Hosts Dave and Len welcome community leader Mark Sills to discuss his three-decade work running Urban Youth Inc., mentoring young athletes, organizing basketball leagues and tournaments, and leading the Delaware Afro‑American Sports Hall of Fame. He shares success stories, scholarship efforts, and his role preserving Delaware’s sports legacy.
The episode also covers trending stories: Coco Gauff’s storytelling partnership, a historic concert at the Vatican featuring clips and Pharrell, a nine‑year‑old college neuroscience student, and the hosts’ sports talk and predictions.
00:00:00 --> 00:00:12 Music.
00:00:12 --> 00:00:18 Another edition of News and Trends with your host, Dave and Lynn.
00:00:18 --> 00:00:23 Talk to him low How could I possibly be inconspicuous With my flow is f***ing
00:00:23 --> 00:00:27 ridiculous That's quite an accent See I'm from the south With something about
00:00:27 --> 00:00:31 beautiful Welcome, welcome, welcome to News and Trends with Dave and Lynn.
00:00:32 --> 00:00:36 This is one of your hosts, Dave Coker, proprietor of Dave Mark Inc.,
00:00:36 --> 00:00:42 motor, event planner, and all-around good guy. hanging around with my partner, Mr. Leonard Young.
00:00:42 --> 00:00:48 We also want to make sure you guys always remember you can always catch us on
00:00:48 --> 00:00:59 101.5 The Fever on Saturdays as they replay our Tuesday show with DJ Ribbs and his partner, Mr.
00:00:59 --> 00:01:04 Bobby Keys. So if you ever miss us on a Tuesday, you can always go on Saturday
00:01:04 --> 00:01:13 at 10 o'clock in the morning on 101.5 The Fever and listen to the show play back again.
00:01:14 --> 00:01:17 Like I said, I'm hanging out with my partner. Oh, we're also part of the MBG
00:01:17 --> 00:01:22 Podcast Network too, so you can always catch us on that along with a lot of
00:01:22 --> 00:01:24 great other podcasts as well.
00:01:25 --> 00:01:28 Hanging out with my partner, Mr. Leonard Young. What's going on, sir?
00:01:29 --> 00:01:33 Hey, Dave. Everything is good. This is Leonard Young, CEO of National Black
00:01:33 --> 00:01:39 Guide, DelawareBlack.com, Black Media Specialist, all-around good guy. How goes it, Dave?
00:01:40 --> 00:01:44 Man, I can't call it, man. It's another day, another dollar.
00:01:44 --> 00:01:46 Another dollar. Yeah, that's right. Yeah.
00:01:47 --> 00:01:53 You know, made it through the weekend. It was a good weekend and didn't do anything
00:01:53 --> 00:01:58 too exciting, but, you know, man, time is just fine, man. We're already in the
00:01:58 --> 00:02:01 middle of September already, man. I know. I know.
00:02:01 --> 00:02:07 Yeah. Yeah. So did you do anything inciting? Did you take over the world?
00:02:08 --> 00:02:12 No, I went to Virginia to do work. That's about it.
00:02:13 --> 00:02:18 Okay. All right. All right. Well, you know, when you're a man about town and
00:02:18 --> 00:02:21 you can, you know, you got private jets.
00:02:21 --> 00:02:23 How long did it take? About 20 minutes on that jet?
00:02:24 --> 00:02:27 No, it was about a four-hour drive. Yeah.
00:02:28 --> 00:02:29 They have jokes.
00:02:32 --> 00:02:33 But anyway. So,
00:02:34 --> 00:02:39 You know, this is talking to the man that has everything over there.
00:02:41 --> 00:02:49 I don't know about that, Dave. Well, Dave, when was the last time you've been over to help cut grass?
00:02:50 --> 00:02:52 You know, anything. We ready for you.
00:02:53 --> 00:02:57 The other day, but you wasn't there. You were in Virginia. So, hey, you met me.
00:02:57 --> 00:03:02 Oh, and Dave, you know what this weekend is? No cut grass this weekend?
00:03:03 --> 00:03:05 Thunderguard weekend, where you at?
00:03:07 --> 00:03:09 What you got planned?
00:03:11 --> 00:03:16 That is too funny. That is too funny. For those of you that don't know,
00:03:17 --> 00:03:23 you know, that have never heard this before, Leonard owns the GNR Campground,
00:03:23 --> 00:03:28 which is down in Houston, Delaware, right outside of Dover.
00:03:29 --> 00:03:34 And it used to be called the Gunner and Rod Club. but it's the G&R campground
00:03:34 --> 00:03:39 so what he's referring to they have a bikers weekend thing coming up this weekend
00:03:39 --> 00:03:44 I guess come on down to help out,
00:03:45 --> 00:03:52 security it'd be bikers everywhere it's a cool thing to see I will say because
00:03:52 --> 00:03:56 they have bikers of all different groups that come together and they just hang
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 out with each other white bikers,
00:03:58 --> 00:04:03 black bikers the women bikers women bikers.
00:04:03 --> 00:04:05 I mean, old, young. Yep. Yeah.
00:04:06 --> 00:04:09 It's all age groups. You know, people have been bikers for 50,
00:04:10 --> 00:04:12 60 years. You know, I mean, it's crazy.
00:04:12 --> 00:04:15 It is something to stick all of them together like that, though.
00:04:15 --> 00:04:17 I will say that it really is.
00:04:17 --> 00:04:23 So, but he, he's trying to get me to come down and work for $5 an hour.
00:04:23 --> 00:04:26 He's trying to get me to come down here for $5 an hour. I'm not doing it.
00:04:26 --> 00:04:28 $4.50. It's actually $4.50.
00:04:29 --> 00:04:31 Okay. All right. Whatever. Anyway.
00:04:32 --> 00:04:40 We'll talk about that. So, well, we are fortunate enough that we have a guest on with us today.
00:04:41 --> 00:04:44 So I'm anxious to bring this person on.
00:04:44 --> 00:04:48 So Leonard, why don't you go ahead and give us a little bit about who we have on today?
00:04:48 --> 00:04:52 Sure. So today our guest is Mark P. Sills.
00:04:53 --> 00:04:58 He's born and raised on Wilmington's east side. He is a respected community
00:04:58 --> 00:05:03 advocate, entrepreneur, and youth basketball organizer.
00:05:03 --> 00:05:10 He's founder and president of Urban Youth, Inc., which has served over 120
00:05:10 --> 00:05:14 young athletes through basketball leagues and tournaments across Wilmington
00:05:14 --> 00:05:17 and 20 other cities since 1997.
00:05:18 --> 00:05:23 His work has helped many youth earn college scholarships and gain valuable opportunities.
00:05:24 --> 00:05:28 Sill's early career included a role with the Wilmington Housing Authority,
00:05:28 --> 00:05:30 the Delaware Girls Club,
00:05:31 --> 00:05:36 and decades as the assistant basketball coach at Howard High School,
00:05:36 --> 00:05:40 where he contributed to the 1996 state championship.
00:05:40 --> 00:05:45 He has been widely recognized earning honors from the Pennsylvania Legislative
00:05:45 --> 00:05:51 Black Caucus, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and multiple civic organizations.
00:05:51 --> 00:05:56 He has been inducted into the Philadelphia Association of Black Sports and Culture
00:05:56 --> 00:06:03 Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Delaware Afro-American Sports Hall of Fame in 2014
00:06:03 --> 00:06:09 and the Delaware State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2024.
00:06:10 --> 00:06:15 A proud Delaware State alumnus and Phi Beta Sigma member,
00:06:16 --> 00:06:21 Sills has been a longtime champion of DSU athletics, serving on numerous committees,
00:06:22 --> 00:06:26 supporting recruiting efforts, and mentoring student-athletes.
00:06:26 --> 00:06:31 His leadership extends to civic boards, including the Delaware High School Basketball
00:06:31 --> 00:06:38 Hall of Fame and the Wilmington MLK Junior Referral Center Advisory Board,
00:06:38 --> 00:06:42 as well as the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Board.
00:06:43 --> 00:06:49 Carrying forward a family legacy of public service, his father being Wilmington's
00:06:49 --> 00:06:52 first Black mayor, James H.
00:06:52 --> 00:06:57 Seals Jr., Mark has devoted over three decades to empowering youth,
00:06:58 --> 00:07:01 advancing basketball, and uplifting his community.
00:07:02 --> 00:07:07 So without further ado, I'd like to welcome Mark Seals to the show. How you doing, sir?
00:07:08 --> 00:07:13 Good. How you doing? Thank you for having me. Sure, sure. I can definitely say
00:07:13 --> 00:07:19 your bio reads almost like a who's who of Delaware basketball royalty.
00:07:19 --> 00:07:23 So, you know, thank you for joining us on the show.
00:07:23 --> 00:07:28 And I guess to get started, I guess we'll just jump straight to basketball.
00:07:29 --> 00:07:33 So can you kind of explain how you got involved in basketball?
00:07:33 --> 00:07:40 And then even though the bio didn't mention it, I'm sure being inducted into
00:07:40 --> 00:07:44 all these Sports Hall of Fame, you must have been one heck of a player.
00:07:45 --> 00:07:50 Yes. Thank you. Yes. Well, I've gotten, I got involved in basketball at a very
00:07:50 --> 00:07:51 early age, you know, several.
00:07:52 --> 00:07:57 Eight years old, playing basketball throughout the city of Wilmington and Newcastle County,
00:07:57 --> 00:08:02 planning leagues and tournaments and playing on teams and playing at Brown Boys
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 Club and Bancroft School and Pyle
00:08:04 --> 00:08:09 School and playing just all over at the different parks all over the city.
00:08:09 --> 00:08:14 So I just love basketball and I played, you know, from a young age all the way
00:08:14 --> 00:08:19 up until my young adult years, I should say.
