bulldogs

30 College Players In U.S. Women Pool

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Carnell Moore

Jeff Louderback

I want to start by saying thank you. I know they say that when you dream you eventually wake up. Well, for some reason, I’ve never had to wake up. Not just because of my time as a New York Yankee but also because I am living my dream every single day. Last year was a tough one for me. As I suffered through a bunch of injuries, I realized that some of the things that always came easily to me and were always fun had started to become a struggle. The one thing I always said to myself was that when baseball started to feel more like a job, it would be time to move forward. So really it was months ago when I realized that this season would likely be my last. As I came to this conclusion and shared it with my friends and family, they all told me to hold off saying anything until I was absolutely 100% sure. And the thing is, I could not be more sure. I know it in my heart. The 2014 season will be my last year playing professional baseball. I’ve experienced so many defining moments in my career. Winning the World Series as a rookie shortstop, being named the Yankees captain, closing the old and opening the new Yankee Stadium. Through it all, I’ve never stopped chasing the next one. I want to finally stop the chase and take in the world. For the last 20 years I’ve been completely focused on two goals: playing my best and helping the Yankees win. That means that for 365 days a year, my every thought and action were geared toward that goal. It’s now time for something new. From the time I was a kid, my dream was always very vivid and it never changed: I was going to be the shortstop for the NY Yankees. It started as an empty canvas more than 20 years ago, and now that I look at it, it’s almost complete. In a million years, I wouldn’t have believed just how beautiful it would become. So many people have traveled along this journey with me and helped me along the way: I want to especially thank The Boss, the Steinbrenner family, the entire Yankees organization, my managers, my coaches, my teammates, my friends and of course, above all, my family. They taught me incredible life lessons and are the #1 reason I lasted this long. They may not have been on the field, but they feel they played every game with me, and I think they are ready to call it a career as well. I also couldn’t have done it without the people of New York. NY fans always pushed me to be my best. They have embraced me, loved me, respected me and have ALWAYS been there for me. This can be a tough, invasive, critical and demanding environment. The people of this city have high expectations and are anxious to see them met. But it’s those same people who have challenged me, cheered for me, beat me down and picked me back up all at the same time. NY made me stronger, kept me more focused and made me a better, more well-rounded person. For that I will be forever grateful. I never could have imagined playing anywhere else. I will remember it all: the cheers, the boos, every win, every loss, all the plane trips, the bus rides, the clubhouses, the walks through the tunnel and every drive to and from the Bronx. I have achieved almost every personal and professional goal I have set. I have gotten the very most out of my life playing baseball, and I have absolutely no regrets. Now it’s time for the next chapter. I have new dreams and aspirations, and I want new challenges. There are many things I want to do in business and philanthropic work, in addition to focusing more on my personal life and starting a family of my own. And I want the ability to move at my own pace, see the world and finally have a summer vacation. But before that, I want to soak in every moment of every day this year, so I can remember it for the rest of my life. And most importantly, I want to help the Yankees reach our goal of winning another championship. Once again, thank you.

Derek Jeter

By Jeff Louderback

Chances are, Matt Bruback is one of

the few pitchers in professional baseball

history who feels grateful about taking a

line drive off the knee.

The injury spurred him to create a

weighted belt that was originally

designed to help baseball players with

balance and body awareness, but the

Miracle Belt (www.miraclebelt.com)

evolved into a product that benefits

children with autism and ADHD,

improving concentration, focus, and

sensory deficits.

Bruback – who was drafted by the

Chicago Cubs out of high school in

1997, spent a year at Manatee

Community College in Florida and then

signed with the Cubs in 1998 – was

pitching at Double-A West Tennessee

in the Cubs system in 2001 when the

fateful liner was struck.

In his second start at that level,

Bruback delivered a 91 mph fast ball

that was ripped up the middle and

drilled his right knee cap. The injury

disrupted his balance and pitching

rhythm resulting in diminished velocity

and a lack of command. Since his lower

body wasn’t providing the support and

stability needed to stay balanced,

Bruback started coming across his body

when he pitched causing him to develop

biceps tendinitis.

Later, while playing for Bowie

Baysox (the Double-A affiliate of the

Baltimore Orioles), Bruback placed a

20-pound sandbag on his shoulders

Matt Bruback

Line Drive Becomes A Home Run For Kids

Former minor league baseball pitcher Matt Bruback invented the Miracle Belt, initially to help athletes improve their balance. The product has since proven helpful to children with disabilities.

PREMIER PLAYERS 8

while doing leg lifts, which would

eventually spark a life changing

decision.

“For years, coaches pulled on my

uniform to try to get me to feel my

balance point to improve mechanics, so

I would have better command of my

pitches,” Bruback said. “They would

tell me, ‘You just need to focus on

staying back.’ Coaches can tell you and

even show you, but until you feel it

yourself, you will not be able to do it. I

couldn’t relate to what they were trying

to get me to feel, but I suddenly did

when I put the sandbag on my

shoulders.”

Inspired by what he believed would

help improve his mechanics and propel

him to live his Major League dream,

Bruback created a weighted belt to

make him more aware of his body

positioning.

“The belt gave me the feeling of

being grounded which allowed me to

feel my mechanics. Without being able

to feel my mechanics and make timely

adjustments, it’s difficult to stay

consistent on the mound,” Bruback

said.

Bruback’s mother, Vickie, crafted

the first prototype using material they

found at Home Depot. Bruback’s sister,

who is a graphic designer, developed a

visual design of how the belt would

look, and then she created marketing

materials to present the product to

manufacturing companies.

That is how the concept behind the

weighted belt was born. At the time, it

was called the Balance Pro Sportbelt™,

which was also found to help golfers

with body awareness and weight shift.

After the 2006 season, Bruback was

a free agent and considering signing

with a professional team overseas in

either Israel or Italy.

While contemplating his next move,

Bruback received a call from Catherine

Behan, a San Diego-based therapist

who had originally bought the belt to

improve her golf game but discovered

other therapeutic uses for autistic

children who have little or no control of

their bodies.

