Author: Timothy Cox

Notably, the University of Maryland’s men and women lacrosse teams both won NCAA championships in 2017.

On that note, even though it may appear that lacrosse is a sport perhaps uncommon to the black experience, in Maryland the sport has been a staple among African-Americans for many years – including 50 years ago when Morgan State University first fielded a successful men’s team affectionately known as the “Ten Bears.”

Currently, the Charm City Youth Lacrosse (CCYL) league continues the Bears’ legacy, by attracting Baltimore’s inner city and suburban area black youths to its program.

The attraction to lacrosse has long been a major draw to Maryland youth both black and white, while young black athletes in other parts of the nation continue their expected focus on basketball, football, track or perhaps soccer and baseball. Primarily in central Maryland, black youths have for many years immersed themselves in the alternative sport known as lacrosse.

According to CCYL executive director, Artemis “Artie” West, lacrosse is one of the oldest team sports in North America with origins in the Native American culture. West says she was first introduced to the sport by her parents at the age of seven. While growing up in suburban Towson, she attended Loch Raven High School where she became a star player— helping her school win two regional titles, and achieving at least one undefeated season.

West was initially recruited to play lacrosse for Howard University but she decided to play for Towson University, where she enjoyed a successful athletic career.

At age 31, West stays busy ensuring that minority children are introduced to the lacrosse experience. As CCYL’s primary administrator, she believes it’s vital to assure girls and boys stay committed to the game.

“It’s a way of getting the kids out of the city. They meet new friends while staying active and fit. It also enhances their academics and opportunities to attend four-year colleges,” West said.

Founded in 2008 by Doug Gansler, the former attorney general of Maryland, to benefit Baltimore’s inner-city youth, CCYL now consists of 600 children between the ages of four and 15. All coaches are unpaid volunteers.

Another local figure pivotal to Baltimore’s inner-city youth participation in lacrosse, is Donnie Brown. The Baltimore native and former member of the famed Morgan State team was introduced to the game as a youngster. After starring on the Baltimore City College team, he went on to become a star player on the Morgan State team. Now 58, Brown remains connected to the sport and serves on CCYL board of directors and is considered as the “Godfather of Black Lacrosse” in Baltimore by West.

Meanwhile, the Baltimore Gators, an all-girls unit, which participates independently under the CCYL banner is made up of girls, ages nine to 14. The team competes with other Baltimore area girls’ teams. Organized by West in 2009, the Gators are now coached by George Roycroft.

“We’re not as experienced as the teams we face, but our girls have so much heart. I’m very proud of them,” said Roycoft, the coach for the past seven years.

West says the sport has been played at Ivy League colleges for decades, and still has the reputation of being the “sport of the privileged.” She also noted the historical relevance of Baltimore-based Morgan State University, as the only lacrosse team sanctioned to play NCAA-level lacrosse at an HBCU (historically black college university).

In 1975, the Morgan State Bears men’s team defeated teams like Harvard and Notre Dame, and upset the No. 1 ranked, previously undefeated Washington & Lee University. Before the Morgan State victory, Washington & Lee had not lost a regular season or home game the prior two seasons.

The Morgan team’s exploits are recounted in the book “Ten Bears,” and the story was once being considered for a major motion picture production. In 2011, ESPN produced a Black History Month feature showcasing the Morgan State lacrosse experience.

BALTIMORE — On the Northeast side of Baltimore, a youth boxing club is steadily earning a reputation as one of the city’s premier recreation locations for developing young boxers, while serving as a “safe-haven” for at-risk youth.

The ‘Time 2 Grind’ boxing club is effectively making its mark, according to the boxing club’s founder and coach, Mack Allison III, a native Baltimorean.

Although his interest in the “sweet science” started as a youngster before he graduated from Southern High School near Fells Point, Allison and his best friend, Earl Dent, had more of a passion for East Asian martial arts— Karate, Judo, Tae Kwon Do and knife-wielding fighting sports.

Dent is now a member of the Baltimore Police Department.

“We were really into Bruce Lee and people like that,” explained Allison.

When the director at the City’s Parks and Recreation Department where his wife worked mentioned starting a boxing program for youth, it was suggested that Allison help to get the program off the ground.

Two years ago, his pastor at Transforming Life Baptist Church, (TLC) said he was interested in starting a boxing program within the church. Allison, now 47, immediately started implementing his expertise as a martial artist and designed a gym and purchased required heavy bags, free weights and other equipment needed to create a legitimate boxing environment.

Allison was able to transform a novice, boxing group into a championship-based unit. He is proud that some of his members have attained championship status.

“So far, we have a National Silver Glove champion; and four Junior Olympic State champions. Other fighters have competed on a national and international level and we have a professional boxer that is undefeated with seven wins,” he said with pride.”

Naturally, he is proud of the undefeated pro-boxer, considering it’s his 19-year- old son, Mack “Papi” Allison IV.

Allison also says that his minister, Pastor David Biggers was very impressed.

“Sure, there are several boxing gyms in Baltimore, but we’re the first one born out of a church,” said Allison. “It’s our goal to keep the children who come here, safe. We want to keep them away from drugs and the fast life,” he said. Maintaining good grades is another priority at the club, he stressed.

