Head Athletic Trainer Parry Finds Perks, Joy in His Career

For head athletic trainer Carlos Parry, hard work has definitely has paid off with an incredible reward. His journey began right here in the District of Columbia. At a young age, Parry’s love for sports set him up for the career he would grow to love.

“Growing up I wanted to be a doctor and major in radiology, but I couldn’t find any schools. So I decided to become a trainer due to my love of sports” Parry stated.

Although Parry didn’t go into the field he intended upon, he chose one in which he could do what he ultimately wanted to do, help people. So Parry searched and found California University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in exercise science with a concentration in performance enhancement and injury prevention. It was here that he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. But like everything worth having, getting his degrees didn’t come without complications.

Parry’s collegiate career was filled with challenges that at times were a deterrent. Just like any other college student, the workload can sometimes become stressful. For many students the adjustment can be an overwhelming task.

“There are a lot of long days and lots of studying to do. There are days where you feel like giving up. It is easy to get off track” says Parry with a serious face.

With that type of adversity, it is easy to falter. But Parry didn’t’ crack under the pressure. Instead he offered some advise on how to make it through the rough times. He encourages students to strive to be better and to stay away from having “tunnel vision.” He also offers special advise for those striving to become athletic trainers.

That last statement is one that transcends well with Parry. The joy in his eyes when he speaks about his job as an athletic trainer is unprecedented. When a student athlete becomes injured, he work began. During this time, he is able to gain a one on one relationship with his patients. This is one of the best perks in his opinion. Not only is he able to meet different people, he is able to watch them progress and return to the player they were before their injury occurred. Who wouldn’t want to see their hard work has done.

But with all that hard work, one must have a little time for play. This proves true for Carlos. Being that he is from the D.C. area, he is able to spend lots of time with his family and friends. Family is a very important part of his life. In addition to that, he enjoys his free time riding his motorcycle, bowling and traveling. Though those activities are fun, Parry’s dedication still remains to his job at Howard.

According to Parry, the future of athletic training is promising. He has many ideas to enhance the program at Howard University.

“I would like to get a graduate level athletic program and a bigger facility. Also I want to change the stigma of trainers. The trainer and athlete relationship will be better. Possibly I could change the staff wardrobe and hire more trainers. And of course this is going to take a lot of money; so I plan on getting a couple fundraisers started” Parry says excitedly.

Thinking outside the box like that has allowed Parry to become the man his is today. With ideas and determination like that, Howard University and Carlos Parry only have the best to look forward too.

“Always study hard. Gain positive relationships with different people. Be a good communicator. Don’t be afraid to apply for a position you may not think you can get. Don’t get discouraged. And most of all, just love what you do.

Facing the Reality of Steroids in Professional Sports

It was a beautiful evening on Aug. 7, 2007, at San Francisco’s AT&T Park when the crowd cheered as Barry Bonds stepped up to the plate. After a full count, the crowd quieted. From the thousands in the stands to the thousands around the world watching from home, there was one question at hand. Is tonight the night he breaks the record? With a pitch from Washington Nationals pitcher Mike Bacsik, Bonds sent the ball to center field and over the wall. He’s done it, were the words echoing around the world from announcers. What record did he break?, you ask. Bonds had broken the record held by Hank Aaron for the most career home runs. Despite all the criticism, Bonds had finally made history and was on top of the world

On Nov. 15, just two months after hitting 756 home runs and breaking the record, Bonds was indicted on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. For many years, rumors about Bonds using steroids were everywhere. After his trainer, Greg Anderson, admitted to supplying steroids to some of the individuals he trained, Bonds immediately came under scrutiny. In December 2003, Bonds had denied stories of his trainer supplying him steroids in front of a federal grand jury. Almost four years later, many believe he lied under oath.

But in the case of steroid use, Bonds is not the only person being looked at. Athletes from baseball, track and field, and even football are coming up with positive tests for HGH (human growth hormone) and other steroids. So the question is: Has steroids taken over the sports world?

Coming off of three gold and two bronze medal wins in the Sydney Olympics, track and field star Marion Jones admitted her use of steroids after being indicted. On Oct. 5, 2007, Jones plead guilty to two counts of lying to a federal agent about her steroid use. After Jones’ last court appearance on Jan. 11, she was sentenced to six months in prison for lying about steroid use and taking part in a check-fraud scam. Questions surrounding steroid use began after investigations of her boyfriend, Tim Montgomery, and former husband and shot-putter, C.J. Hunter, became big news. Accusations followed by Victor Conte, founder and president of the notorious BALCO (Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative), which has been investigated for providing steroids to athletes. Everyone knew Jones was a great track and field star. But was she good enough to win five Olympic medals and beat her closest competitor in one race by a clear second? A second may not seem like a lot of time, but in track, wins come by more like tenths of a second.