Bruback had a tough decision to

make. “Do I continue my professional

baseball career and continue working

towards my goal to pitch in the majors,

or should I focus my energy on helping

children with developmental

disabilities?” Bruback asked himself.

Shortly after his chat with Behan,

Bruback brought the belt to Sarasota-

based Community Haven, a nonprofit

organization for adults and children

with disabilities. There, the product was

redesigned by occupational and

physical therapists to help children with

sensory needs. Therapists at

Community Haven saw what they

termed “miraculous” benefits from

using the belt, so Bruback named it

Miracle Belt™. He also added the

Sensory Belt™ for larger-sized

children, teens and adults.

“With the positive encouragement I

received during the conversation with

Catherine and the results at Community

Haven, the decision was easy to focus

my attention on helping the children,”

said Bruback, who pitched in the

minors for nine seasons. “I love

baseball, but essentially I gave up one

dream to pursue another, one that will

have a lasting impact on children with

developmental disabilities. There is no

better feeling than helping improve the

life of a child.”

Used by parents, teachers, and

therapists in all 50 states and over 30

countries, the Miracle Belt has helped

more than 10,000 children. Therapists

have reported the Miracle Belt has

contributed to children with disabilities

reaching milestones originally thought

not possible.

The first article on the Miracle Belt

was published on Easter Sunday back in

2007 and caught the attention of Drs.

Frank and Lisa Lanzisera, who live in

Bradenton, Fla. and are the parents of a

child with Down Syndrome. The

Miracle Belt helped their 10-year-old

boy walk for the first time.

"We tried many things over the

years to help in our son's development.

At 10 years of age he was unable to

walk unassisted,” the Lanziseras

explained in an email. “We knew the

problem was his balance.

“After reading about the Miracle

Belt™ in the newspaper, we

immediately ordered one online. Our

son is now walking all around the house

without any help. In fact, he constantly

surprises us when he just walks into the

room,” they added. “We've dreamed of

this moment for 10 years. So, in our

mind, the Miracle Belt truly is a

miracle!”

The Miracle Belt and Sensory Belt

are being used to treat children with

autism, Asperger's syndrome, cerebral

palsy, Down syndrome and ADHD,

helping them become calmer and more

focused. The Miracle Belt was

specifically designed for infants and

children weighing less than 75 pounds

while the Sensory Belt was created for

children, teens, and adults weighing

more than 75 pounds. The belts have

been researched and tested “child safe”

under Consumer Product Safety

Improvement Act (CPSIA) guidelines.

There was a time when reaching the

Major Leagues is what drove Bruback,

but now he gets inspired by seeing how

the Miracle Belt and Sensory Belt are

making a dramatic impact in the lives of

children with sensory disorders, and

their families who are striving to do

whatever they can to help their children.

“The belt centers children. They

begin to understand how to use their

muscles and learn how to use their body

more effectively,” Bruback said. “It is

remarkable to me that a line drive off

my kneecap 12 years ago has resulted in

improving the lives of thousands of

children.”

PREMIER PLAYERS 9

PREMIER PLAYERS 10

By Jeff Louderback

“Your life matters.”

That is the message that veteran pastor Dan Hettinger

and former Major League player and broadcaster turned

motivational speaker Darrel Chaney passionately embrace

in their movement to encourage and inspire others in a time

and amid an economy that has created substantial

challenges and painstaking setbacks for many men.

Hettinger, who is a hospice chaplain in Colorado and has

served as a minister at churches nationwide, met Chaney

when the two resided in the Atlanta area. The friendship

inspired Hettinger to write “Welcome to the Big Leagues:

Every Man’s Journey to Significance, The Darrel Chaney

Story.”

The engaging book illustrates the respective stories of

Chaney and Hettinger. It details Chaney’s struggle for

significance as a utility infielder striving to remain in

baseball at a time when players were not rewarded with

salaries that provided financial comfort for the rest of their

lives. “Welcome to the Big Leagues” also follows Chaney

when his playing days ended and he encountered a myriad

of peaks and valleys while striving to provide for his family

and feel a sense of purpose. In the book, Hettinger also

describes his arduous path as a pastor overcoming

unexpected hurdles while planting and growing churches

across the country.

Hettinger and Chaney met after Hettinger relocated to

the Atlanta area from Princeton, N.J. to open a church. They

launched a men’s Bible study group and learned they had

common interests – their Christian faith and a love for

baseball.

“I noticed that Darrel had a self-deprecating way about

him, despite all of his achievements,” Hettinger said. “He

played in three World Series and got to experience winning

a World Series. He hit his first home run off Juan Marichal.

He gave Bobby Cox his first career managerial win with a

walk-off home run.

“Darrel was successful as a player, even though he felt

otherwise. He felt that he was just a utility infielder,”

Former Player Provides Advice To A Significant Life

PREMIER PLAYERS 11

Hettinger added. “What Darrel was doing is what I have

done and many men in today’s society do.

“There is a tendency for a man to measure his worth

with the wrong system – to compare his life with others and

not feel content with his place on the team,” Hettinger said.

“When a man knows who he is in the eyes of God, he

experiences his significance. Every day has unlimited

potential.”

Chaney, who is now 65, played 11 Major League

seasons for the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves. He was

part of three National League pennant winners, and the

1975 World Series champions, while playing for the Reds.

Yet, since he was a utility infielder on one of the greatest

clubs in Major League history (the 1975 Reds), Chaney

endured self-doubt about his value on the team. He

experienced these same feelings after his baseball career

when he was surprisingly dismissed from a broadcasting

position for the Atlanta Braves at TBS after just two years,

and in subsequent positions in corporate America that saw

him downsized.

Chaney and Hettinger agree that one of the most

poignant stories that illustrate the “Your Life Matters”

matters message in “Welcome to the Big Leagues” takes

readers to 1973. Chaney was used sparingly – a pinch-hit

appearance here, a pinch-running spot there, a late-inning

defensive replacement, an at-bat in the midst of a lopsided

game to give starters a rest. The previous season, he was

platooned with Davey Concepcion, but Concepcion had

emerged as one of the top shortstops in the game, leaving

Chaney in a utility role on a Reds team that had reached the

World Series in 1970 and 1972.