00:08:19 --> 00:08:26 And I also got involved in coaching. So I coached in the Stormans Classic Basketball
00:08:26 --> 00:08:28 League where Norman Aller was
00:08:28 --> 00:08:34 the founder and in the Stormans Classic Basketball Hall of Fame as well.
00:08:34 --> 00:08:40 And then I moved on and got hired at Howard High School, Mike Miller.
00:08:41 --> 00:08:47 Big Cat is what they called him, he paved the way for me to get a position at Howard High School.
00:08:47 --> 00:08:50 And I was assistant coach there with Mike Miller.
00:08:50 --> 00:08:57 And then I was assistant coach with Stan Hill. And then I was assistant coach with Paul Brown.
00:08:57 --> 00:08:59 And I worked there for over 10 years.
00:08:59 --> 00:09:01 And it was a very rewarding experience.
00:09:02 --> 00:09:06 I love my years at Howard High School. And I still volunteer and still try to
00:09:06 --> 00:09:07 help at Howard High School.
00:09:07 --> 00:09:11 And I've been involved with Howard High School the past 29 years.
00:09:11 --> 00:09:16 And it's been a great marriage. And I've been really loved at Howard and they've
00:09:16 --> 00:09:18 really embraced me. So I embraced them back.
00:09:18 --> 00:09:21 And I just love my school, Howard High School.
00:09:21 --> 00:09:26 And I then ventured off and started my own business, Urban Youth Inc.
00:09:26 --> 00:09:31 And I run basketball tournaments throughout Delaware, Philadelphia,
00:09:32 --> 00:09:37 Jersey, Toronto, Canada, Atlanta, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia,
00:09:38 --> 00:09:39 Washington, D.C., Baltimore.
00:09:40 --> 00:09:46 I've run tournaments all over and I've been doing that for 20, what is it, since 1997.
00:09:47 --> 00:09:51 And I've been running a basketball league in Wilmington for the past 30 years.
00:09:51 --> 00:09:55 I've actually been doing basketball leagues longer than I've been doing tournaments.
00:09:55 --> 00:09:59 So my league in Wilmington is still going strong.
00:09:59 --> 00:10:05 And I help kids from fourth grade through 12th grade by having these tournaments
00:10:05 --> 00:10:09 and leagues and clinics to keep kids off the streets.
00:10:09 --> 00:10:15 And to give them something positive to do and keep them in a structured and safe environment.
00:10:15 --> 00:10:20 And I try to help kids, mentoring them when there's a problem.
00:10:20 --> 00:10:26 I try to help kids if they have a family issue. I try to help kids if they're trying to go to college.
00:10:26 --> 00:10:32 I try to help kids find jobs. So I do many things through basketball,
00:10:32 --> 00:10:38 and basketball has been a godsend for me And it's allowed me to help people
00:10:38 --> 00:10:43 throughout the East Coast and as well as Delaware.
00:10:43 --> 00:10:47 And it's allowed me to meet so many people. I've met so many people through
00:10:47 --> 00:10:49 basketball. It's amazing.
00:10:49 --> 00:10:52 Without basketball, I don't think I would have met all these different people.
00:10:52 --> 00:10:57 And it's been just a great ride. And I'm really happy and grateful and blessed
00:10:57 --> 00:11:02 to be in this position and still continue on God's work.
00:11:02 --> 00:11:08 Gotcha. Now, just to backtrack a little bit, were you also a Howard High School graduate?
00:11:08 --> 00:11:14 No, I did not go to Howard. I was a Glasgow High School graduate.
00:11:14 --> 00:11:17 I was bused during desegregation.
00:11:17 --> 00:11:24 I wanted to go to Howard, but I was forced to go to Glasgow where I went to school.
00:11:24 --> 00:11:30 But Howard is the school that actually embraced me and they treat me like I'm one of them.
00:11:31 --> 00:11:38 I embraced them back, like I said earlier. And it's just been a great family situation at Howard.
00:11:38 --> 00:11:41 They treat me just like I'm family and I try to treat them the same way.
00:11:41 --> 00:11:44 I gotcha. Okay. Yeah. I mean, that's awesome to hear.
00:11:45 --> 00:11:49 I know a couple of weeks ago, we had the director and the assistant director
00:11:49 --> 00:11:52 from Wilmington Parks and Recreation on.
00:11:53 --> 00:11:57 And, you know, one thing that, you know, I think either Dave and I asked him
00:11:57 --> 00:12:01 one of the questions about, you know, what activities for the youth,
00:12:01 --> 00:12:07 you know, Because, of course, we see that the more activities that youth can get in,
00:12:07 --> 00:12:14 the less dangerous or less bad activities they can get in as well.
00:12:15 --> 00:12:20 So I guess with that said, I think it's a great program that you're offering
00:12:20 --> 00:12:25 basketball because I feel like at least every boy growing up thinks he's going
00:12:25 --> 00:12:28 to be Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Steph Curry.
00:12:28 --> 00:12:32 You know, I don't know, maybe for Dave Coker, Wilt Chamberlain or,
00:12:32 --> 00:12:38 you know, whoever you are, whoever you are, whoever you're all in mind.
00:12:39 --> 00:12:46 Sorry, Dave. I just had to do it. But can can you kind of talk about because I'm sure, you know,
00:12:47 --> 00:12:52 without mentioning names, can you think of maybe some of the kids who have had
00:12:52 --> 00:12:59 the biggest impact on you by you kind of providing that opportunity for basketball?
00:12:59 --> 00:13:05 So they could be, you know, maybe basketball allowed them to change their life,
00:13:05 --> 00:13:08 you know, here in Wilmington, outside Wilmington.
00:13:08 --> 00:13:11 Do you have any success stories that you can mention?
00:13:12 --> 00:13:17 Yes. We've had several kids in our program who have gone on to the WNBA.
00:13:17 --> 00:13:20 Oh, wow. OK. Such as Elena Deldon.
00:13:21 --> 00:13:27 Yeah. Oh, OK. So she was in your program? Yes. Since she was 11 years old. Oh, wow. OK.
00:13:27 --> 00:13:32 Yes. And she was an outstanding player, even at 11 years old.
00:13:32 --> 00:13:38 And she came down and played in my events and tournaments and leagues.
00:13:38 --> 00:13:41 She would come in the hood, too, and play down a bracket.
00:13:42 --> 00:13:45 She wasn't afraid. She was not afraid. Yeah.
00:13:45 --> 00:13:50 You know, I almost feel like those basketball girls are a whole different breed, you know, you know.
00:13:51 --> 00:13:57 Absolutely. And we've had Khadijah Rushton, who played in the WNBA,
00:13:58 --> 00:14:02 who was a big time superstar here in Wilmington and at Rutgers University.
00:14:02 --> 00:14:08 And she played for the Los Angeles Sparks. And we've had Banajah Laney,
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 who's currently in the WNBA.
00:14:09 --> 00:14:15 She came to my program. She plays for the New York Liberty, the world champion, New York Liberty.
00:14:15 --> 00:14:18 So we've had quite a few players and in
00:14:18 --> 00:14:21 the nba we've had that came
00:14:21 --> 00:14:28 through my program dante divincenzo yeah he plays for the minnesota timmerverse
00:14:28 --> 00:14:35 wolves currently and i've had yes sally's graduate great sally's player we've
00:14:35 --> 00:14:41 had bones highland who's currently in nba he's come through my program.
00:14:42 --> 00:14:47 Bones is a great kid. I've had Bones since he was 10 years old and he's doing
00:14:47 --> 00:14:53 great things and he's still in the NBA and this is his fifth year coming up in the NBA.
00:14:53 --> 00:14:58 We've had other kids like Tyreek Evans. I don't know if you heard of him from
00:14:58 --> 00:15:01 Chester High School or Chester, Pennsylvania, I should say.
00:15:01 --> 00:15:04 He played in the NBA for several years.
00:15:04 --> 00:15:07 Derek Jones, We've had Derek Jones, also from Chester.
00:15:08 --> 00:15:12 He's currently in the NBA. He came through my program. And we've had several
00:15:12 --> 00:15:18 kids who actually went to the NFL that played in my leagues and tournaments
00:15:18 --> 00:15:21 that play in the NFL at this moment.
00:15:21 --> 00:15:27 Like McNeil, who plays for Minnesota. He went to Salazianum. What is his first name?
00:15:28 --> 00:15:32 Dave, where are you at? Because Dave knows everything about sports. Yeah.
00:15:33 --> 00:15:35 Come on, Dave. Come on, Dave.
00:15:36 --> 00:15:41 But I can't, I can't put his first name. Yeah. From Salazian.
00:15:41 --> 00:15:43 He's currently in Minnesota.
00:15:45 --> 00:15:49 No, you don't. No, you don't. Anyway. Anyway, keep, keep going,
00:15:49 --> 00:15:50 Mark. Don't, don't look the name.
00:15:51 --> 00:15:56 Yes. Yeah. Yes. And we've had a couple of kids that came through the program
00:15:56 --> 00:15:58 that became executives.
00:15:58 --> 00:16:02 Like I have one kid that came through our program. He's an executive with the
00:16:02 --> 00:16:06 San Antonio Spurs NBA organization.
00:16:06 --> 00:16:11 So we've had lots of success stories, lots of kids who are doing great things
00:16:11 --> 00:16:15 in the community, lots of kids who are doing things in the private sector.
00:16:15 --> 00:16:21 So it's been a very rewarding job and very rewarding position that God has put me in.
00:16:21 --> 00:16:24 And I'm so grateful for everything that's happened so far.
00:16:25 --> 00:16:31 Yeah. Now, so I guess with the program and because, you know,
00:16:31 --> 00:16:35 I'm sure it's changing lives for people who may not be familiar,
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 there's a program year round.
