Cam Stimpson named to 2011 Under Armour Pre-Season All-American Team

Unfortunately, not enough time and tight times for too many for money to be raised -- Cam could not attend for a second year.  Dedicated to finding a way to assist inner-city players with getting to these types of events.  Not giving up! This is how you keep Black youth in baseball and progressing toward the next level - they have to be able to take advantage of elite showcases and tournaments!

Beginning Again

We've taken some time to reassess -  to regroup and really target content.  After speaking to so many of you, this blog will now reflect what you really need to know about raising a scholar athete - a future global leader! We will especially highlight what moms can do to give general direction and advice.  Lots of exciting information to come. Stay connected - visit often. Here's to Sportsmoms - all over the world!

All the best and be blessed,
Phillysportsmom (all one word)

Celebrate the wonderful accomplishments of your children! 2009-10 Baseball Presidential Honor Roll

http://www.bigsouthsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4800&ATCLID=204970884

2009-10 Baseball Presidential Honor Roll


Updated: July 26, 2010 2:07 PM

by: Big South

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The 2009-10 Big South Conference Presidential Honor Roll was released today, and 145 baseball student-athletes were named to the annual list. To be named to the Presidential Honor Roll, student-athletes must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or better for the recently-completed academic year (see Leon Stimpson, UNC Asheville).

Charleston Southern (13)

Tom Burkett

Nick Chinners

Tim Flight

Cody Johnson

Charlie McCready

Brantley Meier

Ben Qualkinbush

Scotty Radabaugh

George Schaefer

Derek Smith

Tyler Thornburg

Andrew White

Harrison Wilkins

Coastal Carolina (15)

Austin Fleet

Doug Fleming

Tucker Frawley

Jackson Geary

Keith Hessler

Jose Iglesias

Tommy La Stella

Dan Lombardozzi

Taylor Motter

Hayes Orton

Adam Rice

Luke Schlechte

T.J. Swank

Rich Witten

Alan Young

Gardner-Webb (24)

Zeke Blanton

Brandon Boling

Ty Boyles

Brad Collins

Josh Drewery

Jeremy Freeman

Jeff Giersbrook

Justin Gullickson

Michael Hanzlik

Jeff Howell

Casey Johns

Matt Liedberg

Adam McFarland

O.J. McFarland

Alex McMahan

Aaron Miller

Stefan Morris

Kyle Paeplow

Wes Poyner

Dusty Quattlebaum

Matt Sapp

Conner Scarborough

Brock Wilson

Danny Yelverton

High Point (12)

Spencer Andrews

Steve Antolik

Andrew Bartlett

Max Fulginiti

Matt Gantner

Drew Geissinger

Robbie Gilles

Sal Pezzino

Mikel Rodenberg

Nick Schumacher

Corey Swickle

Wes Torrez

Liberty (18)

Dane Beakler

Tyler Bream

Daniel Brown

Carter Browning

Bryan Cole

Steven Evans

Michael Forslund

Joshua Healey

Jeff Jefferson

P.J. Jimenez

Keegan Linza

Christopher McDougal

Joshua McLeod

Michael Robertson

Mark Swanson

Austin Taylor

Shawn Teufel

Nathan Thompson

Presbyterian College (19)

Micah Black

Nate Chong

Tim Corbin

Stewart Curry

Emmett Goodman III

Gabe Grammer

Derek Herron

Matt Hill

Mack Hite

Nate Horton

Alex Loftin

Tony Micklon

Matt Nodelman

Jordan Pace

Brandon Paul

Chris Powell

Steven Richardson

Justin Setzer

Andrew Williams

Radford (10)

Derrick Brewer

Cory Cook

Zach Costello

Matt Hillsinger

Greg Juanarena

Jeff Kemp

Cassidy McDaniel

Jason Patten

Jake Quigg

James Woods

UNC Asheville (17)

