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Eight Native Basketball Players You Need to Know Better

Vincent Schilling, Indian Country Today Media Network

Remember these ladies!? ICTMN takes a look back at the Conversations With Champions series, including a sit-down with the sensational Sisters.Read more at https://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/06/09/eight-native-basketball-players-you-need-know-better-149785 — Remember these ladies!? ICTMN takes a look back at the Conversations With Champions series, including a sit-down with the sensational Sisters.
Read more at https://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/06/09/eight-native-basketball-players-you-need-know-better-149785

After the incredible, unprecedented run through the 2013 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament that Shoni and Jude Schimmel, Umatilla, led the Louisville Cardinals on, ICTMN reached out to some of the most amazing and historically important Native hoops players to get their thoughts on the state of Native basketball, how to succeed in life and where they’re headed next–including from the Sisters themselves. “Let’s give them somethintg to talk about!,” we promised. And so we kicked off a Conversations With Champions series, sitting down with eight basketball trailblazers, champions and builders for some one-on-ones. Here is a recap of the series, in case you missed any of the engaging discussions. These are men and women you need to know.

ONE: Cliff Johns, the first Native American to play for legendary NCAA coach Lute Olsen at the University of Arizona, shared his thoughts on how to overcome tough circumstances and succeed in life, what the amazing Jim Valvano taught him and how the Schimmels have inspired him and Indian country.

Cliff Johns

“There were three simple factors about life and basketball that Jimmy Valvano would share with his players and basketball campers. One: Your family. Jimmy would talk about family and how important they are. They are your support system and number one throughout the whole process. You have to love and respect your family and listen to them.

Two: The love for the sport. The passion, the dedication, the blood sweat and tears and how much time you put into it into learning the fundamentals is the second most important part.

Three: Your spirituality. You have to have some sort of spiritual roots and spiritual identity going through this process.

You have to keep these three concepts in mind to be successful in life and successful on the basketball court. I have always kept this in my mind. In paralleling this with the Schimmel sisters, they have all of these qualities. It is obvious through their parents and the support and love that they have. They also have that cultural aspect, which drew a lot of attention.”

For more, read “Hoops Pioneer Cliff Johns Talks About Schimmels, Valvano and Life“

TWO: In catching up with Kenny Dobbs, the all-universe dunking star, he discussed the great accomplishments of Native Americans on the hardwood in 2013 and about his own life choices that have led to his success and which drive him to help American Indian youth.

The sky-walking Kenny Dobbs

“Part of the testimony that I share with kids when I go out and do tours and speaking engagements is figuring out what your dream is and what your goal is in life. Whether you believe in God or not, we have a greater purpose instead of just partying it up. There is something that each one of us has a destiny to fulfill. We have all been given a talent to be used for that purpose.

You have to figure out that talent. Maybe you’re not a basketball player or dunker – maybe you write poetry, or sing or make beats, or you are a doctor. Whatever it is, if you have different dreams and talents, the main message is to focus on those things and put energy into it now instead of later on.

I was given a second chance at life. I capitalized on that opportunity. I tell kids, ‘either change your life right now hearing my story and watching these cool dunks’ or later you might remember this message and change your life out of desperation. Make these changes because of inspiration, as opposed to being back against the wall and make the changes out of desperation.”

For more, read “Catching Up With Slam-Dunking Legend Kenny Dobbs“

THREE: University of Kansas star guard Angel Goodrich sat down with ICTMN soon after being drafted into the WNBA, only the second Native American to be so. A contemporary of the Schimmel Sisters, Goodrich is now starring with the Tulsa Shock. Among a wide variety of subjects, the Cherokee hoopster shared on how she has overcome obstacles to succeed.

Goodrich is now a Shock.

“I am teachable. I like to learn new stuff and if it is going to make me better or help me adjust to a different style of play I am willing to learn, listen to others, be a sponge and take everything in. If they’re going to make me better I am willing to do whatever it takes. I think that is how my personality has always been. I want to get better every single day. If someone comes in and wants to teach me something new, I’m down for it no matter what their age is or whoever it is. That taught me how to get where I am.”

For more, read “A Conversation With Star Kansas Jayhawks Guard Angel Goodrich“

FOUR: ICTMN was thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with Hall-of-Famer Reyneldi Becenti, who was the first Native American to play in the WNBA and the first woman to be inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame. She discussed her climb to the top, what it takes to succeed as a Native woman hooops player and what her thoughts are about the accomplishments of Native American basketball players today.

Becenti, during her Scottsdale CC days. She’s in that school’s Hall of Fame.

“You cannot teach passion and you cannot teach heart toward the game of basketball. It comes from within you. At a young age I was instilled with a passion to love the game of basketball. I wanted it so much. I was inspired by my parents who played in Indian reservation tournaments. They had passion and heart and loved basketball.

I grew up being a gym rat and at that time I didn’t have a Native American who was out there playing college ball or anything, so that was one of my motivations. When I saw Cheryl Miller playing on the Olympic team, and I saw that she was African-American, she became one of my role models. On top of all this, I thought, maybe I could be the first.

For me, I just had that driving force to accomplish so much. My dad said that I was given talent and I was given the gift of basketball. He told me about peer pressure and that people would be jealous. I was given that push from him. Once I became a good player, I knew I had to push 10 times harder to get where I wanted to get to.”

For more, read “ICTMN Talks With Hall-of-Famer Ryneldi Becenti“

FIVE: Two-time Continental Basketball Association champion with the Yakama Sun Kings Richard Dionne was about to complete his master’s degree in counseling when ICTMN caught up with the Fort Peck small forward. A truly great player who played his way into a professional contract with the Sun Kings, a childhood dream, Dionne will be inspiring generations of Native youth by becoming a student counselor–another dream of his that he realized through hard work and dedication. Dionne told what it was like to win titles, shared about his personal accomplishments in education and offered what he thinks about the recent successes of Native basketball players.

