Legendary Coach Hank Smith Is Fired Mid-Season With No Explanation To Players or Alumni

After 2010 Championship Loss and My Last College Basketball Game Ever

Before Coach Smith's arrival EC Basketball was 21-131 but won over 200 games during his tenure. The wins don't even match the success of the people that have emerged from the Men's Basketball program because of its leader Hank Smith. At any other institution, a coach and man like Hank Smith would be celebrated by the administration instead of deciding to go a different way after 16 years of success, hard work and commitment. It has taken me over a week to gather my thoughts and emotions to be able to comment on this situation. Today I attended the EC v. JWU game and the atmosphere of Emerson Sports pride and enjoyment is no longer in the basement of the Piano Row building and sadly it may be gone forever. Many students, staff, parents and even opposing coaches who have never had the pleasure of playing for coach also commented on the emptiness in the building. Those who are a part of the program already know the immense affect that Coach Smith has had and will continue to have on our lives. I will say that Coach Smith is the most influential man in my life after my father but I have chosen to keep my comments about how much I love Coach Smith exclusive to the personal documentary I am releasing in June 2011. I rather take this time to comment on the constant mistreatment of all athletes in Emerson Athletics since the current administration has been in office. Is there no consideration for the current players to get an explanation as to why there coach has been fired mid-season? I had my former teammates call me hysterical because their everyday role model and mentor taken from them with no explanation. I know EC isn't a "sports school" but during my time at EC I felt more like an outsider who was renting time to play basketball and use the facilities than someone who was celebrated for proudly representing my team, athletics and college. As an athlete who turned down Division 1 and 2 opportunities to attend EC I was very offended that I did not receive the proper treatment that every athlete representing a college should receive. Communication from the athletic administration was minimal (and still is as an alumni) as well as the support, basic necessities like socks being cleaned or trainers/team assistants being present on road trips were suddenly non-existent. As a student who paid to go to the college, why was it that I had to pay extra money for the only 3 pairs of socks that were allowed to be washed and not be able to keep them at the end of the season? I'm not sure if I will ever get answers as to why during one of the most successful runs in Emerson athletics history, my teammates and I were suddenly not  treated fairly. Similar to not being able to get answers then, we have no answers from the administration as to why someone who was an inspiration and leader for so many and credit him for their success is suddenly gone. It doesn't matter if we never receive answers for any of our questions it will never affect the success and pride that has come from the Emerson Men's Basketball program and the legendary Hank Smith. B Phi B!

Hip Hop History: Lil Wayne Announces “I Am Music 2" Tour With Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross and Travis Barker! (January 23rd-29th)

Wayne has officially decided to hit the road, taking on a part 2 of his highly successful “I Am Music” tour that went down from late 08 into 2009. This one should be so crazy! A great rap/rock infusion! The tour starts March 18, 2011 in Buffalo, NY and ends May 1, 2011 in East Rutherford, NJ. Fresh off a bid Weezy is ready to get back on stage and has the #1 female in the game, the hottest Hip Hop artist from 2010 and a Rock legend hitting the stage at one concert! 

Hip Hop History: Wiz Khalifa Performs “Black & Yellow” at AFC Championship (January 23rd-29th)

Although I don’t consider Wiz a true Hip Hop artist, he is part of the evolution of what Hip Hop has grown into. When I say Wiz is not a true Hip Hop artist, I don’t mean it in a negative way I just don’t think that he and many other rappers of this new generation fit the traditional model of Hip Hop artists. Many rappers today are also singers, some pull it off and some don’t but I think Wiz has definitely been able to make it work for him. The Rap game is so crazy these days as artists with no albums out are doing better than most seasoned veteran. For example, Jay Electronica (Mountain Dew Commercial), J.Cole (Europe Tour) and now Wiz Khalifa (AFC Championship). Although, Wiz isn’t your traditional fire spitter but he definitely has bars and makes great music. Most notably, his biggest mixtape “Kush and Orange Juice” and his biggest single “Black and Yellow” have blown up on the internet! But that leads me to the question could Wiz and other rap artists of this new internet crazed generation survive without the internet? Either way Wiz is a very strategic artists as he created the song “Black and Yellow” to represent his hometown of Pittsburgh which is most notably recognized by the color of the NFL Pittsburgh Steelers. Its good to see new artist gain so much success almost instantly off of mixtape campaigns but are there negatives to gaining so much success so quickly? Even though the Steelers reached out to Wiz and he is signed to a major label I think the performance would have been better promoted to the fans if there was an album out already. Watch the video, big up to Wiz for making some history! #MYOL