Since starting the boxing club in 2015, Allison says things are moving along at a steady pace. The group recently received its 501 (c) 3 non-profit status. The church-gym is located at 4801 Simpple Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21206.

He also appreciates the support he receives from his assistant coach, Gary Lewis.

A billboard project is in the works, according to Allison.

“We would like to put positive messages on many of the empty billboards around the city. We need a more positive message on them like, ‘go to school, don’t be a fool.’ It’s my way of presenting something positive to the kids. A subliminal message that they’ll look up and see on these billboards,” said Allison.

“People blame the mayor and politicians for children’s short-falls [but] it’s not their fault— it’s the parents who aren’t there. The kids are taking care of themselves, so we need a safe-haven for them. It really does take a village to raise these kids. Too often, the kids won’t listen to [their] parents, but they’ll listen to others— coaches, teachers, mentors, etc.

“Ours is a religious-based boxing program. We train to win, but more so, [it gives] them a place off the streets to enjoy new friendships and camaraderie,” said Allison.

Allison considers his wife, Dawn Allison, as his his rock.

“She’s the one that encouraged me to do what I’m doing,” he said.

The couple has been married 22 years, with three grown children, including a daughter and two sons.

“When my kids were young, I got them very involved in training— including my daughter. It helps build confidence for all young people, especially when peer pressure starts to arise,” he said. ‘Time 2 Grind’ is open to boys and girls and Allison encourages parents to bring their young daughters to the gym. It’s good for all kids.”

For more information about the “Time 2 Grind” boxing club, email Mack Allison IV at: mallison5020@gmail.com or call 443-631-1663.

Hank Allen is also known as a skilled horse trainer in Maryland’s thoroughbred racing arena.

When Harold “Hank” Allen was a kid growing up in rural Lawrence County, Pa., near Pittsburgh, he and his younger brother Richard “Dick” Allen never imagined they’d someday become teammates in the major leagues.

At age 76, Allen continues his career in the Major Leagues as a scout for the Houston Astros, one of the best teams in the American League. These days, you can catch him working working in the press box at Camden Yards in downtown Baltimore with the Baltimore Orioles or in Southeast Washington, D.C. where he often sits among working media types at Nationals Stadium.

Allen played seven years in the major leagues as a valued utility man, first in the Phillies’ minor league system, in addition to longer stints in the major leagues with the Washington Senators, Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago White Sox. He still maintains a gleam in his eye, when it comes to working among his peers, and discussing professional baseball.

Special Courtesy Photo

(Right) In a rare pose, Allen brothers, Hank (left) and Dick (right), finally joined forces with the Chicago White Sox in September 1972. It was their first time as teammates since leaving Wampum High School in Wampum, Pennsylvania.

He is the older brother of Richie “Dick” Allen, one of the most prolific major league power hitters of all-time. Dick Allen now lives in Tampa, Florida and “enjoying a life of retirement,” according to Hank. For the record, Hank noted that in his hometown of Wampum, Pennsylvania, Richie was always known as “Dick,” but the Philadelphia Phillies’ media named him “Richie” in comparison to former Phillies great Richie

Asburn. He was also known as the “Wampum Walloper” or “Sleepy,” his family nickname.

Many of Dick’s teammates disagree that Dick Allen was referred to as a “Clubhouse Lawyer,” a player who spreads negativity to the entire team. Conversely, most vouch for him as being a helpful mentor. Several major league notables can’t believe that Dick Allen has not yet been elected to Baseball’s elite Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

For the past 18 years, Hank Allen has enjoyed a successful scouting career. Prior to joining the Houston Astros, he spent nine years with the Milwaukee Brewers.

He now lives in Upper Marlboro in Prince George’s County between the District of Columbia and Baltimore

with convenient access to the ballparks in both cities— always looking to enhance his team’s roster.

“My role is to update the current roster and to scout other major league teams in order to improve our team,” said Hank who even at his age, maintains his six-foot, athletic-built frame.

The Allen brothers eventually played together with the White Sox in the early 1970s, which was the first time they were teammates since leaving high school. Both were Pennsylvania high school basketball champions, leading their Wampum High School teams in 1958 (Hank) and 1960 (Dick), respectively to state titles. Dick would go on to win the 1964 National League Rookie of the Year and enjoy a successful 15-year professional baseball career.

In addition to his baseball career, Hank is also well known in Maryland’s thoroughbred racing circuit. His name rings loudly in places like Laurel Park and at the Pimlico Race Course, home of the annual Preakness Stakes.

Thanks to their father, the late Coy Allen Sr., the Allen brothers were also exposed to horses as youngsters during their rural upbringing. Both men’s affinity for the equestrian trade is the stuff of legends. In 1989, Hank Allen became the first African-American trainer in 78 years to run a horse in thoroughbred racing’s most storied event, the Kentucky Derby, when Northern Wolf finished sixth behind Hall of Famer Sunday Silence, according to an article in the Baltimore Sun.

“My father was always involved [with] horses as a kid in Virginia, and he taught us to appreciate them,” Hank explained.