Dionne: proud Native, master’s degree earner

“I think in any situation, there are going to be barriers [to success for American Indian youth]. It depends on the choices you make. I knew the choices that I had to make to get where I needed to be.

It was also nice having a great support system from my family growing up to include my Mom and Dad growing up, and now my wife, Nettie, and my kids. That is now my motivation, to do better for them each and every day.

A lot of students and a lot of kids growing up probably do not have that support system. They might choose the wrong friends and hang out with the wrong people. The big thing is the choices that we make growing up. Yes, there are all these different obstacles and barriers, but you can choose whether to do that or not.”

For more, read “ICTMN Talks With Hoops and Education Champion Richard Dionne“

SIX: Cofounder of the Native American Basketball Invitational basketball tournament GinaMarie Scarpa was nothing but positivity when she spoke with ICTMN, and the bearer of good news about the upcoming 2013 NABI tournament. While she isn’t a player the way the other of our seven stars are, Scarpa is a major player in helping Native youth succeed through basketball. And in our eyes, that makes her a champion we needed to speak with. Scarpa discussed the state of the NABI, its exciting growth, and her thoughts about the accomplishments of Native American basketball players this year.

Scarpa, with NIGA’s Ernie Stevens Jr

“NABI’s ultimate goal is for the advancement of Native American athletes. Through our tournaments, programs and college fund, NABI is a tool to showcase and create opportunities for our talented youth. Sports are a tool in which we create these opportunities. We want to encourage our Native youth to know they can accomplish anything if they put their minds to it and tap into the power of believing in themselves. We will be there to assist them in their journey.”

For more, read “Talking Native Basketball With NABI Cofounder GinaMarie Scarpa“

SEVEN AND EIGHT: Finally, we caught up with the Sisters themselves, Jude and Shoni Schimmel. These young women thrilled Indian country and are inspiring girls to aspire to follow in their footsteps–on the court and off. The Schimmels sat down with ICTMN to discuss their devotion to basketball, the hype that has engulfed them and what they will do next.

“Shoni: It’s an honor for both Jude and I to be an inspiration to so many people. To represent Native American people just by playing basketball and for us to do something we both love and get so much out of is a privilege.

Jude: It’s fun to do something we love and at the same time affect people positively. It is a privilege and a blessing.”

Haida-Tsimshian Boy is One of Top Bowlers in Washington State

Richard Walker, Indian Country Today Media Network

My bowling partner’s ball hugged the edge of the lane before curving into the pocket. He started game one with a spare, and followed with a strike and a spare in the next two frames.

My performance? Not so good.

Keep your eye on your mark, my partner reminded me. When I finally got a strike, he gave me a high five and was as happy as if he had gotten it.

My partner, Cosmo Castellano, is the winner of the Pepsi State Bowling Championship. He bowled a 202 high game and a 505 series to win the title in his age group May 19 at Pacific Lanes in Tacoma, Washington.

Some bowlers say he could be the next Earl Anthony, the Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Famer who hailed from Tacoma. Here’s the kicker: Cosmo is 7 years old.

Cosmo, Hawaiian/Filipino/Haida/Tsimshian, is the son of Zachary and Rosita Castellano of Tacoma and a member of the Argel family of Metlakatla, Alaska. Cosmo’s grand-uncle is the late Julian Argel, who served in the Office of Minority Affairs at the University of Washington, directed education and social programs for Native communities in Washington and Alaska, and helped develop curricula for Native education.

Cosmo Castellano autographed the score sheet at Tower Lanes in Tacoma April 28. (Molly Neely-Walker)

Cosmo is a leading youth bowler in Washington state. This year, he won the state Division 3 Classic Masters title; during practice, he bowled a 220, his highest non-league score. Of state Little Juniors League bowlers, he led the list of top 50 bowlers for 26 of 28 weeks of the 2012-13 season, and led in high scratch games (189), high scratch series (471), and high average (33 pins higher than the nearest competitor).

Rosita said her bowling phenom first rolled a ball down a lane at age 2. She and her husband were bowling and they heard a ball in the lane next to them. It was Cosmo.

The boy started bowling regularly at age 3. His dad, a competitive amateur bowler, started his son with a 6-pound ball his first year, and Cosmo was bowling with a 12-pounder by age 5-and-a-half. Cosmo now bowls three days a week, including six to eight hours on weekends, and competes in tournaments throughout western Washington. Cosmo has topped his dad 201-173 and 188-187.

To handle his 12-pound ball—only four pounds lighter than his dad’s—Cosmo uses a two-handed style similar to his favorite pro bowler, Jason Belmonte, 2009 PBA Rookie of the Year.

Rosita, a reading specialist at Gates High School in Tacoma, said the science of bowling engages her son’s curious mind. He likes the challenge of a spare, figuring out ball speed and amount of spin needed to pick it up. Cosmo likes the challenge of getting a knocking down a split, and once picked up a 6-7-10—easier to pick up because of the 6 pin, but a killer shot nonetheless.

Cosmo enjoys watching other bowlers on the lanes and on TV. His role models: Belmonte; Chris Barnes, the third bowler in PBA history to win Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year honors in a career; and Osku Palermaa of Finland, who’s bowled more than 50 perfect games.

“He’s made goals for himself,” said Rosita. “As a parent, you can’t ask for anything more for your child than for him to set goals and to self-assess [his progress].” One goal he’s set: A clean game, in which every frame has a strike or spare.

Cosmo has also learned valuable life lessons from the sport. “He had a rough spot in his early 5s,” Rosita said of Cosmo’s sportsmanship. “He’s learned to encourage other bowlers, to be collegial. He still enjoys the game even when he doesn’t bowl well.”