00:16:38 --> 00:16:42 Yes, the program is year-round, nonstop.
00:16:42 --> 00:16:50 We have leagues, tournaments, clinics, mentorship, all year-round, nonstop.
00:16:51 --> 00:16:55 Gotcha. Okay. All right, well, I don't know, Dave.
00:16:56 --> 00:16:59 Hold on, do you have anything for adults? Because Dave was just talking about
00:16:59 --> 00:17:02 trying to get back active again.
00:17:02 --> 00:17:08 You know, he has said he used to hoop at P.S. DuPont back in the day.
00:17:09 --> 00:17:13 Yes, he did. He sure did. And Dave was a very good ball player,
00:17:13 --> 00:17:17 but unfortunately, I don't have any programs for adults.
00:17:19 --> 00:17:22 Got you. All right. So I guess moving on from that, you know,
00:17:22 --> 00:17:26 we'll talk about Dave's basketball stardom a little bit later.
00:17:27 --> 00:17:34 So, Neil, tell us about urban youth in general. So I know basketball is a big component.
00:17:35 --> 00:17:39 Are there other parts of urban youth that we haven't talked about?
00:17:39 --> 00:17:45 Well, I think we did mention earlier, we mentor kids and we help kids get into
00:17:45 --> 00:17:51 school to get scholarships for basketball or academically or financial aid.
00:17:51 --> 00:17:54 We help kids with school books when needed.
00:17:54 --> 00:18:00 We help kids with guidance to help choose a school. And we've also taken kids
00:18:00 --> 00:18:06 on college visits, actually taking kids on road trips to help them get into school.
00:18:06 --> 00:18:12 And we've also contacted the schools for the kids, the coaches or the counselors
00:18:12 --> 00:18:15 or whoever is involved in the school.
00:18:15 --> 00:18:20 We've actually done the legwork for the kid to be able to get in school and
00:18:20 --> 00:18:22 to have the opportunity to go to school.
00:18:24 --> 00:18:26 Okay and it's funny because i was reading your
00:18:26 --> 00:18:29 bio so you know for i
00:18:29 --> 00:18:33 guess the 1996 state championship
00:18:33 --> 00:18:36 what was the feeling that kind of went through
00:18:36 --> 00:18:39 you you know watching and i'll just
00:18:39 --> 00:18:42 say your kids you know win that championship
00:18:42 --> 00:18:45 like what what sense of pride did you feel
00:18:45 --> 00:18:48 when that happened it was one of the most amazing
00:18:48 --> 00:18:52 feelings i've ever had in my life it was unreal we
00:18:52 --> 00:18:56 we were struggling we we had
00:18:56 --> 00:19:03 four starters fell out of the game oh wow in the championship game we were on
00:19:03 --> 00:19:08 the on the ropes and our reserve players who were just as good as our starters
00:19:08 --> 00:19:14 came in and took over the game and saved us and if it wasn't for our reserve
00:19:14 --> 00:19:16 players we would have not won that championship.
00:19:16 --> 00:19:21 And that game was at the Bob Carpenter Center at the University of Delaware.
00:19:22 --> 00:19:28 And it went in overtime and we were on the ropes and our reserves took it to
00:19:28 --> 00:19:31 the next level and guided us to victory.
00:19:32 --> 00:19:34 And I'll never forget it. And I'll never forget.
00:19:35 --> 00:19:40 Coming home. And we got off the bus at Howard High School.
00:19:41 --> 00:19:45 And see, I lived on the east side at that time when I was a coach.
00:19:45 --> 00:19:48 So I could walk home to practice, walk home from the games.
00:19:49 --> 00:19:54 So I was walking through the neighborhood and the whole neighborhood was lit
00:19:54 --> 00:19:57 up. They just were so happy that we won the championship.
00:19:57 --> 00:20:01 Everybody was congratulating me in the neighborhood on the east side.
00:20:01 --> 00:20:05 I was walking through the neighborhood and everybody was just so happy that we won.
00:20:05 --> 00:20:08 I'll never forget it. People were on the street corners. Congratulations.
00:20:09 --> 00:20:16 It was just amazing. And it happened, you know, at a time when Howard,
00:20:17 --> 00:20:21 you know, basketball was, you know, really, really on top of things.
00:20:21 --> 00:20:24 And we just loved that night. It was unbelievable.
00:20:25 --> 00:20:29 And, you know, Howard Highs, as you know, is known for basketball and they have
00:20:29 --> 00:20:33 a great tradition. And I'm just proud to be a part of that tradition.
00:20:34 --> 00:20:38 What team did they play against that year? Do you remember? We played against
00:20:38 --> 00:20:42 Cape Hanelopen High School from down in Lewis, Delaware.
00:20:42 --> 00:20:47 And they were the number one ranked team in the state of Delaware all season. Oh, wow.
00:20:47 --> 00:20:50 And we beat the number one ranked. We knew we could beat them.
00:20:50 --> 00:20:56 We just needed an opportunity to show ourself and get the opportunity to play them.
00:20:57 --> 00:21:01 And that's what we did. We went out and we beat them. And I'm so proud of those young men.
00:21:02 --> 00:21:06 And to this day, we're all still very close and we still talk and we still,
00:21:06 --> 00:21:08 you know, stay in touch. And awesome.
00:21:09 --> 00:21:12 Yeah, it's a it's a it's a brotherhood. It's really awesome.
00:21:12 --> 00:21:20 Now, I also read that being inducted into the Philadelphia Association of Black Sports Hall of Fame,
00:21:20 --> 00:21:25 the Delaware Afro-American Sports Hall of Fame, the Delaware State University
00:21:25 --> 00:21:30 Athletics Hall of Fame, how does it feel to achieve all these honors?
00:21:30 --> 00:21:34 You know, I know and, you know, Dave can probably say the same thing.
00:21:34 --> 00:21:38 But, you know, a lot of times, you know, we do a lot of work,
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 but we don't get recognized.
00:21:40 --> 00:21:46 But, you know, clearly you have been widely recognized in the state as well as the region.
00:21:46 --> 00:21:50 You know, how does it feel when you get these honors? Like when when you're
00:21:50 --> 00:21:54 at these events, are you able to take it in or are you always kind of looking
00:21:54 --> 00:21:58 for, you know, what you need to do next or, you know, what's the next project?
00:21:59 --> 00:22:04 Yeah, good question. I'm humbled by all these accolades and awards,
00:22:04 --> 00:22:08 very grateful and very blessed, but I don't look for awards.
00:22:08 --> 00:22:14 I just do it for the love of what I do. And I just keep my nose to the ground
00:22:14 --> 00:22:16 grinder and I just keep going.
00:22:16 --> 00:22:23 I don't even, when I get these awards, I just go on to the next thing the next day and keep working.
00:22:23 --> 00:22:28 And I just try to keep working and continue to work hard and I'm blessed to
00:22:28 --> 00:22:32 be getting these awards, but at the same time, I'm not really looking for them.
00:22:33 --> 00:22:37 Sure. Okay. All right. Well, I'm going to let Dave ask, ask his question.
00:22:38 --> 00:22:41 Cause he always said that, you know, I, I ask his questions and then,
00:22:41 --> 00:22:44 you know, he got to think of some off the wall questions to ask,
00:22:44 --> 00:22:46 like, you know, what's your favorite movie?
00:22:46 --> 00:22:48 So I don't, I don't want him.
00:22:50 --> 00:22:54 I don't want him. I'm going to leave him some, some room to ask his questions.
00:22:56 --> 00:23:01 Anyway, all right. Mark, as you can see, he has a lot to say over there.
00:23:02 --> 00:23:05 Well, I'm going to take it. I'm going to take it back a little bit.
00:23:06 --> 00:23:08 You know, Mark and I have known each other for a long time.
00:23:09 --> 00:23:13 You know, his mother and my mother were very good friends. We went to the same
00:23:13 --> 00:23:15 church, came up as kids together.
00:23:16 --> 00:23:20 And, you know, it's so good to see everything that's happened with you,
00:23:20 --> 00:23:25 Mark. and, you know, and well-deserved with everything that you've done,
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 especially for the youth.
00:23:27 --> 00:23:30 So to that, I will say kudos to you.
00:23:31 --> 00:23:37 And it's really well-deserved with, because I've followed a lot of the things
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 that you've done over the years.
00:23:38 --> 00:23:44 And so to be able to touch so many lives and be able to help so many people, that's a great thing.
00:23:44 --> 00:23:49 So my hat's off to you as far as that's concerned. So...
00:23:50 --> 00:23:54 My first question has to do with, I know it wasn't in your bio,
00:23:54 --> 00:23:59 and Leonard just kind of touched on being a part of the Delaware Afro-American
00:23:59 --> 00:24:03 Sports Hall of Fame here. But you're also the president of that.
00:24:04 --> 00:24:08 So, you know, so tell us how that came about.
00:24:08 --> 00:24:11 How did you become the president and
00:24:11 --> 00:24:17 the current president of the Delaware Afro-American Sports Hall of Fame?
00:24:18 --> 00:24:22 Yes, I've been the president of the Delaware Afro-American Sports Hall of Fame
00:24:22 --> 00:24:24 Incorporated for the past five years.
00:24:24 --> 00:24:31 And I actually was appointed into the position when our past president decided
00:24:31 --> 00:24:36 to step down and I was presented with the opportunity and I accepted.
00:24:36 --> 00:24:41 And here I am now, five years later, president of the Delaware Afro-American
00:24:41 --> 00:24:45 Sports Hall of Fame. It's a great honor, a great privilege.
00:24:45 --> 00:24:52 It's a great opportunity. and I enjoy what I do and I enjoy everything about the job.
00:24:52 --> 00:24:56 And it's really not a job. It's something I enjoy doing.
