Marc Wilson(Defensive Coordinator for the Avila eagles)
Wilson
returns to the Avila football coaching staff for his third season.
Wilson, a former All-Academic SEC
football player at the University of Kentucky, will coordinate the defense and
coach the linebackers on Coach Berna’s staff. He red-shirted his freshman year
as a walk on player; the following year he finally suited up and got on the
field against Louisiana State University. 2 weeks after he played Georgia, he
got subbed in and made a play, then eventually he won the starting job on
special teams. His final year he received a scholarship and was named Special Teams
captain for his senior season.
Before
Avila, Wilson served as the head football coach at Missouri Military Academy
for three seasons. He also served as the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma
Panhandle State University (NCAA DII), and three seasons as the defensive
coordinator with the River City Rage (St. Louis) from the Arena League. He also
has served as a coach for the US National Football team and as a Master Trainer
for USA Football.
Wilson has a
degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Kentucky, where he
lettered his final two seasons after walking on for his first two seasons. He
received his Masters in Sports Psychology from the University of the Rockies.
Wilson has coached four NCAA DII
All-Americans, and also has multiple former players playing professionally,
mostly in Europe and in the Arena League. He said that he is most proud that a
number of his former players are now currently coaching.
Coach Wilson (Coaching the Avila Eagles)
Outside of being a coach he has 3 step kids and a wife, 2
dogs. They spend a lot of time outdoor, fish, hike and gardening. Wilson’s
original plan wasn’t to become a coach; he wanted to go to medical school.
After getting involved in football, he realized he had the knack for Xs and 0s
of football. His running back coached took him under his wing and molded him
into a player with a high football IQ.
One of Wilsons’ most memorable moments was when he had a game that he
couldn’t participate in because of the flu. The coach had him in the press box
to help recognize coverage’s and make adjustments. After that, coach Wilson
knew what he really wanted to do
Heart of America's logo on Avila's basketball court.
There has been speculations of Avila University Athletics who participants in the Heart of America Athletic Conference known as the HAAC switching to the Kansas Collegeiate Athletic Conference known as the KCAC which is considered Division 2 opposed to the HAAC thats Division 1.
Over the past years Avila Athletics haven't been having a lot of success in sports; which is one of the main reasons this controversial topic has been brought up. The HAAC is one of the toughest conferences in the NAIA league. Getting different perspectives on the switch, coaches believe there are many benefits of Avila switching conferences. Competitively Avila is on par with schools in KCAC more than the Heart as far as recruitment, size of school, the education with the different majors Avila offers.
Rashaad Watson dunking a basketball.
The students at Avila have a different view on switching from the conference. The students are more focused on the level of competition decreasing, stating "To be the best, you have beat the best".
For instance, Avila's football team have scrimmaged St. Mary's University who participates in the KCAC and they're considered one of the top tier teams in the conference. But, the results from the scrimmages have shown that Avila beating St. Mary by large deficits the past 5 years. Now, if you look at Avila have not been successful and never had a winning season. With that being said, since Avila's football team had success against a top team in the KCAC most likely their success rate will increase making them a powerhouse.
Rick Penya reacting to the excitement of the All Star Game
The All-Star game is a celebration
for the fans to see a combination of scoring from the best players in the NBA,
through a series of electrifying dunks, alley oops, and deep threes. The fans
love to see the offensive perspective of basketball. But, let’s not forget it’s
still a basketball game; meaning there is defense in basketball. This years’ all-star
game played in New Orleans was considered boring or others may say unrealistic
because defense was nonexistent. With a combined score of 374 which broke the
record that was set last year at 369, shows the all-star is just a showcase for
players to show there off offensive game.
Nick Cannon talking about the fun he's having at the All-Star Game
I understand it’s a glorified
exhibition game. The game means nothing, the fans want to be entertained, but
there’s got to be at some point some type of competition between the best players
in the world. This all-star game was looked at as a joke. It was comical the broadcasters
highlighted that the stars showed, obviously, the great dunks and passes. Usually,
come fourth quarter in a close game, which this was, the guys usually say,
‘Okay, let’s go for it now. Let’s get after it. That didn’t happen, and that’s
disappointing, and it’s been like that for the last three years.
Without defense being played in the
all-star game it’s hard for old players to give players like Anthony Davis
credit for breaking the record for most points scored in an all-star game;
believing that he didn’t really earn it. Opposed to Wilt Chamberlin who’s
record Davis broke may look at it as an easy way out because tough defense was
played throughout the game when he played. Not only do the players take the
game light, the coaches do as well. Steve Kerr, the coach for the 2017 West
All-Stars said “all-star coaches may as well be dead bodies.” Meaning they just
sit there and control the players game minutes and smile for the cameras. I
understand the NBA all-star game is for the fans and gives a chance for players
to have fun and get a break from the stress and difficulties of the season but
at some point, the game must be taken serious, because at the end of the day
the all-star game is a privilege to be in.
Brenda David(left), Reginald David(right) Showing love for his mother
National Women’s History Month is an annual designation observed in March, when us as a people celebrate the importance of women and reflect on the impact they had on us. Not to mention the obvious, but without women carrying us for nine months, there wouldn’t be a human race. The role of the women nowadays is very important because somehow all the society needs to know is the role of the women through the different cultures in the world and as Leanne Evale has mentioned that: “Throughout the last 100-300 years the changes that women have seen and been affected by have been phenomenal. Women have gained a lot of ground in politics, the work force, and even more power within their own households.”