When he won the state championship, Cosmo’s parents asked him, “Do you know what you did? You’re the best bowler in the state,” Rosita said, “It didn’t faze him. It was nice to not see him gloat. He was more concerned about being with his friends.”

Cosmo is indeed a collegial player. When I left a hidden pin standing in a spare attempt, Cosmo said, “That was a sleeper,” and gave me five for a good try.

Cosmo applies the same discipline in school that he does on the lanes. He’s a first-grader at Brookdale Elementary School in Tacoma but participates in the third-grade reading program. He’s received several Bobcat Excellence awards (the bobcat is his school’s mascot) for attendance, courtesy and thoughtfulness. He studies Northwest Native culture through his school district’s Indian Education Program.

The money he and other youth bowlers win is placed by the league in a college tuition savings account, his mother said.

Cosmo and I closed out our third and final game with strikes in the 10^th frame, and Cosmo finished in the lead by 37 pins.

I asked, and he shyly gave me his autograph. It’s not the first he’s been asked for. It likely won’t be his last.

Shoni and Jude Schimmel “It’s Time to Dance”

Published in Indian Gaming Magazine

By Steve Cadue May 2013

For two hours in early April, the largest draw at the Wildhorse Resort and Casino in northeastern Oregon wasn’t at a poker table but on a ballroom’s big screen. The casino, operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, sponsored a viewing party to watch two of the tribes own compete in the NCAA Women’s Division I Basketball Championship.

Playing for the University of Louisville, sisters Shoni and Jude Schimmel have become heroes to Native Americans and that native pride is resonating throughout not only their 2,800-member tribe but throughout Indian Country. Louisville’s remarkable run ended with a 93-60 heartbreaking loss to the University of Connecticut, but the sisters’ feat and their continued play will serve as an inspiration for generations in Indian Country.

“We are extremely proud of Shoni and Jude Schimmel and deeply appreciative of the recognition they have brought to our people,” said LesMinthorn, the Tribe’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

The sisters’ love of the game is evident when their playing in a national championship game or in a pick up game at home which can include anyone from their four-year-old brother to their mother and father. “On any given day, I think we’re just ready to play ball,” said Shoni, a 5’9” junior guard. “That’s our competitive nature in us. We just want to go out there and win. We just want to have fun and compete.”

Basketball runs in the Schimmel family’s blood. The sisters’ father, Rick, played for one year at Stanford University and their mother, Ceci, a high school basketball coach played ball for Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, Oregon. The sisters began playing ball at around four years old in a co-ed basketball tournament for four-to-six year old players. Pushed in particular by their older brother, Shae, the sisters continued to improve their game and were later the subject of a documentary, “Off the Rez” that featured the Schimmel family leaving the reservation in pursuit of more opportunities for the family.

During her highly successful high school basketball career, Shoni opted to wait until after her senior year to choose a college. Unlike most highly sought after recruits, Shoni said she made the decision to wait because she wanted to enjoy being in high school. “I decided to go to the University of Louisville because – through the recruiting process – Coach (Jeff)Walz and staff stayed with me through the whole thing,” said Shoni describing the respect shown to her by Louisville. “They stayed with me and kept interest and didn’t give up on me.”

When Jude was ready to choose a college, she decided to follow her sister. “It’s really rare to get to play a Division I sport with your sister and I wanted to share the experience with her,” said Jude, a 5’6” sophomore guard.

In August 2011, the Louisville women’s basketball team visited the Umatilla Reservation on their way to Canada to play in a tournament. During the three-day visit, the team held a basketball clinic for youth and visited with tribal leaders. The team also visited the tribe’s Tamastslikt Cultural Institute for a tour of the museum and to learn tribal history and legends.

“Everyone wanted to see what the reservation was all about,” said Shoni noting that some teammates thought tribal members still lived in teepees. The trip was unifying for the team and for the sisters. “It was weird to have our immediate family and our basketball team family there,” Shoni said. “But it all came together. It was the best of both worlds.”

For both, the most remarkable moment in this year’s NCAA tournament run was the 82-81 defeat of the defending national champions Baylor Bears. Going in a 24-point underdog in a Sweet 16 match up, the charge was uphill for the fifth-seeded Louisville team. Late in the game, Shoni ran a fast break and defending the basket was 6’8” Britney Griner. Shoni drove the key, dribbled left and with her back to Griner and the hoop – she popped a shot off the glass for two. The shot exemplifies the next level game. Griner didn’t know what happened and she would have to review the film to see what would be the most exciting play of the tournament.

“We worked as a team and it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment,” Shoni said. “It was very special to all of us and it was amazing to feel like that.” Jude echoed her sister’s sentiments. “It was an incredible feeling and one of the biggest upsets in history,” Jude said.

The sisters’ credit their family for their success and for their strong connection to their tribe. As children, they dressed in traditional regalia handcrafted by their great grandmother and performed the Lord’s Prayer in sign language at local churches. The sisters’ younger family members continue to wear

the regalia as part of their family traditions. The sisters also credit much of their tribal knowledge to their grandmothers and father.

The pair used to dance when they were younger at tribal events such as the tribes’ Fourth of July powwow held at the Wildhorse Resort and Casino. However, the sisters’ college courses and basketball schedule may keep them from attending this year’s powwow.

Both do plan to one day possibly work for their tribe. First, each would like to be in the WNBA or play professionally overseas. However, Shoni, a communications major, and Jude, a sociology major, would like to eventually use their degrees to help Native people on the reservation.

“We both want to give back,” said Jude of returning to the reservation. Shoni also is considering the possibility of opening a restaurant that features traditional Native foods. “I want to make it known that we have our own foods too,” Shoni said. Holding on to their Native heritage is important for both. Jude said she is inspired to succeed by the Native Americans who helped pave the road for the sisters.

The Schimmel sisters will continue to do some paving of their own when the Louisville Cardinals return next year. And because of the Schimmel’s inspiring dedication, a watershed of Native American talented student athletes will begin to flow.

