THE WATKINS AWARD'S 2008 "Elite Five" include (from left) Brandon Moore of Trotwood, Ohio; Covaughn DeBoskie of Chandler, Ariz.; Matthew Daniels of Atlanta, Ga,; DeVier Posey of Cincinnati, Ohio; and Kenneth Page of Columbia, S.C.

LOS ANGELES – Far too often the mood in America focuses on all that is wrong with our country, its people and its communities.

That focus has its merits and it is necessary to arrest the demons and negatives that engulf this country.

However, while we try to gain control of our environment, we should also take a step back and acknowledge those that are trying to do the right thing – especially our youth.

That is exactly the mission of the National Alliance of African America Athletes (Alliance or NAAAA).

Last week, the NAAAA held its annual Watkins Award ceremony at the Century City InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles. The event was a black-tie affair that honored the top African American male scholar-athlete in the United States.

This year’s “Elite Five” were Matthew Daniels of Atlanta, Ga. (4.0 GPA); Covaughn DeBoskie of Chandler, Ariz. (4.1 GPA); Brandon Moore of Trotwood, Ohio (4.25 GPA); Kenneth Page of Columbia, S.C. (3.8 GPA); and DeVier Posey of Cincinnati, Ohio (3.4 GPA).

All five are prep All-Americans and each has signed a national letter of intent to play football in college – Posey at Ohio State, Page at Clemson, DeBoskie at California, Moore at Michigan and Daniels at Duke.

Since the first award in 1992, it has evolved into a truly special undertaking. The applicants complete a comprehensive packet that includes an essay, four letters of recommendation, official transcripts, athletic awards, extra-curriculum activities and community service. From 100 or so applicants, a nation-wide selection committee narrows the field to the final five young men.

Emerging from this year’s “Elite Five” as the winner of the 16th annual Watkins Award was Daniels, an All-American safety.

“I can’t believe I won this award,” an elated Daniels said. “I don’t feel special, because all my classmates are great and any of them could have won this.”

Although Daniels received the big trophy, all are considered winners and each will receive an award, ring, and a recognition dinner in his hometown.
The keynote speaker at the 2008 Watkins Award ceremony was sports columnist William C. Rhoden of the New York Times. Co-emcees were actress-model Claudia Jordan and comedian-radio personality Lamont King (a.k.a. Lazee Lamont).

Each in the Class of 2008 noted they were extremely happy they went through the time-consuming application process.

“When I got the information about the award I was happy,” said Moore, an All-American tight end, “because I was looking for something that had academics as its focus. I said I have to do this.”

Noted Page, an outstanding offensive tackle: “When I looked up the organization online, I was very interested in its purpose and mission. I’m just happy to get selected in the final five.”

Added Posey, the top receiver in the nation: “When I first got the packet I felt like it was just another set of papers I had to fill out. My mom said, ‘Boy you better get this done.’ After coming here and meeting all the other Watkins family members, I’m so glad I’m now in the family.”

Said DeBoskie, one of the top running backs in the nation: “I’m so happy to be here in the final five. I was kind of scared at first because I knew there were people all over the country I had to compete against. So, to be in the top five is a tremendous accomplishment.”

Indeed it is a noteworthy achievement to be in the “Elite Five” Watkins Class of 2008. The five join a family of men dedicated to sports, academic excellence, community service and the presentation of the Black male as a symbol of all that is good, fair and honest in their interactions with humanity.

Prior Watkins Award winners, living up to the Alliance’s mission, have made achievements in numerous fields.

Since Robert Tate won the first award (he now plays for the NFL’s Phoenix Cardinals), numerous finalists have reached the NBA or NFL.

Many of the scholar-athletes have won scholarships to elite universities, including Michigan, Penn State, Stanford, California, Northwestern, Duke and Notre Dame.

The Watkins Award was initiated in 1992 to promote academic excellence among young African American males. It is named after Franklin D. Watkins, an unsung football coach from Harrisburg, Pa., who worked miracles with Black inner-city males, giving hope and direction, before succumbing to cancer in 1989.

