FRANKLYN Petion

As of Friday, May 27, 2022

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#Franklyn Petion has overcome several setbacks over the course of his collegiate basketball career and is now seeking assistance to complete his academic and athletic goals.

#Petion’s sophomore season for the Williams Baptist Eagles was cut short due to an ACL tear, but after reconstructive surgery and an ongoing rehab process, the Grand Bahama native is optimistic about a strong conclusion with the programme.

#To that end, Petion created a Spotfund account to solicit crowd sourced funding in an effort to complete outstanding tuition payments of $7,000 and become eligible for a full scholarship.

#“Right now I’m on a partial scholarship because I signed so late, there’s a chance I can get on a full scholarship now, they have the space, but the money I owe I have to pay before they sign another player,” he said. “But we have discussed it and they do want me back, that’s why I need help to get this done.”

#The 6’3” guard suffered the injury just seven games into his first season with the Eagles. He scored 20 points on a perfect shooting night from the field in his debut.

#“It was a good fit, the team chemistry was really good, the best chemistry I had since moving to the states. After the first game I knew I was going to go off and it was going to be a crazy year,” he said.

#Six games later, a matchup against fellow Bahamian Edriel Martinborough and Evangel University, Petion suffered the injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

#“I was excited matched up against a former rival in high school. He beat me every time in high school so I just wanted to beat him in college. I was going off, I was probably going for 30 that game, when I got hurt I had 13 and it was still in the first half,” he said.

#“The play where it happened I went up for a layup, I felt it but I didn’t pay any mind to it.

#“The doctor said I should have stopped then because it was my meniscus first, but on the next play when I went down, I tried to slide on defence, my knee hyperextended and the doctor said that’s when the meniscus opened up and tore across my ACL.”

#It meant that for the second consecutive year, injuries would sideline the versatile guard.

#“I went blank. I was thinking the school wasn’t going to want me anymore. I was thinking when a school hears an injury they just turn to the next player and are done with you,” he said. “After the surgery I was in physical therapy the next day but it was tough mentally. Even though I’m a few days away from being cleared now, it’s tough mentally.”

#His college career began with Missouri State West- Plains at the junior college level where he had a promising freshman season before an accident sidelined him in his sophomore campaign. After admitted miscues in the recruitment process, he joined former high school teammate Shackeel Butters at William Baptist late in the process.

#“I had a great freshman year, sophomore year was okay but I had to deal with injuries, I had surgery on my face after suffering a broken nose,” he said,.

#“I had a couple of DII offers, I should have taken one of them, but I missed those opportunities. I felt like I was better than a DII which I shouldn’t have been thinking. I just was thinking I wanted to go DI but I should have been thinking that what really matters is my education. I went to William Baptist with a former teammate Shackeel Butters. The plan was to go there, play my COVID year and transfer, but now there’s a lot going on here.”

#Petion began his basketball life in earnest with the St George’s Jaguars under coach Darell Sears.

#He credits Sears and his staff for their continued guidance both on an off the court.

#“There was a moment in my life where I was about to make one of the worst decisions of my life. Coach Sears and coach McIntosh sat me down and laid out my options.

#“They said I could take one path, help my mom and my family or take another path to end up dying or going to jail,” he said.

#“The way they cared made me want to change my ways because there’s not much people that do that. For me as a kid growing up people don’t normally do that but to see how much they sacrificed for me, making sure I got to and from school, anything I needed they were there. It always meant a lot to me and made me want to be better.”

#Following a successful high school career that concluded with a national championship, Petion saw many of his teammates leave for college on scholarships but those opportunities were not immediately present for him.

#“Coach Sears always told me everyone’s path was different but just stick to it. My thing was I stayed working with St George’s and helped out and they allowed me to use the gym whenever I needed.

#“I would work out in the morning, noon and night.

#“Ms Higgs, who was also a huge help to me was coaching the girls at the time so I starting helping her out and we were able to come away with two titles in those two years,” he said.

#“My mindset was just to keep going and not to give up. Watching everyone go off to school was tough, it hurt but it was just adding more fuel to the tank. I know God wasn’t just going to let it happen like that.”

#The disappointment led Petion to discover his passion for coaching on the sidelines.

#“I’ve always wanted to coach. Coaching in the US would be great to help kids with their recruitment wanting to come here. I want to tell them about my path, what to do, what not to do, what to expect and how to navigate the whole process.”

#Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine with a minor in psychology, Petion is hoping he has an opportunity to complete his academic and athletic career.

#“I’m a kid from Freeport, Grand Bahama, raised from nothing. I was in a bad place but I’ve spent years bettering myself, changing and becoming a better person. Getting my degree will be successful,” he said.

#“I feel like I can be a good representative of where I come from and how hard you need to work to get to where you want to be.

#“I hope to be able to give back to people from my situation as well.”

#The link to donate to Petion’s cause can be found at:

#http://spot.fund/Vy7XgX

DEANDRE Ayton in action.

As of Friday, May 27, 2022

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#DEANDRE Ayton’s free agency speculation continues to make the media rounds and his agent offered public comments for the first time this offseason on the developing situation between the former top pick and the Phoenix Suns.

