Crusaders cruises in the 2nd half to win NCAA DIII

Posted by:  , December 20, 2021

By Okon Ekpenyong

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders won their second Stagg Bowl title on Friday, December 17, 2021, defeating North Central College Cardinals 57-24 at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

It would have been their third, but in their 2016 Championship run, the NCAA stated that the program violated an NCAA Policy, taking away that win. The program played in 2004, 2016, and 2017 and won it in 2018, but their 2016 and 2017 run violated NCAA Policy.

Both teams came into the title game undefeated, and throughout the season, looked good on paper both defensively and offensively. Both teams struggled to put points on the board during the first two quarters, but UMHD managed to end the first quarter on a 16-7 lead. However, in the second quarter, North Central College did outplay them scoring 10-3. In the third QTR, UMHB took advantage of NCC offensive struggles by scoring 14-0, and in the fourth QTR, the UMHB receiving squad of Brenton Martin & Brandon Jordan proved to be much for the NCC Cornerbacks outscoring the Cardinals 24-7 to end the game.

Former receiver for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Eric Schoenert, spoke to the New Americans Magazine about the Crusader Football Alumni Association.

The association organizes tailgates for home and away games, and it is part of the Christian fellowship program that connects former and current players. The majority of the players attending the tailgates and the championship game played 2004-2018.

2021 Stagg NCAA DIII Championship game prediction:

We are very proud of the success we’ve had and what we’ve been able to get back from the program. North Central is a good team, and they got here for a reason. UMHB is firing from all cylinders, and offensively I don’t know how they will stop all of our weapons. We are significantly faster than they are and in a similar size. I think we will win the game, probably by a touchdown, and the team that gets to thirty the fastest will have a better chance of winning it all.  (Eric Schoenert)

Eric’s prediction was 24-17, but the UMHD ended up winning 57-24 to take home their second Stagg Bowl for the 2nd time in school history.

Eric added that they had been successfully capitalizing on third and fourth-down conversions. We still like to run on third-down conversion, but we become more of a passing team in the last four to five weeks of play. Because we have outstanding receivers, their corners will typically back off on the opposite side so we can run a hatch route and get a first down on a third and 7 by running a pass and play.  (Eric Schoenert).

Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium:

The city of Canton and Hall of Fame committee has done a fantastic job taking care of both teams and showing UMHB and NCC the Hall of Fame Stadium and around the Hall of Fame Museum itself. The Committee made it a memorable experience for both programs, specifically the players. It is a great stadium, and it will be something special for the players on either side.  We play at a magnificent stadium at Crusader Stadium in Belton, TX, and we are lucky and blessed to have a quality program and facility.  Eric added that they are intimidated playing at the stadium, but it is an opportunity that the program will remember forever.  (Eric Schoenert)

Growth of Division III:

Players want to go places they think would make a difference and be active right away. Fans can expect those numbers to increase across any football division. Also, with the rise of social media, accessing quality games that are more accessible means that fans will be more aware of better teams versus only following the schools that everybody already knows. It helps put more spotlight on smaller schools. (Eric Schoenert)

“We are in the heart of Texas, so we recruit players from Dallas and down to Houston. The University sells itself, but because some of those players are in weight or height, it may disqualify the DI from giving them a chance. But if they have a passion for the game and are willing to sacrifice to prove themselves, we would love to have them”, Coach Pete Fredenburg said.

“It is always about team chemistry because when you see other players stepping up at the highest level, you too as a player, challenge you to complete with all of your heart and might. And when the team is as successful as we are, it gives us hope that a DIII program will arise, and everybody, including future players, should notice”, QB Kyle King said.

Recruitment:

Division III Football has continued to grow since I played back in 2004. Our most famous alumni Darrell Freeman would play for the Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, and many successful seasons. Other programs did overlook Freeman for his sizes from DI schools across Texas, and so he came in with a chip on his shoulder by doing everything asked to make himself better and get noticed by the NFL. There’s always an opportunity for the coaching staff to find players committed to the game itself and have a chance to make it to the league stage after their collegiate careers are over.