After two of the biggest names in the sports world have been prosecuted for lying about their steroid use, and one being convicted, it begs the question if there are any athletes today who are not using steroids. Almost every week, there is a new story on an athlete testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. One of the big sports taking a hit from this is baseball. After a book written by former baseball star Jose Canseco, who admitted to steroid use, told stories about several baseball players on steroids, investigations of other players followed. In Canseco’s book, he accuses Marc McGwire of steroid use. Recently, the big name of New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens has come to the forefront. Leaks about his steroid use are beginning to hit the fan. With the league becoming more competitive each year, many players feel as though they have to perform at a higher level.

Another sport that has been hit with the steroid bug lately is football. In 2004, Superbowl contenders the Carolina Panthers were involved in a huge steroid scandal. Dr. James Shortt was found to have written prescriptions for steroids for several Panthers: Kevin Donnalley, John Milem, Jeff Mitchell, Todd Sauerbrun, Todd Steussie, Wesley Walls, and practice squad player Louis Williams. Since that point, the NFL has made progress in not letting that happen again. At the same time, more and more football players every year are testing positive for steroids, but many feel their punishment is lenient. So what kind of message is this sending to young athletes today – that cheating has become acceptable?

In a society in which the strong seem to thrive, many athletes are doing things to make sure they are the strongest. But this just isn’t in the professional sports world; high school and college athletes are testing the waters as well. It seems like athletes are getting better as time progresses. Many try to get the edge and become the best. In the world of high school and college-level sports, steroid use is on the rise.

Barry University sophomore starting pitcher Robbie Conver says, “Everyone in the professional leagues uses them. You do what you have to do to get to the top.”

When asked if he thinks that steroids will soon reach the realm of basketball, Barry University junior guard, Uli de la Vega says, “I don’t think it will affect the basketball world as bad as the other sports, such as baseball and football. Sports like football and baseball require power; but basketball is more a finesse sport. So since steroids are for power, I don’t think basketball players would take a chance and ending up hurting themselves.”

Though many may try to deny it, getting injected with HGH is as easy as going to the doctor and having it done right in the office. Clearly this is an issue. In March 2004, the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimated that at least a half-million eighth and tenth graders had taken steroids. In light of that, precautions have been taken to discourage steroid use at such a young age. According to an article published in USA Today on Dec. 21, 2005, student athletes in the state of New Jersey were to face steroid testing in the fall of 2006. Since testing went forward, a reported two percent of the 500 student athletes tested positive for steroids. Also in the article, a high school coach, Greg Toal, who began coaching at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J., in 1999, said, “Kids at 17 and 18 think they're invincible. If testing is what helps stop them from using steroids, then do it.”

A different study conducted the same year indicated that nearly 1.1 million Americans said they had used anabolic steroids. Since that time, the numbers have steadily increased. It seems as though steroid use has become too common. But over the last couple of months, facts have shown that frequent drug use can lead to death.

In the world of professional wrestling, the deaths of Chris Benoit, who killed his wife and 7-year-old son and then committed suicide earlier this year, and Eddie Guerreo in 2005 were attributed to continued steroid use. This should be a sign to many that steroids are dangerous. But as time progresses, steroid use gets worse. So I pose a few questions to those reading this: What can be done to halt this? Or has steroid use become so big that it can’t be stopped until competitive sports as we know it radically change or cease to exist?

Male Spotlight: Love, Set, Match! Rittenauer makes strides on and off the tennis court

For Barry senior and tennis stand-out, Patrick Rittenauer, the game is really love, set, match. A native of Offenau, Germany and an only child, he often didn’t have a playmate. Rittenauer looked for various activities to occupy his time. But by coincidence, at the tender age of six, Rittenauaer picked up his first racket and immediately fell in LOVE.

“At that time, tennis was on the rise and everybody was playing, so I tried it and loved it” Rittenauaer stated with a hearty infectious laugh. The time Rittenauaer was referring to was in the late 1980s, when Boris Becker and Steffi Graf, a German man and woman both occupied the top steeds of the world professional tennis rankings. The emergence of Becker and Graf as superstars automatically put Germany on the map as a tennis powerhouse. Officially ushering tennis onto the scene with the whole country smitten and Patrick was no different. The only difference between him and others was that once he witnessed Becker’s and Graf’s success, he started playing, and he was unable to stop.