We thank the Creator.

Steve Cadue is Tribal Chairman of the Kickapoo Nation. He can be reached by email at steve.cadue@ktik-nsn.gov.

Sports Reaction Center’s Concussion Management Program Utilized by Eastlake Youth Football Association

The Bellevue, Wash.-based physical therapy clinic partners with the Eastlake Youth Football Association to manage common concussions in young athletes.

Source: JoTo

(Bellevue, Wash.) May 13, 2013—The dangers of sport concussions in youth have received substantial attention recently—sports equipment manufacturer Riddell was recently found liable for $3.1 million in an award to the family of a young man who was seriously injured after sustaining a concussion in a high school football practice. The athlete was injured despite wearing a helmet that Riddell marketed as able to “reduce risk of concussion by 31%” (1). Because young brains are still developing, it is vital to correctly manage youth concussions to ensure normal neurological performance. To jumpstart that process, Sports Reaction Center (http://www.srcpt.com/) (SRC), which has a unique Concussion Management Program (http://www.srcpt.com/concussion.html) designed to prevent further injury after a concussion, has teamed with the Eastlake Youth Football Association (EYFA) to help make football safer for the players.

EYFA is the first club in the Greater Eastside Junior Football Association to implement SRC’s program, and plans to institute mandatory concussion screening for all players. EYFA has long been concerned with understanding and taking steps to avoid concussions so the association turned to SRC for help in establishing a formal “return to play” protocol to which all coaches can adhere on a consistent basis. The change in State Law now requires suspected concussions to be removed from the field and only returned to play when cleared by a professional prompted the partnering.

SRC’s partnership with EYFA comes on the heels of the National Football League (NFL) brain injury trial—thousands of former players are suing the NFL over injuries sustained after being forced back on the field too soon after a concussion. Several former players who have committed suicide—most notably Junior Seau, a former San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots star—have been found posthumously to have had a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma (2).

SRC founder Neil Chasan explains that when athletes return to play too soon after their initial concussion, they risk a repeat concussion and experiencing potential serious consequences, such as:

● Cognitive difficulties (poor balance/coordination, memory problems)

● Brain swelling/damage; and even

● Death (in extreme cases).

SRC’s Concussion Management Program was created to negate the impacts of concussions and reduce the chance of re-injury. The program consists of a sequence of baseline tests that measure an athlete’s normal brain function, which is then compared to post-concussion testing in order to determine when they can safely return to action.

1. SRC uses ImPACT (www.impacttest.com) (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) and BESS (Balance Error Scoring Testing) to evaluate the multiple measures of cognitive function.

2. The clinic also performs the SCAT 3™ Tests

3. To assess players’ reaction time, SRC uses a technology called D2 by Dynavision (http://www.dynavisiond2.com/), which is an evaluation tool for head injuries, concussions and visual field deficits. The Dynavision D2 Visuomotor with a Tachistoscope is the only system that is widely used by athletes for reactive/cognitive training and testing.

SRC has instructed the coaches in the use of the King-Devick sideline assessment tool to objectively identify suspected concussion. Even slight concussions can cause lasting injury, and should be treated at the first indication of a problem and monitored thereafter. While certain symptoms of concussions may be immediate, others may be delayed in onset by hours or even days after injury. Belated signs of concussions include:

● Concentration/memory complaints;

● Irritability or other personality changes;

● Sensitivity to light and noise;

● Psychological adjustment problems and depression; and

● Affected sense of taste and smell.

Chasan asserts that once an athlete is diagnosed with a concussion, testing should determine whether it’s safe for them to return to play in their sport.

“Concussion management is an essential aspect of any sport and [at EYFA], we do everything in our power to eliminate the possibility of long-term damage,” said Garret Rogers, President of EYFA.

For more information on the services offered by Sports Reaction Center, visit www.srcpt.com.

About the Sports Reaction Center (SRC):

Based in Bellevue, Washington and attracting athletes of all levels from the Bellevue, Seattle, Kirkland and Redmond areas, as well as around the United States, the Sports Reaction Center (www.srcpt.com) (SRC) was founded by Neil Chasan in 1997. SRC performs sports physical therapy services that incorporate innovative technology such as Dynavision, OptoJump and the NASA-developed Alter-G. The clinic additionally offers concussion management and biomechanical assessment. SRC’s clients include multiple athletes who have qualified for the Olympic Trials in Track and Field, as well as marathoner Mike Sayenko, Olympic hurdler Virginia Powell, and NFL, NBA and MLB players. The clinic also works with area organizations such as Club Northwest, VO2 Multisports, and the Seattle Rugby Club. A graduate of the University of Washington’s physical therapy program in 1982, Chasan is a consultant to the U.S. Olympic Training Center, U.S. Rugby Sports Medicine, and Alter G. Neil is the author of the book Total Conditioning for Golfers, and the creator of the video “The Swing Reaction System”. Neil published “Pain Free Back”, an iPhone application. A clinical faculty member of the University of Washington’s physical therapy program since 1990, Chasan teaches and consults with physical therapists around the world.

1. Shankman, Sabrina. “NFL Helmet Manufacturer Warned On Concussion Risk.” PBS.org. PBS, 1 May 2013. Web. 03 May 2013. pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sports/concussion-watch/nfl-helmet-manufacturer-warned-on-concussion-risk/.

2. Pennington, Bill. “Business.” BostonGlobe.com. The Boston Globe, 06 May 2013. Web. 06 May 2013. bostonglobe.com/business/2013/05/05/concussion-clinics-proliferate-amid-sports-injuries-anxious-parents/izn2YbCikYSrQwwM9q0AMJ/story.html.