#During the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, Ayton’s agent Bill Duffy discussed Ayton’s future on SiriusXM’s NBA show.

#“We’re disappointed. We wanted a max contract,” Duffy said. “He went out and was a soldier the whole year, played well, improved his statistics. So, we’re proud of him. A lot of guys handle things differently, but he was very mature about it. Things will work out for Deandre. He’s a valuable player. There’s other teams in the league as well.

#“He’s a restricted free agent, so we’ll see how this process unfolds.”

#As a restricted free agent, Ayton is free to sign an offer sheet with another franchise but the Suns would still have the ability to match the deal and retain his rights if they choose to do so.

#In his fourth season, the 23-year-old centre averaged 17.2 points on a career high 63 percent from the field and 10.2 rebounds per game in 58 appearances.

#During exit interviews, both Suns general manager James Jones and head coach Monty Williams addressed Ayton’s impending restricted free agency.

#“Deandre had an amazing season and he’s progressed every year and improved every year. He’s been here and so he’s a big part of what we do. His future with us is something we will address at the proper time which is in the future,” Jones said in an appearance on Arizona Sports 98.7 show Burns and Gambo.

#“He’s a free agent and I’ve said all along, he’s about the same things we’re about which is winning. We’ll address it at the proper time.”

#Contract negotiations between Ayton and the Suns reached an impasse last April after both sides failed to reach an agreement on a rookie contract extension.

#He was eligible for a five-year, $172.5 million extension that could have reached as much as $207 million if he reached benchmarks and incentives.

#“Deandre had a great season, a really productive season. I think across the board, when you look at what he did, he improved. That’s a testament to him and the hard work. That’s what you expect from a player of his calibre,” Jones said in his exit interview. “As far as free agency and those things, we’ll address them at the proper time. That happens in July, end of June, but we want to continue to keep our consistency and continuity and keep the guys that we have and continue to help those guys improve upon the things that we did this year.”

#Ayton appeared in only 17 minutes of the Suns’ 123-90 elimination loss to the Dallas Mavericks in game seven of the Western Conference semifinals.

#Several teams with available cap space have been linked as sign-and-trade destinations for Ayton, including the Charlotte Hornets, Toronto Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers, Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons.

#Several players in Ayton’s 2018 NBA draft class have received max contract extensions, including Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jaren Jackson Jr of the Memphis Grizzlies, Kevin Huerter of the Atlanta Hawks, and Michael Porter Jr of the Denver Nuggets.

Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis delivers the 2022/23 Budget Communication. Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune staff

As of Thursday, May 26, 2022

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#According to Prime Minister Philip Davis, the development of the local sporting community and the country’s sports tourism product will figure prominently in his administration’s plans for the immediate future.

#In his 2022-23 Budget Communication in the House of Assembly yesterday, the Prime Minister highlighted several initiatives, including both new and returning events.

#“We have already re-launched our ‘Sports in Paradise’ initiative to diversify our tourism product, and have already secured a pipeline of sporting events such as the Babe Ruth Caribbean Championships,” he said. “We have also included a $1 million allocation to facilitate the hosting of CARIFTA, funding for our bid to again host the World Relay Games, funding to support the return of The Bahamas Games, and a 10 percent increase in grants for the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.”

#National Sports Authority Chairman Greg Burrows also serves as Babe Ruth Caribbean Region Commissioner.

#The tournament will be hosted July 7-11, 2022, featuring the under-12 division with about 10-12 teams participating in the Babe Ruth Region Caribbean Championship and 10 teams in the 16-and-under division for the International Baseball Tournament.

#Several countries are expected to field teams in both divisions, including The Bahamas, Curacao, US Virgin Islands, Mexico and Puerto Rico. In April, The Bahamas secured the bid to host the 50th edition of the CARIFTA Track and Field Championships, which coincides with the country’s 50th anniversary of Independence.

#The Bahamas last hosted the event in 2017.

#The return of the Bahamas Games for the first time in over 20 years has been dubbed the “Golden Jubilee Games.”

#The five previous versions of this Olympic-style festival occurred in 1989, 1991, 1995, 1998 and 2001.

#The World Athletics World Relays is also set to make its return to The Bahamas under the Davis administration.

#The Bahamas hosted the first three editions of the event from 2014-17 at the Thomas A Robinson stadium.

#It shifted to Yokohama, Japan in 2019 and Chorzow, Poland in 2021.

#Guangzhou, China will be the next hosts of the biannual event in 2023.

#Mr Davis said the financial support of elite athletes who represent The Bahamas internationally is a pillar of his administration’s plan to continue the process of future athlete development.

#“Our athletes have contributed so much to The Bahamas. Their successes inspire our student-athletes at home and promote our country on the international stage,” he said. “Recognising this, we have restored the funding to the Elite Athletes Programme as part of our effort to enhance support for our athletes and sporting programmes.”

#Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg is expected to detail the further impact the budget will have on the local sporting landscape when he delivers his contribution to the House of Assembly.

#“This budget provides a foundation to strengthen our nation, to lift ourselves up, to face the future with strength and optimism,” Davis said.