Danny Baatz

Cody Buch

C.A. Clayton

Ryan Dull

Jonny Eaker

Jacob Edwards

Austin Graham

Ian Graham

Dan Lammers

Carson McLean

David Ricker

Justin Schumer

** Leon Stimpson

Dillon Tabar

Mike Vaughn

Daniel Weller

Taylor Wohlwend

VMI (2)

Alex Haitsuka

Adam Kruithof

Winthrop (15)

Robbie Brewer

Tyler Cook

Matteo D'Angelo

Patrick Gamblin

Greg Hough

Jason Kosakow

Robert Lake

Tyler McBride

Justin Newport

Dom Patterozzi

Matt Pierpont

Sean Sullivan

Matt Thielepape

Brett Thomas

Max Vogel

ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

In the life of a child, ONE person CAN make a difference! The sacrifices that you make, the dedication that you bring, the attention to details that you give CAN be what catapults the child into "elite" status, when it comes to athletics and arts! Show me a child that is exceptional in academics AND athletics, and/or academics AND the arts, and we'll show you paths beyond ordinary imagination!

This is exactly what's needed in the world today - a deeper commitment to honing God-given talents, a richer understanding of the purpose we each have. Take steps to help a child! You'll take giant steps toward building the common humanity that was meant to co-exist in this world. MAXIMIZE HUMAN POTENTIAL! Don't wait - take steps today - the children are counting on us "for the assist!"

Then tell us your story! We are connecting people and resources to create better lives for children! We are committed to using athletics and arts to drive success in academics, and vice versa! Ultimately, we are dedicated to ensuring productive postsecondary experiences! Won't you help? Tell us that you're dedicated to pitching in!

In closing, encouraging you and wishing God's blessings upon you - today and always!

Phillysportsmom

Our Next Steps

We will leave no stone unturned in providing information and delivering resources to all of you parents interested in maximizing the growth and development of your child(ren). We are staunch advocates of using athletics and the arts to drive success in academics, and vice versa.  Children don't come here with a template already built-in.  We will help you develop the template from which to more specifically individualize a plan of action - no matter which sport or arts activity interests your child(ren).

Ride with us - you'll have no regrets.  Follow us and visit frequently for proven tips on using athletics and arts as a springboard for success in postsecondary education.  In society, we have plenty of examples of folk who inform from what was done wrong.  We'll inform from what was done correctly (and give examples) and you'll have a head start on maximizing the full potential of your greatest investment - your child(ren)!

Stay tuned for next steps.  Up next - the formation of a national membership nonprofit for purposes of training and development!  Also, the start of a community fund dedicated to "Keeping Blacks in Baseball" for use at elite training situations.  We'll let you know how you can contribute!  Details to come! 

All the best and be blessed! You can do it! Begin today!

Phillysportsmom

Single Moms Can Raise Stable Boys, Stars in the Classroom and Successful Athletes!

To learn more, read this article! Next, we'll discuss in more detail!

http://www.thegrio.com/sports/single-moms-step-up-to-the-plate-to-save-blacks-in-baseball.php

DON'T MISS OUT! (Don't delay!)

People make the same mistakes all the time.  They think they can wait for children to become "of age" before developing them (with no clear definition of what this really means).  Men make the excuse, "Oh, I need him to get a little older before I start throwing the ball around" (meanwhile the child just turned nine years old)!  Women say, "I need to get back into the thick of things - I'll get around to the lessons - let me just get into my job -- anyway the father is not doing anything, why should I?"  Both of these responses are just excuses!  While you are waiting for the perfect time, thousands of other children are perfecting their sport or craft.  Thousands of hours are being logged by other children, beginning as young as three (the age when my youngest was put on skis and started swinging a tennis racket).  Some will call this "overkill"  - say you are pushing the kids too fast.  Those of us who know better say that you are giving your child additional "enablers of success!"  Find examples when raising your child and follow the inner voice you hear. Start developing your child early - age eighteen will be here faster than you know,  Begin early - you'll be pleasantly surprised at the accomplishments along the way!