00:24:56 --> 00:25:01 So it's a labor of love. So I really enjoy it and I enjoy meeting people and
00:25:01 --> 00:25:07 I enjoy trying to push our organization forward and trying to make our organization
00:25:07 --> 00:25:14 even better and keep the organization going and keep the organization afloat.
00:25:16 --> 00:25:21 Well, one thing I will say in reference to that is one thing I've noticed with,
00:25:21 --> 00:25:25 you know, every year that you have new inductees, I kind of pay attention and
00:25:25 --> 00:25:26 see who's been inducted.
00:25:26 --> 00:25:31 But one thing that's really cool about it is the fact that, you know,
00:25:31 --> 00:25:39 it does give people a chance to see and to get to know people who came up like
00:25:39 --> 00:25:45 when I came up or before I came up, you know, and be able to see their accomplishments.
00:25:45 --> 00:25:48 Because unfortunately, you know.
00:25:49 --> 00:25:53 Prior to the 80s, the late 80s to be exact,
00:25:54 --> 00:26:00 a lot of our stats and a lot of the sports and things that we did are not online
00:26:00 --> 00:26:05 because you can't find a lot of that stuff because you have to go to microfiche
00:26:05 --> 00:26:10 or microfilm to be able to find that kind of stuff because they don't have it online.
00:26:10 --> 00:26:16 So a lot of the people who were big time athletes back in the 70s,
00:26:16 --> 00:26:19 the 60s, the 70s or whatever, you don't know anything about them.
00:26:19 --> 00:26:26 You know, what's so funny is there's a page on Facebook that has a lot that
00:26:26 --> 00:26:31 puts a lot of clippings from back in the day during the 70s and so forth.
00:26:31 --> 00:26:34 You know I never knew that our former
00:26:34 --> 00:26:39 governor or the current mayor of Wilmington was such an athlete you know until
00:26:39 --> 00:26:44 I started seeing pictures of him you know as a basketball player as a football
00:26:44 --> 00:26:47 player and all of this so I said wait hold on why do I remember him playing
00:26:47 --> 00:26:54 as all of these sports you know and so people like what you do and being able to.
00:26:55 --> 00:27:00 You know, reward these people for the sports that they played or the hand that
00:27:00 --> 00:27:05 they might have had in helping other people become great, I think it's a noble
00:27:05 --> 00:27:10 thing for you and the people that help you put this presentation on every year.
00:27:10 --> 00:27:14 So that's a great thing. And it's a great thing that they have somebody like
00:27:14 --> 00:27:19 you involved and leading that charge.
00:27:19 --> 00:27:25 Have you found it hard to be able to track down all these people's accomplishments and everything?
00:27:25 --> 00:27:33 I know because we have such an able and strong committee for our Newcastle County Committee.
00:27:33 --> 00:27:37 We have a Sussex County Committee and a Kent County Committee,
00:27:37 --> 00:27:42 and they do an outstanding job of tracking down athletes and finding statistics
00:27:42 --> 00:27:46 and finding what these people have done in the past.
00:27:46 --> 00:27:51 And they've done their research and they've done their due diligence.
00:27:51 --> 00:27:55 So our committees are outstanding and I oversee the committees,
00:27:55 --> 00:27:59 but our committees are the ones who actually make the decisions,
00:27:59 --> 00:28:04 who actually do the work and the ones who get their hands dirty.
00:28:04 --> 00:28:10 I really respect our committees and I'm really proud that they are part of our
00:28:10 --> 00:28:17 organization to find these athletes and make the best choice each year on who
00:28:17 --> 00:28:20 should go in the Hall of Fame each year.
00:28:21 --> 00:28:28 And also, and also I want to add our organization, we give scholarships to kids
00:28:28 --> 00:28:30 to help them get into school.
00:28:30 --> 00:28:36 So we give two scholarships for athletes in each county.
00:28:36 --> 00:28:43 And then we give two scholarships for students in each county for a total of
00:28:43 --> 00:28:49 $12, $1 each to help a kid get jumpstarted to go to college.
00:28:49 --> 00:28:55 And the kid must show proof that he's in college first before we give the scholarship
00:28:55 --> 00:28:59 and the kid must show proof of a letter that he's been accepted to the school.
00:28:59 --> 00:29:06 And we've been doing that the past 26 years and we've given out over $190
00:29:06 --> 00:29:09 plus to help kids get into college.
00:29:10 --> 00:29:12 But he's not playing football this year, right?
00:29:13 --> 00:29:17 Dave, your mic went out a little bit. Say it again. Can you hear me?
00:29:18 --> 00:29:20 Yeah, we hear you now. I don't know what's going on.
00:29:21 --> 00:29:24 Okay. I would say Mark Leonard's son is a swimmer.
00:29:25 --> 00:29:28 So, so, and, uh, you know, he
00:29:28 --> 00:29:30 was playing football, but you're not playing football now. Right. Leonard.
00:29:31 --> 00:29:37 No, he, uh, he, uh, he, he got two state championships as a,
00:29:37 --> 00:29:41 uh, eighth grader and ninth grader playing for Caravelle.
00:29:41 --> 00:29:43 And then he, uh, he retired.
00:29:45 --> 00:29:48 So I'm going out on top. Yeah. Yeah.
00:29:49 --> 00:29:54 Undefeated. Yeah, undefeated, right? But that's good to know about those scholarships.
00:29:54 --> 00:29:59 That's a good piece to have as far as that's concerned, because especially with
00:29:59 --> 00:30:06 our children and especially right now, because when you look at what's going on with HBCUs right now,
00:30:06 --> 00:30:11 And with all the star athletes coming back to coach these schools now,
00:30:12 --> 00:30:15 you know, of course, we got, you know, what's going on down at,
00:30:15 --> 00:30:19 hey, well, I know you're real proud about what's going on down at Dell State right now, right?
00:30:19 --> 00:30:24 Yes, I am. And I'm a proud alumnus. And I'm so happy that we're turning the
00:30:24 --> 00:30:29 corner and making progress. And the school is very excited. And there's a buzz in the air.
00:30:30 --> 00:30:33 And it's a very exciting time at Delaware State University.
00:30:34 --> 00:30:38 Yeah, that's right. That's right. I mean, and not only, I mean,
00:30:38 --> 00:30:42 not only with the football program, but then you got Stan down there coaching
00:30:42 --> 00:30:46 the basketball team and, you know, and that's a big deal.
00:30:46 --> 00:30:51 They just re-signed his contract and, you know, so things are really looking good down there.
00:30:51 --> 00:30:56 And Dave, I also want to throw in too, and I'm sure Mark is probably familiar
00:30:56 --> 00:31:02 with, but this is also the first year of Delaware State University's women's wrestling team.
00:31:03 --> 00:31:08 I think the if not the only well, they're definitely the first HBCU,
00:31:08 --> 00:31:10 but they may be the only one, too.
00:31:10 --> 00:31:15 But they their coach had recruited some some top prospects. So I guarantee in
00:31:15 --> 00:31:19 a couple of years that Dell State wrestling women's wrestling program would
00:31:19 --> 00:31:22 be, you know, very, very popular as well.
00:31:23 --> 00:31:27 Yes, and I met several of those young ladies last Friday at the Delaware State
00:31:27 --> 00:31:32 University Athletics Hall of Fame, and they are some of the top wrestlers in the country.
00:31:32 --> 00:31:39 And yes, Delaware State is the only and first HBCU to have a wrestling team in the United States,
00:31:39 --> 00:31:45 and we are going to rally around the team and support the team as much as possible,
00:31:45 --> 00:31:50 as well as the basketball teams with Stan Waterman and the women's team with
00:31:50 --> 00:31:53 Coach Jasmine Turner and the football team with Coach Jackson.
00:31:54 --> 00:31:59 And it's an exciting time at Delaware State. And we're also about to get a new stadium.
00:32:00 --> 00:32:04 And we're about to get a new practice facility. And we're about to get a brand new gym.
00:32:05 --> 00:32:11 So Delaware State is just doing great things along with the president,
00:32:11 --> 00:32:14 Tony Allen. And I'm just glad to be a part of it.
00:32:14 --> 00:32:19 Also, I'm a part of a committee at Delaware State where we're opening up a museum
00:32:19 --> 00:32:22 to preserve our athletic history.
00:32:22 --> 00:32:26 And it's going to be at Lockerman Hall, which is on the campus of Delaware State
00:32:26 --> 00:32:29 University. So I'm part of that committee as well.
00:32:30 --> 00:32:35 Mark, I do have a quick question for you. And this is a selfish question.
00:32:35 --> 00:32:38 For the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame,
00:32:38 --> 00:32:43 and I just say, because I was a former high school swimmer and I was all right,
00:32:43 --> 00:32:46 how would one get how would
00:32:46 --> 00:32:51 one submit information what criteria do you look like and what does that selection
00:32:51 --> 00:32:59 process look like for how did he see Mark I already told you Dave always said
00:32:59 --> 00:33:03 I steal his question but then I leave him to ask a question and he's like have
00:33:03 --> 00:33:06 you ever seen Imitation of Life and I'm like Mark.
00:33:07 --> 00:33:15 Yes. Understood. Yes. Well, the criteria is you have to have someone nominate you.
00:33:15 --> 00:33:21 And we have applications where they're actually called application informational sheets.
00:33:21 --> 00:33:33 They're on our website, which is www.dashof.org. That's www.dashof.org.
00:33:33 --> 00:33:39 And you would have to submit your sheet along with your athletic accomplishments
00:33:39 --> 00:33:47 on a separate bio, one-page bio, and you would submit it with four pictures of yourself,
00:33:47 --> 00:33:52 duplicate pictures of yourself, and a shirt and tie, nothing in the background.
00:33:52 --> 00:33:57 And you would submit it into the county that you went to school in.
00:33:57 --> 00:34:03 Now, if you went to Newcastle County Schools, you would submit it to our Newcastle County address.