#“This budget provides support for the here and now, and also charts the way forward for a brighter tomorrow.”

As of Thursday, May 26, 2022

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#D’SHAWN Knowles and Chavez Young received call-ups in their respective organisations while Lucius Fox was named Player of the Week to highlight play from Bahamians in minor league baseball.

#Just days after he hit his first home run this season for the Inland Empire 66ers, D’Shawn Knowles received the highest promotion of his professional baseball career.

#Knowles was assigned to the Tri City Dust Devils of the Northwest League in High A baseball.

#The 21-year-old outfielder, ranked No.30 in the Los Angeles Angels pipeline, was recently named the California League Player of the Week with the 66ers.

#Knowles enjoyed an eight-game hit streak dating back to May 15.

#He hit his home run shot last Saturday night against the San Jose Giants.

#His solo shot in the seventh broke a scoreless tie en route to a 3-0 win.

#On the season he has had a series of late-game heroics which included a pair of walk-off hits.

#Twice in the series against the Stockton Ports, Knowles delivered late-game heroics and another walk-off win for the 66ers.

#Knowles led the 66ers with a .331 batting average, 23 RBI, an .889 OPS and nine stolen bases in his second season assigned to the club.

#In 84 games last season, he hit .227 with a .280 OBP, a .635 OBP, five home-runs, 48 RBI, and a team leading 31 stolen bases. After a brief rehab assignment in Single A baseball with the Dunedin Bluejays, Chavez Young is one stop away from the majors with the Buffalo Bison in Triple A baseball.

#The 24-year-old outfielder made his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays affiliate last night and went 1-3 in the Bison’s 1-3 win over the Columbus Clippers at Huntington Park.

#His time in Dunedin was highlighted by a perfect day at the plate (3-3) and his first home run of the season in the Blue Jays’ 4-0 win over the Daytona Tortugas on May 20 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona, Florida.

#In six games with Dunedin he hit .278 and slugging .444 with one stolen base.

#Lucius Fox continues to have a successful adjustment period to the Rochester Red Wings and was named the organisation’s Player of the Week.

#He led the team in hits (8), RBI (four) and extra base hits (three) last week to earn the organisational award.

#After a slow start the Washington Nationals prospect is enjoying his best hitting stretch since he was optioned to Triple A.

#His week was highlighted when he finished 3-4 with a home run and two RBI against the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs on May 20.

#After going hitless in his first four games with the Red Wings, Fox went 11-25 in his next five games, including three multi-hit games and a perfect 3-3 night with a stolen base against the Iron Pigs.

#Since he joined the Red Wings, the versatile infielder is hitting .268 with 5 RBI, one home run and three stolen bases, slugging .515 with an .838 OPS.

As of Thursday, May 26, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#NEXX Basketball, an organisation founded by Bahamian national team and former professional basketball player JR Cadot, will be launching his ‘Dream Again’ Basketball Camp next month.

#Cadot, a former NCAA division one player at Texas Christian University in Dallas, Texas, who has since retired from playing professionally, will stage the camp from June 27 to July 15 at the Remnant Tabernacle of Praise Gymnasium on Carmichael Road.

#However, Cadot said because space is limited due to the COVID-19 health and safety protocols, they will only be able to accommodate the first 70 boys and girls between the ages of 9-17 years.

#Sponsored by Bahamas Faith Ministries, Aliv, Asa H Pritchard/Teatime and CP Louis Private Bus Co./Transit, the camp is designed to teach the fundamentals of the game with emphasis on individual offensive and defensive skills as well as teamwork.

#“It’s a basketball camp for kids who are interested in learning the game,” Cadot said.

#“We want to encourage, inspire and build young men and women on and off the court.

#“The kids are our future and so we want to invest in them by providing them with the opportunity to teach them the skills that we have provided as pros,” he said.

#Cadot, a devoted Christian, said his aim is to build from the foundation because he believes that “a house without a foundation, would eventually fall.

#“So, we want to be able to teach them the proper skills so that they can build their own foundation going forward and be better prepared to become better basketball players.”

#Having gone through the process himself, Cadot said he learned a little late in the game when he enrolled in Sheridan Junior College in Wyoming where he played from 2008-2010 that he realised how important it is to have that foundation.

#He said he’s looking at several of his former teammates on the men’s national basketball team and those playing overseas as professionals to come in and assist, along with a former NBA Academy coach, whom he won’t name yet.

#Through the camp, Cadot hopes to provide the exposure for the participants for several basketball scouts who either will be in town or will be viewing the camp online.

#Each morning, the participants will go through their basketball drills. After a break, they will be instructed in some life skills experiences and the perspective from executives on why and what is needed for them to make the national teams.

#At the end of the day, they will have friendly 5-on-5 full basketball games to make it a fun experience at the same time as they put into practice some of the lessons that they will be taught from the instructors. Interested persons are urged to contact Cadot at 535-9354 or email nexxtbasketball@gmail.com for more details.

#The registration deadline is June 20.

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#NEXX Basketball, an organisation founded by Bahamian national team and former professional basketball player JR Cadot, will be launching his ‘Dream Again’ Basketball Camp next month.

