General Mike
05-06-2006, 12:47 PM
Don't know if you saw it, but there was an article in the Asbury Park (NJ) Press about a couple of Georgia players/ incoming recruits:
http://app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060506/SPORTS01/605060462&SearchID=73243734135928
Football stars take off-the-field preparation seriously
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 05/6/06
BY SCOTT STUMP
STAFF WRITER
One came from a tropical island where the popular version of football is played with your feet and a round ball.
Another grew up right on the Jersey Shore, never considering a career in football during his youth, but still providing glimpses of breathtaking potential as a Pop Warner player for Atlantic Highlands.
A third one was raised in the deep country in Georgetown, S.C., as the son, nephew and younger brother of current and former NFL players. He is an avid hunter and fisherman who smiles as he wonders why he hasn't heard anyone else saying "Yes, ma'am," or "No, ma'am," in attitude-filled New Jersey.
Separated by thousands of miles and diverse backgrounds, their lives have intersected in Red Bank, and will soon be entwined for years at the University of Georgia. They alternately inspire, enlighten and crack each other up, all in between focusing on one of the most make-or-break parts of being a blue-chip recruit — academics. It can be the difference between going on to life at a major college and being Al Bundy, the guy telling everyone how good he used to be in high school.
If all goes as planned, by mid-July in Athens, Ga., former Red Bank star and current Georgia freshman Kade Weston will be joined by his former gridiron rival, Middletown South senior running back Knowshon Moreno, and one of the top 10 offensive line recruits in the nation, South Carolina native Clifton Geathers. All three have or are currently attending MAC Testing, Inc., an SAT preparation business in Red Bank run by Dr. Jean D'Arcy Maculaitis that has helped athletes in numerous sports over the years.
"These guys are like a band of brothers," Maculaitis said about the trio. "They're all rooting for Clifton — Knowshon has shown up to see how he's doing, and Kade has come home and made plans with them. It's extraordinary. It's like they've known each other for years."
Geathers' participation in the program illustrates the effort that parents of top recruits are willing to make to ensure their son will be academically eligible and prepared for the rigors of college. The brother of current Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Robert Geathers Jr., the son of former NFL defensive lineman Robert Geathers Sr. and the nephew of former NFL defensive lineman Jumpy Geathers, Clifton has already made six visits to Red Bank from his home in South Carolina, including one this week. He will be taking the SATs today.
"My family heard about Dr. Mac at the (prestigious U.S. Army) All-American game," Clifton said. "I saw what she did with Kade, so I thought she could do the same thing to help me. If Kade could do it, I figured I can, too.
"It's been hard, because right now I'm missing a week of school and will have to do double the work when I get back. I just want to do whatever it takes."
"Clifton has been working hard for 11, 12 hours a day since he's been here," Maculaitis said. "He truly wants this."
The final push
Moreno and Geathers have each made their commitments to Georgia, but they have to hit their academic and SAT targets in these final months of high school to ensure that they will be able to step on the field in the fall.
Essentially, they are in the same position that Weston found himself last year at this time, when he was considered one of the top 10 defensive line recruits in the nation.
"He (Kade) has provided a model of excellence," Maculaitis said. "He started off at such a great distance, academically. He's willing to pay the price to be successful. He was always the first guy to class and last guy to leave, so those hanging out with him see that."
Weston grew up on the island of Trinidad before moving to Red Bank before his freshman year of high school, so English is his second language. He grew up playing soccer, which had Moreno busting out in laughter earlier this week when he pictured the 6-foot-5, 315-pound defensive tackle defending the net as a goalie.
"It took a lot of hours of work," Weston said about getting qualified last year. "You have to come in (to college) prepared because they're going to work you hard. You can't come in lackadaisical."
"I think by attending Dr. MAC's program, it definitely helped Kade be much more prepared than he would've been otherwise," said Georgia assistant coach Rodney Garner, who is also the recruiting coordinator. "She does for young men academically what coaches do for players on the field. She has a game plan, and she carries it out."
Moreno is trying to finish up strongly now that his career as one of the best running backs in New Jersey history is in the rearview mirror. The natural athlete and hard worker is New Jersey's all-time leader in touchdowns and points scored as well as the state's second all-time rusher. He's now looking to see the field as a true freshman after being rated as one of the top 12 running backs in the nation in the fall.
"That last marking period as a senior, people tend to slack off," Moreno said. "I have to stay on top of things and take care of business. I want to go down there and compete for a spot."
Geathers has shown his commitment as well, spending his spring break inside the MAC Testing office on Maple Avenue buried in books rather than chilling in Myrtle Beach, 45 minutes from his home.
"Oh, man, that was tough being inside all day like that," Clifton said before smiling.
"We had never met Dr. Mac, so I had no idea what to expect," said Robert Geathers Sr. "I talked to people I trusted and felt comfortable with her on the phone, so I sent Clifton. I thought that if I didn't send him, what would happen? He's improved in so many other things that I would recommend the program to kids down here even if he doesn't qualify."
The 6-foot-7, 280-pound senior with hands the size of the Great Lakes said that numerous schools backed off of him, including one of his top choices, the University of South Carolina, when they took a look at his transcript.
"Georgia was one of the only ones who stayed with me," Geathers said. "Georgia wanted to help me instead of forgetting about me."
"Clifton is more like family because my wife has known his father since she was a little girl," Garner said. "He is a bright young man who just hadn't been put in the right environment. Dr. Mac's program is something I wish I had for my players down here. Clifton has made tremendous strides there."
