Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 14 December 2001 — Page 18

Banks shares the athletic spotlight with sister Janice who also plays basketball for Ben Davis. James Banks: The winning team starts at home Ben Davis athlete named Mr. Football

Tamika Catchings excited about her basketball camp :

By SHANNON WILLIAMS Staff Writer Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings jump starts the first "Catch the Fever Basketball Camp” to be Dec. 26-29 at Riverside Community Center. Catchings, No. 3 overall pick in the first round of the WNBA draft, exhibited tremendous skill during her tenure at the University of Tennessee. She was a member of the NCAA National Championship team in 1998 and was a member of the All-NCAA Final Four team in 1998 and 2000. Catchings was also named to the Kodak All-America First Team in 1998,1999 and 2000, as well as being named the Player of the Year by the Associated Press and the United States Basketball Writers in 2000. She became the second Lady Vol to scoreover2,000points and pull down 1,000 rebounds, joining Naismith Player of the Century Chamique Holdsclaw in that elite club. Athletics were definitely in the Catchings family. Her father Harvey, played 11 seasons in the NBA, her mom ran track, and sis-

ter Tauja, had a successful basketball career at the University of Illinois. This 6-foot, 1-inch basketball star, who as a child dreamed of playing for the NBA anxiously anticipates the start of the camp for boys and girls aged 9-14. “This is my first camp so I’m really looking forward to it,” said Catchings. “As a child, 1 went to a lot of basketball camps so I told myself that if I ever got the opportunity to give back to other kids, 1 would.” Since the camp runs afterChristmas, Catchings feels it is convenient for both kids and parents. “1 remember when I was growing up, after Christmas there was nothing to do. It would be snowing outside and your parents complained about you tracking snow in the house, so I felt it would be a perfect time to allow kids to have somewhere to go. “It’s also a better opportunity for parents to be there because most of the time when you have games during the week, parents have to work, so they’re rushing to get there,” said Catchings. During the camp, kids will be

able to compete in various contests, do drills as well as participate in a group talk. On the last day of the camp there will be a holiday feast and an awards banquet. Catchings wants all participant’s to “just have fun and learn more.” while at the camp. “One thing I can' honestly say about my parents is that they never forced me to play basketball and so it has always been fun to me. The main focus is to have fun.” Although this is the first year for the camp, Catchings plans on having one every year around the same time. 1 Catchings advises kids to “Dream big. You have to work hard if you’re going to dream big.My parents always taught me that what happens in your life depends on what you put into it. If your dream is to play in the NBA or WNBA, you have to work at it and believe that you can play.” Registration is still taking place for the camp. Walk-ins are welcome, although registration is not guaranteed. The cost for this fourday event is $50. For more camp information, call (317)-328-0174 or e-mail [email protected].

By JAMES BUNTIN Staff Writer The Mr. Football trophy and No. 1 jersey symbolizing the selection was presented to James Banks this week. The momentous occasion took place in the small theater at Ben Davis High School amid a bevy of press and media representatives. “1 give all the credit to my teammates and Coach “D” (Dick Dullaghan) who molded me into the athlete I am today,” vaid Banks. Not only has Banks dazzled critics, he's also amazed himself this season. Under Banks, the Ben Davis Giants went 42-2 and won two Class 5 A state championships. "I couldn't believe it. until I saw it on tape,” said Banks. James doesn’t want to dwell on past accomplishments though. He has bigger goals ahead of him — college. He plans to take an official visit to colleges in Tennessee this week, following visits to Michigan and Virginia Tech. Clemson, •Purdue and Notre Dame are also on the list of considerations for this young athlete who wants to play in a quarterback position and is also considering pulling double duty, pondering DivL

;

sion I basketball. “It’ll all be based on the season I have this year. If I feel I can play basketball and play it well at that level, theq I’ll do it, but it’s kindq hard to be a top quarterback and play basketball, if you wanna really be successful,” he said. The 6-foot, 3-inch 191-pound quarterback-defensive back passed for a school record of 5,074 yards and rushed for a 2,335. James attributed the majority of his success on the field to three teammates—Jeff Jones, Joe Spinks and Quinn Wilburn. Playing pro ball here as an Indianapolis Colt may not be out of his reach. Banks comes from an athletic family. His father, James Banks Sr., played collegiate football at Indiana State and professionally with the Dallas Cowboys in 1983 and Cleveland Browns in 1984. His mother Gwen, a Broad Ripple High graduate met Banks Sr. while at Indiana State with track, volleyball and softball under her belt. James’ sister, Janice, even plays basketball at Ben Davis. Although he is a talented football player, he is realistic about the pro game and has other career aspirations.

“He has a talent working with youth and likes to deal with youth. I feel he could be very successful in that field,” said Banks Sr. “One of . the things that no one has covered in the media about James is his determination. James had the stick-to-itness to make sure that he was qualified academically.” Like many students. Banks did not achieve the required qualifying scores on either the Scholastic Assessment Test or American College Test, key college entrance examinations, the first time out, but through his own perseverance — mixed wuh a strong desire to break the stigma of the dumb jock, Banks shifted his priorities and made the decision that books and education come first, his father said. “Nobody wants to be labeled, when he did get his qualifying scores he just said, ‘thank God!’ and it is that constant motivation that sees him through,” said Banks Sr. A major influence on the stellar athlete’s personal development is his involvement in the Wayne Success Teams, a mentoring program. “James is a very determined young man. Everyone always says, the bigger the stage, the better he plays,” said Banks Sr.