2013 Youth Basketball Tournament, NW Native High School Nationals

Hosted by the Tulalip Tribes, May 10-12, Registration begins May 10, 6-10pm

Native Gymnast From Flathead Rez Qualifies for National Championships

Source: Indian Country Today Media Network

Kiyana Price, Lakota/Wampanoag, of Dixon, Montana has qualified for the 2013 Junior Olympic National Gymnastic Championships in Minneapolis. The championships begin tomorrow, May 9, and run through May 12.

Price, 16, is one of the top-ranked gymnasts in the state of Montana. She was the all-around state champion at Level 10 for the state of Montana in March, then competed at regionals in Seattle in April, qualifying for the national championships in Minneapolis.

This is the first time in nearly 20 years that Missoula, Montana has sent a female gymnasts to nationals. Price has been competing in gymnastics since she was 7 years old at Mismo Gymnastics in Missoula. She has been Montana state AA champion for levels 5, 6, 8 and 10 (twice). A sophomore at Hellgate High School, Price is aiming for a college scholarship for her sport. Price lives with her grandparents, George and Barbara Price, on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana. After 9 years of hard work (she works out about 20-25 hours a week, year-round) this is her first time qualifying for nationals.

“Gymnastics has been my passion almost my entire life. It’s not a casual sport, it requires daily dedication and drive all year-round,” says Kiyana. “I’ve put so much into gymnastics for so long so that, for me, going to nationals is finally having something to show for what I’ve put into this sport. I see it as my chance to prove to myself and everyone else that I’m capable of being great and I deserve to be there.”

To learn more about Price, including the family’s efforts to fund-raise for their trip to Minneapolis, click here.

Tyler Fryberg takes the gold, qualifies for Special Olympics State Tournament

Killian Page, Isaiah Pablo, Tony Hatch, Tyler Fryberg, Drew Hatch, Donovan Hamilton

By Tony Hatch, Tulalip Tribes

May 5^th, 2013 was a rewarding day for many. Tulalip Tribal member, Tyler Fryberg swept all four of his events, qualifying him for the Special Olympics State Tournament. Marysville Pilchuck produced just about 100 student athletes to volunteer with this years’ Special Olympics, Regions/State Qualifier.

The boys volunteered to help every athlete, but had a special interest in fellow Tulalip athletes, Tyler Fryberg and Bruce Williams (not pictured). They were really happy to be there to help, but the amount of intensity that comes along with these athletes is amazing. They take their events serious and train very hard to compete and hopefully make it to the State Tourney, held at Fort Lewis. Tyler is not only a hero for people of Tulalip, but his fellow athletes, their parents and coaches make if clear that they enjoy watching him compete.

Tyler competed in four events Sunday, the Shot Put, 400-meter run, 100-meter, and the 400-meter relay. He swept all four events, bringing home four gold medals. Although, Tyler had his own cheering section of Tulalips, crowds would gather when it was his heat to race. Tyler pretty much dominated all of his events with the exception of the 400-meter sprint. This was very intense, as he was in second place for most of the race, but coming into the home stretch, Tyler turned on the afterburners and closed the gap on the leader, and with about 20 feet to the finish line, he passed the leader and won the race. This was a great finish to a great race and the crowd went crazy.

Bruce Williams also qualified for State, winning a gold medal in the 200-meter sprint, where he blew away his competition, by 40 feet or so. (Sorry Bruce, my phone went dead before I could get pictures of you, but we are very proud of you as well!)

We as fellow Tulalips are very proud of these guys and of course their fellow athletes for their heart and dedication. You are definitely an inspiration to the Tomahawk Athletes who were there, showing that with drive and determination, we can all be great. When 1 Tulalip succeeds, all Tulalips succeed.

Thanks you guys, for the great day, and good luck at State.

ICTMN Talks With Hall-of-Famer Ryneldi Becenti

By Vincent Schilling, Indian Country Today Media Network

As a young Navajo woman that began her path to basketball stardom playing on dirt courts on her reservation, Ryneldi Becenti worked hard to become a star point guard at Arizona State in the 1990s. Following her stellar career with ASU, Becenti played basketball professionally in Europe and in the WNBA. In 1996 she became the first woman inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame.

In addition to that accolade, Becenti was also inducted into three others: the Scottsdale Community College Hall of Fame, Arizona State University Hall of Fame and the Arizona High School Sports Hall of Fame. Today, she teaches and coaches the next generations of players in Ganado, Arizona.

After a successful 2013 season for women Native American basketball players, Becenti took a few moments to sit down with ICTMN [Indian Country Today Media Network] as part of our Conversations With Champions series to discuss her climb to the top, what it takes to succeed as a Native woman hooops player and what her thoughts are about the accomplishments of Native American basketball players today.

You played in the WNBA–the first Native player to do so–the dream for so many. How does it feel to have accomplished that?

It was one of the biggest accomplishments in my life. I have always dreamt of getting to the WNBA. I think that the ultimate accomplishment is that I got into the WNBA as an American Indian. That, and making my community and Native Americans proud was a big deal for me.

When I look back, I feel so blessed and grateful that I did play with such great players such and having Cheryl Miller as my coach. Sometimes I just don’t have words to explain it, but it is so memorable and I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity.

Ryneldi Becenti poses with her former coach Bike Medder after being inducted in 2011 into the Scottsdale Community College Hall of Fame. (Ryneldi Becenti/Navajo Times)

You surpassed many odds to become successful, how did you do that?

You cannot teach passion and you cannot teach heart toward the game of basketball. It comes from within you. At a young age I was instilled with a passion to love the game of basketball. I wanted it so much. I was inspired by my parents who played in Indian reservation tournaments. They had passion and heart and loved basketball.

Who taught you the most about basketball growing up?

I was given all of this talent and I was pushed by my dad, who definitely knew the game of basketball. My mom passed away when I was in eighth grade. She was a good player but never got to play college basketball. That was a motivation for me to live my life for her. She was a woman I could really relate to. I have four brothers so I had a tomboy attitude. It gave me more motivation and more desire – I had nothing to lose.

