I could have selected a picture that better represented the city of Youngstown, Ohio for this article, I really could have.
There are so many wonderful things about Youngstown when it comes to sports, but along with that there is a lot of bad. This is probably the reason I selected to put Maurice Clarett at the forefront rather than say, Jim Tressel.
I've repeatedly bashed my hometown to many people in the past. It isn't a great place to live like it used to be. Back when the steel mills were in full force, the city was booming financially.
Over the years, it has become littered with crime, deception, corrupt law enforcement, loss of jobs, and it's now simply suburb to Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
So, when do I actually get to the part about why my town rocks?
In a sports sense, it does rock. In every other sense, I wouldn't suggest ever visiting, but if you do, stay away from the south side.
We've got plenty of towns and townships within Youngstown though. Not bad places to raise a family, but the downtown area is a shell of its former self with the crime rate raising yearly.
One of those places is Warren, Ohio. Warren isn't exactly in Youngstown—it stands alone more than anything because it's located in the neighboring county. Yet, we in Youngstown like to lay claim to Warren anyway.
Warren is a special place for football players as of late. They've sent two young men in Mario Manningham and Prescott Burgess to the University of Michigan and now the NFL. The city also is responsible for late defensive end Korey Stringer of the Minnesota Vikings, who died of a heat stroke in 2001.
Warren G. Harding High School also produced Hall of Fame wide receiver Paul Warfield, who played for the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns.
Then there is the most famous of them all, Maurice Clarett, criminal extraordinaire. Clarett is from Youngstown, but transferred to Warren G. Harding High School before graduating.
Everyone knows the story of Maurice Clarett. He went from standout freshman at Ohio State University to convicted criminal. He also made stops as a NCAA reject, surprise third round pick of the Denver Broncos and even contemplated a playing career for a local indoor league, fittingly named the "Mahoning Valley Hitmen."
Maurice was born on Youngstown's south side and unfortunately for him, he could never escape the shackles that you are born with from the south side.
A big reason for Clarett's success can and should be attributed to his head coach, Jim Tressel. Tressel is one of Youngstown's pride and joys as a city. Tressel isn't from the area—he grew up in Mentor, Ohio—but Tressel led the beloved Youngstown State Penguins to four division I-AA championships.
The Penguins are loved throughout the area, seeing as they are the sports team that has been around the city the longest. Tressel sparked the program to those four titles and it's something the city will never forget.
Youngstown State has had some good players in the past. They've got two ESPN analysts as former graduates. One is former Notre Dame coach Bob Davie and the other is former Eagles Quarterback Ron Jaworski.
Youngstown as a city also lays claim to another ESPN broadcaster, Paul Maguire.
Probably the most notable graduate is recently retired kicker Jeff Wilkins. Other players to spend time in the NFL include Russell Stuvaints who had a few stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Jim Tressel is probably more identifiable for his work with Youngstown State University. But, Youngstown does have a few coaches of it's own that were actually born in the city.
The Stoops family is legendary in this area. Bob and Mike Stoops both hold head coaching jobs in college football for Oklahoma and Arizona respectively. They both hail from the football powerhouse Cardinal Mooney High School.
The Stoops brothers aren't the only coaches to come out of Cardinal Mooney. They've now added Bo Pelini, new head coach of Nebraska, to their list of head coaches in college football.
Cardinal Mooney has churned out plenty of talent as well, especially in this past year. Dan McCarthy is off to play for Notre Dame, while a pair of running back/linebackers in Brandon Beachum and Michael Zordich are headed to Penn State. Zordich is the son of Michael Zordich Sr, who played 12 years in the NFL.
The city of Youngstown and YSU also lays claim to Mark Mangino, head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks.
Youngstown's coaching and playing ties have extended into the NFL now as well. Carolina Panthers' defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac comes from Youngstown and was a defensive lineman at Austintown-Fitch.
One of the more notable NFL players from Youngstown is Jets' receiver Brad Smith, who attended Chaney High School and went on to play Quarterback for Missouri.
Youngstown is also the birth place of fellow NFL receiver David Givens, who didn't play any high school ball in the city.
