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| Volume XXV, Number 3 | February 27, 2004 |
New Inductees are Marcellus Osceola Sr., Billy Joe Johns, Boettner Roger Jumper and Brendan Joshua Young.
By Adelsa Williams
HOLLYWOOD — On Feb. 11, four Seminoles were inducted into the Seminole Sports Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held at the Hollywood auditorium. The Hall of Fame was founded by the Seminole Tribe six years ago to inspire young Seminoles to reach their full potential through sports.
Moses Jumper, Director of the Hollywood Recreation Department, opened the ceremony with a brief history of the Hall of Fame. He described the purpose of the Hall of Fame, which is to recognize young athletes, and induct older athletes who have participated in organized sports when they were younger.
The four Seminoles inducted Wednesday night were Marcellus Osceola Sr., Billy Joe Johns, Boettner Roger Jumper and Brendan Joshua Young. Jumper and Young were honored in memoriam.
Osceola thanked everyone for the recognition and spoke humbly about his athletic achievements. He is currently ranked among the top 15 in the world in trap shooting. Johns also thanked the attendees and spoke briefly about his achievements. He currently operates successful cattle and sugar cane growing operations.
Bo Young, Assistant Recreation Director, introduced Leila Osceola and Steve Young from the Recreation Department to present the 2003 – 2004 Youth Participants. They participate in various programs, such as baseball, basketball, football, and cross country.
Plaques were awarded to the following students: Jasper Tommie, Gerret Anderson, Christine McCall, Michael Doctor, Demetria Tigertail, David Anderson, Jeannie Osceola, Courtney Osceola, Krystle Young, Lucas Osceola, Jo Jo Osceola, Megan Osceola, Jack Turtle, Robert Osceola, Jerome Davis, Chelsea Mountain, and Atlanta Johns.
The audience watched a short film highlighting basketball star Christine McCall during a recent basketball game that showed her dominance of the sport.
“Putting together these kind of events makes us feel better about our programs because as children get older, their abilities can develop; to allow them to become better athletes, better students and better Tribal leaders,” Young said.
A special guest speaker, Mike Tosee, a Professor of History, Social Sciences and American Indian Studies, at Haskell University in Lawrence, Kan., addressed the participants. He was visiting the Seminole Tribe to research their history, and to carry their message back to his students at the university, which enrolls students from 150 tribes in 30 different states.
He mentioned that he hears his students speak of how there aren’t many Native Americans who have made a name for themselves in sports. He said he begs to differ with them.
“Sports are a learning and teaching experience; it's a tool by which you become stronger, a tool by which you become confident it teaches you self-discipline, courage and bravery, all the characteristics of the old warrior days,” said Tosee. “Today’s athlete becomes a warrior again.”
He emphasizes the need for athletic training as a motivating tool for Indians, given the social changes they have undertaken while being assimilated into a system that forces them to accommodate a different way of life.
He illustrates that athletes get criticized for not reaching the pro-level of their sport. He stated that emphasis should be placed on confidence building instead and the ability to pass it on to others.
“Athletics is sharing, is giving, and I think it's a very compassionate thing that Indians have always done as well,” concluded Tosee.
A video presentation followed. Famous Native American Athletes from the past, from Jim Thorpe, to Billy Mills, were highlighted. The video continued with the current athletic stars of the Seminole Tribe, each well-trained in his or her chosen sport.
The Seminole Recreation Department is the creation of Howard Tiger, who upon returning from military service as a marine in World War II, recognized a need to keep the Seminole youths motivated and active. Howard Tiger, through his recreational activities, has made the greatest impact in the lives of young Seminoles than anyone else is recent history. He turned sports into a valuable tool in shaping and molding the lives of youths.
Through the auspices of the recreation programs, the tribe has enjoyed the success of some of its members as they participate in athletics. The tribe is also a strong supporter of the Indigenous Games. The introduction of the Seminole Hall of Fame members, past and present included, Max Osceola, Jr., Moses Osceola, Mike Tiger, Moses Jumper, Eugene Bowers, and notable others, is testament to the value of organized sports and programs to help youths focus on teamwork, discipline, perseverance, to achieve theirs goals, enhance their self esteem, and become successful.
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