The Allen American (Allen, Tex.), Vol. 16, No. 98, Ed. 1 Monday, July 1, 1985 Page: 6 of 70
seventy pages : ill. ; page 24 x 15 in. Scanned from physical pages.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Grads assist Striding Eagles track program
}
Wa
Lw
i ■
2
I
3
a
a
j
: rg- ’
22
to
a pa rd softball
ugu.
Co-Rec
principal approval.
See COMMENTARY, P. 8
/
vl,-eV
CSC
baseball
7 1
5 3
3 5
1 7
WL
90
8 1
6 3
5 4
5 4
2 7
1 8
09
at an overnight campout.
But there was no time for ex-
haustion. A quick interview and
off to the track, again, to see
their Striding Eagles compete
in the TAC prelims at Dallas’
Sprague Field.
After that, Popson was head-
ed home for bed. Atwell was to
catch a plane for the Caribbean
where a well-deserved vacation
awaited her.
It is a summer they will long
remember.
About this time a year ago,
Pospon, a high jumper, was of-
fered a track scholarship to at-
tend North Texas State. He
7-"
.d
■ i
Team
Strong Homes
Swangers
Walking R Western Wear
North Texas Medical Center
B&C Builders
Skyjackers
FUMC
Fairview Baptist
Page 6-ALLEN AMERICAN - Monday, July 1, 1985
sports
sports commentary
by gary hancock
This here thing I am writing now is your basic column. For
starters, note the use of first person.
The Purcell/House Bill 72 story I wrote was in article format.
But it was not an objective article by any means. The quota-
tions I selected to use were one-sided to say the least. I merely
wanted my readers to see exactly what Purcell, who also serves
as athletic director for the Allen Independent School District,
thinks about no-pass, no-play guidelines.
His thoughts do not necessarily jive with mine, not complete-
ly anyway.
So at this point in time, I feel it apropos to offer the rest of the
story as an obnoxious Paul Harvey is so fond of saying.
One thing that Purcell and I definitely agree on is the no-pass,
no-play rule will serve to better an athletes’ grades.
And in that context, I think it is long overdue. Here in Texas,
the harsh rule comes as a sharp break from the past. Texas,
however, is not alone in having such guidelines. Other states
have had adhered to no-pass, no-play guidelines for years.
I have no problem with the gist of Texas’ self-made rule, I on-
ly think it needs revision; and from what I gather from the
various media, I think that opinion is shared by the majority.
One major problem with the Texas rule is the length of
suspension. Purcell feels the same. I think two weeks suspen-
sion from extracurricular activity is sufficient. The rule current-
ly states that a student who fails a course is not eligible for ex-
tracurricular participation the following six-week grading
period.
The other problem I have with the rule as it currently stands
comes as a corollary to the above. If a student is apt to miss six
weeks of extracurricular participation, he or she is likely to be
deterred from taking some of the more challenging courses such
as chemistry, physics and the host of foreign languages offered.
Only a handful of advance placement courses are now exempt
form the rule; and even then, the exemption has to meet with
.-0.
he A
-
-
Women’s League
C&A Jewelers
Allen Stationers
Snap-on Tools
DLM
Some time ago I wrote an article, not column — Lord knows
I’ve tried to explain the difference to a number of people — that
dealt with House Bill 72 as it relates to sports.
Of course, the focus was on the ever controversial no-pass, no-
play rule. My main source was Allen High School football coach
Ken Purcell.
I knew when I wrote the thing, I would have to punctuate it
with an editor’s note simply because I chose not to quote
anyone other than Purcell himself.
In other words, the article I wrote wasn’t actually an article
per se, but a perspective of sorts. But let’s not get bogged down
with technicalities. If I can communicate the difference between
a column and an article — albeit perspective oriented — I will be
happy.
K—
The other side...
as
7 “010
• W
19%
."7
meK 7
* 0 A
a '
d
ad
the kids... one teach me, my (younger) See STRIDING EAGLES, P. "
“The only time I ever get brother (David). Not all kids are 8
4
w ......
4*' L
Co-Rec
Wednesday, June 26
B&C Builders 10, Skyjackers 8
Strong Homes 18, North Texas
Medical Center 1
Swangers 25, Fairview Baptist 2
Walking R Western Wear 10, FUMC 9
Women’s Open
Thursday, June 27
Allen Stationers 7, Snap-on Tools 0
(forfeit)
C&A Jewelers 13, DLM 6
. -a
z 1
4
F A
“4
A-u
h • :
Ph 6-3
T OANNA HAMILTON mixes her pit- tion women’s softball play Thursday at
J ches up in Allen Parks and Recrea- Jupiter Field.
SB
, (1/0
L‘s
gs
n
Fillie League
Country Place Nursery 16
Allen Building Company 11
Michelle Muse and Daniella
King banged three hits apiece
to lead Country Place Nursery
past the building company.
Pitcher Susie Carnes and first
baseman Sara Mervicker team-
ed for eight assisted put-outs to
headline the defense.