“We want to change how African American athletes are viewed,” said Everette Pearsall, Alliance Executive director. “We’re trying to highlight these athletes and present them in a positive light. These are good people and we’re rewarding them for being good servants to their communities.”

Added Dr. Alexander L. Gabbin, a professor of accounting at James Madison University and selection committee co-chair: “These young men are outstanding and knock down all the stereotypes of what a Black athlete is.”

Concurred Reggie Grant selection committee co-chair: “It’s an awesome thing seeing all these young men’s achievements in the classroom and on the fields of play.”

The Watkins Family:

2007: Joseph Barksdale, 3.5 GPA, LSU; Andrew Davis, 4.0 GPA, Oregon; Bradley Stephens, 3.7 GPA, Texas; Trinton Sturdivant, 4.1 GPA, Georgia; Charles White, 3.9 GPA, Georgia.

2006: Terry Grant, 3.4 GPA, Alabama; Gerald McCoy, 3.5 GPA, Oklahoma; Myron Rolle, 4.0 GPA, Florida State; Bennie Tate, 3.9 GPA, Auburn; Bryant Browning, 4.0 GPA, Ohio State.

2005: Robert Kibble, 3.7 GPA, UCLA; Mohamed Massaquoi, 3.8 GPA, Georgia; Shawn Oatis, 3.7 GPA, UCLA; Vincent Oghobaase, 3.96 GPA, Duke; Ekom Udofia, 4.0 GPA, Stanford.

2004: Douglas Dutch, 3.8 GPA, Michigan; Ted Ginn Jr., 3.6 GPA, NFL Dolphins; Daryl Richard, 4.0 GPA, Georgia; Darius Walker, 4.0 GPA, NFL Texans.

2003: Sam Cheatham, 4.0 GPA, Northwestern; Emeka Nnoli, 4.0 GPA, Stanford; Jason Evans, 3.8 GPA, Stanford; Aaron Henderson. 3.9 GPA, Northern Colorado; Jonothan Hubbard, 3.7 GPA, Davidson.

2002: Justin Blalock, 3.6 GPA, NFL Falcons; Jemalle Cornelius, 4.0 GPA, NFL Bills; Marcus Jackson, 4.0 GPA, Georgia; Marcus McCutcheon, 4.0 GPA, Stanford.

2001: Michael Craven, 4.0 GPA, Stanford; Lorenzo Alexander, 3.9 GPA, NFL Redskins; Maurice Hall, 4.0 GPA, Ohio State; J.R. Lemon, 3.9 GPA, NFL Raiders.

2000: Marcus Houston, 3.9 GPA, Colorado; Adam Boone, 4.0 GPA, Minnesota; Dominique Sims, 4.0 GPA, Minnesota; Brandon Royster, 4.0 GPA, Stanford.

1999: Deryck Toles, 4.0 GPA, NFL Colts; Chris Lewis, 3.9 GPA, NFL Cardinals; Nick Maddox, 3.0 GPA, NFL Panthers; Luke Powell, 4.0 GPA, NFL Cardinals.

1998: Ronald Curry, 3.8 GPA, NFL Raiders; Jason Capel, 3.7 GPA, North Carolina; Duke McKamey, 3.6 GPA, Seton Hall.

1997: Grant Irons, 3.8 GPA, NFL Raiders; LaVarr Arrington, 3.8 GPA, NFL Giants; Shane Battier, 3.8 GPA, NBA Rockets.

1996: Raki Nelson, 3.8 GPA, NFL Eagles. 1995: Darnell Dinkins, 3.9 GPA, NFL Browns. 1994: Shawn Lee, 3.8 GPA, Penn State. 1993: Ahmad Collins, 3.5 GPA, Penn State. 1992: Robert Tate, 3.0 GPA, NFL Cardinals.

For more information on the Watkins Award, visit www.naaaa.com.