Overall, I am so grateful that I was surrounded by so many good players and so many good coaches and received such support from my family and my community. It was tough at times, but I’m glad I had a father who was mentally strong when I was at a young age. When people had sarcastic remarks, or said mean things it never bothered me.

There were things my dad taught me as a little kid that really stuck with me. I did not go to one single basketball camp, my dad just told me how to dribble and I would practice and practice. Many times when I was sleeping, he would say. ‘If you want to be good, you can’t be lying in bed.’

If he had comments, I would work to prove that I could do it. Sometimes he played reverse psychology with me, and said, “I don’t think you can do this.’ I would say, ‘I’m going to prove you wrong.’ But it was all in a positive way.

How does it feel that you have been inducted into four halls of fame?

It is a great achievement. I am happy that I have been inducted, but I recognize my coaches and teammates–it is because of them too. I never thought this would happen, and even right now it still hasn’t hit me until someone says it.

Becenti, in her hugely successful Scottsdale CC days. (American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame)

What did you think this year of Jude and Shoni Schimmel this year?

It was a great feeling to watch them on TV. They represented Native Americans and youth that want to be like them. I hope it gives them that much more motivation to excel. I hope these college coaches can now take this chance and opportunity to go to reservations and look for more talented young girls.

When I was growing up, we never had coaches go to the rez. There is a lot of talent out there, and I see all of these young girls on reservations, who are talented and good. But I also tell them they have to get out there. I say, ‘if you want to play college ball, you’re going to have to start calling these coaches and be confident about it.’ They need to tell them, ‘I can play for your program.’

What you think is in the future for Native American ballplayers?

I think there is a bright future now, I really do. I hope that the Schimmel’s will maybe get into the WNBA and that Goodrich is also successful. Every little thing that we can do that the youth will grasp onto is important. We are all proud knowing that they are excelling.

If you want to excel at this level, it really does take a lot of hard work. It really is like a job. You cannot say that you’re going to play high school ball and that’s it, you have to constantly play a lot.

Tribe supports Native American mascots

Douglas C. Pizac/USA TODAY SportsThe Saginaw Chippewa tribe has an agreement with Central Michigan to use the Chippewa name.

Feb 20, 2013 7:22 AM ET on ESPN.COM

By Paul Lukas

Last week I wrote about the recent symposium about Native American imagery in sports that took place at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington. Everyone quoted in the article was opposed to the use of such imagery, which led many readers to ask why I hadn’t given equal time to the other side.

The answer to that is simple: I was there to cover the symposium, and every single speaker at the event — about three times as many people as I ended up quoting in my column — was opposed to the use of Native American mascots, logos and team names. (The Washington Redskins were invited to have a representative at the event, but they declined.) But it’s true that there are some Native Americans who are fine with the use of Native imagery in sports. In central Michigan, for example, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe recently announced that it had no problem with a local high school whose teams are called the Warriors.

I was curious to learn more, so I contacted the Saginaw Chippewas and spoke with their public relations director, Frank Cloutier. Here’s how our conversation went:

Uni Watch: First, for people who aren’t familiar with the Saginaw Chippewas, please tell me a bit about your tribe.

Frank Cloutier: Our tribe was formed with the ratification of our constitution in 1936. We have 3,292 members, and we live in the territories called the Isabella Federal Indian Reserve in Mount Pleasant, Mich., just north of Lansing. We have the fifth- or sixth-largest Indian-owned casino in the Midwest, so we’re rather successful when it comes to our economic growth and development.

But it’s not just about gaming for us — it’s about our culture. We have a very rich, diverse culture, which is showcased in a world-class, award-winning cultural museum on our reservation. So the situation regarding mascots and team names piques our interest.

Many of the people taking part in this debate see it as a black-and-white issue. Either they’re completely opposed to all uses of Native American imagery, or they have no problem with any of it. What’s your position, or your tribe’s position, on that?

It’s very, very clear for us, because we’ve worked with so many institutions in our area. Our position is that if it’s not derogatory and it’s being used appropriately, with an opportunity to share or cross-share our culture, then it’s fine. There’s nothing derogatory about “Warriors” or “Braves.” There’s nothing derogatory about “Indian.” But terms like “Redskin” or “Half-Breed,” those are derogatory terms to us.

Courtesy of Saginaw Chippewa Tribe Saginaw Chippewas public relations director Frank Cloutier says some Native American mascots are not derogatory and can be educational.

So when the Michigan Department of Civil Rights recently filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, claiming that Native American mascots and nicknames are inherently harmful to Native children, you don’t agree with that?

In the study they used, they said these Native children who go to these schools with these mascots are “marginalized.” But if you look at generational trauma and the way Native peoples were treated 300 years ago, it wasn’t until 1924 that we were formally recognized as human beings, and we didn’t get the chance to vote until after women did. That’s what makes these kids feel marginalized — the way their culture and their people were treated. I don’t believe that a menacing-looking brave on the backboard of a basketball hoop is going to marginalize that child as much as that generational trauma.

That said, however, I believe that these schools using these images have an obligation to talk about the truth of Native American history. One of the largest genocides in world history happened right here on American soil, and it happened to Native Americans. So it’s important to talk about the true history about the settling of the United States, and to talk about those things that happened to Native Americans that are often not talked about.

If Native children are struggling, hopefully this kind of education and outreach and help identify why, instead of having us blame it on a mascot.

So when you say it’s fine to use non-derogatory imagery as long as it’s being used appropriately, you’re saying that part of that “appropriate use” is educational content about Native Americans?

Yes. For example, in 2003 we entered into an articulation agreement with Central Michigan University, because they were the Chippewas. As part of that agreement, the tribe and the university each has an obligation. Every year I go in and address every freshman athletic student about our culture and what it means to be a Chippewa, and about the proud, competitive nature of our people. We explain that it’s not about war paint and fake feathers. It’s about honoring the triumph of these resilient, competitive people.