A second round pick of the Reds in 1966 out of Morton

High School in Hammond, Ind., Chaney had played parts of

four seasons in the majors yet had never carved out a

starting role. In 1973, his playing time significantly

declined, and prior to the last game before the All-Star

break in July, Chaney decided to approach manager Sparky

Anderson.

“Can we talk a minute?” Chaney said, as he peaked his

head into the manager’s office. He was comfortable talking

to his skipper since Anderson managed Chaney in the

minors.

“I’m glad you came in. I’ve noticed your attitude has

been off a little lately, and it is affecting the guys on the

bench,” Anderson said.

Chaney expressed his frustration about the lack of

playing time.

“I’m glad you want in the game, so let’s go position by

position and see where I can put you in.”

Anderson mentioned how, though Chaney was an

infielder, he had the versatility to play the outfield if

needed. Then the manager pointed out how Ken Griffey

was a Rookie of the Year contender in right field, Cesar

Geronimo was a Gold Glove center fielder and George

Foster was the team’s best power-hitter.

The infield featured Tony Perez at first, Joe Morgan at

second, Concepcion at shortstop and Pete Rose at third. All

four players were perennial All-Stars, and each one except

for Conception is enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Anderson pointed out that those guys were fixtures in the

everyday lineup.

“I get your point, Sparky. Thanks for your time,”

Chaney said as he slid from his chair, stood up with a heavy

heart and prepared to walk out, feeling embarrassed about

bringing up the subject.

Anderson asked Chaney to sit back down.

“Here is your purpose. If Pete gets sick, I will need you

to play third. If Davey gets injured, you will play shortstop.

If Joe needs a breather, you will play second. Do you

understand?” Anderson explained. “I need you. If I need a

bunt, you are one of the best bunters on the team. If I need a

pinch-runner, you are one of the fastest and smartest

baserunners we have. If we are going to be competitive, we

need you to be the best utility player in the majors.

“Darrel I want you to be ready when the game comes to

you.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll be ready!” Chaney responded

Chaney left the office renewed, feeling that his presence

on the team was valuable.

“Purpose has an amazing affect on a man’s motivation,”

Chaney said. “When people read this book, I want them to

feel inspired that there is hope for today and tomorrow

based on my experiences and Dan’s experiences.

“During my baseball career, and also since I retired, I

have been like many men who wonder, “Do I matter? Does

my life matter? Am I important to people?” Chaney added.

“Your life matter not because of whether or not a person

says it does, but because God says it does,” Chaney said.

Hettinger and Chaney are traveling around the country

delivering speeches to groups and organizations that “Your

Life Matters.”

“This is not just an inspirational message in a book,”

Hettinger said “This is a movement we are striving to

create. Everyone matters, regardless of the mistakes they

have made and the hardships they are enduring.”

In 1976, the Reds traded Chaney to the Atlanta Braves,

where he was the starting shortstop of one season followed

by three more years as a utility infielder before he retired

after the 1979 campaign. His post-Major League days have

included the stint as a baseball broadcaster and a series of

corporate jobs while building a life with his wife, Cindy,

and their children. For Chaney, “Welcome to the Big

Leagues” and his role in the “Your Life Matters” movement

has given him what he calls his greatest sense of purpose.

“Everyone wants success. Everyone wants to be

significant. I’m no different,” Chaney said. “I have

experienced a lot of self-doubt and many setbacks over the

course of my life, but now I wake up knowing that I am

spreading a message that is meaningful and instrumental to

children and adults alike.

“I have experienced a lot of times and days when I have

not made an impact or I haven’t felt like I was making an

impact,” he added. “I no longer feel that way because I am

significant in God’s eyes, and it is our hope that everyone

recognizes they are significant and they matter, too.”

PREMIER PLAYERS 10

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PREMIER PLAYERS 11

What would you do if you were the Houston Texans

who, at least on paper, could seemingly use a high-ceiling

quarterback with the first pick of the NFL draft?

Would you choose the beloved yet enigmatic Texas

A&M product Johnny Manziel, who some believe is the

best quarterback available in the draft? How about selecting

defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, the University of South

Carolina standout who could be paired with J.J. Watt as a

feared pass rushing duo?

Set for May 8, the NFL Draft is rapidly approaching

and, as it is every year, speculation is rampant. The order is

subject to debate, but most draft experts include Johnny

Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater, Blake Bortles, Derek Carr and

A.J. McCarron or Jimmy Garoppolo as the best available

quarterbacks.

Scouts agree that none of those names will evoke

comparisons to Andrew Luck or Peyton Manning, but teams

like the Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland

Browns, Oakland Raiders and Minnesota Vikings

desperately need quarterbacks and are likely landing spots

for the aforementioned candidates.

Here are snapshots of the top quarterbacks who will be

chosen in the upcoming NFL Draft:

Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M

Also known by his nickname of “Johnny Football,”

Manziel is a dual-threat quarterback who has a penchant for

partying and was involved in an autograph signing scandal

that damaged his reputation in some eyes.

Manziel recently trademarked the term “Johnny

Football” and now, according to media reports, he has filed

for a trademark for “The House That Johnny Built.”

There is no doubt that Manziel is accompanied with

glitz and fanfare that some teams might consider unwanted

distractions. Yet his high ceiling on the field is difficult to

ignore. NFL media analyst Mike Mayock calls Manziel the

best quarterback in the draft.

At 6-foot-1, Manziel is considered undersized. Russell

Wilson and Drew Brees have thrived despite hearing that

criticism. So has Robert Griffin III, at least before he was

slowed down with his knee injury.

The Texans could give the promising Case Keenum a

chance to further develop under center, and take Clowney to

join Watt and create a disruptive pass rush. University of

Central Florida quarterback Blake Bortles is another

alternative, though some Texans fans are clamoring for the

team to select the in-state sensation that is Manziel.