Colts to help United Way drive

WiL'

Special to The Recorder Indianapolis Colts fans can support the team while at the same time help United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI) reduce its giving gap, announced Colts owner Jim Irsay and UWCI campaign chair Larry O’Connor, president. Bank Ojne Indiana NA. Irsay and O’Connor said a promotion called “First and Ten for United Way” aims to raise more than $60,000 for local human service needs as the annual campaign seeks to close the giving gap toward the $38.3 million goal. UWCI is now at 80 percent of its goal, and needs to raise $7.6 million between now and Jan. 16 when volunteers will announce results. For the Colts, selling out the game with the New York Jets on Sun., Dec. 23, will help them reach a different kind of goal: sellouts for three seasons in a row. A sell-out

eliminates the game being blacked out locally on television. Irsay kicked off ttye promotion on Monday night to a national television audience when the Colts played in Miami. For each ticket sold to the Jets game the Colts will donate $10 to United Way’s annual campaign. Using the “10s” theme, Colts executives Bill Brooks, Tom Zupancic, Ray Compton and UWCI marketing director Warren Smith will each walk a 10-mile course for 10 days that began Wednesday. Celebrity walkers will be invited to join them along with United Way volunteers, civic and business leaders and media personalities. Mobile units will distribute Colts promotional items along the routes. “We’re thrilled to have the energy and creative spark of the entire Colts organization with us as we wrap up what’s been a particu-

larly challenging year,” said O’Connor. “First and Ten for United Way will add to everyone’s awareness about the importance of caring, helping and giving at home, and give a much-needed boost to the campaign that we didn’t ex--

pect.”

Each day of the 10-day event; the walking route will be published on United Way’s Web site, www.uwci.org and the Colts’ site, www.colts.com. The courses will include visits to United Way member agencies, performances by local musicians and more. A special “First and Ten United Way” ticket package is available for $400. It includes 10 tickets and 10 Touchdown Monkeys. Purchasers of two or more packages are entitled to visit the Colts practice’, with a guest, on Fri., Dec. 21. To order tickets, call 299-DOME.

PeyBack Classic II gives each IPS high school football program $14,000

James Banks and proud lather James Banks Sr. speak with Chalinet 13 News about James' future college plans and winning the Mr. Football title. (photoa/J. Buntin)

Special to The Recorder Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning presented the stu-dent-athletes, athletic directors, principals and head football coaches of the five Indianapolis Public Schools high schools $70,000 in proceeds from the 2001 PeyBack Classic. The presentation was made this week in front of hundreds of IPS students at Arsenal Technical High School. PeyBack Classic II, presented by American Family Insurance, .EDS, Marsh Supermarkets and St. Vincent and supported by Manning’s PeyBack Foundation, gave the five IPS high schools and Scecina Memorial High School the opportunity to play regular season football games in the RCA Dome. An estimated 10,000 fans attended the games on Sept. 22. Indiana Sports Corp. and Indiana Black Expo assisted the PeyBack Foundation with the organization of the event. The $70,000, which represents 100 percent of the proceeds, were split equally among IPS high schools to help offset costs associated with their respective football programs. Arlington, Arsenal Technical, Broad Ripple, Emmerich Manual and Northwest received $ 14,000 each on behalf of

the PeyBack Foundation, sponsors and contributors of the PeyBack Classic, Indiana Sports Corp. and Indiana Black Expo. “As successful as the first PeyBack Classic was, this one was even better,” said Manning. “One of the neatest things this year was to see the players using equipment and uniforms purchased with proceeds from last year’s event. I realize how important the funding is to help these schools. “I recall how important it was to play football in the Louisiana Superdome in high school. It’s a thrill for me to have a chance to help provide the same for the IPS student-athletes,” he said. “The PeyBack Classic was once again a tremendous experience for all of us associated with IPS, and especially for the student-athletes,” said IPS Superintendent Pat Pritchett. “We wish to thank Peyton Manning and the PeyBack Foundation, as well as American Family Insurance, EDS, Marsh and St. Vincent, the other contributing sponsors, and all who came together to make this dream come true for our student-athletes.” Proceeds from the event were attributed to corporate sponsorship. Not long after the announcement of the first PeyBack Classic, EDS, Marsh and St. Vincent joined the

PeyBack Foundation to become the first presenting sponsors of the PeyBack Classic. American Family Insurance joined as a fourth presenting sponsor for the 2001 event. Gatorade, adidas, Logo Athletic, Rawlings and Sport Graphics were official suppliers. Twenty other organizations became associate sponsors of the event. The 2000 event raised $10,000 for each of the IPS high schools through sponsorship and fund-rais-ers. The schools invested the proceeds for a variety of needs, including new athletic uniforms and equipment, and some facility upgrades. The PeyBack Foundation, Indiana Sports Corp. and Indiana Black Expo are planning PeyBack Classic III for September 2002. The dates, times and match-ups have not been determined. In addition to the awarding of the PeyBack Classic II proceeds. Northwest senior Danny Jird Rigdon was the recipient of the first PeyBack Classic Football Scholarship. Rigdon, an academic all-state performer for the Pioneer's in 2001, earned a $2,500 scholarship towards the university of his choice from Huntington Bank. Huntington Bank regional presi-’ dent Dennis Bassett presented the honor.