Hip Hop: Everybody Late-Diggy Simmons ft DOE (January 23rd-29th)

Produced by Jahlil Beats

"Jetsetter General eating these niggas, cannibal/

eat em' like they got ham on them/literally go H.A.M. on em'"

"See me coming, everybody wait/I'll be on it early, everybody late"

"I'm the real deal, you a makeshift...holiday/you only get busy on occasion/I'ma problem, you not in the equation/a lil nigga hungry, got muchies but I ain't blazin/from stages to stages, 20 thou for an hour thats a basic"

NBA: Spurs 1st Team To 40 wins, 18 Straight Home Wins (January 23rd-29th)

Team is EVERYTHING and they say age is just a number! If you ask the San Antonio Spurs they’ll tell you that health is really the issue. For the first time in over 4 years San Antonio’s Big 3 is healthy and the results are showing. Manu Ginobili scored 22 points and the Spurs hit 40 victories by winning their 18th in a row at home, beating the Houston Rockets 108-95 on Saturday night. With the number one spot in the NBA, the West and championship experience, San Antonio is looking like a major threat to the two-time defending champion Lakers. Although the regular season is a big factor in home court advantage throughout the playoffs but the Spurs are one injury away from not being a contender. I also think that the after the All-Star break Coach Popovich is going to have to really preserve playing time for Tim Duncan in order for him to be ready to really produce as he is the only low post threat for the Spurs. The 2011 NBA Playoffs will be amazing, who do you have winning it all?

NBA: Kobe Bryant Passes Hakeem Olajuwon, No. 8 on All-Time Scoring List! (January 23rd-29th)

NBA: Kevin Durant Matches Season Highest Scoring Total With 47pts (January 23rd-29th)

KEVIN IS NICE! Durant and Love! Just so you know Kevin Durant ios opnly suppose to be a rookie this year and has already become the youngest scoring champion ever. Oh and Kevin Love is suppose to be a senior in college and is in the conversation for his first ever All-Star nomination. The young talent in the NBA is literally unbelievable, I think the league has truly benefited from demanding that players spend one year in college and these great players are the result. KD matched rookie Blake Griffin for this years game high amongst all players in the league with 47 points and also matched Griffin’s 18 rebounds. The other Kevin racked up 31 points and 21 rebounds in the loss! Love’s other teammate who should also be a senior in college this year, Michael Beasley, had 30 pts, 9 rebs and 7 asts! Even though Love and Beasley put up great numbers Durant and the Thunder came out with win.

NBA: 2011 NBA All-Star East & West Starting 5 (January 23rd-29th)

              

                      