As the years progressed, Patrick began to realize he had a talent for tennis. After practicing for many hours almost everyday, he began to master his craft, culminating his talents into an exceptional junior career. During his time on the junior circuit in Germany he was consistently nationally ranked in the top five of his age group and place in the top three at nationals at the ages of 15, 16, and 17. After finishing high school in Germany, Patrick had his sights set on America and Barry University as his new home.

“At first I wanted to come to America just for a year, so I could learn the language, but I fell in love and met my then girlfriend, now fiancé, Sapima Zuccolillo, so I decided to stay.” said Rittenauer with a chuckle.

Arriving in America and going from the familiar cold of Germany to the often fierce heat of Miami was quite an adjustment. “I love it now.” says Rittenauer. Rittenauer love for Miami and Barry truly shows he is an extraordinary student-athlete on and off the court. Rittenauer has worked his way to the top, by working hard individually and with coaches on the tennis court, while applying that same work ethic individually with teachers in the classroom.

Most recently, Ritenauer was named Sunshine State Conference Scholar Athlete of the year. And if that isn’t enough, he was also named by “ESPN Magazine” First Team Academic All-District, making him eligible for the All-America Team. Over the past four years, while practicing countless hours, traveling and participating in numerous tennis matches, Rittenauer has compiled a 3.945 grade point average while double majoring in political science and international studies.

“My favorite class is economics. We talk about the relationship between politics and economy. Everything from getting better living conditions in third world countries to inflation is touched on. I find it very interesting.” After he graduates, Rittenauer plans to get his masters in finance. What can’t this man do?

Rittenauer is on the top of his game in the classroom and on the tennis court things are no different. He finished last season ranked fourth in the nation, posting an 11-1 record in singles play and 12-3 in doubles play. When watching him play, many can see the likes of tennis greats like Andy Roddick and Roger Federer. “I would love to be able to play like him [Federer] ” Rittenauer says. If you look closely, you might even see a slight resemblance between Federer and Rittenauer.

Though from Germany, Patrick also likes the play of American tennis star, Andy Roddick and uses him as a model for parts of his game. “I like Roddick. He has a big serve.” Says Rittenauer. Like Roddick, Rittenauer loves to serve first. He is what many would call a front runner. Once he gets ahead, the competitor doesn’t have a chance. “I like to serve first and keep the match short.” explains Rittenauer “I don’t move that well, so I use the serve to keep the matches short. And I like to get out the heat as fast as I can”.

Rittenauer’s fierce will to win and love for the game not only keeps him on his toes, but it helps his teammates as well. Teammate and Junior Manuel Lauter says, “When you see how hard he competes out there, you want to give it your all. His strength and determination is great.

Assistant Coach, Thomas Hipp says, “He is a very hard worker whose game motivates his teammates."

The 2008 season will be the last for Rittenauer. But instead of being down about it he feels great.

“I’m looking forward to my last season here. I hope we win nationals. For a couple of years we reached the finals and last year the quarters [quarterfinals]. I think we have a chance to go all the way.” Rittenauer is determined with his LOVE for the game and impeccable work ethic to help the team to reach their goals by winning every SET and MATCH. But with all that work one needs a little play.

Outside of the tennis world, Rittenauer does enjoy other sports. In his spare time he enjoys playing basketball as well as soccer. He also enjoys the city of Miami. “Downtown is nice.” Rittenauer explains “I like the palm trees and the high rises. I love the beach as well. But the best the part of Miami is the …….”

Well I was held to secrecy on that one. If you want to know that answer you are going to have to attend a match and do some investigative journalism yourself.

Hip-hop and Basketball: Linked on the Court and in Pop Culture

The hip-hop movement has had a profound effect on the mainstream culture of the entire nation, especially in the areas of music, fashion, advertising, television and sports. This influence has ignited controversy over the last 10 years, and professional basketball is one of the latest flash points for such disputes. The National Basketball Association is unofficially associated with hip-hop, as both are entertainment businesses, and many NBA players align themselves with hip-hop culture.

Many basketball players were raised in urban areas of America, where hip-hop showed them how to walk, talk, dress, and be a man. These players were accustomed to looking the part of street soldiers. Since they joined the NBA, some urban-bred players such as Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, and Jermaine O’Neal have brought a hip-hop style and attitude to the game. Often players would come to games or press conferences dressed in baggy jeans, jerseys or T-shirts, sneakers, wave caps, baseball caps and chains -- looks that to many appear to be the same as rappers.

But to NBA Commissioner David Stern and other association members, this look was inappropriate, as it did not portray the professional image that the NBA wanted its players to project. In the real world, professionals dress in attire appropriate for the event they are attending, whether in formal suits or business casual: fitted khaki pants and tucked-in polos or button-down shirts, with no heavy gold chains showing. Seeing as the NBA is a professional business, it was only logical for the commissioner to want his workers to look the part.