Probably the most famous Youngstown native to play in the NFL though, is Bernie Kosar, former Cleveland Browns quarterback and current Arena League owner.
Kosar grew up in one of my former towns—Boardman—and played for their High School.
Isaac Smolko, who got to play in a playoff game last year, but was waived by the Jaguars, last month is from Youngstown. I had the privilege of having him as a substitute teacher my senior year at Poland Seminary High School.
If you think that Youngstown's football ties end there, you are mistaken. Youngstown has even had an NFL owner as well.
Edward J. DeBartolo Jr. is the former owner of the San Francisco 49ers. The team is still sort of with the family, as sister Denise York and husband John York now run the franchise.
Yet, Eddie DeBartolo was the guy behind the wheel of all of San Francisco's five Super Bowl Titles. Along for the ride was his right hand man, Carmen Policy, another Youngstown native.
Unfortunately for Policy he also is the center of hatred for many Browns' fans as he was in the front office of the new team when it first started.
DeBatrolo's family also owned the Pittsburgh Penguins until 1991. His sister Denise York was also president of the franchise.
Rumors have surfaced that DeBartolo. He has been rebuilding his estate since his legal issues forced him to cede control of the 49ers in 2000 and may attempt to buy the St. Louis Rams and relocate them back to Los Angeles.
As you can see, Youngstown is a football city. They've had coaches, owners, players in all levels of the game. But their roots extend to other sports as well.
The number of well-known baseball players is very low, but they do have a very well known Major League umpire on their roster.
John Hirschbeck, most famously known for being spit on by former Indians' second baseman Robbie Alomar makes his home in my home area of Poland, Ohio. I attended high school with his kids as well.
The football list is long and the baseball list is very short, but there is one sport that Youngstown prides itself—boxing.
It only makes sense for this city. Two of its more beloved athletes are guys who make or already made their living fighting, in a city that is well known for violence.
The first is former lightweight champion Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini. Mancini retired in 1992 with a record of 29-5, with only six of his wins not coming via the knockout.
Current middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik is probably the more current well known boxer from Youngstown. Pavlik's story is well known as a kid who, like Maurice Clarett, grew up on the city's south side.
Pavlik has yet to be defeated in his professional career, with a record of 34-0. The "Ghost", like Mancini, has knocked out most of his competitors, recording 30 knockouts.
What does this say about Youngstown, a team without a well-known sports team? They've certainly bread and raised many of well-known athletes in the world of sports, but they've got nothing to call their own.
They do in some way. Youngstown is the home of a few minor league franchises for some major sports teams. The oldest is the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, the short-season single A team for the Cleveland Indians.
The Scrappers are in their 10th year of play and have seen many of the current Indian stars in their early days. They are a great watch if you enjoy baseball and want to see a few future Indians play before they become something in the big leagues.
The two newest franchises that have come to the city with the addition of their convocation center, the Chevy Centre, are a hockey team by the name of the Youngstown Steelhounds and an Arena Football 2 team by the name of the Mahoning Valley Thunder.
The Thunder are currently in their second year of play and have quickly become accepted by the city as an exciting group to watch. The Steelhounds have also been surprisingly successful since coming to Youngstown, much due to their success on the ice.
Yet the Steelhounds were released by the Central Hockey League and are currently looking for a league to latch onto. They are an affiliate of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets.
These small sports franchises are fun to watch and certainly make Youngstown a desirable location.
Youngstown's claim to fame is their long history of football coaches and athletes. It's a tough as nails city, which loves the tough as nails sports. That fits pretty nicely if you ask me.
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3 months ago
Thanks for the article Nino! Great job!
3 months ago
Love the article.
As someone who lived on the SouthSide and finally moved his family to Boardman a few Years ago, I thought it stated a little harsh. Truthful, but harsh.
You have a great grasp of Youngstown's sports Heritage.
But you Forgot Doc Beede- Inventor of the Yellow Penalty Flag while coach of the Penguins.
from 3 months ago
Thanks for the words and the addition. If you couldn't tell, I'm a younger guy so I don't know much of the more older athletes, there could be more, just that I'm not familiar with.