They also have areas on campus that are dedicated to the presence of the Chippewa Nation. So it’s a good cross-cultural exchange. And when they go out there and compete, they’re Chippewas, they’re fighting like a Chippewa, fighting to win. We’ve made that university our school of choice for Native Americans, because our tribal community is close by, so we can help support those Native students.

What if a high school or university wasn’t interested in doing these types of cultural exchanges and educational efforts? What would your feelings be about their use of Native imagery?

It would be completely different. If they’re not willing to celebrate and show the culture, they shouldn’t have the privilege of depicting it.

What about states that have already banned all Native imagery from their high schools, like Wisconsin and Oregon?

I think that’s a missed opportunity for the type of cultural exchange and education that I just described.

How do you feel about the NCAA’s regulations restricting the use of Native American imagery but allowing it when permission is granted by a local tribe, as in the case of Florida State University and the Seminole Tribe?

I think that’s absolutely fine. That’s basically what we do with CMU.

Many teams say that their use of Native American imagery is meant to be an honor, especially when they use team names like “Warriors,” which is meant to symbolize American Indians’ fighting spirit. But there are others who say this plays into stereotypes of Indians as savages who aren’t good at anything except making war. How do you feel about that?

Once again, it goes back to the responsibility of the school. If they’re using a menacing-looking Indian and trying to intimidate the other team because they might get scalped, that’s inappropriate. But if they’re using an image that evokes spirit and competition, and they’ve celebrated the culture, then they’ve done their job and they’ve earned the right to proudly display that logo.

Everything we’ve discussed so far is about schools, which can offer the type of educational programs you’ve mentioned. But what about professional teams that use this imagery, like the Cleveland Indians and the Atlanta Braves. They’re not in the education business. What’s your feeling about them?

If they’re not going to educate and they feel no obligation [to do so], then they have no right to use this imagery. They shouldn’t have that privilege if they’re not going to celebrate where it comes from.

As I’m sure you’re aware, there’s an increasing movement to have the Washington Redskins football team change its name. Any thoughts on that?

I think that would be most appropriate.

One of the most contentious issues that comes up in these discussions is whether white people’s opinions — or any non-Natives’ opinions — should even matter. Should non-Natives have a voice in this debate? Should we simply have a vote among Native Americans and let them decide?

I have to chuckle when I hear that. We all live in this wonderful globe together. If there’s a negative impact on any one group, that impacts all of us as a whole. I think everyone, collectively, can have a voice in this. We have many brothers and sisters in various minority groups who know what it means to be marginalized, so of course we welcome their voices.

And that would also apply to white Americans?

Absolutely. If we’re going to have this debate and bring it to a positive conclusion, we’d be doing ourselves a disservice by limiting it.

Last question: Have you had discussions with people in your tribe, or from other tribes, who see this as more of a black-and-white issue?

That’s the wonderful thing about having our own free will and personal opinion. There are members of my tribe who are very steadfast and who say, “Enough’s enough — it’s time to put a stop to this.” And there are those who see, as I do, the opportunities for outreach and healthy dialogue. I celebrate that diversity of opinion, because I think it makes us more well-rounded.

NBA panel votes to keep Kings in Sacramento

Hector Amezcua / hamezcua@sacbee.comGloria Bailey cheers Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson during a news conference Monday in Sacramento. Johnson cautioned, “We do not want to dance in the end zone. We do not want to celebrate prematurely.” — Hector Amezcua / hamezcua@sacbee.com
Gloria Bailey cheers Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson during a news conference Monday in Sacramento. Johnson cautioned, “We do not want to dance in the end zone. We do not want to celebrate prematurely.”

The league’s Relocation Committee has unanimously recommended that the NBA Board of Governors deny the application of the Sacramento Kings to relocate to Seattle.

By Bob Condotta, The Seattle Times

The NBA lowered an emphatic boom Monday on Seattle’s hopes of bringing the Sonics back, as the league’s Relocation Committee unanimously recommended that the Sacramento Kings not be allowed to relocate.

The recommendation of the seven-person committee will be forwarded to the NBA Board of Governors for a vote in the week of May 13. It is expected the board will follow the recommendation of the committee and deny the request of the Kings to move to Seattle.

That puts a halt, for now, to Chris Hansen’s nearly three-year quest to bring the NBA back to town.

But Hansen, who leads a group that reached an agreement in January to buy the Kings from the team’s owners, the Maloof family, released a statement Monday night saying the battle is not over.

“We have a binding transaction to purchase the Kings for what would be a record price for an NBA franchise,” Hansen’s statement read, “have one of the best ownership groups ever assembled to purchase a professional sports team in the U.S., have clearly demonstrated that we have a much more solid Arena plan, have offered a much higher price than the yet to be finalized Sacramento Group, and have placed all of the funds to close the transaction into escrow. As such, we plan to unequivocally state our case for both relocation and our plan to move forward with the transaction to the league and owners at the upcoming Board of Governor’s Meeting in Mid-May.

“When we started this process everyone thought it was impossible. While this represents yet another obstacle to achieving our goal, I just wanted to reassure all of you that we have numerous options at our disposal and have absolutely no plans to give up. Impossible is nothing but a state of mind.’’

Hansen made an aggressive move for the team, offering $357 million for 65 percent of a total valuation of $550 million that was the most ever bid for an NBA franchise.

The sale, and a later request for relocation, needed approval of the NBA Board of Governors to become official, however, and that gave Sacramento time to mount a counteroffer that ultimately kept the Kings where they have played since 1985.

NBA Commissioner David Stern said in an interview on NBA-TV that the Seattle bid was “very strong” but that “there is some benefit that should be given to a city that has supported us for so long and has stepped up to contribute to a new building, as well.”

