Trash talking, vigorous training and brotherhood! All in good wholesome conversation was how these topics found scholar athletes from all over at the first Media Day hosted by Selma High School.
Team members and their coaches gathered in the media center for a Q & A session, as members of the press asked very probing and sometimes fun questions — from academics to training to what gets teams ready for battle.
The event was coordinated and facilitated by newly-appointed Selma City Schools Athletic Director, Coach Wil Morgan, who is focusing on strengthening every aspect of the relationship between community and sports—and on how sports is viewed and supported.
“We are here to start the year off right. We need the community. Saints Nation, we need you to bring it back like back in the day. Let’s go!” Morgan stated in excitement.
The need for community support was the overarching theme as coach after coach answered the media’s questions surrounded support.
Brand new hire at his new school, Coach Lewis of RC Hatch stated, “Uniontown is a big basketball town, so football has not been in the spotlight. I’ve been here since July, and I plan to help change this. We have a community BBQ planned tonight, and a lot more to come. Our players missed the entire summer because they did not have a coach, so this is a building year at RC Hatch. I’m happy that the community is a big help and I have them.”
The players had a few words to say about competition and training as well.
Some of the biggest rivalries in the room appeared to be Selma High vs. Southside and RC Hatch vs. Autaugaville. However, star player for the Selma High Saints Dakaari Nelson and his teammate Ke’Darius Turk both expressed they are eyeing Demopolis.
“We are good sportsmen. The effort of the players is stronger this year, and I’m looking forward to playing Demopolis,” said Nelson.
“Yes, and we got to get them real good this year,” smiled Turk.
Michael Carlisle and Davarus Raby, both of RC Hatch have worked extra hard and are ready to take down Autaugaville, while JaKavian Blue and Jatarious Cunningham of Wilcox have trained hard and stated that they are taking out “everybody on our schedule.”
Friendly fire and heat on the field is one thing because it excites the fan base and brings the community to the stadiums. But, it was clear in the room that these players and their coaches believe deeply in good sportsmanship and good grades and conduct on and off the field.
Coach Starr of the Calhoun Tigers stated that not living up to GPA standards and academic work has consequences.
“My star player and leader with me today have 3.8 and 3.5 averages," he said. "Our players and captains have ACT and tutoring access.”
Coach Moody of the Southside High Panthers stated, “If we have struggling students, we move them to where they need to be in studying by providing extra classes and tutoring, including helping them to understand the ‘why’ in it all. A lot of kids don’t understand why until we explain it.”
With the new football season approaching will come new challenges and new accomplishments.
Coach Todd of Francis Marion has a younger standout that he says, “Watch him because by his senior year, you’ll see greatness. We are seeking to change the culture and the mindsets in football and the community.”
Coach Lasiter of Dallas County High told the Selma Sun that the middle school will be, “stepping up and and playing high roles, growing up quick mentally and physically.”
Lasiter’s star player, Daveon Jones stated, “Seniors set the standard concerning mentoring. We help all of our players.”
Devon Mayhand of Francis Marion echoed something similar, “Me being a leader, I have to make sure I do this with all of my teammates.”
Meanwhile, Derick Smith, star player of the Southside Panthers, is trying to figure out how to handle this thing called fame and success.
With a gentle and humble voice he stated, “I don’t know for real.”
Coach Gandy of Selma High had a new spark in his eye and more pep in his step than usual.
He said, “The culture is changing. Kids are buying in to the program more. When I first started coaching here, it was hard to get students to come out and want to practice in the summer heat and play. Now, we have an excellent number of participants hitting the field early."
"We are so excited about where we’re headed that we have planned a big community day for August 13th at the Selma High hut. We are doing our part in building support for our great team, and look for to the community being present and ready!”
The real question of the day is: Are you ready for some football? Athletic Director Wil Morgan says he is way past ready.
“This is what it’s all about," he said. "Positivity in the city of Selma and the blackbelt. I feel it happening. There is so much energy in the air, even at our meetings. We thank the media for helping to shine a light on this positivity and for coming out and being present. We thank the coaches, players and the community for supporting. We wish much success to all the players and schools. Let’s rock out!”
Want to hear more from Media Day? What gets the players hyped before a game? How hard are they coming? Which colleges are tugging at our star players and their teammates? What are the coaches doing new this year?
Stay tuned for the follow-up story and video interviews.
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