Crusader Football Alumni Association:

We are a proud alumni association; we support our players and student-athletes across campus. We also support other sports on campus, but Football is our primary focus.  (Eric Schoenert)

Coaches and Players reaction:

Fredenburg, Mr. Pete Head Coach, Football, commented on the player Alumni association. We have strived to focus on Team Chemistry since we started the program in 1998. It solidifies the team concept of people that care for one another. Within the association, current and past build a bond, and the players genuinely care for and love one another, and have fun being a part of it, indeed.

“We go through so much being a student-athlete, and because these guys understand and have been there, it helps,” one of the UMHD players added.

ELECTIONS IN ‘ELECTION OFF-YEAR’?

ELECTIONS IN ‘ELECTION OFF-YEAR’?

The common notion about elections is that they are a free ground for politicking. Politicking in this sense would refer to politics of politicians or call it politicians’ politics. The kind of politics where slander, badmouthing, ‘pull him down – PhD’ and every other crookery means, are permissible, so long as they lead you to the race’s finish point on the first spot. These are the traits that make elections noisy – some would say worthy of the name.

But find out what a huge portion of the electorate consider to be elections – elections to them are presidential, legislative and to an extent, judiciary. When these are not happening, it is an ‘election off-year’, as they would put it. It is considered so because the ‘election off-year’ is void of loud-speaking out-door campaign trails, audience-pulling TV debates only comparable to mega entertainment content and social media posts that result in fierce political debacles.   

Curiously, but unfortunately, what the electorate does not seen to consider as elections are the race to the school boards and to an extent, the one to the councils. Little doubt that of the 876,000 registered voters in Franklin County, Ohio, only 3% of have turned out for early voting in the 2021 general elections, according to reports. Yet, the importance of education and local administration cannot be overemphasized, making school board and municipal elections the most important races. Needless to mention that education and a good one contributes to development and how a community gets stronger when its local administration is effective.

And so come Tuesday, November 2, 2021, voters in Franklin County join their counterparts in other counties, the rest of Ohio and the United States, to select the people who will run their school boards and councils. Polling kicks off at 6:30am at the Franklin County Board of Elections venue, situated at 1700 Morse Road, Columbus, Ohio. Apex 1 Radio will open its airwaves for what will be seen and heard in Ohio and perhaps, other parts of the United States.

Simone Biles and Team perform in Columbus Tuesday, Oct. 19

By Okon Ekpenyong

Olympian Simone Bile, with her teammates, including Jordan Chiles will be performing Tuesday, October 19, 2021, in the ‘Gold Over America Tour’ at the Columbus Nationwide Arena.

“Gold Over America” is a celebration of female athletes combining gymnastics and pop music, showcasing the beauty and power of gymnastics, according to the website.

Other gymnasts in the tour include Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, and Grace McCallum, and French Olympian Melanie De Jesus Dos Santos.

Biles has 32 Olympic and World Championship medals, making her the most decorated gymnast to date. During the 2020 Olympics in July of 2021, Simone did not compete in the all-around, vault, or floor citing a temporary loss of air balance awareness. Focusing on safety, and mental health were also key concerns in the decision.

Back in 2019, Katelyn Ohashi, the All-American and NCAA National Champion from the UCLA Gymnastics team who went viral for her perfect-10 routine will also be in the lineup. Spectators are expected to see one of the best gymnastics routines that will inspire all.

The tour started on Tuesday, October 8, 2021, in Tucson, Arizona, and will end in Boston on November 7, 2021.