#Cadot, a former NCAA division one player at Texas Christian University in Dallas, Texas, who has since retired from playing professionally, will stage the camp from June 27 to July 15 at the Remnant Tabernacle of Praise Gymnasium on Carmichael Road.

#However, Cadot said because space is limited due to the COVID-19 health and safety protocols, they will only be able to accommodate the first 70 boys and girls between the ages of 9-17 years.

#Sponsored by Bahamas Faith Ministries, Aliv, Asa H Pritchard/Teatime and CP Louis Private Bus Co./Transit, the camp is designed to teach the fundamentals of the game with emphasis on individual offensive and defensive skills as well as teamwork.

#“It’s a basketball camp for kids who are interested in learning the game,” Cadot said.

#“We want to encourage, inspire and build young men and women on and off the court.

#“The kids are our future and so we want to invest in them by providing them with the opportunity to teach them the skills that we have provided as pros,” he said.

#Cadot, a devoted Christian, said his aim is to build from the foundation because he believes that “a house without a foundation, would eventually fall.

#“So, we want to be able to teach them the proper skills so that they can build their own foundation going forward and be better prepared to become better basketball players.”

#Having gone through the process himself, Cadot said he learned a little late in the game when he enrolled in Sheridan Junior College in Wyoming where he played from 2008-2010 that he realised how important it is to have that foundation.

#He said he’s looking at several of his former teammates on the men’s national basketball team and those playing overseas as professionals to come in and assist, along with a former NBA Academy coach, whom he won’t name yet.

#Through the camp, Cadot hopes to provide the exposure for the participants for several basketball scouts who either will be in town or will be viewing the camp online.

#Each morning, the participants will go through their basketball drills. After a break, they will be instructed in some life skills experiences and the perspective from executives on why and what is needed for them to make the national teams.

#At the end of the day, they will have friendly 5-on-5 full basketball games to make it a fun experience at the same time as they put into practice some of the lessons that they will be taught from the instructors. Interested persons are urged to contact Cadot at 535-9354 or email nexxtbasketball@gmail.com for more details.

#The registration deadline is June 20.

As of Thursday, May 26, 2022

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#THE University of The Bahamas Mingoes will graduate one of its largest classes of student-athletes during this year’s commencement.

#Eleven UB Mingoes are expected to receive their degrees in this class from five different sports: Bulinsky Cousin (men’s soccer); Alivia Culmer (women’s volleyball); Donovan Dean (men’s basketball); Shanntanna Etienne (women’s volleyball); Daniel Hall (men’s basketball); Kaneisha Johnson (women’s softball); Romica Josey (women’s track and field/cross country); Christoph McKenzie (men’s basketball); Aaron Munnings (men’s soccer); Davia Wright (women’s track and field/cross country); Donovan Dean (men’s basketball); Jervane Turnquest (men’s soccer).

#Athletics Director Kimberley Rolle said she is excited to have such a large class graduate. “This is an impressive class of student-athletes who have made a huge impact on the programme on many different levels,” she said. “They all had their fair share of challenges during their tenure; however, I am so pleased they persevered and have arrived at this point in their lives. I share in their excitement of getting to this point and can’t wait to see what’s ahead for them.

#Rolle noted that while UB Athletics Department does push their student-athletes in the athletic arena, it is important the programme aids in the development of the whole person.

#“I have seen the maturation of all of these student-athletes over the course of time,” AD Rolle said. “While we push them hard in their respective sport, we also challenge them about the game of life and to now make a difference in our country. I am confident they are far better today than they were four or five years ago, and that is extremely gratifying.”

#Bulinsky Cousin

#Bulinsky Cousin didn’t have the easiest route to becoming a Mingoe. He didn’t quite have the qualifications to get into UB.

#“He was broken about that,” head coach Dion Godet said.

#That tackle didn’t stop the striker though. He attended another institution to get his grades up and then transferred to UB.

#Cousin made an immediate impact on the pitch and carried that persistence into the classroom. That tenacity was well rewarded as the civil engineering technology major graduates with a 3.20 GPA.

#“As a member of the Mingoes I was always pushed to be a hard worker on and off the field with the support from my teammates, coaches, professors and the many friends I met on my college journey here at UB,” Cousin said. “I also learned to always strive to be the best and keep pushing as a student-athlete even through tough times.”

#Godet calls Cousin the “picture of persistence” on the pitch. “He is not a natural talent but he has a willingness to try and believes in best,” he said. “I am pleased to see his development and wish him all the success.”

#Alivia Culmer

#Alivia Culmer captained the women’s volleyball team to one of the best seasons in the programme’s history— coming within a few wins of making it to the playoff in the New Providence Volleyball Association’s 2019-2020 season.

#The computer information systems major said her best memories of wearing the Mingoes uniform is the relationships on and off the court with her teammates – despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact.

#“The relationships I’ve built through volleyball, those ladies have become my sisters, they are relationships that will continue on outside of UB and outside of volleyball,” she said. “My experience at UB, though it was cut short due to the pandemic, is one I will always remember. I have built many long-term relationships with athletes and non-athletes.”

#She added that she’s learned a lot as a Mingoe. “I have learned a lot of self-control and more importantly, being on the team has also taught me patience.”