Allen Building Company 16
Country Place Nursery 14
Sara Mervicker disciplined
the Nursery with an
authoritative cycle that includ-
ed a grand slam and resulted in
seven RBIs and Country
Place’s first loss of the year.
Country Place was blanked,
4-0, in the final inning of play
after having managed a 14-12
lead.
Joining Mervicker in the four-
hit department were teammates
See ASA BASEBALL, P. 8
Last Pospon graduated last year, “That is what makes it wor- refused the scholarship in hopes disappointed is when a kid as lucky. That’s another reason
of a series Ms. Atwell this year. thwile. That, and the achieve- of attending either Baylor or doesn’t try his hardest, so I why I’m involved with the
By Gary Hancock But to watch them work with ment, having the relay team Stephen F. Austin. have to go out and do my best Striding Eagles. I think the
Sports Editor the kids, you would think they come up to you smiling about Soon thereafter he was in- even though it’s only summer kids should be taught proper-
Coaching the Striding Eagles graduated years ago. knocking two seconds off their volved in a major car accident track. And besides, I wouldn’t ly.”
track program is not a one-man They approach the track with time.” that left him with a fractured mind picking up a scholarship Atwell also competed in high
job. a serious frame of mind, but Friday afternoon Popson and pelvis and seemingly without this next year.” school track, starting as a
Striding Eagles Coach Terry with one primary goal in mind Atwell came into the Allen hope of ever returning to com- This, Popson’s first year to freshman and ending her career
Atwell will be the first to tell — to have fun and to have that American office dragging their petitive track. help coach the Striding Eagles, as a junior unable to compete in
you that and the first to tell you attitude rub off on the par- feet. Both also serve as He beat the odds. A freshman is his fourth year to compete the District 5-4A Meet because
he would be insane by now if ticipants, who range in age counselors with the Allen Parks walk-on at Stephen F. Austin, with the team. of weak ankles.
not for coaching assistance from preschoolers to teenagers, and Recreation day camp pro- Popson began competing on the The past has had him set the “When I was little, I was a
from his daughter Sherri Atwell “When they get their ribbons, gram. Thursday night was Lumberjacks track squad dur- Collin County high school high clux,” Atwell said.
and Jim Popson. they always come up to tou and spent supervising their campers ing the spring. jump record at 6-6, win the “I sprained my ankles all the
Both are recent graduates of say, ‘Look at what I did,’ ” at an overnight campout. He finished third in the Gulf TAAF state championship at time and was forced to wear
Allen High School. Atwell said. But there was no time for ex- Star Conference Meet with a 6-4 and finish seventh in the braces when I ran...
clearance of 6-7 and cleared the TAC Nationals with a clearance “I’m involved with the
bar at 6-9 in a Stephen F. dual of 6-3. Striding Eagles because I
meet. His highlight in three years of remember how much fun I had
He bettered his 6-9 mark, competition at Allen High running. And I really think the
however, a week ago Saturday, School was setting the AHS kids need something to do.
competing in another dual record at 6-7. As an AHS They are young, and this
meet, this one hosted by the thinclad, he also made it to (summer track) gives them a
Striding F nrles of Allen. . regionals twice (finishing fourth way to spend their time; and at
After clearing 6-10%2 a week in regionals his senior year with the same time, a chance to ac-
ago Saturday, Popson said, “It a 6-4) and to the Texas Relays complish something wor-
was my first time in a year once where he placed sixth with thwile.”
(since the accident) to compete a 6-6. Atwell doesn’t compete with
in Allen; I wanted to do well. “When I first started, I was the team now, but did three
And I love to set an example for fortunate enough to have some years before the ankles gave
"gS
.3898888882888888888882888888898888888888888888
•g 5 588288 ■ 896
* -. „ #214128 W
07
K
E.
BhL - -- A -
" /
I I
if ,v
r
R T LEFT, Sherri
•h Atwell watches in-
tently as her youngsters
circle the track. At right,
Jim Popson shows the
form that carried him to
an Al len High School
high jump record.
"a
ToA
A og —
hil
JL...... ' f
■ He.
,,
/
-K
\e
0 uagaggeg ' usa
"4 —* '
En- - /"-.
S
■
Edd ’
-+ ■
u
L . .
5 ■
— g—3*
5
hh,
- -
. , gF
m , 9 Ag— ge v. J
--—IAP.e
• "0‛ - ■ —
7 a . A,E09
s - .-22
i M
| \
l >
B t). p -
eM,c ..-2
b '
—..... -g.2,
= .c, ’
„heu -
* eh
•- - si
: ---- .5-
403863
33-
' V
e.mdg
•J
; , • &<
- A
T ) i
)
i
",
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Farabaugh, Gloria. The Allen American (Allen, Tex.), Vol. 16, No. 98, Ed. 1 Monday, July 1, 1985, newspaper, July 1, 1985; Allen, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1449473/m1/6/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Allen Public Library.