Posted by:  , October 19, 2021

THE POWER OF FACEBOOK – USERS RECOUNT FRUSTRATIONS AS APPS CRASH

 

“My Facebook show comes up every Monday at 12 pm easter time and teaches followers how to become entrepreneurs by kick-starting with zero capital,” Flavine started, as she explained how a rare day without social media access looked like. She went on: “The show attracts up to three thousand instant and active viewers and is every follower’s Monday schedule.” “Missing it today is a herculean task to digest and I feel terribly frustrated.” “This has never happened, and it is strange”

When this writer confirmed after fruitless attempts to access WhatsApp and Facebook, that the apps, including Instagram were down due to crashed servers, the immediate reaction was to seek users’ reactions. This should be a normal reflex for a keen observer of social media fans who have travelled a long way with this new form of communication to finally becoming fiercely addicted to it. And yes, social media is addictive.

Next phone call – Celyne in Dallas, Taxas. How are you coping without WhatsApp? “Ernest, I’m not coping.” “Can you imagine how boring it could be without those memes, coming in?” Celyne juggles her ball 24/7 on WhatsApp status. “That’s where I catch my fun, it is my life and I just cannot go a whole day with WhatsApp status, never!”

To Kelsie, reached on phone at 3:15pm eastern time, it was a dark day. “I’m feeling like the world is coming down without Facey and Whassy, it’s not funny,” he said. “These are my biggest sources of information and I believe in them.” “Do you have an idea when the problem will be fixed?” Without assuming it was a rhetoric, this writer played fair to respond by joking it could last really long. “Man, don’t say that I would be in a terribly bad shape if this thing is not resolved in the next couple of hours.” Kelsie affectionately calls Facebook Facey and WhatsApp Whassy.

George did not wait to be called. He rang first. “What is going on with Facebook, and  are you able to communicate on WhatsApp?” When this writer confirmed Facebook servers had crashed, George crashed. George is a soft blogger who writes highlighted comments and jokes that attract thousands of likes each time they drop. He drops them regularly and has developed an irresistible pleasure doing this over the years. He is popular and enjoys this fame on Facebook. “This is bad business for me my brother,” he regretted. “Hope this doesn’t drag on.”

Upon return, users have been recounting their day’s experience without one of the the most addictive social media platform. “It’s been a dark day,” writes one. “I’m sure most 237 people went to the psychiatric ward today for the time that Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp were down,” blogger Mbole Ekane of The Hotjem wrote. “The world was normal for a while,” another Facebook user joked, perhaps, insinuating that the app drives people mad. “Online CEOs were temporarily out of business today,” yet another user. The highlighted comments are aplenty.

The umbrella reaction has been the assuring one from the young founder of Facebook himself. Mark Zuckerberg wrote: “Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger are coming back online now. Sorry for the disruption today – I know how much you rely on our services to stay connected with the people you care about.”

What a day it was! Perhaps, it was a day set aside to demonstrate the power of the three social media handles, run by Facebook.

Welcome back the Facebook family!

 

NEW DAWN AS GERMANY AWAITS NEW CHANCELLOR

While Germany awaits its next and new Chancellor, there is growing anxiety throughout the country, following general elections held there this Sunday, September 27, 2021. In all States and cities in Germany, the country’s eligible voters turned out massively to cast their ballots and sound their voices in sensitive decisions expected to change the dynamics of German politics.

Even though Germany has not experienced any significant crisis at the helm, Angela Merkel and her Christian Democratic Union, CDU’s 16-years-old administration would naturally be tiresome to addicts of change. Once the results are proclaimed, one thing would be clear – Angela Merkel, generally believed to have been on top of her time at the Chancellery, will be history to the prestigious office. Who succeeds the 67-years-old daughter of Hamburg, is what the country looks forward to.

However, Germans, just as other people, interested in living good lives by being represented worthily, have chosen who they think can do the job at parliament. Amongst the lucky to-be law makers, reports say, is the Cameroonian-born Armand Zorn who makes it to the Budestag.

With a population of 83.2 million people (2019) and known to be one of the strongest economies in Europe, Germany enjoys a parliamentary system of government which has been an assuring factor to political stability. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), a liberal-conservative outfit, is the party to which the out-going Chancellor belongs. She rose to the Chancellery on the party’s ticket in 2005 as the first female Chancellor in Germany and was re-elected in 2013.