                     2011 NBA ALL-STARS 

WEST                                                       EAST

Chris Paul                                                 Derrick Rose

Kobe Bryant                                             Dwayne Wade

Kevin Durant
                   VS.                  Lebron James

Carmelo Anthony                                  Amare Stoudemire

Yao Ming                                                  Dwight Howard

Let the game begin! February is officially here and the most exciting all-star game of all professional sports is coming! This year’s starting teams are stacked with a guaranteed 6 Hall of Fame players (I’ll let you figure out who those players are yourself).  Although I feel like the East has the better starting 5 as a team as everyone is in their natural position, the all-star game is about buckets! Lets not even front, nobody really plays defense in the All-Star game and with CP3 at #pointgod and Kobe, KD and Carmelo assigned to get buckets its going to be tough for the East to win this year. I can’t necessarily pick a winner though because both of these teams are stacked and I don’t know who will replace Yao Ming because obviously he can’t play. In the past, majority of the NBA All-Star games have been blowouts and just about highlights but this year I feel like there is a lot of pride involved and top players like Kobe, Lebron, KD and D.Wade want to show who is the MVP and best player in the league this year. With Kobe coming off of 2 straight championships potentially en route to his 3^rd and being teamed up with KD (youngest scoring champ ever) v. Lebron and his new teammate D.Wade, this amount of talent reminds me of the Magic lead West v. Jordan lead East! I think this is going to be one of the best NBA All-Star games of all-time! All-time! (Kanye Voice)

#MYOL News: Jay-Z Surprises Students In Australia (January 16th-22nd)

This video is literally unbelievable! A disadvantaged boys school with a multicultural crowd (90% from non-english speaking background) and Australian school teacher are in a frenzy when Jay-Z walks into the building as a surprise. About a year and half ago XXL Magazine had Jay on the cover with the copy “Is Jay-Z bigger than Hip Hop?” In a way he is, he has become the poster boy for making something from nothing. When you can cause a reaction worldwide like the one from the people in the video are having. This is definitely #MYOL News and nomination for the #MYOL Blogumentary Hall of Fame! Real talk!

#MYOL News: Lebron Launching Web Based Cartoon (January 16th-22nd)

Many people hate Lebron James for “The Decision” he made. As I’ve stated in previous blogs I did not like the way the he went about making his decision but I am extremely proud of Lebron for making the decision he wanted to make. He did no let anyone else influence what would be the most important decision is his career. What many people fail to realize is that Lebron James is more than just the best basketball player in the game today but he is also the owner of his own marketing company and brand. I think this is a double edge sword because on one hand Lebron has taken being a young black professional athlete and redefined the monotonous “commodity” stereotype. But my question has that hurt Lebron’s basketball career? If he spent more time in the gym working on his jumper would he have a ring by now? Who knows but for an NBA player to be the best player in the league and be starting his own cartoon, that’s definitely #MYOL news!

Hip Hop History: Happy Birthday Jam Master Jay, RIP (January 16th-22nd)

  

January 21, 1965 - October 30, 2002

Funk Flex, DJ Drama, DJ Kay Slay, etc. These are some of the most popular names of DJs these days but all of these DJs looked up to and honor Jam Master Jay and if you’re a DJ and you don’t or don’t even know who he is you should be ashamed! JMJ was the DJ for the most powerful Hip Hip group ever, Run-DMC. Many people don’t know that JMJ was the first person to really discover and help develop the talent and now major entrepreneur we know as 50 Cent. JMJ’s accomplishments are to long to list and unfortunately he was gunned on October 30, 2002! RIP JMJ and Happy Birthday!

Hip Hop: I'm On One-Talib Kweli (January 16th-22nd)

Buy Talib Kweli's New Album "Gutter Rainbows" (Link)

"Battle me you confuse illusion with reality/Back up off me you had your glory/Man I never seen a sadder story/Blame yourself you mad at me you mad at Cory/I left the maze you still the white mice in the laboratory/Don't test the brain son I'm quite nice at Scattergories/Metaphors and allegories speaking at your colleges"

"Aint no patience for the wack MC/this ain't Worldstar homie this ain't VladTV/stop posing for the cameras/I'm showing all you amateurs life is b**** this how you handle her"

"I got the recipe for Rest In Peace...Rebellion is my specialty/

while these mad cows convince you to invest in beef"

Hip Hop: Fly Like The WInd - Lloyd Banks ft Jim Jones (January 16th-22nd)

"
Purchase Lloyd Banks "Hunger For More" 2 Here!

Lloyd Banks

"What's flying in the wind has to come by the tools/I got to win damn if I lose/All my ex got cold hearts I'm probably that cool"

"We are spending cash over here you swipe it/Your beef... I ain't a big typer"

Jim Jones

"This is vampire life, we the daybreakers/if you wanna bet your luck you spend a day in Vegas/but if you wanna fuck with us you might make the papers/trying to watch the roof crumble like a piece of paper and they better watch they like they Anita Baker"

REKS-25th Hour

Purchase Reks "25th Hour" Single Here...

