by Malik Vincent

People gathered on May 21 to recognize the contributions of both current and former Ozanam alumni, coaches, volunteers, and sponsors at its benefit dinner at Damon’s Grill and Sports Bar, Downtown.

Vince Sims of WPXI-TV served as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies and conducted the silent auction. Some of the items sold included a ‘legends’ basketball signed by several greats, or what they refer to as “legendary alumni” that have participated in the program over the years. Another was a wood-burned art rendering by OZ’s executive director Curtis Cureton. There was also a raffle that included an autographed football signed by Robin Cole, Mike Meriwether, Mel Blount, and Craig Bingham—to name a few, as well as other sports-related items.

OZANAM STAFF AND ALUMNI—Front row, from left: OZ Executive Assistant Darelle Porter, Alumna Dr. Mary Myers, Girls’ Program Director Karen Hall, and Executive Director Curtis Cureton. Back row, from left: Alumnus Chuck Crummie, Dwight “Ice Man” Clay, Jennifer Bruce-Scott, Chuck Franklin, Kirk Bruce, and acclaimed actor Lamman Rucker, who served as the event’s keynote speaker.

“Until Ozanam gets the proper funding, it’s going to be a struggle,” program alumni Dwight Clay said. “Now, you can see that they’re on the right track to developing that type of leadership and following but they still need the funding.”

by Malik Vincent

The New Pittsburgh Courier has added something new this year to it’s 2011 All-City Awards Luncheon. The June 4 event will now include and honor all of the winners of the City League Track and Field championships that were held on May 14.

Schenley swept the boys and girls overall titles this year led by Elizabeth Rose, Kaleah Rose, and DeAndre Black who combined to win eight events for the Spartans.

CLEARING THE BAR—Will Graham of Allderdice cleared the High Jump bar at 6’ 5” to win the event. Graham also won the Triple Jump.

The annual Luncheon will take place at the Greater Pittsburgh Coliseum, located at 7310 Frankstown Ave. in the Homewood section of the city. More than 100 boys and girls athletes will be honored for football and basketball, in addition to the new Track and Field category.

During the past year we have heard all of the verbiage concerning the lockout or should I say legal and economic arm wrestling between the NFL and its players. The lockout or strike, depending on what side of the fence that you sit on, is now in its eleventh week.

Regardless of what “we” think or feel, this interruption of America’s version of “Gladiators Daily” is not about the love or playing the sport of pro football. The responsibility belongs to more than the players, owners and NFL in regards to disrupting America’s football “fix.”

:09 Derek Jeter said he had no problem with what Jorge Posada did. Now management wants him to change his tone because “they” had a problem with it. First of all, Jeter's the captain so he can speak freely, secondly he can't throw his boy under the bus and lastly, hey Yankees, you got bigger problems than that.

BILL NEAL