00:34:04 --> 00:34:10 Or if you went to Kent County Schools, you would go to send it to the Kent County address.
00:34:10 --> 00:34:14 If you went to Sussis County Schools, you would go send it to the Sussis County Schools.
00:34:15 --> 00:34:20 And then you must get your application in by October 31st every year.
00:34:20 --> 00:34:25 That's our deadline every year. And then our boards or I should say our committees
00:34:25 --> 00:34:30 decide on who should go in and it's at their discretion.
00:34:31 --> 00:34:39 And also each potential inducting must be at least 40 years or older and be
00:34:39 --> 00:34:46 out of their sport at least 10 to 15 years to be eligible and considered for the Hall of Fame.
00:34:46 --> 00:34:55 And you must have also a good, clean record because that is subject to get checked
00:34:55 --> 00:35:00 if you have any thing that we might have heard about that happened.
00:35:00 --> 00:35:07 And we would have to be forced to check your record to make sure you're an upstanding citizen.
00:35:08 --> 00:35:15 Okay. So, well, I need to get Dave to nominate me by October 31st then.
00:35:15 --> 00:35:18 And we'll try to make it happen.
00:35:19 --> 00:35:24 Davey, your microphone. I don't know. Can you hear me now? Yes.
00:35:25 --> 00:35:34 Oh, yes. And oh, I forgot to mention, we picked four potential Hall of Famers from each county.
00:35:34 --> 00:35:39 So it would be four people we picked. So it is a total of 12 each year that are inducted.
00:35:39 --> 00:35:42 And we we we uh we induct
00:35:42 --> 00:35:48 all sports contributors coaches administrators and athletes oh wow okay i didn't
00:35:48 --> 00:35:52 you know for some reason i thought it was just the athletes so it's pretty much
00:35:52 --> 00:35:57 anyone who kind of deal with that sport directly or indirectly it looks like
00:35:57 --> 00:36:00 that is correct that is correct yes.
00:36:02 --> 00:36:11 A lot of people are starting to find out about this because I've had a couple
00:36:11 --> 00:36:15 friends, people I came up with that you guys have brought in recently.
00:36:16 --> 00:36:22 And so that's good. And it's funny because one of them was a weightlifter.
00:36:23 --> 00:36:26 And you know what I'm talking about. Mr.
00:36:28 --> 00:36:31 John Wallace there. Shout out to John Wallace. you
00:36:31 --> 00:36:36 know and you know i know he tried for a long time to get in and he finally got
00:36:36 --> 00:36:43 in but you know and you know and very well deserved you know and so these type
00:36:43 --> 00:36:46 of you know when you look at all the different things so leonard you do have
00:36:46 --> 00:36:49 a shot because even though you pretended to swim you,
00:36:50 --> 00:36:52 know those records that you have fabricated you can probably get
00:36:52 --> 00:36:56 in there so so but i'm
00:36:56 --> 00:37:00 glad that we have this at our disposal because we definitely
00:37:00 --> 00:37:03 need to recognize our own and Delaware
00:37:03 --> 00:37:06 has had a lot of talent to come through here a lot of
00:37:06 --> 00:37:09 talent and but like I said
00:37:09 --> 00:37:15 mainly for those people who came up doing like the 60s and 70s and those type
00:37:15 --> 00:37:21 of errors like I said it's very important that those people who are listening
00:37:21 --> 00:37:27 to especially listen to this show and you feel that you have done enough or, you know,
00:37:28 --> 00:37:32 you know, it's either on the, you know, coaching or contributing side or as
00:37:32 --> 00:37:38 an athlete or whatever, and you feel that, you know, you feel that you're,
00:37:38 --> 00:37:41 that you fit the criteria or you meet the criteria.
00:37:42 --> 00:37:46 Hey, put it out there. Get somebody. We need somebody to help you.
00:37:46 --> 00:37:49 Get somebody to nominate you and put it out there.
00:37:50 --> 00:37:54 And, you know, Mark said his committees will go to work and find the information,
00:37:55 --> 00:37:59 verify the information, because a lot of people, that's what they worry about.
00:37:59 --> 00:38:04 Because they know when you go, you know, online and you start looking up people's
00:38:04 --> 00:38:06 names and you know how great they were back then.
00:38:07 --> 00:38:09 But you don't see anything pop up when you go to look for it.
00:38:09 --> 00:38:13 Right. Because you've got to go to, you know, the microfilm or you've got to
00:38:13 --> 00:38:15 go to microfiche to be able to find those things.
00:38:16 --> 00:38:22 Okay. Mark, if people wanted to get in touch with you, how would they get in touch with you?
00:38:23 --> 00:38:28 Give us your contact information, social media pages where people would be able to reach out to you.
00:38:29 --> 00:38:38 Yes, I can be reached on email, markseals17 at gmail.com.
00:38:38 --> 00:38:48 I can be reached on my phone, 610, area code 82590.
00:38:49 --> 00:38:55 I can be reached on Facebook under Mark Seals, Facebook.
00:38:56 --> 00:39:01 I can be reached on Instagram, MarkSeals.16.
00:39:03 --> 00:39:07 And I can be reached through, let's see.
00:39:08 --> 00:39:12 I guess those would be the three areas right there. You can reach me on any
00:39:12 --> 00:39:14 of those three areas the best.
00:39:15 --> 00:39:20 You know, Leonard read in your bio that you are the son of Wilmington,
00:39:20 --> 00:39:22 Delaware's first black mayor.
00:39:24 --> 00:39:27 And he served a couple terms.
00:39:28 --> 00:39:34 He did two terms, right? And he actually came in and he did an awesome job as mayor.
00:39:34 --> 00:39:40 And I just want to say, you know, please tell your father that I said hello
00:39:40 --> 00:39:45 and that we definitely want to thank him for the job that he did as mayor.
00:39:47 --> 00:39:52 Thank you so much. I will definitely let him know this. And I definitely appreciate
00:39:52 --> 00:39:54 the kind words. And so does he.
00:39:55 --> 00:40:01 OK, great, great, great. All right, so what we're going to do now is we've got
00:40:01 --> 00:40:04 a couple stories that we want to talk about to get your input on,
00:40:05 --> 00:40:09 and we're going to go ahead and break into our breakout section with the stories.
00:40:10 --> 00:40:18 And these are big things right up your alley that I'm sure you'll enjoy talking about.
00:40:18 --> 00:40:23 So this first story, Cocoa Golf Partners with Religious Sports Network.
00:40:24 --> 00:40:28 Religion sports to amplify athlete stories.
00:40:29 --> 00:40:34 And, you know, especially I know this falls right in your alley because I know, you know,
00:40:34 --> 00:40:39 you're a very religious person and, you know, and, of course,
00:40:39 --> 00:40:45 you try to mix sports and, you know, try to keep people uplifted and,
00:40:45 --> 00:40:48 you know, make sure they know who God is and everything.
00:40:48 --> 00:40:55 So this should fall right in that area. So tennis female Cocoa Golf has joined
00:40:55 --> 00:41:00 forces with religion of sports through her family's media company,
00:41:00 --> 00:41:06 IROC, to create compelling content centered on athletes' personal journey.
00:41:06 --> 00:41:13 According to Variety, the partnership will produce short-form digital content,
00:41:13 --> 00:41:19 branded campaigns, unscripted series, and a long-form storytelling,
00:41:19 --> 00:41:23 all designed to highlight athletes' personal stories.
00:41:24 --> 00:41:31 IROC will work with the creative team at Religion Sports, including Victor Buehler,
00:41:32 --> 00:41:40 Chelsea Morata, and Jonathan Scharf to develop media that resonates with audiences.
00:41:40 --> 00:41:47 Storytelling has always been my way of connecting, sharing who I am, wins, and losses.
00:41:48 --> 00:41:55 Goff said, with IROC, my family and I set out to amplify underrepresented voices
00:41:55 --> 00:41:59 and merge my passion for storytelling with brand partnerships.
00:42:00 --> 00:42:05 Teaming with IROC, I mean, teaming up with Ross.
00:42:06 --> 00:42:10 Religion of Sports, who brought so many athletes' stories to life,
00:42:10 --> 00:42:15 lets us dream bigger and make those sports resonate.
00:42:16 --> 00:42:21 Religion of Sports has track record of producing acclaimed sports narratives
00:42:21 --> 00:42:30 such as Simone Biles Rising on Netflix and Man in the Arena with Tom Brady on
00:42:30 --> 00:42:32 ESPN. I saw that. That was really, really good.
00:42:33 --> 00:42:39 The company has worked with athletes such as Serena Williams and LeBron James and Steph Curry.
00:42:39 --> 00:42:46 At Religion of Sports, we believe the most powerful stories come from those
00:42:46 --> 00:42:51 who live in the intersection of greatness, purpose, and humanity,
00:42:51 --> 00:42:54 and Cocoa Golf embodies that entirely.
00:42:55 --> 00:43:00 The first project from this collaboration is a commercial campaign for Naked Juice.
00:43:01 --> 00:43:06 I i wanted to bring that story up because when you look at somebody as young as coco is,
00:43:06 --> 00:43:09 and you know of course she's right there at the top of
00:43:09 --> 00:43:12 her sport right now you know it's funny
00:43:12 --> 00:43:15 i always have to laugh it starts out
00:43:15 --> 00:43:19 white but it ends up dark you know
00:43:19 --> 00:43:21 what i mean so you know so and in
00:43:21 --> 00:43:24 all different shades of us but you know it starts out white
00:43:24 --> 00:43:27 but we we find a way in once we get
00:43:27 --> 00:43:31 in it's hard getting us out of there you know what i mean so so
00:43:31 --> 00:43:38 you know that's to have her be have that religious base and be able to do the
00:43:38 --> 00:43:41 things that she's doing like every time i turn around i'm seeing her in a commercial
00:43:41 --> 00:43:46 or something like that now you know so what is your thoughts on these young
00:43:46 --> 00:43:49 people especially somebody like her who has,
00:43:50 --> 00:43:55 the world in her hand right now, and be able to do something like this,
00:43:55 --> 00:43:58 and especially to be able to do it with these big stars and everything.