Brenda David(left), Malisa McLaughlin(right) Mother & Daughter
There was a time in history when women were unable to voice their opinion in politics being unable to cast a vote or run for office, and now in modern time there are more than one woman running in the presidential campaign. Now women and men can both be the bread winners, the stereotypical role place on women is slowly dissolving and both spouse parents are sharing the responsibilities that come with the house and family. Today, women make 83 percent of all consumer purchases everything from breakfast cereal to big-ticket items like cars and personal computers for themselves and for their families. They are also responsible for 80 percent of all health care-related decisions for their households.
Brenda David (A mother)
From personal experience growing up with my mom and watching her work two jobs to raise two kids and a grandchild showed me the true strength of woman. Learning that the ideal thought of a father providing for the family and the mother taking care of the house duties was nonexistent; because I witnessed my mother each and every day do all of those without complaining once. Still to this day women are still breaking down barriers and proving that they aren’t inferior to men. In the month of March is the time they get appreciated on a national level which is something they rightly deserve.
Yesterday was a very
significant moment in NFL history. Super Bowl 51 featuring the New England
Patriots vs the Atlanta falcons. Future hall of famers Coach Bill Bellicheck
and Quarterback Tom Brady of the New England patriots were looking to win their
5th super bowl ring together; trying to solidify being named the
greatest coach and quarterback tandem of all time. But, that wasn’t going to be
an easy task because they were going up against the #1 ranked offense in the
league led by pro-bowl quarterback Matt Ryan and pro bowl receiver Julio Jones.
This game was anticipated to be one of the most excited games to watch. The
falcons have never won a super bowl championship, so the city of Atlanta
thought this was their chance. Well………….The Patriots had other plans.
Rick Penya's mother,father, and younger brother supporting the Patriots before the game
The first quarter of play the
score remained 0-0, both defenses came out hot. Throughout the 1st half the patriots I thought the patriots were going to lose
because Their
first four drives included three punts, two Tom Brady sacks, and one fumble.
Then, late in the second quarter, with the Patriots driving, Brady threw an
interception that was returned 82 yards for a touchdown and an enormous 21-0
lead. Heading into the half the final score was 21-3.
Tom Brady holding the Super Bowl trophy after defeating the Atlanta Falcons
I was watching the game
with my friends and only one of friends of them were going for the patriots the
other 12 of us were going for the Falcons. The look on his face was priceless.
The patriots needed to come out the half with energy to get back in the game
and have a chance to win this game. But with about eight minutes to go, the
Patriots got a sack-fumble, a touchdown, and a two-point conversion, and all of
the sudden it was a one-score game, 28-20. Then, after a phenomenal catch from
Julian Edelman, the Patriots got a touchdown and a two-point conversion with
just under a minute to play to tie the game, 28-28. And for the first time in
the history of the Super Bowl, the game went to overtime. Then the Patriots won
the toss and marched down to the field to score and win the game. This was considered
the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history and in my eyes the greatest Super
bowl I have ever witnessed. I guess my friend had the last laugh after all.
In 2010 Michelle Obama implemented the Healthy
Hunger-Free Kids Act. Which took some criticism throughout the years; but now
there is a new administration in office, known as the Trump administration. The
document named First 100 Days: Rules,
Regulations, and Executive Orders to Examine, Revoke and Issue, calls for the
Trump administration to reverse nearly 200 rules and regulations, including the
requirements of the 2010 law. Which required schools to
include either a fruit or vegetables for lunch, funded by the federal
government. Mark Meadows, the office of rep stated, “The regulations have proven to be burdensome
and unworkable for schools to implement, and schools are throwing away food
because the kids aren’t eating it.”
Oranges,Apples,Bananas in the cafe
However, a report
published in August 2015 by researchers at the University of Vermont found
even though students added more fruits and vegetables to their plates,
“children consumed fewer fruits and vegetables and wasted more during the Labels
school year immediately following implementation of the USDA rule.” Which
goes to show that students don’t like the taste of healthy foods. For instance, when I was in high school it was the 1st year that Healthy
Hunger-Free Kids act was established. In the beginning, I disliked the food but
in the long run it benefited me because it was a way I received my daily
vitamins throughout the day.
There was a study done on the nutritional value on approximately
two million meals selected by 7200 strudents in the Washington state school
district. Comparing to the statistics found in 16 months before the standards
were instilled to the statistics after 15 months after the standards were in
place; showed an increase in six nutrients. Those nutrients were calcium,
vitamin C, vitamin A, protein, fiber, iron. Despite, some of the disapproval from
many people about Michelle’s food plan it brought some positives to our nation.
Eating healthy is very important in today’s society, simply because one of
America’s problems is childhood obesity.
Researchers expect major changes
concerning school lunches, the SNAP food stamps program, and even criteria controlled
by the FDA to be lowered under the Trump administration. Trump’s exact words
stating he called for“a massive reduction in the country’s regulatory standards
for foods,” according to Food and Wine, and even proposed he would remove “the
FDA food police,” which he complained about for “inspection overkill.”
An interveiw on Joshua Dyson speaking
about Republicans taking out Michelle Obama's food plan
In 2010 Michelle Obama implemented the Healthy
Hunger-Free Kids Act. Which took some criticism throughout the years; but now
there is a new administration in office, known as the Trump administration. The
document named First 100 Days: Rules,
Regulations, and Executive Orders to Examine, Revoke and Issue, calls for the
Trump administration to reverse nearly 200 rules and regulations, including the
requirements of the 2010 law. Which required schools to
include either a fruit or vegetables for lunch, funded by the federal
government. Mark Meadows, the office of rep stated, “The regulations have proven to be burdensome
and unworkable for schools to implement, and schools are throwing away food
because the kids aren’t eating it.”
However, a report
published in August 2015 by researchers at the University of Vermont found
even though students added more fruits and vegetables to their plates,
“children consumed fewer fruits and vegetables and wasted more during the Labels