Details on the German elections in subsequent posts!

USCIS mandates Covid19 vaccination for Green Card applicants

Originally Posted by:  , September 14, 2021

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS has announced that individuals applying to become a lawful permanent resident, and other applicants as deemed necessary, must undergo an immigration medical exam to show they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the civil surgeon can complete an immigration medical examination beginning from October 1, 2021.

“Effective October 1, 2021, applicants subject to the immigration medical examination must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the civil surgeon can complete an immigration medical examination and sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record,” said the USCIS in a statement.

“This guidance applies prospectively to Form I-693 signed by civil surgeons on or after October 1, 2021.”

It said that “USCIS is updating its policy guidance in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s August 17, 2021, update to the Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons.”

“We are working on updating Form I-693 and the form instructions to incorporate this new requirement.”

“Applicants must complete the COVID-19 vaccine series (one or two doses, depending on the vaccine) and provide documentation of vaccination to a USCIS-designated civil surgeon before completion of the immigration medical examination.”

Individuals applying to become a lawful permanent resident, and other applicants as deemed necessary, must undergo an immigration medical exam to show they are free from any conditions that would render them inadmissible under the health-related grounds.

USCIS designates eligible physicians as civil surgeons to perform this immigration medical examination for applicants within the United States and to document the results of the immigration medical examination on Form I-693.

However, USCIS may grant a blanket waiver if a vaccine is:

  • Not age appropriate;
  • Contraindicated due to a medical condition;
  • Not routinely available in the state where the civil surgeon practices; or
  • Limited in supply and would cause significant delay for the applicant to receive the vaccination.
  • Individuals may also apply for waivers based on religious beliefs or moral convictions by submitting Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility.

Columbus Mayor Ginther signs executive order on wearing a mask in public places Friday, Sept. 10

Originally Posted by: , September 8, 2021

By Deba Uwadiae and Okon Ekpenyong

Columbus Ohio Mayor Andrew Ginther will sign an executive order on Friday, September 10, 2021, mandating face mask indoors and in public places to mitigate the rising hospitalizations in the new coronavirus cases in the city.

“New COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are on the rise. The strain on our medical and public health professionals has reached a breaking point. Vaccines are the best defense, but we must do more. I am signing an executive order mandating mask while indoors,” said Mayor Andrew Ginter.

Mayor Andrew Ginther who joined the city’s Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts and the region’s chief medical officers to provide an update on new plans to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the City of Columbus said, “masks add an extra layer of protection — especially for our young children who are too young to be vaccinated.:

“Do your part. Get vaccinated and mask up. We can do this.”

Also, Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts said, “as the delta variant continues to surge and we prepare to administer booster vaccines in our community, this vaccine requirement will help protect our workforce and the people we serve from COVID-19 which is spreading like wildfire here and across the country.”

On the vaccination incentive of “Get a free covid-19 vaccine and get $100’ which is expected to end on Friday, September 10, 2021, Commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts said, “there will be an extension of the incentives and it will go into effect on Friday.”

“Anyone who is eligible for the vaccine is eligible to get the $100 vis cash card onsite when they receive the shot.”

She said, however, that the centers will be reduced because of staff strength to operate them.

Over 13,000 persons and an average of 300 a day have been vaccinated since the introduction of the walk-in centers.

Columbus Weekend of Festivities

Originally Posted by:  , September 6, 2021
Okon Ekpenyong

Columbus Caribbean Festival held its fourth annual celebration on September 4th and 5th, 2021 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Delaware, Ohio. The event returned to action after canceling last year’s festival due to state mandates.

Celebrity Style Events, the organizer of this year’s event, wanted to ensure that the location could accommodate over eight thousand people, which is generally the type of crowd the event generates. Overnight camping accommodations were an option for those that wanted to experience all of the festivities that this year’s event had to offer, which included the carnival, Caribbean culture, and of course, the food.