#Culmer said she is not certain if she will keep playing “but who knows what the future holds for me,” however she knows she wants to give back to the sport. “Volleyball will always be my love and first passion and if my assistance is ever needed coach Raymond Wilson and coach Sydline Justillien know how and where to find me.”

#Shanntanna Etienne

#Shanntanna Etienne leaves a huge mark at UB not only as a volleyball player but as a founding vice-president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

#The SAAC is a committee made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience and is intended to provide input on rules, regulations and policies impacting student-athletes and their collegiate experience. The SAAC was formed three months before the COVID- 19 pandemic shut down sports worldwide.

#The bio-chem major said she’s grateful to her coaches for bringing out her talent.

#“My best memory was being able to watch my coaches bring me from not knowing about the sport to a point of actually being good in the sport,” she said. “My progress while being at UB is something I will always treasure.”

#She added that she learned a lot about herself in the volleyball programme. “I’ve learned patience, teamwork, and school spirit while being a Mingoe,” she said. “It’s not always about winning but it’s about encouraging and lifting up your team members and fellow Mingoes when they might not be able to do it for themselves.”

#She may take off the blue Mingoe uniform but blue will never leave her. “Being a Mingoe and representing my school was my best college experience by far and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I will always bleed blue!”

#Daniel Hall

#Daniel Hall joined the men’s basketball team right after the team transitioned from Caribs to Mingoes.

#“I will never forget that experience,” he said. “There were a lot of new things happening and expansion of things already in place such as media day and homecoming.

#“I think being a part of formative years of Mingoes athletics will always stick with me.”

#He added that his second-best experience was his first basket on an international tour for UB “but ultimately it’s trumped by that experience of helping to form The Mingoes Culture.”

#As a Mingoe he said he learned the importance of hard work.

#“Our coach would often say ‘we’re a team full of guards’ and so coming in as a guard on a team full of guards to play guard one would see the challenge in that,” he said. “This definitely further developed my persistent spirit and it is now a trait that I believe will assist me in my future endeavours.”

#The marketing major hopes to one day either manage international basketball teams or represent players.

#“I’d like to start with player scouting for a few years,” he said. “I believe in order to be able to represent athletes I must first know exactly what teams would look for in them. So, scouting will be a good experience and learning opportunity for me.”

#Kaneisha Johnson

#Kaneisha Johnson ends her time as a Mingoe but leaves with the memory of being a part of the first UB women’s softball team.

#However, she said it’s the memories of camaraderie that will remain with her as she graduates.

#“My best memory as an athlete had to be my very first Mingoes Awards,” she said. “It was so much fun showing out with my team and watching how well everyone got along pre-Covid.”

#After graduation the computer information systems major said she hopes to become a cybersecurity expert. “I aspire to further my knowledge of information technology first though.”

#During her time at UB the infielder said she truly understood the maxim of trusting the process.

#“It really is true when people say that comparison is the thief of joy,” she said. “Focusing on my journey and realising that there can be no flowers without rain was a big part of me being able to push forward and graduate.”

#Looking back on her time in UB she imparted some advice to those coming into the institution. “To all the freshman I would say to soak it all in, experience everything you can, join clubs and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there,” she said. “You can’t expect to be boring at a school that has a blue flamingo as a mascot.”

#Romica Josey

#Track and field head coach Ednal Rolle calls Romica Josey one of, if not, the most supportive athletes he’s coached in his entire career – not just at UB.

#“She is special and it is very rare to find an athlete like her,” he said. “I’ve seen her grow throughout the years in Exuma and at C.V. Bethell. She was always a positive person on the track and in the classroom. She was one who I knew was always going to hit the books as hard as she hit the track.”

#Rolle added Josey worked hard on the track in practice and tried to put it together on the track but “sometimes she just could not get over her mental block but it was never because she wasn’t putting in the effort.”

#Josey also helped charter the SAAC at UB as the committee’s founding secretary and was instrumental in making it a success. “She was a huge driving force behind the formation of the committee,” founding advisor Christopher Saunders said. “She believed in making sure athletes had a voice.”

#She was also a big fan for her fellow Mingoes at meets. Her best memory was when the team travelled to University of South Florida this year and the team was able to socialise with her teammates. “I had my best time ever at that meet but I also enjoyed the time we spent at the restaurant. We shared jokes and spoke about some of our life experiences. It was a great time off the track.”

#After graduation the law and criminal justice major said she hopes to earn her master’s degree in international relations and one day work at The Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

#She added that being a Mingoe has taught her many things about life and how to face challenges.

#“What I have learned while being a Mingoe is that life is filled with ups and downs, and disappointments at times,” she said. “What we do during those times determines what the days that follow will be like. I have learned to learn from every experience in life and to not allow it to bring me down but to create a better version of myself.”

#Christoph McKenzie

#Christoph McKenzie ends his four years at UB as captain of the men’s basketball team.

#The computer information systems major said he’s had some exciting times in the Mingoes uniform but his favourite was at the 2018 homecoming game against The University of the U.S. Virgin Islands. With about two minutes to go in the third quarter and The Mingoes down two points, McKenzie had a put back dunk to tie the game. “I still remember that dunk,” he said.