3 months ago
You were right, you could have shown a better picture instead of Clarett. That was the first mistake you made, of many. The biggest mistake you made was that Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini was Lightweight champion and never fought in the light-heavyweight division. You didn't include him as being born and raised on the South side.
You said Kelly Pavlik was from the South side and that is wrong, he was raised in Lowelville. You were probably easily mistaken because he trains in the South Side at Jack Loew's South Side Boxing Club.
You neglected to mention fellow champion boxers Jeff Lampkin, Greg Richardson and Harry Arroyo all from Ytown.
How about the famous Dave Dravecky (of Boardman) who pitched for the San Francisco Giants and in 1989 had some terrible luck. As the Giants were making their way to the World Series, Dravecky pitched his final pitch and then his arm snapped... Literally. Within days, they amputated his entire throwing arm because of cancer.
I don't live in Youngstown anymore but still have a lot of pride for the town. I tell folks about the town (the good, bad & ugly) with respect for the town and everyone still there. I can't wait to see Mancini and Chechitelli's documentary Y-town coming out soon. They got Ed O' Neill (aka Al Bundy aka Ursuline grad) in the documentary and its posted up on IMDB... You should check it out!
One more thing, with a title saying how Youngstown Rocks, why not talk actual people who "rock" and go into bands & music from/about Youngstown? I guess that's more of a suggestion for next time than a question.
from 3 months ago
I think I'd be wasting an opportunity to not use Clarett. I wanted people to come in here and read this article and I think Clarett was an effective way to do so.
My bad.. leightweight, leight-heavyweight. Easy mistake to make, I have fixed it. Not a boxing fan so I get confused by that stuff easily.
Yes, Pavlik went to Lowelville, but I never said he was from the South Side.. I said he grew up there. He may have not lived there, but wouldn't you say that he spent a good deal of his time at that boxing club?
I neglected to mention a lot of people from Youngstown.. I tried to stick with the well known names that someone not from the area would.
This is a sports website and we don't cover music or anything. The idea was to talk about just athletes and sports in the city.
I believe I made one error.. You should really rethink the word "many". I appreciate the feedback though, and like I told Louis, any additions are welcomed. I only wanted to highlight the more well known athletes.
3 months ago
Youngstown State was a decent D-AA power for a while in football! lol
from 3 months ago
They owe it all to Jim Tressel, who obviously a look from Ohio State because of what he did at Youngstown.
The program has been down recently, but they have come around. They went to the playoffs the year before last only to be ousted by Appy State. I don't think they'll ever get back to the Tressel days, but some feel that YSU should have been in Division I by now.
2 months ago
I honestly feel sorry for you. This article is totally offensive to anyone from Youngstown. I was born and raised on the South Side and find it hard to believe that you would even make the statement that Maurice "couldn't escape the shackles you are born with from the south side" No matter what city in America you look at individuals from that city make stupid mistakes but does that really mean that the city they were born in is the cause. You may want to make sure you do some real research before you bash a city. Not to mention last time I checked the city was experiencing decreases in both crime and murders. The new mayor is doing a lot to improve the city and it is working. Instead of bashing the city you are from why don't you take some time to try and change it.
from 2 months ago
So you mean to tell me say had Maurice Clarett grown up in say... Canfield rather than the South Side he'd had turn out the same way? You honestly think growing up in that area had no effect on his life?
Right, if you can honestly say that, then fine whatever. But, I don't think that's the case.
I'm not sure why you guys are all of a sudden popping up a month after this article was published saying you are "sorry for me." I'm not sure what there is to feel sorry about.
I've done my research... I've seen what goes on here. Yes the new mayor is doing some improvement, but it's hard to not improve on a city that is rated so low in crime and murder. I commend him either way for the improvement.
What is a 20 year old college student going to do to change something that tons of state and city government officials couldn't change for years?
