June 21, 2002
Buffalo News
By Anthony Cardinale
Farod Muhammad II, a varsity football player at Hutchinson-Central Technical High School, has made two promises to his mother, and Tom Donahoe of the Buffalo Bills is going to help him keep them. "I made a promise to my mother that I would go to school and get an education," says Farod. "I also promised her I'd put her in a house and with no worries to pay any bills - whether my career is in football or as an engineer." Farod and 12 other high school juniors were honored with a banquet at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Thursday evening for their acceptance by the National Collegiate Scouting Association. The association identifies promising student athletes and promotes them to colleges that might be interested in their athletic and academic potential. In its first venture into Western New York, the Chicago-based organization has taken on nine city students from Buffalo and four from Rochester who are promising but lack the knowledge and resources to wade through the complex process of recruiting and aid. Donahoe, the Bills president and general manager, is sponsoring these students as "a personal project," paying the association's $995 fee for matching each student with the best appropriate college. "It's a chance to give something back," Donahoe explained quietly while the six girls and seven boys and their parents were dining in the Paul Maguire Club. "These are all talented athletes. We want to help give their careers a little push." When Donahoe stood up to address the students, the onetime high school English teacher and football and basketball coach didn't mince any words. He told them that the sign above his door in his coaching days said, "Excuses Are for Losers." "I think the word "potential' is one of the worst words in the English language," Donahoe said. "So many people have potential and never do anything with it. During your senior year it will be very important that you finish strong, and that you understand the importance of your teammates. We are only as good as the people we surround ourselves with." Dave Thomas, athletic director with the Buffalo public schools - who helped selected the students - said city school buildings leave much to be desired. "We have gyms that date back to the 1920s," he said, "yet we turn out great basketball players. Now, let's start to level the playing field between city kids and those who live in the suburbs. I want to see you all in four years." Tony Stanford Jr. of Buffalo Traditional has remained on the honor roll while excelling not only in football but also in basketball, soccer, karate and track and field.
"I like to solve problems, especially with computers," says Tony. "So I plan to major in computer and electrical engineering." Shawana Thomas of Lafayette High school, a varsity track starter and captain of the cheerleading squad and the debating team, has worked on the school newspaper with an eye toward a journalism major and is in the Future Business Leaders as a possible business major in college. The other Buffalo students in the program are: Aaron Parker of Hutchinson-Central Technical High School; Lynette Cray of Buffalo Traditional; Kim Goodwin and Eric Rawls, both of Grover Cleveland; Tylicia Moore of Kensington; and Kjell Reigstad of the Buffalo Academy for Visual & Performing Arts.
