I know its training camp time for the Rams. I know all of you are going to miss my boys La Russa and Duncan when they are gone from the St. Louis Cardinals.
But the boys of the New Midtown were working real hard over the summer with their new head coach in Rick Majerus. Now, some in the ‘hood have already labeled him ‘Slick Rick” Majerus, but that’s already taken by Rick James. I’m sure the boys in the barbershops will come up with something creative.
I will be a hero if what I’m hearing in the ghetto is true. Most barbershop chatter in the “618” area code is that Saint Louis University finally has landed a big-time coach with the name recognition that will give SLU basketball instant exposure across the country.
Father Biondi, Civic Progress and the Sports Commission have made a New Midtown. I remember when blacks owned homes and property up and down Laclede, Grand and Lindell Boulevard. Building a new arena, new buildings, and parking garages and adding signs that say “Saint Louis University” doesn’t mean much to some who once called that land home…
All the promises about billboards of Vashon High School and St. Louis Public School scholar-athlete Dwayne Polk in the hood of the 314 – all the promises about all-state and prep school star Tommie Liddell with visions of billboards on I-64 East in the 618, overlooking both his old high school and playgrounds where he grew up still waiting for a #25 dunk on one. Tickets, tickets, get your Billiken tickets!
Hopefully SLU basketball will continue what Lorenzo Romar and former head coach Brad “Lost in Space” Soderberg started when they appeared in the black community from time to time.
Coach Romar would welcome all invitations to speak to youth in the 618. Coach Soderburg would come sit in the ghetto from time to time, attending different games and functions, speaking to kids.
The ghetto hasn’t heard a peep out of Slick Rick Majerus. He has been invited by a number of people to attend or speak at a few appearances in the ‘hood. He didn’t respond on at least two occasions that I personally know of.
Hey, I know Coach has been really busy. Matter of fact, I’m sure he has plenty of stuff to pack for his move to the 314/618 area codes. Don’t blame Coach; someone should have mentioned it to him that the local black community has a couple of athletes on the team.
The few blacks we have in the media have to feed their families, so they aren’t going to say anything. Some don’t know the history regarding the black community and Saint Louis University. It was only 10 years ago when meetings took place regularly with black media members regarding different issues and the university; only those who were in the room know what was discussed.
Former Missouri head coach Norm Stewart was very curious to me when we used to go toe-to-toe regarding his lack of recruiting the in black community, and especially his limited ability to graduate black basketball student-athletes.
But the thing I always respected about Norm was he would tell us in so many words “the hell with them in St. Louis.” The Black sports media led by brother Richard “Onion” Horton, Charlie “Tuna” Edwards, Demetrious Johnson, would have some drag-out fights, both on and off air. And if it’s like that, we don’t pretend.
I just hope Majerus spends a little time in the ghetto and reaches out to the fans who enjoy SLU basketball from Dwayne Polk and Tommy Liddell’s neighborhoods also. Blacks buy tickets, too!