When you come down to it.. This article was mainly about the great popular athletes and the surrounding area athletics. NOT about what you guys are pointing out. I simply felt that I couldn't get fully into the sports thing without at least mentioning the town as a whole and Maurice Clarett, because like it or not, in a sports sense there are two and now with Kelly's emergence, three names to put on as the face of Youngstown's sports. Kelly, Maurice and Jim Tressel.
Either way.. I appreciate your feedback and comment. I'm sorry you were offended but I felt I spoke nothing but the truth. If you felt I made a factual error at any point in the article, please let me know so I can correct it. I'm not perfect and I've made mistakes, but if you are simply disagreeing with my opinion, that's okay, I respect that.
about 1 month ago
It would have been nice if Garcia Lane had been mentioned but as you previously stated, you cannot mention everyone.
What has to be put in perspective is the difference between the Y-town Southside of the 1970's and early 1980's and the current Southside. Youngstown has always produced good and healthy fruit and also bad and unhealthy fruit. That is the history of every city. The southside that I grew up in through the mid 80's was a hard working proud community. We could boast about our own movie theater, home of Idora Park, and many other things. We lived among educators, lawyers, business owners, activists, and a host of proud blue collar workers. We took care of our property and our own. There is so much more to say but I wrote this to say, please be cautious when you produce generalities and blanket statements.
I agree that it was a clever way to get attention to the story. I even see potential in your writing style. Just be prepared to defend attacks of a people of history and pride. A community that has produced educators,lawyers, business owners, activists, and a host of proud blue collar workers. Many who loved (and always will) their community and who have many, many reasons to be happy to be a product of Youngstown's Southside.
Sincerely,
Ronda M. Moss
Business Owner
Pastor's Wife
Daughter of a long time Youngstown Educator
Sister of an Akron Principal
South High Warrior at Heart
Woodrow Wilson Redmen Graduate
from about 1 month ago
Ronda, appreciate your comments and thank you for your words.
I really really hope that someday Youngstown can stand alone once again as a place to live, that can boast those types of things..
It's funny.. My mom is selling her house and she is so sure about her buyer coming from the Pittsburgh area. Youngstown is looked upon as a suburb of both the 'Burgh and Cleveland. Like I said though, I hope the city can shed that and get back to the status they once had. The steel mills probably won't come back but there is a lot of potential.
Like I've said in previous comments.. This was mainly about sports and I felt like I had way too much to say about it to begin with.. However I felt I'd at least have to give a background somewhat on the city. I apologize for the generalities. I do feel I gave due to the past and what it used to be, but it was the present that I talked down upon.
I really appreciate a comment like yours Ronda. It doesn't rattle my cages or exploit something I said in a way others did, nor does it feed my ego. It makes me think. It also makes me appreciate the reader and feel glad someone like you stumbled upon this site and read the article. My main goal is to get you to read, disagree or agree on the topic. But, one thing I wanted to do here, was educate people on the Youngstown sports scene the best way I could. I didn't know if any people from Youngstown would read it or reply. It might be a month later, but you guys found it like I hoped you would. Thanks again.
about 1 month ago
Sure.. I will add this site as a favorite and I will check you out periodically. It may help you to do some deep research of the history of Youngstown. There is an old saying 'you have to know where you have been to know where you are going'. You seem to have something to offer and I hope you continue to grow into it.
Take care ....
Ronda M. Moss
PS... It really would be good to get some Garcia Lane information included in some of your data. He is who I was looking for an update about, when I stumbled across your page. I did find some interesting info about him. His son is now playing for OSU. See... positive things were produced generationally from Youngstown's Southside. (Smile)
about 1 month ago
Hello,
Your article was just forwarded to me by someone who saw your article recently and responded to it. This is why I am also responding a month later after your article. (smile)
I can see how you used Maurice Clarett to get people to read your article and though I do not particularly agree with the method because like ALL of us he needs prayer and encouragement, I will at the same time avoid really going into that part of the article.