Teddy Bridgewater

The Louisville product is considered the most polished

pocket passer in college football, but he has his detractors

because his slender frame leads to questions about his

durability in the fierce NFL.

Bridgewater has a high football IQ, though, and he has

the leadership and management skills you want in a

franchise quarterback.

The same questions that surround Bridgewater were also

attached to Aaron Rodgers, who slipped down to the Green

Bay Packers. Chances are, he will not drop that far with so

many teams in need of a high ceiling quarterback.

Who Would You Take With The #1 Pick?

PREMIER PLAYERS 14

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Blake Bortles

Last year at this team, Blake Bortles was not a

household name among NFL draft enthusiasts. Now, he is

since some experts believe that the Texans could make him

the top overall selection.

Scouts agree that Bortles could use some work with his

footwork, and he would benefit from shortening his release,

but they also are impressed with his leadership, demeanor.

athleticism, accuracy and size.

Bortles is considered a “boom or bust” prospect, so that

could prevent Houston from taking him first overall. He is

not as polished as the bigger name quarterback prospects,

but his upside is high enough that most scouts agree he will

be one of the first five quarterbacks drafted.

Derek Carr

Is Derek Carr a product of the Fresno State system? That

is what NFL general managers have to answer.

Carr accurately makes tight throws to all areas of the

field with zip and velocity. Yet there are questions about his

poise and whether his gaudy college numbers were a result

of his program’s screen-heavy offense. As a senior, 33

percent of Carr’s throws were screens.

Carr features a quick release, but he will need time to

develop. Of course, that is not always an option when a

team drafts a quarterback high in the first round.

A.J. McCarron

McCarron is a media darling from the University of

Alabama while Garoppolo has rocketed up the draft board

after a stellar career at Eastern Illinois.

Jimmy Garoppolo

PREMIER PLAYERS 15

PREMIER PLAYERS 16

By Jeff Louderback

On the field, hard-hitting Tampa

Bay Buccaneers safety Dashon

Goldson wants wide receivers to feel

fear when they roam across the

middle. It’s why he was a two-time

Pro Bowler in six seasons with the

San Francisco 49ers before the Bucs

signed him to a five-year, $41.25

million deal in 2013, making him

one of the game’s highest paid

defensive backs.

Opinions vary about the niche

Goldson has carved as an on-field

intimidator. Though the hits that

have drawn fines have appeared

legal, some opposing players on the

receiving end have expressed

displeasure while teammates and

even rivals (like New England

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady)

rave about his penchant for old

school football. Those who know

Goldson off the field tell of a gentle

soul who wears dreadlocks and is

fashion-conscious, passionate about

helping at-risk children and can

never get enough of his Jamaican

mother’s cooking.

Now 29, Goldson could have

easily taken a path that led far from

the fortune of playing in the NFL.

His route could have ended in prison

or even death, like many of the kids

he grew up with in the often

tumultuous streets of Los Angeles.

Goldson’s mother, Desrene,

moved to the United States from

Jamaica three decades ago and

eventually arrived in LA. One of six

children – he is the oldest boy and is

the second oldest of the bunch –

Goldson barely knew his father, who

was incarcerated when he (Goldson)

was a toddler. Desrene eventually

remarried and Goldson’s stepfather,

Kevin Irons, served as a role model.

“Growing up, my mother and my

stepfather gradually moved us to

better areas, and drove all of us to

school and activities,” Goldson said.

“They did a good job of making sure

we were not on the streets and

getting into trouble.”

The neighborhoods he was raised

in were still occupied by drugs,

gangs and bad elements, Goldson

explained. “Football became my

escape,” he said. “It wasn’t just a

sport. It was a way to focus all of my

energy on something productive that

pointed me in a positive direction.”

It is Desrene who taught her son

discipline, a dedicated work ethic

and the importance of always having

a strong love for his family. Even

amid all the temptations in rough

neighborhoods, Goldson managed to

stay out of trouble.

“No teacher ever had to call

me,”Desrene said. “No fights.

Nothing.”

Though Goldson’s mother and

stepfather encouraged him to play

sports, football was not on the

approved list. Desrene wanted him to

play soccer while Kevin envisioned

him excelling at basketball.

In the summer after his fifth

grade year, Goldson tasted the

exhilaration of delivering a hit on the

football field for the first time.

“Across the street from our house

there was a park where Pop Warner

league games were played,” Goldson

recalled. “One day I saw a group of

kids playing what you would likely

compare to rugby. One kid would get

the ball and everyone else would try

to tackle him.

“One day, some kids asked me to

play, and I started laying cats out,”

Goldson said with a smile.

At the park that day was a coach

in the Pop Warner league who saw

Goldson and asked if he had ever

played football.

“No,” Goldson said.

“Do you want to?” the coach

responded.

“Yes, but my mom and dad

would never let me,” Goldson said.

Goldson learned that the entry

fee was $100. Knowing that his

parents would never sign the

permission form, he signed their

names and used his birthday money

to make his organized football debut.

“I played the rest of that season

and would hide my uniform and pads

until I got to the park,” Goldson said.

“Eventually, my sister told my

parents, but they let me finish the

season.”

If Desrene and Kevin had their

way, Goldson would have never

returned to the gridiron. It was his

youth league coach, former UCLA

cornerback Bobby Hosea, who

taught Goldson how to correctly

tackle and who convinced Goldson’s

parents to let him pursue football.

“He visited my stepfather and

told him, ‘Dashon will not eventually

buy you a house playing basketball,

but he will playing football,’”

Goldson recalled with a laugh.

Hosea later coached Goldson in

high school, knocked on his door in

Redondo Beach during college break

to run with him and still remains an

encouraging influence, helping with

Goldson’s summer football camps.

Hosea and Darian Walker - who

was a few years older, lived in the

neighborhood and starred on the high

school football team and showed an

interest in keeping Goldson on a safe

path – were two of Dashon’s most

important influences growing up.