00:43:59 --> 00:44:04 Yes, I'm very proud of Coco Gauff, and kudos to her.
00:44:04 --> 00:44:08 She's a young person, and of course, I'm always going to support young people.
00:44:08 --> 00:44:10 I think it's outstanding what
00:44:10 --> 00:44:15 she's doing and what she's trying to do and what she's striving to do.
00:44:15 --> 00:44:20 I think what she's doing is going to go over well all over the United States.
00:44:20 --> 00:44:24 I think it's going to be a win-win, and I think it's going to be a success.
00:44:24 --> 00:44:29 And I'm really in support of Coco and what she's doing with this initiative.
00:44:29 --> 00:44:33 And I'm really, like I said, I'm really proud and happy for her.
00:44:33 --> 00:44:36 And I am a big fan of Coco Golf.
00:44:36 --> 00:44:39 I love Coco Golf. Yeah, me too. I'm a big fan too. Anytime she's on TV,
00:44:40 --> 00:44:41 man, I stop and watch. You know, so.
00:44:42 --> 00:44:45 But, you know, what's funny, I will say this.
00:44:46 --> 00:44:50 Have you noticed how many young athletes especially
00:44:50 --> 00:44:53 and i'm going to say especially over the last
00:44:53 --> 00:44:56 10 years or so anytime you know
00:44:56 --> 00:45:02 they're like doing the draft or anytime there's award given or whatever the
00:45:02 --> 00:45:08 first thing they do is thank god you know and they're very they're very sincere
00:45:08 --> 00:45:13 they're not hiding how they feel about you know their you know their upbringing
00:45:13 --> 00:45:15 in their religion or whatever the case may be.
00:45:15 --> 00:45:18 And it's just really unique to see that these days because, you know,
00:45:18 --> 00:45:21 you rarely saw that when we were coming up.
00:45:21 --> 00:45:26 So, you know, we didn't really, you really didn't hear a lot of that back then, you know.
00:45:26 --> 00:45:33 But nowadays, these young people, they just have a different way of looking at things.
00:45:33 --> 00:45:38 And, you know, they're not ashamed to say who they are and what they believe.
00:45:38 --> 00:45:43 So, Leonard, what's your thoughts, Stu? Yeah, I mean, I think it's a great thing.
00:45:43 --> 00:45:47 And to be honest, it's probably a really smart move because you would just think
00:45:47 --> 00:45:53 any athlete has a lot of connections to other athletes of that same caliber,
00:45:53 --> 00:45:56 you know, across the sports board.
00:45:56 --> 00:46:03 So, you know, why not take advantage of it? yeah that's true and it is it is
00:46:03 --> 00:46:08 something that has really come to light when you and you know and these athletes
00:46:08 --> 00:46:11 you know they don't have a problem with you know.
00:46:12 --> 00:46:15 Touching other athletes and bringing them in like when you
00:46:15 --> 00:46:18 look at these commercials nowadays it's not just one athlete
00:46:18 --> 00:46:21 in these commercials they have a number of
00:46:21 --> 00:46:24 the top athletes in these commercials with them
00:46:24 --> 00:46:27 you know you know back in
00:46:27 --> 00:46:30 the day you see jordan and you saw jordan by himself you
00:46:30 --> 00:46:33 know a lot of times you know i think with with spike spike lee
00:46:33 --> 00:46:36 or something like that you know but but these commercials
00:46:36 --> 00:46:39 man when you look and you'll be like okay that's this
00:46:39 --> 00:46:42 person that's this person that's this person that's this person you know
00:46:42 --> 00:46:45 or who's that and then you go look and find out who that person
00:46:45 --> 00:46:50 is you know so but these athletes you know they really have come together to
00:46:50 --> 00:46:56 really kind of create these brands that that keep them you know in well keep
00:46:56 --> 00:47:02 them in everybody's faces and make sure that they stay stay around forever you
00:47:02 --> 00:47:05 know so but it's good to see her doing something like this.
00:47:05 --> 00:47:10 I'm rooting for Coco, you know, and I think she's going to eventually get to
00:47:10 --> 00:47:12 that number one spot, by the way.
00:47:13 --> 00:47:17 She's on her way. Yeah, she's on her way. She is definitely there.
00:47:17 --> 00:47:22 Yeah, yeah. And her brand is getting bigger and bigger, and this initiative
00:47:22 --> 00:47:24 is going to make her brand even more bigger.
00:47:25 --> 00:47:28 Yeah, that's right. That's right. And, you know, I saw that story.
00:47:28 --> 00:47:31 I said, okay, all right, you know, I see what you're doing, Coco,
00:47:32 --> 00:47:36 and I'm seeing how you're doing it and that's a smart way to go with this so
00:47:36 --> 00:47:41 I'm sure she's going to be very successful for a very long time you know I mean Serena laid.
00:47:43 --> 00:47:47 The groundwork you know and she could take what Serena has done and just take
00:47:47 --> 00:47:49 it to a whole other level so you know so,
00:47:51 --> 00:47:54 All right. I'm going to move on to our next story.
00:47:54 --> 00:47:58 Now, I saw this. I don't know. Did either one of you see anything about about
00:47:58 --> 00:48:02 this whole concert that I'm going to talk about? Any either of you?
00:48:03 --> 00:48:09 Yeah. Yes, I did. Yeah. I didn't see that one. OK. All right.
00:48:10 --> 00:48:15 So and when you go on, if you go on social media on TikTok and whatever,
00:48:16 --> 00:48:18 there's clips of this going on, you know.
00:48:18 --> 00:48:20 But this was really something i mean
00:48:20 --> 00:48:29 really was but the the group the clips john legend pharrell and more take over
00:48:29 --> 00:48:33 the vatican with a historic performance now before i even get into the story
00:48:33 --> 00:48:40 let me read that one more time you know the clips y'all know who the clips is right,
00:48:41 --> 00:48:47 John Legend and Pharrell and Moore take over the Vatican.
00:48:47 --> 00:48:53 We ain't talking about the riverfront. We ain't talking about downtown or anything
00:48:53 --> 00:48:55 like that. We talking about the Vatican.
00:48:56 --> 00:48:59 Right. Okay, when's the last time you heard a bunch of us in the Vatican?
00:49:00 --> 00:49:04 I was about to say, when's the time when we heard any of us in the Vatican? In the Vatican, right?
00:49:06 --> 00:49:14 But it says here the story says it might sound like a setup to an unlikely joke but the clip's,
00:49:15 --> 00:49:21 Burrell Williams and John Legend made history on the steps of the Vatican on
00:49:21 --> 00:49:28 Saturday, September the 13th, when the Virginia Rap Duel, which includes Pusha T and his brother,
00:49:28 --> 00:49:35 No Malice, became the first rap act to ever perform at the Vatican,
00:49:35 --> 00:49:40 delivering a stunning performance alongside John Legend at St.
00:49:41 --> 00:49:47 Peter's Square before an audience of over more than 250 people.
00:49:47 --> 00:49:55 The performance backed by the gospel choir, Voices of Fire, was part of Grace for the World,
00:49:55 --> 00:50:02 a special concert during the world meeting on human fraternity.
00:50:03 --> 00:50:04 Let me ask a question, Leonard.
00:50:05 --> 00:50:14 Was that the Voices of Fire, Is that the group that Pharrell Williams had did that show on from,
00:50:14 --> 00:50:18 remember when he did the competition, when he had those people coming in and
00:50:18 --> 00:50:20 you said he was from your wife's hometown?
00:50:21 --> 00:50:24 Yeah, I'm not sure. Okay. All right. I think that's what the name was.
00:50:24 --> 00:50:32 Anyway, they did a special concert during the World Meeting on Human Fraternity,
00:50:32 --> 00:50:39 an international summit promoting global unity, human dignity, and peace.
00:50:39 --> 00:50:46 Dressed in stark black suits, clips open their set with the solemn verse of
00:50:46 --> 00:50:52 The Birds Don't Sing, a track from their latest album, Let God Sort Them Out.
00:50:52 --> 00:50:56 That pay tribute to their late parents.
00:50:56 --> 00:51:01 Legend joined in on the hook and soaring vocals elevating the song's,
00:51:02 --> 00:51:08 Meditation on Grief and Faith. The Vatican event was co-directed by Pharrell
00:51:08 --> 00:51:13 and get this Andre Bocelli through Pharrell's company.
00:51:14 --> 00:51:20 You guys know who Andre Bocelli is? He's the line opera singer. Yeah, yes, yes, yes.
00:51:21 --> 00:51:26 Thumping in the water and streamed live on ABC News Live and Disney.
00:51:27 --> 00:51:33 The concert was designed as a moment of unity, Remembrance and Shared Humanity
00:51:33 --> 00:51:40 brings together Clips, Legend, and Bocelli and a wide-ranging lineup of global artists.
00:51:41 --> 00:51:46 The One Night Gathering also included performances by Jennifer Hudson.
00:51:47 --> 00:51:57 Carol G, Bam Bam, Teddy Swims, Jelly Roll, and Angelique Caddo and the Voices of Fire with St.
00:51:57 --> 00:52:00 Peter's Square transformed into a stage for peace.
00:52:00 --> 00:52:04 To stand here in this holy place with my fellow artists, world leaders,
00:52:04 --> 00:52:10 and all of you beautiful souls, my humblest and sincerest thanks,
00:52:10 --> 00:52:12 William said during his remarks.