The parts that did catch my eye though were your generalities about the South side. I know the main parts of your article were dealing more with Y-town sports so before I continue I will say I am not coming across as someone who is angry because you bashed my side of town. I also see from reading all of the comments and your responses to them that you are younger (20 years old) so I can sort of understand your misunderstanding about the South side so I am simply shedding some light here. (smile)
I presently live in Cincinnati, Ohio doing ministry related stuff and music. I have been here since 1991. I am a 1985 graduate of South High School. The South side was a great side of town to grow up on. I know you were not born then so you would not know that. It was not dangerous or any more dangerous than any other side of town. The steel mills were pretty much gone when we were growing up there but we still grew up in good homes with good hardworking people raising us who cared about us and loved us. Many of us ended up ok and the South side has produced some great people who are doing great things and being very productive citizens in society. Yes some fell along the way but that happens anywhere across the USA because that’s life. You stated in a response that you have done your research but I am not sure about that when it came to the South side.
Now I will admit to you that Youngstown is not the same city I grew up in. If you are 20 then you were born around 1988 so by the time you got into your early teens around early 2001 / 2002, you saw a different Y-town than the one I grew up in. Much has changed but the present mayor is trying to fix things there. Yes there is corruption there but what city doesn’t have that? Yes there are corrupt cops. But come to Cincinnati and you will see cops 10 times worse. A lot of what you stated in terms of what goes on in Y-town goes on in most cities. I honestly see a day though when Y-town will bounce back.
In another response you told a woman you do not think that if Clarett had grown up in Canfield rather than the South side that he would have turned out the same way. As if growing up on the South side affected how he turned out. You may not believe this but there are lawyers, doctors and businessmen who were raised in the projects and then there are murderers doing life who were raised in the suburbs.
Now maybe you just focused on the South side in all of this because again you had a method in getting people to read this and the subject that you used as bait is from the South side but the blanket generalities are not good.
As far as Clarett not being able to “Escape the shackles that you are born with from the South side”, go to southhighwarriors.com. When you get there look at each class, look at what many are doing now in the ‘Where Are They Now’ sections and you will see many great people doing great things, living respectably who were never born with ‘shackles’ in the first place.
Again I am not mad but just want to shed light here. In the midst of all this I also do see promise in your writing style and hope that you prosper as a writer.
PEACE and GOD bless, Gary Jones
about 1 month ago
Very interesting. I am happy that a young man from the area is giving Youngstown some "shine" due to our rich sports history, but hopefully you can understand where some of the responders here are/were coming from. I have lived in and around Oakland, Ca. since leaving Youngstown in 1992 and I get back about once a year. I still wear Y-town on my sleeve like a badge of honor to this day so I must admit I was a little P.O'ed at the first read, figuring here is another White kid probably from Poland or somewhere trying to write something about the South Side that he has no idea about, but I looked beyond that and saw the artical for what it is: Sports related. So on that note I'd like to add the names Terry Taylor (Rayen), he played quite a few years in the NFL, mostly with Seattle, Sherman Smith (North, I believe) played NFL ball as well. Matt Cavanaugh (Chaney)and Jerry Olsavsky (Chaney) were in "The League as well. My young cousin Keiwan Ratliff was born in "The Yo," played high school ball in Columbus, and became an ESPN all-America DB for the Univ. of Florida prior to being drafted by the Bengals. There are so many others as well. Just remember to do more accenting the positive and downplaying the negative when writing about this City as our collective attitude about our city must become more positive, no?
from about 1 month ago
Yeah, I am a white kid from Poland. But, I also know Poland is full of snobby people for the most part. I am not one of those people and I certainly didn't fit in there for the four years I went to the school there. In the same respect though, don't you think it's a little bit on the same side of what everyone has a problem with me for? Throwing around the term "white kid from Poland" doesn't exactly sound like a ringing endorsement.
Thanks for your additions. I forgot about Matt Cavanaugh and I actually came across Keiwan Ratliff, but did not include him. Both great names.
I do think we have to remain positive about the city. Personally, for me, it is hard to stay positive because of some of the past issues I've had to deal with and things that have effected my life. But, I do want the city to get to a respectable status.