"I'ma write this here verse like Guru's in the passenger/standing on the East Coast staring out to Africa"

"We in the 25th hour/its now or never, we got to get it before its gone forever/remember in the end time waits for no man what's your plan?"

"Regardless of others offers/I architect dialect/I'ma bet, y'all are just waking up/say goodnight, slap a rapper/take his mic, greater hype/spit a rhyme, save a life/in a mind pay a price/ABC a light" WOAH!

Hip Hop: Greatest Story Never Told - Saigon (January 16th-22nd)

NBA: Kevin Durant Hits Buzzer Beater To Beat Knicks (January 16th-22nd)

NBA: Kobe Bryant 81pt Game 5th Anniversary (January 16th-22nd)

It was 5 years ago that Kobe Bryant scored the second most points by any player in NBA history. 5 years and 2 straight championships and working on his potential 2^nd 3-peat in a row, Kobe Bryant is the only scoring guard that can be mentioned in the same sentence as Michael Jordan. Many people don’t like Kobe because of his cockiness and arrogance but when you can drop 81 on a team, I think that gives you the right to be whatever you want on the floor! Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 in a game but there is no video or audio documentation of that game. This is why you have to love these days and times because you can actually watch this legendary performance.

NBA: Vince Carter Scores 20,000th Career Point (January 16th-22nd)

I can’t say I’m a big fan of Vince Carter as a player but as a dunker I think he is the best overall dunker of all time. That means in-game, dunk competition and streetball! You might have seen the in-game and dunk competition dunks but if you have never seen what Vince can do playing streetball then check the video below! I was in the building for that game at the Gauchos Gym in the Bronx and it was the craziest dunk I’ve EVER seen in person. The best thing that Vince could do besides dunk is score, I really expected more from Vince as a fan with all that athletic ability. Not everyone has that killer instinct and championship caliber though. But I did want to show love to the greatest dunker of all-time as he he scored his 20,000^th career point this week! Check out the video below the Rucker Dunk to see what Vince was about in his younger days, it’s VINSANE!

NBA: Blake Griffin Scores 2010-11 NBA Season High 47pts (January 16th-22nd)

If you happened to read my blog posts for week one (Jan 1^st-8^th) you would already know that Blake Griffin is my unanimous choice for Slam Dunk Champion this year. If you STILL don’t know who Blake Griffin than you HAVE TOP go back to that post and watch the video below, TRUST ME! The ironic thing is that Blake is only really known for being a high-flying, super strong dunker at this point but people need to realize this boy can play! As a rookie Blake has dropped 47 points in a game, the highest total points by any individual player this year. Oh yeah, not to mention his 14 rebounds to go along with that which gave him his 22^nd consecutive double-double and a total of 33 on the year! This year is only half way over, it his rookie season and he’s looking like the best power ford in the game. Any objections? Lets see how the rest of the season pans out but regardless this Rookie is a problem!

NBA #Pointgod Watch: Derrick Rose (January 16th-22nd)

D.Rose was the only Point Guard in the NBA that made the #MYOL #pointgod watch last week. This week he repeats that with this first career triple-double dropping 22pts, 12asts, 10 rebs! Many people have D.Rose at the top of their MVP list to this point as he has lead the Chicago Bulls to 3^rd in the East and 5^th overall in the league with both Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer missing majority of this season with injuries. The Chicago Bulls haven’t had someone this electrifying since the greatest player of all-time, Michael Jordan. Last week’s numbers of 28pts, 10rebs were dominant so I don’t even know what to call these, but it definitely deserves this week’s #Pointgod Watch!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (2011)