EDUCATION REALLY IS A LIFELONG PROCESS (be sure to include a social media strategy)!

As you lay the foundation for developing your children, don't forget to constantly work on increasing your own knowledge at the same time.  Today, we have advanced from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age.  Today, you get paid for what you know and how you are able to implement that knowledge. If you are not constantly evolving, you are only just existing! In short, you MUST have a social media strategy!

Thanks to Nicole Newman and Net Tuesday for the workshop last night on social media strategy.  The meetup was great last night.  Only sorry that I had to miss one of my sons' championship games in order to stay.  I sent them a text and they completely understood! And what do you know! Leon had a huge photo in the August 3 edition of the Delaware County Daily Times.  The caption read, "Aston Valley center fielder Leon Stimpson makes a running catch of a line drive off the bat of a Collingdale hitter during Game 1 of the Delco League finals Monday night."  Great story, fantastic picture, wonderful Meetup -- all of it -- priceless!

WE ARE STRATEGIC .... WE ARE WOMEN! HEAR US ROAR!

When people think about moms' participation in sports, they usually think about working the concession stands, keeping lists of players and money owed, providing transportation, preparing lunches for away games, etc. This blog is a testament to the fact that women are stepping it up and getting much more done. True, we fall along a continuum when it comes to developing youth in sports (some definitions are in order – later). However, those of us at the far end have done a magnificent job "running through the obstacle courses" placed in front of us. We are at the forefront of decisions that continue to be made regarding finding, deciding and financing schools; finding, deciding and financing training and coaching opportunities; and just generally laying the foundation for the end result – and for the deals to be clinched along the way! We are in direct discussions with athletic directors, coaches and scouts who respect us for our knowledge - once we enter into conversation. We have sacrificed friendships, relationships, and otherwise “couldn’t miss events” to hold it down when there was no help on the horizon! We have fallen, but could not stay down for long because there was more work to be done. Many of us have withstood negativity, insults and offenses – “those folk” never really understood us and we ALWAYS rejected their “groupthink!”


For our children, we are the managers, the publicists, the photographers -- the psychologists, the investors, the nurses, the cheerleaders, the nurturers, the advisors, the career developers and the business owners. We connect up the dots and - when it comes to our children - we will stand up to opposition, ignore naysayers, jump barriers and Move Mountains! Many of us run our own households make tremendous sacrifices (let me be real clear - that's emotionally/mentally, physically, and FINANCIALLY - ALL of the above - for ALL of the consecutive years of development) and stay five steps ahead at all times! We just look at the “Johnny-come-lately” who thinks she/he knows what’s going on with us. Just when you think you have figured us out, we come at you from another direction – with another angle, another “out-of-the-box” solution! There are some who want to insert themselves for selfish agendas. To them we ask one question – “and just who is raising your children and what exactly have they done?”(Things that make you say, “hmmmm”).

Just know that NOBODY gets to psychologically damage our children, NOBODY gets to impede their progress, NOBODY gets to create unnecessary chaos and NOBODY gets to diminish them as people! On the other hand, we welcome the positive participation of EVERYBODY who has advice, words of encouragement and yes, even resources to offer! We stay in prayer – constantly – and because of our faith, we are guided by an inner voice and receive clear direction! We are STRATEGIC - strategic planners, building strategic alliances, during strategic times, for the strategic success of our children! We are women! Hear us ROAR!

"If You Bungle Raising Your Children ..." (Failure is not an option!)

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis said it best with her quote, "If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do well matters very much." I decided long ago that I would not bungle this important God-given task!