In the end though, this was mainly about sports and while I'm glad people are reading it, I'm really bummed that it has come to this, instead of celebrating the athletes that have come from the city.
about 1 month ago
While your article was interesting and you do have the right to your own opinion, I was thoroughly offended at the comment about living on the southside. While I agree that it is a rough side of town, it doesn't mean that those who live there will be a porduct of the environment. I was born and raised on the southside, went to Grant Elementary, then Hillman, then Princeton Jr. High, and finally South High School. I attended YSU and also graduated from Mercy College Nursing School and I am going back for my masters. I STILL live on the southside and will continue to do so. Instead of running from the problem, I want to be a part of the solution by trying to reach those who society has counted out. Inquiring about their future goals and letting them know that there is another way and that they DON'T have to be a product of their environment. So you can tear the southside down if you want to, I wont have to worry about seeing you around here. And you don't have to lay claim to Youngstown either since you can't find anything good about us. You can lie about wherre you're from...WE WONT CARE!
from about 1 month ago
I applaud your efforts Janis. What you do is a wonderful thing and I'm glad you are doing things to help improve the city and give hope to a young kid.
I think you read the first few lines and quit after that, considering I did nothing but praise the city and it's athletes throughout the rest of the article. I'm not sure what "you can't find anything good about us" means..
about 1 month ago
I am a SHS 1986 graduate...WARRIOR 4 LIFE. I started reading your article then stopped at:
"In a sports sense, it does rock. In every other sense, I wouldn't suggest ever visiting, but if you do, stay away from the south side."
The south side is not a war zone, people aren't standing around with oozies waiting to take you out. Of course if you drive through any side of the town looking for trouble, then trouble will find you. I'm assuming that have passed through the south side atleast once or twice in your life, so let me ask you did you witness a violent crime? Were you victimized as you passed through it? We all know that crime happens everywhere, of course when it happens in an inner city it is well publicized, when it happens in the burbs, such as Poland/Canfield, it's a very well kept secret.
I continued to skim through your article, and stopped again at:
"Maurice was born on Youngstown's south side and unfortunately for him, he could never escape the shackles that you are born with from the south side"
Being born/raised on the south side does not place shackles on you. We all have to make CHOICES in life. Some people choose to make poor choices, and some of us choose better ones. Choice does not discriminate on where you are born or where you are from. I think you made a poor CHOICE when decided to degrade the south side.
Maybe next time you should stick with the topic at hand, sports. If you truly would like to see the area come back, why not start with yourself & make a change on how you portray the area.
Get to know some of the great people that have walked & lived on the "mean" streets of the south side. Visit us at www.southhighwarriors.com
Obama 2008!
about 1 month ago
While I'd love to continue to reply to each one of you individually.. I'm starting to get tired repeating the same exact thing over and over again.. So.. With that.. I will stop and ask you to read my replies to previous comments. If there is something that sticks out that wasn't covered or you actually want to offer up some names, then I will.
Like I said though.. I'm really bummed this didn't get taken for what it was.. An article about sports.. I'm not upset, I understand my words may have angered some, and that is fine, but I will stick by them. However, I am disappointed that more sports couldn't be discussed.
from about 1 month ago
As I mentioned in my previous comment - its hard to respect your article or "discuss" anything with you when your article trashes and insults people.
The fact that you say you are going to "stick by" them - makes it even more clear that engaging with you on any level is a waste... You basically insulted and entire population of people and you are 'fine' with that and dont feel an ounce of remorse regarding your comments.
Once you've done that who really cares what YOU think on any subject - who wants to 'discuss' with you
from about 1 month ago
You never know who could be reading your articles. Have a back up plan ready when the backlash starts, this is just the beginning. I am also disappointed that your article wasn't just about sports, I am also disappointed that you decided to degrade/downgrade/disrespect those of us from the south side. Take it as a lesson learned.
from about 1 month ago
All I can do is apologize to anyone who was offended. As far as sticking by them.. I have to.. I made the comments.. What kind of person would I be if I went back and said "yeah never mind about that stuff, I didn't mean it.."
It isn't responsible to do that. I'd rather shoulder your remarks about my previous comments, then look like a complete fool by taking them back. I'll admit I was wrong to blend anything non-sports related into this article, But like I said I thought it would paint a better picture for someone outside the city to look at the athletes Youngstown has produced to see where they came from. Hindsight is always 20/20 though.