The new building in Sacramento came as a result of a dogged effort led by Mayor Kevin Johnson, a former three-time NBA All-Star who made it a priority to keep the team there.

“I still think Seattle is deserving of an NBA team,” Johnson said Monday. “Just not ours.”

Stern had also said his preference was to not relocate a team, and his support for Sacramento’s offer was likely a critical part of the team staying.

Stern was seen as helping Sacramento revamp its ownership group — now led by Vivek Ranadive, a co-owner of the Golden State Warriors — to get into position to make a bid that could keep the team.

Johnson numerous times had said a key selling point of Sacramento’s bid was that the local government had “stepped up” every time it had been asked to in recent years, specifically in helping fund arenas. Sacramento’s plan for a $447 million arena includes $258 million in public money.

“I know this doesn’t mollify the anger, but I think this decision was really about Sacramento and not Seattle,” said Michael McCann, a sports legal expert and an on-air analyst for NBA.com. “I think it was an affirmation of Sacramento, and the significance of that, I believe, is that Seattle is still well-positioned for an NBA team.”

While many regarded Monday’s news as pretty much ending the battle over the Kings, USA Today reported that the new Sacramento ownership group has been asked to put 50 percent of the purchase price into escrow by Friday. Also, the Maloof family still has a binding agreement to sell the team to Hansen’s group — which included a $30 million nonrefundable deposit by Hansen — and doesn’t have to sell the team to the Sacramento group.

A Maloof family spokesman said Monday the family has no comment.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, one of the Hansen group’s investors, was quoted by KJR-AM saying he was “horribly, horribly disappointed” at the news.

It’s unclear, though, what happens now with Hansen’s effort to bring back the NBA to Seattle. The city has been without a team since the Sonics left for Oklahoma City after the 2007-08 season.

Stern repeated in his NBA-TV interview his long-held stance that expansion is not an option.

“All I can say is that discussion will have to wait for commissioner (Adam) Silver (who is taking over when Stern retires Feb. 1) to oversee,” Stern said. “Right now, expansion is not on the agenda, but I would never say never. We will see what happens. It doesn’t make a lot of sense unless we know what the new TV deal is.”

The NBA’s national TV contracts expire after the 2015-16 season.

Hansen had targeted the Kings because they were seen as the team that might be the most vulnerable, with an aging and small arena, built in 1988, and an ownership group that had attempted previously to move the team.

McCann said “there’s no obvious other team” available. If there might be one, McCann pointed to the Milwaukee Bucks, whose arena also dates to 1988. However, the team has a lease through 2017, with reports that a new arena plan will be developed by then. And Milwaukee owner Herb Kohl, a former U.S. senator, is a Milwaukee native who is unlikely to sell the team to someone who would move it.

NBA.com, meanwhile, reported that legal action against the league “is a near impossibility, given that the NBA requires prospective owners to sign agreements that prohibit them from taking legal action if their bids are denied.” It further reported that “a source with knowledge of Hansen’s group’s plans said Sunday that the group had never thought about taking any legal action if it lost.”

While there was much celebrating in Sacramento — Johnson scheduled a 5 p.m. rally downtown — there was consternation among Seattle officials who had worked hard to push through the arena deal. Under the terms of the deal with the city of Seattle and King County, Hansen has until Dec. 3, 2017, to secure a team.

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn said, “I was disappointed. I was hopeful that today would go well.”

In a brief statement, he said he is proud of Sonics fans and their work to get Seattle a team.

“We’re going to stay focused on our job: making sure Seattle remains in a position to get a team when the opportunity presents itself,” he wrote.

The mayor has perhaps the most at stake politically if an arena deal stalls. Making a deal with the Hansen investment team is one of the most high-profile accomplishments of his first term.

McGinn and King County Executive Dow Constantine each attended a presentation made by the Seattle group to the NBA Board of Governors in New York on April 3 to state the case for the city.

Constantine said in a statement that he will continue to work to return the NBA.

“I’m disappointed, but undeterred in our quest to bring NBA basketball back to the Pacific Northwest,’’ he said. “Today’s decision doesn’t mean this effort is over. From what I saw at the presentation in New York, Chris Hansen and his team have made the superior offer and the best pure business case for the NBA to return to Seattle.’’

In a twist that surely only deepened the wound for Seattle basketball fans, the chairman of the committee who voted Monday was Clay Bennett, who bought the Sonics in 2006 and two years later moved them to Oklahoma City. The others who voted Monday were Peter Holt (Spurs), Herb Simon (Pacers), Glen Taylor (Timberwolves), Greg Miller (Jazz), Ted Leonsis (Wizards) and Micky Arison (Heat).

The Board of Governors vote had initially been expected to come April 19 in New York. But Stern said then the league needed more time to evaluate the situation. Many speculated that also helped buy Sacramento more time to get its proposal solidified.

“If the vote was two weeks ago, I bet it was not unanimous,” McCann said. “I think the league likes to rally around one vote, and I don’t think the league was ready for that two weeks ago.”

Hansen’s quest to bring the NBA back began roughly three years ago when he began quietly buying up land in the Sodo District. Hansen first let the city of Seattle know about his plans in June 2011, and the first public notice came in December 2011.

Hansen, who grew up in Rainier Valley, has said a seminal moment of his life came in 1979, when he was 11 years old and the Sonics won their only NBA championship. It still is the only championship for a Seattle team in one of the three major pro sports.

Hansen, now a hedge-fund manager who works out of San Francisco, wasn’t in a financial position to make a bid for the Sonics when they were bought in 2006 by Bennett.

Hansen not only put together an ownership group that included Ballmer, but also helped power through an arena deal approved by King County and the city of Seattle. The $490 million project for an arena in Sodo would have included $290 million in private money. Hansen also agreed to make improvements to KeyArena for the team’s stay there.