#Over his four years in the programme, McKenzie said he’s met “some amazing people and made new life-long relationships” that are important to him.

#“Those relationships helped me along my journey and I appreciate everyone dearly,” he said. “Also, I would like to say without God and my family I wouldn’t have been able to achieve such an accomplishment. I’d say thanks to coach Bacchus Rolle, coach Lavar Johnson, coach Taige Adderley, AD Rolle and the whole athletics department for giving me the opportunity to play for the team and also granting me an education. I am forever grateful.”

#McKenzie said he has big plans after graduation. He is going to explore a professional basketball career. “After my professional career I will become an IT support specialist.”

#Aaron Munnings

#Aaron Munnings played for the UB men’s soccer side as goal-keeper but head coach Dion Godet called him “my cross.”

#Godet said Munnings was an intelligent and brave young man. “Aaron was always the one with solid introspect on how the game was won or loss,” Godet said. “I found him to be a gentleman of even keel and was always respectful.”

#So with all of that Godet still calls him his cross.

#“In some far away land Aaron believes himself to be a striker and sometimes as the goalkeeper flash of the dream would show up in the game while in goal,” Godet said. “I know Aaron will go far in the future, it was a pleasure to play a small role in his success story.”

#For Munnings, he said he will remember his first international tour with the Mingoes in 2019.

#“I was incredibly excited but also nervous at the same time because it would be my first time playing internationally,” he said. “My teammates were very helpful and supportive which helped my confidence to play to the best of my abilities.”

#The art major now moves on to pursue acting and is hoping to enrol in a programme after graduation and hopes to carry some of that tenacity with him. “As a Mingoe, I reaffirmed my belief that supporting and encouraging someone can make a difference in their day and their life.”

#Davia Wright

#Davia Wright will graduate UB with a degree and a record.

#The law and criminal justice major set the Mingoes women’s 3,000m record at The University of Central Florida Black and Gold meet in March 2022 as she ran a personal best 11:03.57.

#She said she loved travelling with the team and building bonds as both a track and field and cross-country participant.

#“My best memory was travelling with my team and growing closer as we cohabitated on our trips and encouraged each other along the way,” she said.

#Her next goal is to move forward in her field. “I will also continue pushing forward on my journey mainly focusing on entrepreneurship with the expansion of my life as it relates to cryptocurrency, music, businesses and generating passive and active income.”

#She said being a part of the Mingoes family helped her to learn to “never listen to the crowd” and to forge her own path.

#“A lot of people frown on me attending UB and discouraged it as well,” she said, “but despite the challenges I faced I enjoyed my time at UB and I will never regret it.”

#Donovan Dean

#Donovan Dean will graduate with a degree in economics and finance and he said he intends to pursue a career in the investments industry. The basketball forward said that some of his favourite memories in a Mingoe uniform was not in the games but the fellowship with teammates after morning practices.

#He added that he will probably just play basketball recreationally after graduation but takes something very important with him after his time on the court. “I learned that it takes sacrifice for the team to grow,” he said.

#Jervane Turnquest

#Men’s soccer defender Jervane Turnquest embodied the fictional Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

#As a defender on the field his main duty was to disrupt offensive penetration and that sometimes meant extreme pressure on the other side and even tackling offensive attackers.

#“Jervane did the dirty work on the team and yet he was an absolute gentleman,” men’s soccer head coach Dion Godet said. “He was always smiling, always willing and always seeking to improve.”

#Off the pitch, Turnquest was one of the most polite and respectful players in the programme. At matches he was the one to ask about his teammates and looked out for them. He was the one to make sure everything was set before leaving the pitch.

#“I am very proud to say I watched this kid become an excellent young man,” Godet added. “We need to see more of the Jervane attitude in our young men if we are to be a civil, progressive country.”

#After graduation, Turnquest said expects to head to The United Kingdom to pursue a career in law with the intent of returning home.

#He added, he leaves the soccer programme with some great memories and some great outlooks on life.

#“What I learned as a Mingoe is no matter how hard things get you have to keep pushing because nothing in life is easy and you will get curve balls when everything seems straight,” he said. “UB has given me some of the best moments of my life and I will never forget them. I will continue to rep them and will forever bleed blue.”

#The UB Commencement Ceremony is expected to be held 5pm today at The Atlantis Convention Center with more than 600 listed graduates.

NACAC president Mike Sands, BAAA president Drumeco Archer, Minister of Social Services Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey and Grafton Ifill Jr, government financial advisor.

As of Wednesday, May 25, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#To help restore the “magic” in Grand Bahama, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture announced that the Bahamas’ Sports in Paradise campaign will host the fourth edition of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Championships.

#Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg made the announcement of the biggest international sporting event to take place in Grand Bahama from August 19-21 at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex.

#Minister Mario Bowleg revealed that it was only fitting that with so many events being Nassau-centric heading and during the Bahamas 50th celebrations of Independence next year, they decided to spread out the sports and entertainment activities on various islands. “One thing this administration does not want to do is become Nassau-centric,” Bowleg said. “You will see in a matter of days some of the things that we intend for sports for the length and breadth of the Bahamas.