Goldson was a standout at

Narbonne High School, which also

produced Nnamdi Asomugha, who

ironically now plays for Goldson’s

former team, the 49ers. In 2002,

Goldson was among nine players in

his class who earned Division I

scholarships, but he didn’t earn a

continued on page 20

Dashon Goldson

On-the-field intimidator reflects on his mother’s influence

PREMIER PLAYERS 13

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Before Tampa Bay, Goldson picked off 14 passes during his four seasons

with the San Francisco 49ers while delivering devastating blows.

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qualifying SAT score. Schools like

USC, UCLA and Wisconsin backed

off. The University of Washington

kept its interest in Goldson and

recommended that he head to

Coffeyville Community College in

Kansas.

Accustomed to the urban streets

of LA, Goldson found himself away

from his family for the first time and

in the remote wheat fields of

Coffeyville, Kansas. The population?

Around 10,000.

“I didn't know what homesick

was all about until my mom and dad

left me in Coffeyville,” Goldson

said. “I wasn’t sure I would stay

there, but eventually I settled in.”

In junior college, Goldson was

teammates with Houston Texans

defensive back Johnathan Joseph and

New York Giants running back

Brandon Jacobs among other NFL

players. He was an All-American and

reached his original objective of

playing at the University of

Washington, where he developed

into an NFL prospect and earned a

degree in American Ethnic Studies.

A fourth round pick of the 49ers

in 2007, Goldson was moved to start

the Highest Point Foundation in

2009. The foundation provides

outlets for at-risk youth through

sports programs to help them stay off

the streets and in formidable

activities. Through the Highest Point

Foundation, Goldson also strives to

help individuals who have been

incarcerated better adapt to life after

getting their freedom back.

“Lots of people go back to crime

because they have trouble finding

work and a place to live, and they

just don’t know how to readjust to

everyday life,” Goldson said. “My

foundation is all about helping

people who regain their freedom

successfully transition into

productive lives, and it is also about

guiding at-risk youth to make the

right choices in life so they don’t end

up incarcerated.”

Goldson was actively involved

with the Highest Point Foundation in

San Francisco. Now that he is getting

acclimated in the Tampa Bay area,

he is making plans to help at-risk

youth and individuals who are

released from jail or prison in his

new home region.

Goldson still talks to his mother

on a regular basis and is quick to say

that he is craving her homemade

meals.

“Curried chicken, especially.

Beans and rice, too,” Goldson.

“There is no cooking quite as good

as my mom’s cooking.”

In the midst of a first season in

Tampa Bay that has seen the

Buccaneers struggle under Greg

Schiano, Goldson publicly stepped

up to defend the embattled second-

year head coach, reflecting the

loyalty that he learned from his

mother as a child. He remains an on-

field intimidator but off the field,

Goldson is a self-described family

man who likes simple pleasures.

“I could have joined a gang and

fallen into drugs, but I knew that was

the wrong direction. I had friends

who went that route, and that is not

what I wanted. I focused on

football,” Goldson said. “Just

because I have reached the level I

have in the NFL, though, that hasn’t

changed who I am and who I was

taught to be. I believe in playing hard

on the field and living right off the

field.”

Dashon brought his punishing hits to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense last

season. Here the free safety hits Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jaron

Brown (13) after a reception

PREMIER PLAYERS 21

PREMIER PLAYERS 22

It’s called March Madess for a reason. Every year in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, the unexpected happens. Giants fall. The Davids of the college basketball world – otherwise known as Cinderellas in what is fondly called the “Big Dance” – emerge. Typically, in the Sweet Sixteen round, traditional powers clash, but in recent years unexpected but beloved participants like Butler, VCU, Florida Gulf Coast and Wichita State have created accelerated excitement. This year, though Mercer University’s stunning upset of Duke was monumental, the most grandest Cinderella slipper was filled by the University of Dayton. A program rich in tradition, the Flyers reached the NIT finals in back-to-back seasons in the early

1950s when that was the most significant college basketball tournament, and under the legendary Don Donoher, UD was a frequent NCAA Tournament participant and even reached the 1967 championship game when it lost to the John Wooden-led UCLA Bruins. It had been a long time since the Flyers advanced deep into the Big Dance. 1984, to be exact. Under Donoher, UD topped LSU, seventh-ranked Oklahoma, 15th ranked Washington before falling to Patrick Ewing’s Georgetown Hoyas, which one the title. Since 1990, UD has reached six NCAA tournaments. The program has endured lean stretches, and the Flyers were considered a “bubble” team on Selection Sunday. They finished the regular season 23-10 after falling to St. Joseph’s in the

Atlantic 10 Conference tournament. Archie Miller, who was hired in 2011 and was 20-13 and 17-14 in his first two seasons with the Flyers before the breakout campaign this season, saw his team paired with in-state rival Ohio State in the opening round. UD’s presence in the Big Dance was expected to be short-lived, but it rallied for a 55-53 victory over the Buckeyes before stunning Syracuse, 55-53 and Stanford, 82-72. The Flyers were overmatched by Billy Donocan and the University of Florida in the Elite Eight, falling 62-52. Yet the March Madness magic was a valuable tonic for a basketball-crazy city that has endured its share of ups and downs in recent decades, just like the Flyers. Similar to other Midwestern cities in the late 1800s and early

Dayton Soared High During March Madness

University of Dayton Flyers celebrate after causing the first major upset of taking down their in-state rival Ohio State

in the second round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

Proud Sponsors

PREMIER PLAYERS 23

1900s, Dayton was an industrial haven full of inventors and innovators. Brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright, who owned and operated a bicycle shop in the city, invented and perfected powered flight. The cash register was invented in Dayton as well, and in 1900 the city had more patents per capita than any other community in the country. Dayton was the 40th largest city in the United States in 1940 and was home to a myriad of Fortune 500 companies. There was a time when Dayton featured the largest collection of General Motors employees outside of Michigan, but a decline started in the 1970s and continued over subsequent decades. Gradually, factory and automobile jobs have disappeared. As a result, the population has diminished. Dayton had 260,000 residents in 1960. The 2010 census showed 141,000 people. In the 21sts century, Dayton has started to rebound. Bolstered by the presence of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and a plethora of high-tech companies, fortunes are improving. The Dayton Dragons, which is Midwest League Single-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, boasts the longest sellout streak in professional sports. A Forbes Magazine study in 2013 named Dayton home of the happiest employees. UD Flyers basketball is a vital source of that happiness. Though Ohio is obsessed with Ohio State football – and in southwest Ohio, where Dayton is located, the Reds are popular – Dayton is first and foremost a college basketball town. In 2012-13, the Flyers had an average attendance of 12,438, which ranked 26

th in Division I basketball.