There are no words that could describe the feeling I got when I first saw this picture. Its almost as if President Obama and Dr. King were actually at the same table, but one thing is for sure they shared the same vision. Last year I spoke in a video blog about Martin Luther King Jr. and how he has affected my life. One year later I feel the same way, I think that a one day celebration is not enough for a man who is the most influential figure in American society's history. He is the reason that young black men can even aspire to become entertainers and professional athletes so my question is why aren't more young black men trying to be like Dr. King? Then it hit me, he is who I want to be like. Both he and President Obama are major figures in the African-American community because they are strong, influential African-American men but their fight for civil rights and justice is for people of all races. I am a young African-American, Dominican and Irish man and very proud of all of the races I come from. Although I want to have a major influence in the African-American community, I want to help and motivate men and women of all races all over the world. I've heard the phrase "if you want something done, do it your self". That is exactly what I'm going to do, so instead of asking "why aren't more young black men trying to become like Dr. King?", I will become more like MLK and dedicate my life to improving the lives of children and fighting hate all over the world. Because I have a dream to but I'm not going to tell you about mine, I'm going to show it to you! Happy Birthday Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rest In POWER! 

-Jeremy Shannon

#MYOL News: Cam Newton Declares For NFL Draft (January 9th-15th)

Fresh off winning the 2011 Heisman Trophy and BCS National Championship, superstar Cam Newton declares for the NFL. Similar to Tim Tebow, many critics are saying that Cam is not ready to play quarterback in the NFL. During the season he was faced with allegations that his father actually sold his son’s talents to the University of Auburn. Cam stayed strong through all the accusations and led his to tem to a championship. Now its time for him to take his talents to the next level, so lets see what Cam Newton does in the NFL. But for him to win the Heisman and BCS Championship through all the controversy Cam Newtown earns a spotlight in this week’s #MYOL News!

#MYOL News: 50 Cent Talks Technology & New Investments (January 9th-15th)

Its no secret 50 cent is a genius! After getting shot and becoming the highest selling debut Hip Hop artist 50 has taken his money and become one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the last decade. After signing a deal with Reebok (G-Unit Sneakers), Formula 50 Vitamin Water, The 50th Law and much more Curtis Jackson has enterted more ventures! 50 continues to reinvent himself as an entrepreneur, he is definitely a major influence in my pursuit to be an entertainment entrepreneur. Check out the video  and find out why 50’s got the spotlight in this week’s #MYOL News!

Hip Hop History: Bun B Begins Teaching Class At Rice University (January 9th-15th)

 In 2010, I got the pleasure of interviewing the 5 mic MC Bun B aka Professor Trill (Check out the video below). In my short time speaking to him it becomes evident that he is a very articulate person almost immediately. These days that isn’t something that is expected due to the rappers that are constantly thrown in our face that have set bad examples like Waka Flaka Flame and many more. On January 11, 2011 Professor Trill taught his first class at Rice University in the “Hip Hop and Religion” course ! Truly Hip Hop History and a major accomplishment for Professor Trill aka Bernard Freeman both as an MC and more importantly a man. As a Hip Hop artist becoming a teacher at a prestigous university like Rice, Bun B definitely deserves a spotlight in the #MYOL Hip Hop History spotlight!

H.A.M. - Jay-Z & Kanye West (January 9th-15th)

On Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 (1-11-11) Jay-Z and Kanye dropped their first single off their upcoming album “Watch The Throne”. Honestly, I had some speculation before I even heard the track simply because of the title. Didn’t Roscoe Dash come out with a song called “Goin’ Ham” and now Jay and Kanye come out with “H.A.M.”? So my first thought was, damn is this what the game has come to that legends have to steal phrases from a Hip Pop artist? Maybe they don’t care but either I knew I’d like this version way better than the Roscoe Dash version. Kanye does his thing on the track but Jay definitely gets him on it, which is a change from the last couple of tracks they’ve done together recently. Although, the track is hot it seems rushed as Jay and Kanye only drop a verse each and they definitely aren’t what I expected off the first single from the Hov vs. Yeezy album setup. Sadly, with all that said it is definitely hotter than majority of the Hip Hop music that has come out this week.