Like I said.. I apologize if you got offended. It wasn't my goal, nor is it my personality to offend anyone. But, I can't control how you feel. I didn't think my opinion on the south side was that far from the truth, but as I've learned, It apparently is, at least in the populous that have replied to this article. It was just that though, opinion, not factual as you said in your previous comment.
from about 1 month ago
I can respect your apology. Your young, from Poland, don't be like your forefathers, be better.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE NOT AN INSULT.
from about 1 month ago
I can respect your apology, and shouldering the backlash that you are getting. You are young, and from Poland don't be like your forefathers, be better.
Make a difference, not an insult.
about 1 month ago
I am definitely OFFENDED by your South Side comment. I raised on there (Cleveland School, Princeton, and then SOUTH!!!!)
I'm not shackled by my upbringing - in fact I am ADVANCED as a result. I have an Assoc. in Transportation Mgmt, a Bachelors in Business, and a Masters in IT. I've worked for the biggest software company in the world, and currently own my own business. (you dont get that being shackled from your upbringing) and I'm not the exception to the rule - there are many who would beg to differ with your FOUL!! comment about the south side or your overall opinion of growing up in the city.
Yes downtown is a former shell of what it used to be - Steel Mills arent the future so the expectation that they would produce the same economically is dream land. Have you checked downtown lately? The NUMBER 1 - ARS System in the world has its world headquarters there, they have not less than 10 increasing and advancing technology companies in the Incubator Bldg, restaurants are returning, things are rebuilding. The Convocation Center is a HUGE boost to that area.
While I realize this is an article on Sports - you made some comments outside of sports that are unfounded and yes OFFENSIVE!! You are young and in my opinion ignorant if you think what happened to Maurice is a result of the side of town he grew up on, thats an individual circumstance related to HIM and his BAD decisions in life and YES he could have made equally bad decisions growing up or going to school in Canfield. You couldnt have possibly researched this as you claim because your comment about being shackled is not FACTUAL!!
Next time there is a mass school shooting for example...research that - it happens in suburbs with middle to upper class incomes, its not a product of their upbringing that they go out and shoot up schools. Its individual BAD decisions, related to them.
Gaping generalities about people from a particular side of town and saying that side of town makes the city bad... NOT good - and hard for people to respect your article and what you write overall when you begin it with trashing and insulting them.
about 1 month ago
I find it amusing that you use the argunent. "I am younger." What are you conceding? Ignorance? As a writer you owe it not only to your writing topic, but to yourself, to write a well informed article. Research is a google search away in today's world. I have no problems with your comments about Maurice Clarrett, but I vehemently disagree with the "shackles" comment. Contrary to popular belief, even people from the "ghetto" control the outcome of their lives. I am a 23 year old black male, born and raised on the Southside of Youngstown. As of today I am a semester away from getting my bachelors summa cum laude, and a year away (hopefully) from law school. We don't all fall under the Clarett category. Yes, I know that this is a sports website but your article goes much deeper than sports. Don't think your age gives you a "free pass" to write extremely inadequate articles. With the tone that you use throughout this article, I perceive your disclusion the many Youngstown athletes who did make a name for themselves as calculated. Your article lacks objectivity and without that amounts to nothing more than a meaningless rant.
from about 1 month ago
I never used my age as a reason for anything other than not naming some athletes that other people have mentioned.
I didn't include people I knew nothing about.. Yeah I could have researched them on google, but I wouldn't have accurately been able to talk about them considering I've never heard of them before. I also owe to the topic I'm writing about to at least be accurate, and if I feel like I don't know much about Doc Beede, then I'm not going to include him into the article. However, I know about Brad Smith.. I know he went to Chaney, I know he went on to play for Missouri. I've got first-hand knowledge that I'm positive about.
Once again, I never used age as an excuse for anything I said in the article.. I used it as an excuse for not including athletes that were way before my time. I did by best, but I'm not a historian and information on Youngstown athletes of the past is pretty scarce from what I can tell unless you know names.
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