Over the last 17 years, UD has been in the top 30 programs in average home attendance. It has never been outside of the top 35 since the UD Arena debuted in 1969.” Dayton has hosted the first round play-in games for several years, but this season brought a source of civic pride and exhilaration that has not

been seen since the Elite Eight appearance in 1984. March Madness is a national phenomenon, and for Miller, more chances for March magic will

continue. Amid UD’s run through the tournament, the brother of University of Arizona head coach Sean Miller received a contract extension through the 2018-2019 season.

Flyers Forward Kendall Pollard dunks over Stanford for another victory.

Goaltender CJ Motte was part of

the Ferris State team two years ago

that reached its first Frozen Four and

NCAA championship game. If he

had his way, Motte would surrender

the personal recognition for a berth

in the Frozen Four and a national

championship for Ferris State

University. That dream fell short.

Motte recorded his fifth shutout

of the season in second-seeded Ferris

State’s 1-0 victory over third-seeded

Colgate, putting the Bulldogs one

step away from the Frozen Four. He

deflected the attention and instead

pointed at teammates for securing the

win.

“It was definitely one of the

better games I’ve ever played,”

Motte said. “But I’ve got to give a lot

of credit to everyone else on the team

- blocking shots, keeping guys to the

outside, backchecking.”

Ferris State was edged by North

Dakota, 2-1, in the next round. The

Bulldogs ended their season at 29-11

-3. A junior, Motte completed one of

the school’s most impressive seasons

in net as he helped guide Ferris State

to the Western Collegiate Hockey

Association (WCHA) Regular-

Season Championship in its debut

campaign and, of course, the NCAA

Elite Eight.

Winner of The 2014 Premier

Player of College Hockey award,

Motte was also one of 10 finalists for

the prestigious Hobey Baker Award

along with being nominated for the

inaugural Mike Richter Goaltender

of the Year honor.

Motte has a 48-29-10 career

record, and his 28 total wins in net

this season was the second-best

single-season mark in school history

behind Mike Brown’s 30 victories in

the 2002-2003 campaign.

Motte’s brother, Tyler Motte,

plays for the University of Michigan.

Before joining the Wolverines, 19-

year-old Tyler played two seasons

for the Ann Arbor-based U.S.

National Team Development

Program. He is selected in the fourth

round of last summer’s NHL draft by

the Chicago Blackhawks.

CJ, who is 22, laced up his skates

for the Traverse City North Stars in

the North American Hockey League

in 2008-09 before spending the next

two seasons with Waterloo in the

U.S. Hockey League. Unlike his

brother, CJ did not draw much

attention. Ferris State was the only

school that offered him a scholarship,

and he was not drafted by an NHL

team.

This season, Motte ranked among

the national leaders all season in

victories and winning percentage and

helped FSU to a school-record and

nation-leading 16-game unbeaten

streak that stretched from late

October until early January. His

performance in net also helped the

Bulldogs rank among the nation's top

10 teams all season. Ferris State

ascended to second in the polls.

“It's been great for me to watch

C.J. over the last three years develop

from a backup goaltender his

freshman year to where he is now,”

Ferris State head coach Bob Daniels

said. “He's earned it through his

work in the weight room and

practice. It means a lot to him but it

means a lot to our program.

“C.J.'s personality is the exact

personality he has in street clothes,”

Daniels added. “He's very calm, very

cool. He's a person of very few

words.”

PREMIER PLAYER

Motte says little, plays big

PREMIER PLAYERS 24

PREMIER PLAYERS 25

By Jeff Louderback

Dallasites are certainly not bashful.

In a New York minute, they will tell

you that everything is bigger and better

in Dallas. Their city is nicknamed the

“Big D” for good reason, they proudly

boast.

In Dallas – where loyal supporters

of the Cowboys had the audacity to

call their franchise “America’s Team”

- majestic skyscrapers, elegant

suburban estates, sprawling ranches

and a multitude of mega-malls dot the

landscape. Here, larger-than-life

characters symbolize what this city is

all about. Big business. Big cars. Big

hair. Big-time sports. And, most

evident, big attitude. In recent years,

Dallas has also become more

cosmopolitan with lavish hotels, haute

restaurants, trendy entertainment

districts with a bustling nightlife and

prodigious cultural venues.

“There is a lot of culture in Dallas,

and it’s about time because we are one

of the largest cities in the United

States,” said Everson Walls, who was

born and raised in Dallas, spent most

of his NFL career with the Cowboys

and still lives in the city with his wife,

Shreill. “Regardless of what your

interests are, Dallas has diverse

restaurants, night spots and attractions,

so you will not have a problem finding

something to occupy your time.”

Walls

Perhaps from the legendary TV

show that carried the city’s name,

Dallas is still envisioned as a city of

skyscrapers by many outsiders when it

is actually a tapestry of charming

neighborhoods where entertainment is

alive. Uptown – which is defined by

its high-rise residential towers, historic

homes and posh hotels, restaurant and

shops – is an ideal area to base your

Dallas visit.