So in October 2005, a dress code was put in place for official appearances off the court. This code requires players to wear dress shirts or sweaters; dress slacks, khakis or dress jeans; socks, and dress shoes or dress boots. Excluded items are: sleeveless shirts, T-shirts, jerseys or sports apparel (unless appropriate for the event); shorts; headgear or headphones; as well as chains, medallions or pendants worn over clothing. Just like in any business, violating the rules results in disciplinary action.

When this dress code took effect, some players took offense, viewing it as a deliberate attack upon certain players who until then, had dressed in more of a hip-hop style. Although the NBA writes the checks, the players are the ones selling official NBA merchandise such as jerseys, as well as selling out arenas. The NBA may have a problem with certain players’ style, but they have jumped on the hip-hop moneymaking bandwagon right along with everyone else.

With the emergence of hip-hop superstars, the NBA, like many other organizations and businesses, took notice and began using hip-hop music and its creators in their advertisements. NBA players appeared in films reflecting the hip-hop culture, and even produced their own hip-hop music. Not only is Iverson a star point guard, but he is also now a rapper. His first single, “40 Bars,” spoke negatively about homosexuality (shunned in the hip-hop community). In light of this, comments by Commissioner Stern and homosexual NBA fans forced Iverson to not release his album.

In addition, some hip-hop artists, such as Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Cornell “Nelly” Haynes and Shad “Bow Wow” Moss, became part-owners of teams. They are part of the reason some teams are able to be successful in certain venues. They bring more fans to the stands. Hip-hop fans tend to follow their favorite artists, supporting them by attending games of the teams in which those artists have partial ownership.

“A lot of players are part of the hip-hop culture. And they bring many fans along with them,” said Otis White, a guard on the Barry University men’s basketball team. Just being associated with the hip-hop culture helps pro players bring in huge revenues.

Is the NBA biting the hand that feeds it by enforcing the dress code? New Jersey Nets guard Vince Carter was offended. In New Jersey’s Bergen Record, Carter was quoted as saying, "I just think people should be able to express themselves. I know they took out the doo-rag stuff; I understand that.” But, he noted that it shouldn’t matter to others what players wear when traveling. “We want to be comfortable on a flight just like everybody else in the world when they fly.” When NBA players are flying for personal reasons, they can dress however they please, but the NBA does not want them to walk off a plane for a league event dressed in anything that doesn’t meet the code.

Allen Iverson told The Philadelphia Inquirer that the dress code “sends a bad message to kids. If you don't have a suit when you go to school, is your teacher going to think you’re a bad kid because you don't have a suit on?”

NBA players affiliated with hip-hop are highly scrutinized, and sometimes with good reasons, including troubles on and off the court. For instance, the infamous 2004 all-out brawl between the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers and fans, was attributed to thug-like behavior fueled by hip-hop culture in the league. The primary concerns after these altercations, and other related troubles, are the potential effects on youth who look up to NBA stars and aspire to one day play professionally.

During three years of working with elementary-school students in an after-school program that strived to help them with schoolwork and building character, I found that many urban male youth look at NBA stars like Iverson and Anthony as role models

Indeed, many would argue that the image that pro basketball players portray is not harming youth. Although their clothing may look like that of thugs, some players have foundations to make music education available in inner-city schools and fund recreation centers to keep children off the streets. For example, Carmelo Anthony founded the Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center in Baltimore, where he was raised. It helps children with their education and gets them involved in extracurricular activities.

Locally, Miami Heat superstar Alonzo Mourning and his wife Tracy have worked closely with the youth of South Florida for more than ten years through their non-profit organization Alonzo Mourning Charities. The Mournings have received numerous honors for their charitable work, including the 2007 Faith and Founders Award from Barry University.

While some of incidents that occur off-court still reflect on the NBA, and may have a certain relationship to the hip-hop culture, players apologize for such behavior and speak to children who look up to them about the importance of getting an education and staying out of trouble.

Hip-hop music itself can be a source of inspiration for players at all levels. Barry guard Gabe Lazo listens to hip-hop before games. He said, “When I hear music before and during the games, it gets me hyped.” Lazo is in good company: So do Anthony and Iverson. Asked at a press conference what he does to prepare for games, Anthony replied, “I listen to rap. I love Styles P and Jadakiss.” Part of a player’s performance is attributed to pre-game actions. Hip-hop music gets many players energized, and helps them perform at higher levels.

So the final questions are: Is hip-hop beneficial to the game of basketball? Or is it a disgrace that the NBA should be ashamed of? The answers are up to you.