00:52:13 --> 00:52:17 We feel grace. We feel love. Do you feel it too? He continued.
00:52:18 --> 00:52:23 But what is grace? Grace is the light that lives in each of us waiting to be
00:52:23 --> 00:52:29 shared, not just the blessings that we receive, but a force that we extend to one another.
00:52:29 --> 00:52:34 I wanted to make sure I got all of that in I know Leonard you said you saw some
00:52:34 --> 00:52:38 of the clips Mark you said you didn't see anything yet but yeah I haven't seen
00:52:38 --> 00:52:42 it yet I have to go back when you see these clips man,
00:52:43 --> 00:52:48 the Pope is rocking too I'm telling you you should see that's what made me stop
00:52:48 --> 00:52:50 because I was like is that the Pope.
00:52:51 --> 00:52:56 And they were getting down did you see that Leonard no so I saw the highlights
00:52:56 --> 00:53:00 of that Well, I saw highlights of them actually performing.
00:53:00 --> 00:53:04 I didn't kind of see the whole show. But one thing I like is that they were wearing suits.
00:53:05 --> 00:53:08 Yeah, they were. Yeah. So, you know, like, Mark, if you're familiar with the
00:53:08 --> 00:53:11 Clips, of course, you know, rappers from Virginia.
00:53:12 --> 00:53:16 But in my mind, I thought they would have been wearing what they normally wear.
00:53:16 --> 00:53:21 But they, you know, they were dressed up, looking smooth as a baby's bottom.
00:53:21 --> 00:53:24 You know what I mean? So, like, they were looking good.
00:53:24 --> 00:53:27 And Dave, you know, of course, I told you I was in Virginia this weekend.
00:53:27 --> 00:53:32 So they mentioned that on the radio like a million times like hey did y'all
00:53:32 --> 00:53:35 see the clips on you know the clips the clips so,
00:53:35 --> 00:53:39 and I think that is that group that he put together
00:53:39 --> 00:53:43 that choir that he put together but I'm telling you man I was watching I watched
00:53:43 --> 00:53:49 a couple of the selected songs that they did and man I'm telling you the Pope
00:53:49 --> 00:53:53 was sitting there and his buddies were like they were in the kids like kids
00:53:53 --> 00:53:57 in a candy store man and they were they were rocking back and forth and dancing.
00:53:57 --> 00:54:00 Now, it's one thing that's cool to have a pope from here.
00:54:01 --> 00:54:06 You know, who, who understands he's, he's, he could be like Obama,
00:54:06 --> 00:54:07 like right now, you know what I mean?
00:54:08 --> 00:54:13 Yeah. Well, I mean, I, I did hear there's rumors that he has a little bit of
00:54:13 --> 00:54:14 blackness to him. I'm not sure.
00:54:15 --> 00:54:21 Yeah. They, yeah. They said that his, his, his family tree has some black in
00:54:21 --> 00:54:23 him and in this family tree.
00:54:23 --> 00:54:25 Well, Dave, you know what they say? Uh, one 16th.
00:54:26 --> 00:54:32 You just have a drop of black blood. Yeah, well, they were moving like they were black.
00:54:32 --> 00:54:35 I'm telling you, man, they were rocking, man. I'm telling you, they really were.
00:54:35 --> 00:54:40 Whoever thought that you would see something like that in the Vatican, though?
00:54:40 --> 00:54:42 Well, now, question. I don't really know the history.
00:54:43 --> 00:54:46 How and why did that happen? Like, I'm just curious.
00:54:47 --> 00:54:52 Well, apparently, he was a fan. I was watching some news shows.
00:54:52 --> 00:54:55 They were saying that he has always been a fan.
00:54:56 --> 00:54:59 Who, the Pope? yeah he was a fan of
00:54:59 --> 00:55:01 pharrell wimp oh wow okay i didn't
00:55:01 --> 00:55:05 know and i never would have guessed and pharrell
00:55:05 --> 00:55:08 was a big fan of gochelli okay
00:55:08 --> 00:55:11 and somehow all of this kind of came together because
00:55:11 --> 00:55:16 of this connection with each other so and they
00:55:16 --> 00:55:20 never had that many black folk in the vatican though i can tell you that for
00:55:20 --> 00:55:27 sure you know the choir itself was like huge you know so but But I'm glad to
00:55:27 --> 00:55:33 know that we are in a different day and time that something like that could happen.
00:55:34 --> 00:55:37 Yeah. So, but I saw that story.
00:55:38 --> 00:55:40 I just wanted, I thought it was a feel-good story. I thought it was something
00:55:40 --> 00:55:46 to talk about because when you guys who are listening get a chance to just look
00:55:46 --> 00:55:48 it up and just kind of look up the performances and everything.
00:55:49 --> 00:55:52 And then, you know, you got Jennifer Hudson, and you know she's going to tear the place down.
00:55:53 --> 00:55:58 You already know that already. So, you know, so, but I just thought I mentioned
00:55:58 --> 00:56:00 that it was a great thing to see.
00:56:00 --> 00:56:05 So, Mark, make sure you check that out, man. I think you'll enjoy it. I sure will. Okay.
00:56:06 --> 00:56:10 All right. All right, Leonard, what's the next thing you wanted to say?
00:56:11 --> 00:56:14 Yep. So, Dave, I have a question to ask you. Okay.
00:56:15 --> 00:56:22 How old were you when you took your first neuroscience class? Yesterday.
00:56:25 --> 00:56:31 All right. So I say that because there's a young man in our area, a young black boy.
00:56:31 --> 00:56:35 He's in Collegeville, PA, which I think is low north, the king of pressure.
00:56:36 --> 00:56:44 And he is the youngest student at his college at the age of nine years old.
00:56:45 --> 00:56:49 So his name is Aiden Wilkins. Of course, he's from Collegeville, Pennsylvania.
00:56:50 --> 00:56:56 And he is the youngest student ever to attend Ursinus College,
00:56:56 --> 00:56:58 which I know I heard of. I know it's in the area.
00:56:59 --> 00:57:02 In fact, do either of you know where it is? I know it's around.
00:57:02 --> 00:57:06 It's in Teatro, right? Yeah. It's in Teatro.
00:57:07 --> 00:57:13 Okay. Yeah. So I know somewhere around here, because I hear it on the radio and all that.
00:57:13 --> 00:57:17 But, you know, at a time when a lot of kids are in elementary school trying
00:57:17 --> 00:57:22 to color inside the lines and, you know, tie their shoes and four plus four,
00:57:23 --> 00:57:30 three days a week, he's taking neuroscience classes at our scientist college
00:57:30 --> 00:57:34 alongside kids more than twice his age.
00:57:35 --> 00:57:42 The rest of the week, he's taking courses via REIT Cyber Charter School,
00:57:42 --> 00:57:47 where he's enrolled as a sophomore in high school. This is at the age of nine.
00:57:48 --> 00:57:52 And he said that his fascination at the brain came with an early age.
00:57:52 --> 00:57:56 He said that ever since he was three, he would watch anatomy videos.
00:57:57 --> 00:58:02 And he was always fascinated when he saw the brain. And that kind of is where
00:58:02 --> 00:58:03 he got his curiosity from.
00:58:04 --> 00:58:10 His desire is to be a pediatric neurosurgeon because he likes helping kids.
00:58:10 --> 00:58:16 And, you know, he's always sad when he sees kids his age with neurodisabilities.
00:58:17 --> 00:58:20 His mother, of course, noticed his gift at a very young age.
00:58:20 --> 00:58:27 And she recalled how he used to read signs, correct people's grammar,
00:58:27 --> 00:58:33 and even solve algebra problems before most children even had basic math.
00:58:33 --> 00:58:37 After passing the gifted test, he pushed for new challenges,
00:58:37 --> 00:58:40 which eventually led him to or signed his college.
00:58:41 --> 00:58:44 Of course, her mother says she's proud of his accomplishments.
00:58:45 --> 00:58:49 And she really hopes that he kind of goes for what he really wants.
00:58:50 --> 00:58:55 What Aiden says is that he would like people to know his story and that all
00:58:55 --> 00:58:58 you have to do is to put in work to do whatever you want.
00:58:58 --> 00:59:03 So, you know, I like this story because, you know, of course, it's on a positive note.
00:59:03 --> 00:59:11 And, you know, just the fact that he's nine years old, taking neuroscience classes at a college.
00:59:12 --> 00:59:16 Mark, when Dave was nine years old, I'm not even sure if he was coming.
00:59:17 --> 00:59:21 He might not been regularly coming in before the streetlights came on.
00:59:21 --> 00:59:27 Like, in this case, in college, you know, correcting people's grammar, you know?
00:59:28 --> 00:59:32 At nine years old, I'm not even sure if Dave, you know, knew how to ride a bike.
00:59:32 --> 00:59:34 You know, he didn't ride a bike then.
00:59:35 --> 00:59:39 This is my idea of the kid on My Wife the Kids, right?
00:59:40 --> 00:59:43 I was a little smart guy on My Wife and Kid. Yeah, what was his name?
00:59:44 --> 00:59:45 What was his name? Thurston?
00:59:45 --> 00:59:48 No, not Thurston. What was his name? You remember, Mark? You remember?
00:59:50 --> 00:59:57 My Wife and Kid. No, My Wife and Kid's with Damon Wayans. Remember him and Tisha Cavalishow?
00:59:57 --> 01:00:00 The Little Lightning Kid. I was real smart.
01:00:00 --> 01:00:02 Yes, I remember that. Yes.
01:00:04 --> 01:00:09 Yeah, he was around nine years old at the time that show started or something
01:00:09 --> 01:00:11 like that. Here it is Dave Franklin.
01:00:12 --> 01:00:14 Franklin, yeah, that's it. Franklin, yeah.