Columbus Council President Shannon Hardin’s 7th annual Pig Roast and Fish Fry saw a huge turn-out this year at the Franklin Park Conservatory. Cars were lining up from the first entrance on Broad Street and continuing on Conservatory Drive, even passing the Franklin Park Conservatory Garden with its plant and art exhibition center.

The event was free for all to pick up at the Wells Barn parking lot, but tickets were required ahead of time to ensure enough meals were available for everyone. Equitas Health was on-site, providing free vaccination to help slow down the spread of Coronavirus.

Greater Southeast Area Commissioner, Peaches Anderson, was one of the attendees who received the shot at the event.

“A personal decision to get the Covid shot can be difficult, but deciding for a mother and community member, and leader takes no contemplation. As I was leaving President Shannon Hardin’s Fish Fry and pig Roast, I saw a tent offering free and easy Covid shots. I parked my car and headed proudly towards the tent. It was quick, easy, and painless. I felt as if I was one person that medical staff won’t have to care for, and I’m one more person who isn’t passing Covid to others. In short, by getting the shot, I’m no longer a part of the problem, but I’m a community member who is caring for others with my actions”, Anderson said.

Some of this year’s volunteers were city workers, council members, school board members, and candidates running in this year’s election in Central Ohio.  Four meals per vehicle was the maximum allowed to accommodate all of those who registered on Eventbrite.

“Service up meals at Council President Hardin’s Annual Pig Roast with other servants and candidates was so much fun! To see so many public servants spending time literally serving the public was inspirational,” Rena Shak said (Judicial candidate for Franklin County Municipal Court Judge).

Picture Credit: Rena Shak

The city of Obetz had its annual Zucchini Fest, which usually draws thousands every year for four days straight. The event started on Friday, September 3rd, and runs through Monday, September 6th.

The festival celebrates everything that has to do with Zucchini, and it takes place at the Obetz Athletic Club. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy parades, pageants, and car shows. And to top it all, they will have the chance to enjoy free music, including listening to local and national recording artists. Two thousand twenty-one musical headliner was the country music singing duo featuring Troy known for their biggest hit “save a horse ride a cowboy,” took center stage on Sunday, September 5th.

The 48th Annual Greek Festival is taking place this year at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral from Friday, September 3rd through Monday, September 6th, 2021.

It is a chance for the community to learn about Greek culture, the ancestry of Greece, and how faith plays a vital role in its heritage.

Rena Shak is a judicial candidate running in this year’s municipal race, and her family is from Greece. “The Annunciation’s Greek Festival is a chance for the Columbus community to celebrate the Greek heritage!  Greek culture is rooted in hospitality, delicious food, religion, music, dancing, and community, and the festival brings all of that to our neighbors! I love volunteering at the festival, serving my church, and sharing my culture with all of our visitors!”

Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao and Ohio State Representative Dontavius Jarrells Picture Credit: Okon Ekpenyong 

A Festival of Meeting as Columbus Africans in Diaspora meet Prof PLO Lumumba

By Okon Ekpenyong

The anticipation had to meet the expectation when a well-known legal scholar and activist, Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba from Kenya, popular across the continent of Africa, stopped in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, July 24, 2021, as part of a one-month tour of the United States.

Accompanying the Pan-Africanist to Columbus was Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, a former diplomat to the U.S. who served as the President of the Africa Union.

Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao and Ohio State Representative Dontavius Jarrells Picture Credit: Okon Ekpenyong 
Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao and Ohio State Representative Dontavius Jarrells Picture Credit: Okon Ekpenyong

The visit brought professionals and academics from the different communities including African America, Somali, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Nigeria together to listen to the current Director of the Kenyan School of Law speak on a wide range of issues crucial to the African Diaspora.

One Voice Global Consortium, an umbrella organization that focuses on working together with other Diaspora individuals and its organizations when addressing governmental and or international agencies, brought the African Civil Rights Leaders to the main stage.