Of course, this blog will reference what I’ve done with my sons (you can also see them in pictures and posts on Facebook and Twitter – connect to PhillySportsMom). It is also a tribute to values and lessons taught to me by my parents (Ulysses and Bessie Mobley), a love of baseball passed down by my father (Ulys/Uly/Preacher – take your choice) and the messages given me while still young – “to be independent, that I could become whatever I chose to become, that I could accomplish whatever I pursued, not to depend on man, and that all things are possible ….!” I can still see myself riding in the car with my father and frequently having him say to me, “Baby, if you don’t help yourself, you can’t help anybody else.” I saw my mother in action daily – she was a “teacher’s teacher” and redirected many a child in Philadelphia’s School District. I will never forget watching the faces of the children who spoke at her funeral, letting everybody know about the impact Mrs.Mobley had on their still young lives. Since “nailing” those early lessons in life, I’ve developed expertise in making lemonade out of lemons! Today, I share this with all of you - others may fall off, place barriers in your way, lie to you, not stand by you or assist you, instead choosing the attitude “it’s all about me” and partying life away (until the light bulb goes on)! Somehow, people see raising children as a "chore" not as the "gift" it's meant to be! Know that if you are successful, people will fall in line years later, surrounding your child/ren – everybody wants to be identified with a winner! If you fail, you will be blamed forever by lots of folk! In fact, it will seem like people are waiting in the wings to watch you fail. Make them wait forever! Failure is NOT an option!

Here's to MOMS - making it happen everywhere!

There is a book titled Becoming Myself: Reflections on Growing Up Female, edited by Willa Shalit. In that book, LisaGay Hamilton talks about our role as mothers and captures my thoughts when she states “In making these choices, I’ve had to make significant sacrifices professionally and financially …. Yet, I would not have it any other way …. I’m proud of the choices I’ve made …. about “allowing (children) to walk much taller and have the capacity to love others more, because they love themselves …. We are humanity …. We bring forth life …. We are the nurturers …. We are the caregivers …. These are roles to be treasured because we’re perfect.”

Finally getting started!

Sorry for the delay! After rushing to establish this site, later I had to figure out how to maximize its use (smile)! Since I’m a perfectionist, that fact alone presented another group of issues to resolve (problematic - not to be discussed here). My delay in launching this Blog actually mirrors my experience with raising two sons using sports and the arts. Didn’t fully know what I was getting myself into – just kept asking questions, doing the research and connecting up the dots! The success enjoyed today far exceeds my original expectations – which was just to build self-esteem and confidence in both boys and identify God-given talents! However, kept stepping out blindly - on faith!


I was an athlete when younger and had always been around athletes through high school and college. Raising two scholar-athletes was different though - two lives dependent on me - parents both deceased, and now a change in marital status that was completely unforeseeable. Didn't begin with a complete plan - didn't have a template. Didn't read up on anything! However, none of that would stop me! I had a deep and abiding faith that would see me through many of the trials and tribulations life would bring and an inner voice that has guided me until this very day! I was also further informed by the death of a favorite older cousin – a basketball legend on courts throughout Philadelphia and at Gratz High School – decades ago coached by John Chaney. His name was Clarence Burgess, better known as Rock. Rock was a tremendous athlete who never made it out of the negative trappings he seemed to attract. Everybody knew Rock and knew of his dominance on the court! Rock had the talent to play NCAA basketball and even go to the NBA (as I’ve been told). However, Rock died during the height of racial tension in South Philadelphia – and a baseball bat was the weapon of choice – ironic. I recently drove by the corner where Rock died. Rock’s killer(s) was never identified, and decades later we still have some of our most talented students involved in senseless crimes – killing and being killed. If you knew Rock, in discussing him I only have to identify him with one word – Rock! The response I get – even today – is “Oh, man – Rock was YOUR cousin – that boy could PLAY!” The crime has got to stop, and we’ve got to meet children where their passions lie! Mothers have got to step it up – single, divorced, widowed – even grandmothers! I’m convinced that a strategic approach using academics, athletics and the arts will help to turn things around - but everyone has to get on the same page IMMEDIATELY!