Hotel ZaZa

Nestled in the Uptown area just

north of downtown, Hotel ZaZa is a

stylish sanctuary that attracts

entertainers and professional athletes

like The Magnificent Seven Suites -

which include the Asian-themed, 2,145

-square-foot Crouching Tiger and the

self-explanatory, 2,010-square-foot

Rock Star – are the definition of

unabashed luxury. Dragonfly, the

hotel's restaurant, is so popular that

reservations are a must, especially on

weekends. (Hotel ZaZa, 2332 Leonard

St., Dallas, 800-597-8399,

www.hotelzaza.com)

Nikita, a dark two-level lounge bar

and 60 kinds of vodka, is another

trendy Uptown nightspot, as is Cru, a

restaurant that is also frequented for its

wines. (Nikita, 3699 McKinney Ave.,

A306, 214-520-6454; Cru, 3699

McKinney Ave., A306, 214-526-9463)

Not far from Uptown and

surrounding the American Airlines

Center (home to the NBA’s Dallas

Mavericks and NHL’s Dallas Stars)

W Dallas Victory Hotel

Victory Park is another posh

playground. The W Dallas Victory

Hotel is the highlight here. With 252

Texas-sized rooms accentuated by

amenities like 32-inch plasma-screen

TVs and comfortable W signature

beds, the accommodations alone make

this an in-demand spot. Craft Dallas,

where chef Tom Colicchio serves his

James Beard Award winning culinary

delights; and Ghostbar, an immaculate

rooftop ultralounge, have transformed

the W into a must-see haunt. (W

Dallas Victory Hotel, 2440 Victory

Park Lane, Dallas, 214-397-4100,

www.starwoodhotels/whotels)

“Ghostbar is definitely the hottest

new nightspot in Dallas,” Walls said.

“It has an incredible view of

downtown Dallas and a glass-floored

deck. It’s definitely the place to see

and be seen.”

Turtle Creek, which claims it is the

city’s most lavish neighborhood, touts

the Mansion on Turtle Creek, the

impeccably restored Italian

Renaissance-style estate of a Texas

cotton mogul. The 143-room five star

and five diamond hotel reflects

elegance, especially in the $2,400-a-

night Presidential Suite. The house car,

a Lexus sedan, will shuttle you within

DALLAS

Proud Sponsors a five-mile radius free. The

restaurant, where chef John Tesar

prepares contemporary American

cuisine, is superb. (The Mansion on

Turtle Creek, 2821 Turtle Creek

Blvd., Dallas, 214-559-2100,

www.mansiononturtlecreek.com)

For live music, Deep Ellum is a

must-see district of shops, cafes,

galleries, restaurants and bars in

warehouse settings. Located three

blocks east of downtown and one of

the city’s entertainment hubs, this is

where Stevie Ray Vaughn and Edie

Brickell got their start.

The Green Room is Deep

Ellum’s version of the Hard Rock

Café. Chandeliers are crafted from

drum cymbals and plates are signed

by band members. (The Green

Room, 2715 Elm St., Dallas, 214-

748-7666, www.thegreenroom.com)

Club Clearview is a key part of the

Deep Ellum experience. Connected

to three other dance-oriented bars

(Art Bar, Blind Lemon, and Red

Complex), it offers an eclectic mix

of dance-oriented and live bands.

(Club Clearview, 2803 Main St.,

Dallas, 214-939-0077).

Deep Ellum is a longtime

nightlife staple, but South Side on

Lamar is emerging in popularity.

South of downtown, South Side on

Lamar is housed in a former Sears,

Roebuck & Co. merchandising

center and includes nine floors of

lofts and a basement level "indoor

street” leading past an assortment of

retail spots. Standard & Pours

Coffee & Stocks - a Wall Street-

themed coffee shop, bar and live

music venue, is one. (1409 S. Lamar

St., 214-565-0383,

www.standardandpours.com) A

block north, Poor David's Pub,

where aspiring songwriters perform,

is another. (1313 S. Lamar St., 214-

565-1295,

www.poordavidspub.com) If you

want to recreate a scene from the

movie Urban Cowboy, Gilley’s

Dallas has live country music and a

mechanical bull. (1135 S. Lamar St.,

214-421-2021,

www.gilleysdallas.com)

Once primarily a haven for

business travelers, Dallas has reaped

the benefits of philanthropists and

now features an array of impressive

and opulent museums.

Situated along 68.4 acres on the

city’s north side and known as

America’s largest area exclusively

focused on cultural and performing

arts, the Dallas Arts District includes

the Dallas Museum of Art, Crow

Collection of Asian Art, the I.M. Pei

-designed Morton H. Meyerson

Symphony Center. In 2009, the $275

million Dallas Center for the

Performing Arts will open and host a

2,200-seat opera house, a 600-seat

theater and a Grand Plaza

connecting the various venues.

A grand element of the Dallas

Arts District and covering a full city

block, the Nasher Sculpture Center

is an urban oasis of art and nature

with a 55,000-square-foot building

and a 1.4-acre garden dotted with 20

large sculptures from the collection

of Dallas philanthropist Raymond

Nasher. (2001 Flora Street, Dallas,

214-242-5177,

www.NasherSculptureCenter.org) Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek

Deep Ellum

Continued on next page

Dealey Plaza

Walls is enshrined with other Cowboys great like Tony

Dorsett, Drew Pearson and Ed “Too Tall” Jones in the

Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame, which is part of the

African-American Museum. (3536 Grand Avenue at Fair

Park, Dallas, 877-852-3292, www.aamdallas.org).

History buffs will tell you that no trip to Dallas is

complete without a visit to Dealey Plaza, where President

John F. Kennedy was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963.

Today, the Sixth Floor Museum examines the life, times,

untimely death and legacy of President Kennedy. Some

claim Cubans, Russians or the CIA was involved. The

Warren Commission concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald

fired his rifle at least three times from a window perch on

the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository. The

red-brick warehouse contains the museum, where exhibits

recreate the social and political atmosphere of the time,

describe President Kennedy's lasting impact on American

culture. (Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, 411 Elm St.,

Dallas, 214-747-6660, www.jfk.org)

In Texas, football and barbeque are kings. Dallasites are

quick to tell you that cooking hot dogs and hamburgers over

charcoal briquettes is not the true definition of barbeque.