The first speaker of the night was the honorable Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, originally from Zimbabwe. Dr. Arikana served as the African Union Permanent Ambassador to the U.S.A. from 2010-2019. Before that role, she served as the C.E.O. and founder of Bell Family Medical Centers in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In 1996. The late Nelson Mandela of the Republic of South Africa presented Dr. Arikana with the Achievement Award for her contributions to Africa.

Throughout her delivery at “Angaza Festival Conference,” Dr. Arikana captivated the audience by consistently encouraging everybody to elevate the diaspora because nothing can stop the movement if all hands are on deck.

As she spoke, the audience often stood up, clapping. In those moments, and it became clear that keeping the African heritage alive and teaching future generations about the importance of Education, responsibilities, and the growth of Africa will not just be a job of one person.

“There are more Nigerian Doctors in Los Angeles than in Nigeria combined, and there are more Kenyan Doctors in New York than in Kenya combined,” Dr. Arikana said.

Having such a high ratio, how does anyone expect Africa to solve its health care system issues?

Tuamsen Shepkong, a college professor at Central Ohio Technical College and the head of the Columbus African Festival, said that he first met the former President of the African Union 2018 in Houston. She spoke very eloquently while ensuring that her mission to improve the quality of life for all African immigrants living abroad and those living in the continent of Africa was why we are all here.

P.L.O.’s visit to Columbus drew a large audience. “If we do not have a sense of history, we cannot have an appreciation of the brethren, and if we do not have an appreciation of the present, we do not have the protection of the future,”Lumumba said.

“There is an African saying which states that, “Mountains don’t meet, man do.”

“And it was my pleasure meeting with such iconic Pan-Africanist Professor Patrick Lumumba, ” said Engineer Mohamad, a member of the Somali community who was meeting Prof Lumumba for the first time.

“In all his speeches, it is always about unifying and uplifting people of African descent,” Mohammed added.

Ohio State Representative Dontavius Jarrells representing the 25th district spoke on behalf of Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, who was initially on the list as guest speaker.

“I hope if you come to my office, show up, show your power because your voice is what I take with me every day to that statehouse. It is the people’s house because the things happening in Africa and this country are happening right here in your neighborhood. It’s so important that we became a hit because of you,” Jarrells said.

Speaking on behalf of the Somali community and the office of the Mayor of Columbus was Abdikhayr Soofe. He presented P.L.O Lumumba, “the resolution of expression,” which honors his work to fight corruption and racism.

The event took place at the Ohio School for the Deaf Alumni Association in Westerville.

Oringinally Posted by:  , July 28, 2021

Gun violence and mothers’ pain

Posted by:  , August 3, 2021

By Okon Ekpenyong

Violence through small arms has been one of the most dreaded causes of death in several communities in the United States. Even without mentioning statistics, it is commonly observed that people of color have been victims to this ill, more than others.

Apparently, the group that seems to have suffered the trauma that comes along with gun murder more, is mothers of the victims. At every such unfortunate incident, they are seen on television lamenting their ordeal and struggling to deal with the brutal circumstances.

Photo Credit: Dontavius Jarrells

In some weird cases, these women have had to deal with the fact that the perpetrators are acquitted right in their presence, and they would have to live like losers forever.

In a bid to lighten the weight on mothers who have lost their sons and daughters to gun violence, Central Ohio community leaders converged on the Statehouse lawn at downtown Columbus, Sunday, August 1, 2021, to share in the former’s burden.

The three-hours rally brought together concerned Ohioans, including the women affected by this ill and the main message whipped across was that gun violence should stop.

At the peace-motivated rally, sympathizers called for a ceasefire within 24 hours and hoped that senseless gun killings would be a thing of the past.

In recent years, there has been a disturbing rise in gun killings in the United States. The most conspicuous cases have erupted from the antagonism between the police and young Black men. Some of the incidents have sparked huge riots that have inspired conversations on the need to review gun laws in the country.