#“Grand Bahama is the second city. We would like to get them back to the magic city and bring the grand back to Grand Bahama. If we don’t do it now, I don’t know when we will do it.”

#Bowleg said the NACAC officials, headed by President Mike Sands, have already completed their site inspection in Grand Bahama and work has commenced on ensuring that the Grand Bahama Sports Complex is ready for the championships.

#“Not only will the athletes compete in a newly renovated Grand Bahama Sports Complex, but they will be doing so in style on a level two Mondo surface finish that will be recertified.

#“The stadium is also being equipped with an electronic timing system and proper lighting to capture the moments.”

#Ginger Moxey, the Minister for Grand Bahama, said it’s only fitting that they get to stage the championships in Grand Bahama as they continue their bid to “recovering, rebuilding and revoluting their communities” in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19.

#“We are very excited about what’s in store for Grand Bahama and, what it means to our people and what it makes to sports development in the Bahamas,” she said.

#“I know that the entire community is thrilled by it and it’s the beginning. In our blueprint for change,

#we said we will have a 52-week calendar event, and this is one of those events that we will be hosting and we look for Grand Bahama to have at least half of these events since we are the events and entertainment destination of the Bahamas.”

#Obie Wilchcombe, the Minister of Social Services, thanked Bowleg and Sands for what they are doing for Grand Bahama.

#And in light of the 50th anniversary celebrations, they have agreed to stage it under the patronage of the late Anita Doherty, a pioneer in sporting activities on the island.

#Bowleg also announced that Lord Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics, formerly the International Amateur Athletic Federation, will be heading a host of dignitaries for the event.

#Olympic men and women 400 metre champions Steven Gardiner and Shaunae Miller-Uibo have been confirmed to lead the Bahamian athletes at the championships, along with Anthonique Strachan, Devynne Charlton and Donald Thomas.

#Athletes representing more than 36 member federations or countries are expected to start arriving in Grand Bahama for the event from August 15 as they bring some economic boost to the island.

#As the leading athletic federation in World Athletics, Sands called it a red-letter day for the sport of athletics in the country and, indeed the region, including the United States of America, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and three associates – Central American countries Suriname, Guyana, and French Guyana.

#“In no other sport has the Bahamas been so successful at the level of the prestigious Olympic Games and the international federation’s World Championships, thanks to the NACAC area athletes, our coaches, our technical officials and our administrators.”

#Sands thanked the Bahamas Government for their continued support in assisting in the hosting of more than 300 athletes and officials.

#He also thanked the Grand Bahama Amateur Athletic Association for the leading role they are playing in making the event possible.

#Norris Bain serves as the deputy director and manager of the Local Organising Committee in Grand Bahama with Perez Cooper as the chairman.

#“I always considered Grand Bahama to be the sporting capital of the Bahamas,” Archer said.

#“As the Bahamas always argues that we are the best sporting country in the world per capita, the same can be said about Grand Bahama and its success in sports.

ORGANISERS of the Unca Lou Adderley Golf Tournament.

As of Wednesday, May 25, 2022

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#THE life and legacy of the late Leviticus Adderley will live on as the Alumni Association of St Augustine’s College hosts the inaugural ‘Unca Lou’ Adderley Charity Golf Tournament.

#The two-man scramble event is scheduled for Saturday, June 11 at the Royal Blue Golf Course at the Baha Mar resort on Cable Beach with proceeds going towards the completion of the sporting facilities at SAC.

#Robert Sands, a graduate of SAC’s class of 1970, when he was approached to host the event at their facilities, he didn’t hesitate to assist the committee.

#“There are very few people in my life that I can point to as being mentors or role models, other than immediate family members or acquaintances,” Sands said. “One such person was Lou Adderley.

#“He tended to gravitate to those who were not the best but strived to be the best. He gravitated to those individuals who he saw had the potential of achieving more and he encouraged them. He was not a judgmental individual. He created an environment for you to feel wholesome, real, ambitious and could achieve anything.”

#Sands said SAC needs the funds to complete its project and Baha Mar, which has employed so many individuals from SAC, is prepared to do its part and they are looking forward to the success of the tournament.

#While SAC got established in 1945 by the Benedictine Monks of St John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, Adderley emerged as its top graduating student in 1950.

#Adderley then enrolled at St John’s University where he excelled as a student and top athlete. He attained a BA in Mathematics, while athletically, he set NCAA and school records in Greco Roman wrestling and tennis.

#After completing his studies, Adderley returned home to his alma mater as a teacher and coach. He later became the first Bahamian born principal and was dearly loved by the student population.

#Michael Rolle, the chairman of the Golf Tournament committee, also talked about his involvement with Adderley, who was considered a father figure, a mentor, a teacher, a coach, and a confidante.

#Rolle said Adderley was the glue to SAC’s achievement as the Big Red Machine in the high school sporting arena and he was responsible for developing the SAC pride in its students.

#“Uncle Lou was very stern, but also a very humble man,” said Rolle, who was at SAC during the 1960s.