“For Texans, barbecue is a noun and not a verb,” Walls

said with a laugh. “It involves cooking meat like pork

shoulder, beef brisket, and ribs slow over hardwood until it

becomes smoky and tender.

Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse is the veteran barbeque

restaurant in Dallas. (325 N. St. Paul St., Suite P5, Dallas,

214-979-0102. Connoisseurs of Tex-Mex, the city’s other

indigenous cuisine, rave about Mia's (4322 Lemmon

Avenue, 214-526-1020).

Bob Bassen, who played in the NHL for 15 seasons

including a three-year stint with the Dallas Stars, prefers a

different side of Dallas.

“Within two hours in about every direction, you can find

lakes and rivers where the bass fishing is remarkable,” said

Bassen, who lives in Dallas with his wife and children.

“When I played, I would go fishing in as many cities as I

could.”

PREMIER PLAYERS 28

The aptly named Bassen recommends a trip to Lake

Texoma, about a 2 ½ hour drive from Dallas. An 89,000

acre lake on the Red River along Texas and Oklahoma

border, Lake Texoma (www.laketexoma.com) is a resort

area where striper fishing, golf and water sports are

prevalent.

Golf, Bassen says, is also a top draw in Dallas. Home to

the PGA’s Byron Nelson Classic, TPC at the Four Seasons

Resort and Club (4150 N. McArthur Blvd., Irving, 972-717-

2400, www.fourseasonsresort.com/dallas) is the most

spectacular course in the area. Bear Creek Golf Club (3500

Bear Creek Court/DFW Airport, 972/456-3200,

www.bearcreek-golf.com) is another top-rated course. For a

true championship golf experience, play the Tour 18 Dallas

course, where 18 of the best-known holes in golf are

reproduced. (8718 Amen Corner, Flower Mound, 800-946-

5310; www.tour18golf.com)

Of course, Walls is partial about sports in Dallas, and

most Dallasites are no different. The Rangers have been to

two World Series in recent years. The Mavericks are now a

perennial NBA power, and the NHL’s Stars have won a

Stanley Cup, but in Dallas, the Cowboys reign supreme.

“This is a franchise with a lot of history, and many

legacies,” said Walls, a four-time Pro Bowler when he

played for the Cowboys from 1981-1989. “When it’s

Sunday, and the Cowboys are at home or on the road, the

city is entranced. If you’re one of the few non-football fans

in Dallas, it’s a great time to do your grocery shopping.

You’ll have the store to yourself.”

AT &T Stadium - Home of The Dallas Cowboys

Byron Nelson Golf Classic

PREMIER PLAYERS 29

NEXT: College Players In U.S. Women Pool

USA Basketball is preparing for a changing of the

guard as it announced six collegiate players in the

national team pool this year.

"I'm thrilled that there's six college kids, because

whoever's the coach in 2020 is going to need players

to step in, because there's not going to be any Diana

(Taurasi) or Sue (Bird) or Tamika Catchings or

Lindsay Whalen," said UConn's Geno Auriemma said,

the Olympic coach in 2012 and 2016. "There are a lot

of players that have won a lot of gold medals that

aren't going to be around in 2020. And I think USA

Basketball needs to start identifying who that next

group of players is going to be."

The six college players complement Taurasi,

Bird, Catchings and seven other members of the

London Olympic team that won the gold medal. From

the 33-player pool, the team will be chosen for the

2014 World Championship and 2016 Olympic teams.

The Americans won the world championship in 2010

and have five consecutive Olympic gold medals.

"When I was invited to the minicamp, it was kind of

like, `Wow. Like, I have an opportunity to try and be

on the 2016 Olympic team or the World

Championship team,"' Stewart said. "When you see

things like that, it's even more motivating because you

want to be a part of that."

Stewart is far from a rookie with USA Basketball.

She's always been playing beyond her years, moving

up age groups in international competitions. She's on

pace to be the first player to win a gold medal for the

U.S. at every major international competition. All

that's missing are the World University games, World

Championship and Olympic golds. She could

conceivably get all three in the next three years.

This isn't the first time that college players have

been part of the national team pool. Maya Moore

played for the U.S. at the 2010 World Championship

in the Czech Republic while she was enrolled at

UConn. Three college players were part of that pool.

Six is the most since the U.S. started using pros in

1996.

Dolson was elated to be part of this squad's pool.

"Words can't describe it," Dolson said. "If you

would have told me this a few years ago, I would

have thought you were crazy. For me, this honor, the

#30 Breanna Stewart, UCONN

Height: 6-4; Position: Forward; Class: Sophomore

Hometown: Syracuse, NY; High School: Cicero North

ability to try out, it's just awesome, really cool. It

shows what hard work does, and I'm really proud of

myself."

A chance to be with the best in the country was an

honor for the college players.

"Being part of this group means so much," Notre

Dame's McBride said. "It's something you always

think about, the opportunity to play with the best of the

best. To have had the chance to practice at the USA

Basketball mini-camp was a blessing all to itself, but

to be included with them as part of this player pool is

humbling."

The U.S. most likely won't announce its roster for

the worlds until late summer. The worlds start on

Sept. 27 and run until Oct. 5 in Turkey. (AP Story)

#0 Odyssey Sims, Baylor

Height: 5-8; Position: Guard; Class: Senior

Hometown: Irving, TX; High School: MacArthur

#25 Alyssa Thomas, Maryland

Height: 6-2; Position: Forward; Class: Senior

Hometown: Harrisburg, PA; HS: Central Dauphin

#31 Stefanie Dolson, UCONN

Height: 6-5; Position: Center; Class: Senior

Hometown: Port Jervis, NY; HS: Minisink Valley

#21 Kayla McBride, Notre Dame

Height: 5-11; Position: Guard; Class: Senior

Hometown: Erie, PA; HS: Villa Maria Academy

#23 Kaleena

Mosqueda-Lewis, UCONN

Height: 6-0; Position: Forward; Class: Junior

Hometown: Anaheim Hills, CA: HS: Mater Dei