He still has one more major stride to go, but as Weston will attest, he has a lot on his side.
http://app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060506/SPORTS01/605060462&SearchID=73243734135928
Football stars take off-the-field preparation seriously
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 05/6/06
BY SCOTT STUMP
STAFF WRITER
One came from a tropical island where the popular version of football is played with your feet and a round ball.
Another grew up right on the Jersey Shore, never considering a career in football during his youth, but still providing glimpses of breathtaking potential as a Pop Warner player for Atlantic Highlands.
A third one was raised in the deep country in Georgetown, S.C., as the son, nephew and younger brother of current and former NFL players. He is an avid hunter and fisherman who smiles as he wonders why he hasn't heard anyone else saying "Yes, ma'am," or "No, ma'am," in attitude-filled New Jersey.
Separated by thousands of miles and diverse backgrounds, their lives have intersected in Red Bank, and will soon be entwined for years at the University of Georgia. They alternately inspire, enlighten and crack each other up, all in between focusing on one of the most make-or-break parts of being a blue-chip recruit — academics. It can be the difference between going on to life at a major college and being Al Bundy, the guy telling everyone how good he used to be in high school.
If all goes as planned, by mid-July in Athens, Ga., former Red Bank star and current Georgia freshman Kade Weston will be joined by his former gridiron rival, Middletown South senior running back Knowshon Moreno, and one of the top 10 offensive line recruits in the nation, South Carolina native Clifton Geathers. All three have or are currently attending MAC Testing, Inc., an SAT preparation business in Red Bank run by Dr. Jean D'Arcy Maculaitis that has helped athletes in numerous sports over the years.
"These guys are like a band of brothers," Maculaitis said about the trio. "They're all rooting for Clifton — Knowshon has shown up to see how he's doing, and Kade has come home and made plans with them. It's extraordinary. It's like they've known each other for years."
Geathers' participation in the program illustrates the effort that parents of top recruits are willing to make to ensure their son will be academically eligible and prepared for the rigors of college. The brother of current Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Robert Geathers Jr., the son of former NFL defensive lineman Robert Geathers Sr. and the nephew of former NFL defensive lineman Jumpy Geathers, Clifton has already made six visits to Red Bank from his home in South Carolina, including one this week. He will be taking the SATs today.
"My family heard about Dr. Mac at the (prestigious U.S. Army) All-American game," Clifton said. "I saw what she did with Kade, so I thought she could do the same thing to help me. If Kade could do it, I figured I can, too.
"It's been hard, because right now I'm missing a week of school and will have to do double the work when I get back. I just want to do whatever it takes."
"Clifton has been working hard for 11, 12 hours a day since he's been here," Maculaitis said. "He truly wants this."
The final push
Moreno and Geathers have each made their commitments to Georgia, but they have to hit their academic and SAT targets in these final months of high school to ensure that they will be able to step on the field in the fall.
Essentially, they are in the same position that Weston found himself last year at this time, when he was considered one of the top 10 defensive line recruits in the nation.
"He (Kade) has provided a model of excellence," Maculaitis said. "He started off at such a great distance, academically. He's willing to pay the price to be successful. He was always the first guy to class and last guy to leave, so those hanging out with him see that."
Weston grew up on the island of Trinidad before moving to Red Bank before his freshman year of high school, so English is his second language. He grew up playing soccer, which had Moreno busting out in laughter earlier this week when he pictured the 6-foot-5, 315-pound defensive tackle defending the net as a goalie.
"It took a lot of hours of work," Weston said about getting qualified last year. "You have to come in (to college) prepared because they're going to work you hard. You can't come in lackadaisical."
"I think by attending Dr. MAC's program, it definitely helped Kade be much more prepared than he would've been otherwise," said Georgia assistant coach Rodney Garner, who is also the recruiting coordinator. "She does for young men academically what coaches do for players on the field. She has a game plan, and she carries it out."
Moreno is trying to finish up strongly now that his career as one of the best running backs in New Jersey history is in the rearview mirror. The natural athlete and hard worker is New Jersey's all-time leader in touchdowns and points scored as well as the state's second all-time rusher. He's now looking to see the field as a true freshman after being rated as one of the top 12 running backs in the nation in the fall.
"That last marking period as a senior, people tend to slack off," Moreno said. "I have to stay on top of things and take care of business. I want to go down there and compete for a spot."
Geathers has shown his commitment as well, spending his spring break inside the MAC Testing office on Maple Avenue buried in books rather than chilling in Myrtle Beach, 45 minutes from his home.
"Oh, man, that was tough being inside all day like that," Clifton said before smiling.
"We had never met Dr. Mac, so I had no idea what to expect," said Robert Geathers Sr. "I talked to people I trusted and felt comfortable with her on the phone, so I sent Clifton. I thought that if I didn't send him, what would happen? He's improved in so many other things that I would recommend the program to kids down here even if he doesn't qualify."
The 6-foot-7, 280-pound senior with hands the size of the Great Lakes said that numerous schools backed off of him, including one of his top choices, the University of South Carolina, when they took a look at his transcript.
"Georgia was one of the only ones who stayed with me," Geathers said. "Georgia wanted to help me instead of forgetting about me."
"Clifton is more like family because my wife has known his father since she was a little girl," Garner said. "He is a bright young man who just hadn't been put in the right environment. Dr. Mac's program is something I wish I had for my players down here. Clifton has made tremendous strides there."
He still has one more major stride to go, but as Weston will attest, he has a lot on his side.