#“He taught me mathematics and he was also my coach. “I trained with Martin Lundy and Sharon ‘the General’ Storr and we called him Mr Fundamentals. Whatever sport he taught you, he could also play. If you didn’t know how to play basketball, he taught you how to dribble

#the ball and protect it. Softball, he taught you how to catch.”

#Through his coaching, Rolle said Adderley developed several outstanding athletes, who went on to represent the Bahamas on the international scene.

#Rolle said the Alumni Association is using the golf tournament to raise funds to complete the softball fields and to help start the creation of the indoor gymnasium that Adderley so much desired to see established before his demise.

#Glenn Archer, former president of the Bahamas Golf Federation, said he too benefitted from Adderley, who provided him with the opportunity to begin his teaching profession at SAC after he graduated.

#“Between those two experiences, I think they are some of the most rewarding experiences that I have ever been associated with in my life,” Archer said.

#Georgette Rolle, the head pro at the Royal Blue Golf Course, said she remembers Adderley as a coach when she participated on the girls’ basketball team.

#She noted that the two-man scramble will combine the handicaps of both players to make the tournament equitable for everyone to win.

#Among the prizes being offered is a hole-in-one on hole number three for a brand-new BMW or Toyota Highlander, longest hole drive for males and females straightest drive; two closest to the pin and most honest golfer.

#She encouraged as many persons as possible to come out and participate in the tournament.

#Cherelle Cartwright, the chairman of the Alumni Association, advised persons interested in participating to contact their office located on Buen Retiro Road and Shirley Street. Or call the office at 397-1744 or the tournament cell number 820-5568 for more details.

#She noted that while the Alumni Association is seeking to secure a million-plus dollars to complete the entire sporting arena at SAC, including the refurbishment of the track surface, she encouraged graduates to make a contribution of at least $50, $100 or $200 per year to help secure their goal.

#Persons can also make their donation through the Alumni Association’s bank account at CIBC Sandy port Branch, The SAC Alumni Association, bank account# 201705627, transit 07046.

#Cartwright thanked God for allowing everyone to lend their support of the wisdom of a man who gave so unselflessly of himself for the vision of the school.

#She also thanked Adderley’s wife, Floridell Adderley, a former educator, and his daughter Daria, who followed in her father’s footsteps as a graduate and physical education teacher at SAC.

As of Wednesday, May 25, 2022

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#AS the CONCACAF region prepares for the start of the second edition of the Nations League competition and as national teams from the participating member associations prepare by hosting training matches, here in the Bahamas we are preparing on two fronts.

#The focus is on Evens Julmis, a 22-year-old trained referee, who has received his first Nations League appointment. Julmis has been appointed by CONCACAF to the 4th referee position for the League B, Group B match Haiti vs Bermuda in Bermuda on June 4th, 2022.

#Having come through the Bahamas Referee Academy and having attended the CONCACAF Referee Academy, Julmis most recently traveled to the prestigious Dallas Cup Tournament where he gained additional experiences which led to this appointment.

#Julmis, a graduate of CR Walker High School where he played soccer for the GSSSA Champions Knights as well as being a member of the BFA champions Dynamos Football Club, was also was a member of the men’s soccer and beach soccer national teams.

#Julmis has been a referee for 5 years and finds it a challenge to juggle his schedule but thanks his bosses at Fourth Terrace Diagnostic Center for allowing him the opportunity to persue his dream of working up the ranks to one day be a FIFA Referee. So, keep your eyes peeled too the television and you may see young Julmis doing his duties in Bermuda.

As of Wednesday, May 25, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#QUINTON ‘Three Ounce’ Hall said it has been difficult getting a chance to view all of the potential players for the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s Under- 15 boys’ team that will represent the country at the Centro Basket Tournament.

#The team will be heading to Girabola, Puerto Rico, for the tournament June 16-23 and once again, Hall is aiming for another qualifying performance for the Tournament of Americas. “Next week during the Labour Day weekend, we expect to have all of the players to come together for the trials,” Hall said. “This will be the last chance for us to make our team selection, except for one or two kids in the United States, who are still in school.”

#Hall is expected to make the trip with his coaching staff that includes Kevin Clarke, Denykco Bowles. Stephen ‘S’ Brown is the head of delegation. Delva Francis will be the team manager and George Burrows will serve as the team’s medical personnel.

#He said he’s hoping that the practice sessions that the players were engaged in from January with their respective coaches will help them out tremendously because the national team has not had sufficient time to get the players assembled at the same time. “It’s a difficult time for island to island to get together,” he said. “We know that a lot of basketball was played, and a lot of teams have been traveling. “So, we are hoping that over the Labour Day holiday weekend, we can get this team together and we can come up with a 24-man roster to work with before we make the final team to travel.”

#Hall said it will be difficult to get all the top players together as some maybe competing in two tournaments being planned by Bowleg and Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson respectively.

#“We’re still working on whether the players will come to Nassau, or they come here to Freeport, and we work on some scrimmages to see what they look like,” Hall said.

#“But I know for sure that by the end of the Labour Day weekend, we should have an idea of what the team looks like. That will only give us a few days after that to select the final team.

#“So, we are hoping that everything will work out over the Labour Day weekend.”