01:00:15 --> 01:00:20 Franklin, yes. Franklin, yeah. But the only thing with this though,
01:00:21 --> 01:00:23 come on, let's keep it real. It's a great story.
01:00:25 --> 01:00:31 But he gets his degree. He gets a degree at 10. What does he do there?
01:00:32 --> 01:00:36 Does he keep getting degrees?
01:00:37 --> 01:00:41 Well, it reminds me of, you remember that guy who said he was a doctor at 18
01:00:41 --> 01:00:42 years old and he was like operating?
01:00:43 --> 01:00:47 Yeah, no, I mean, I agree. Dave, would you go to a 12-year-old brain surgeon?
01:00:49 --> 01:00:52 If he knew what he was talking about, Leonard, I might. Okay.
01:00:53 --> 01:00:58 You know, nowadays with the way things are done, and if he masters the whole
01:00:58 --> 01:01:06 pure age and all of that stuff, he could probably, look, if he's smart like they say he is,
01:01:06 --> 01:01:12 this guy could be in medicine for 50, 60 years and still be 20.
01:01:13 --> 01:01:20 You know what I mean? So, I mean, he's that, is he really that smart where he
01:01:20 --> 01:01:24 can be, are people going to take him that seriously also, too?
01:01:25 --> 01:01:29 Yeah. I mean, kids are getting smarter and smarter. How many stories have we done over the years?
01:01:30 --> 01:01:35 And Mark, we're actually about to start our fifth year of this podcast. Okay.
01:01:35 --> 01:01:40 So how many stories over the years, Leonard, do you think we've done about young
01:01:40 --> 01:01:44 people like this in college already?
01:01:44 --> 01:01:51 Probably 50. Yeah. Yeah. It's scary how many kids are so smart these days.
01:01:52 --> 01:01:54 Mark, I know you come across that type of thing, right?
01:01:54 --> 01:02:00 Yes, I do. And kids are well advanced and kids are so well versed nowadays.
01:02:00 --> 01:02:04 And kids are just on the ball for the most part.
01:02:04 --> 01:02:09 Kids are on the ball and they really have it going on. And I'm so happy to hear these kind of stories.
01:02:10 --> 01:02:13 Because at nine years old, when I was nine years old, I was out in the streets
01:02:13 --> 01:02:18 playing. I know. That's all we knew what to do, man, was play.
01:02:19 --> 01:02:25 This kid is playing doctor. Yeah. Yes. Yes.
01:02:26 --> 01:02:33 That's a phenomenal story and an amazing story. Yeah, that's a great story. Yeah, that really is.
01:02:34 --> 01:02:40 You know, I'm sure we'll be reading about this kid for years. I'm sure we will be.
01:02:41 --> 01:02:47 Okay. All right. Well, that brings us to Leonard's favorite part of the show.
01:02:48 --> 01:02:49 It's called Dave's Corner.
01:02:49 --> 01:02:51 I don't know why it's his favorite part of the show, but it is.
01:02:51 --> 01:02:53 It's called Dave's Corner, though.
01:02:53 --> 01:02:58 So we always ask the philosophical questions, but this week I'm going to make
01:02:58 --> 01:03:01 it an easy question since this is a sports kind of related show.
01:03:01 --> 01:03:05 So are you an Eagles fan, Mark? No, actually, I'm a die-hooker.
01:03:05 --> 01:03:07 I told you, Leonard. I told you.
01:03:08 --> 01:03:12 Did he say Cowboys? Yes, he did. He did, Leonard. Okay.
01:03:13 --> 01:03:17 Look, look, but didn't I tell you he was going to tell you? What did I tell
01:03:17 --> 01:03:18 you earlier? Didn't I tell you?
01:03:18 --> 01:03:22 I told Leonard that you might not be an Eagle fan. I told you that.
01:03:22 --> 01:03:24 I told him that. All right.
01:03:24 --> 01:03:27 Mark, Mark, this is a famous question because Dave briefly said it.
01:03:27 --> 01:03:30 How do you grow up in Eagles territory and not be an Eagles fan?
01:03:31 --> 01:03:35 Well, I just fell in love with the Cowboys as a seventh grader.
01:03:35 --> 01:03:39 I had cowboy pajamas, cowboy sheets, bed sheets.
01:03:40 --> 01:03:45 I had cowboy jacket, cowboy hats. I just love the Cowboys. I love their colors.
01:03:45 --> 01:03:47 I love their style of play.
01:03:47 --> 01:03:52 And I love their quarterback, Roger Stallback. And I just fell in love with
01:03:52 --> 01:03:54 the team. And I've been with them ever since I was in seventh grade.
01:03:55 --> 01:03:59 And it's nothing but the Eagles. I just never really, you know,
01:04:00 --> 01:04:02 had a love for them like I do the Dallas Cowboys.
01:04:03 --> 01:04:06 Okay. But, Mark, you can tell the truth. You can tell the truth.
01:04:06 --> 01:04:08 You just hurt Dave's feelings. You just hurt Dave's feelings.
01:04:09 --> 01:04:13 You can tell the truth here. So when the Cowboys get beat every year,
01:04:14 --> 01:04:14 do you root for the Eagles?
01:04:16 --> 01:04:21 Well, yeah, I'll root for the Eagles if my team is not in it. Yes, I will.
01:04:22 --> 01:04:26 Okay, there you go. All right. All right. So this is the question. Okay.
01:04:27 --> 01:04:30 So, you know, pretend the Cowboys aren't in it anyway.
01:04:32 --> 01:04:36 What is your prediction of how many wins the Eagles will have this year?
01:04:36 --> 01:04:40 And do you think they would make it to the Super Bowl together?
01:04:41 --> 01:04:47 Judging on what's going on right now, I would say the Eagles are going to win
01:04:47 --> 01:04:50 10 to 11 games. Wow. Okay.
01:04:51 --> 01:04:55 Yeah, I think so. They got a good game.
01:04:56 --> 01:05:00 Like a Cowboys fan. 10 to 11 games. You know there's 17 games in the season, Mark.
01:05:01 --> 01:05:04 Yes, I'd give them 10 or 11. Oh, man.
01:05:04 --> 01:05:09 Yes. Okay. All right. There's a little hate there, I can see. Okay.
01:05:09 --> 01:05:15 Hey, Mark. Dave asks you these questions, and then he gets mad when you tell him the answer.
01:05:15 --> 01:05:20 Yeah, I'm a Cowboy fan for life.
01:05:20 --> 01:05:24 All right, well, here, Mark, how many games are the Cowboys going to win this
01:05:24 --> 01:05:26 year? What's your prediction for the Cowboys?
01:05:27 --> 01:05:30 Well, I'm a Cowboy fan, but I'm also a realist.
01:05:32 --> 01:05:36 I think it's going to be a long season for us. Oh, okay.
01:05:36 --> 01:05:43 How many games? I don't see the Cowboys winning no more than probably seven or eight games. Wow.
01:05:43 --> 01:05:47 Okay. All right. I'm just being real with you. I love my Cowboys,
01:05:47 --> 01:05:50 but I don't think we're going in the right direction.
01:05:51 --> 01:05:55 If they get to 10, that's a plus for you then, right? Yeah, that's a bonus,
01:05:55 --> 01:05:57 yes, if they get to 10. Okay.
01:05:58 --> 01:06:03 All right. But I like a realist Cowboys fan. I'll give you that. Okay.
01:06:04 --> 01:06:06 Now, do you think the Eagles will make it to the Super Bowl this year?
01:06:07 --> 01:06:12 I'm predicting that the Green Bay Packers will make the ball.
01:06:14 --> 01:06:17 Yes and I think they will play the Baltimore Ravens,
01:06:18 --> 01:06:23 but you know what a lot of people are predicting that matchup a lot of people
01:06:23 --> 01:06:27 are predicting that matchup you know so I ain't mad at you for that even though
01:06:27 --> 01:06:32 you didn't put the Eagles in there you know I ain't mad at you okay all right
01:06:32 --> 01:06:34 Leonard what's your prediction how many games will the Eagles win,
01:06:35 --> 01:06:37 I'm going to say they win 14 out of 17.
01:06:38 --> 01:06:42 Okay. All right. True Eagle fan. Okay. Do they get back to the Super Bowl?
01:06:43 --> 01:06:49 I think they should. Some way say yes. Okay. They should make it back.
01:06:49 --> 01:06:50 They should make it back.
01:06:52 --> 01:06:53 But do you think they will win?
01:06:54 --> 01:06:58 I mean. Yeah, that's the tough part right there, right?
01:06:59 --> 01:07:03 They got enough to get back there, but you don't think they can win. There you go. Yeah.
01:07:04 --> 01:07:10 Yeah, I mean, I think they should, but, you know, it's just – I can only speculate
01:07:10 --> 01:07:13 so much, but when you take them to the Super Bowl, it's like,
01:07:13 --> 01:07:15 okay, now speculation to the third.
01:07:16 --> 01:07:19 Yeah, I get it. All right, Dave, what about you?
01:07:20 --> 01:07:25 What is your prediction of how many wins the Eagles will have this year,
01:07:26 --> 01:07:29 and do you think they will make it to the Super Bowl again?
01:07:29 --> 01:07:33 And if they do make it to the Super Bowl, do you think they will win?
01:07:34 --> 01:07:39 Well, I predict around 13 wins. They got a very hard schedule this year.
01:07:40 --> 01:07:44 But they've already won two games that a lot of scouts thought they wouldn't win.
01:07:45 --> 01:07:51 So I'm going to give them 13 games. I think they can potentially win 14, but I'm going to say 13.
01:07:52 --> 01:07:55 Do I think they'll make it back to the Super Bowl? I think they can definitely
01:07:55 --> 01:07:56 make it back to the Super Bowl.
01:07:57 --> 01:08:01 If they get to the Super Bowl, they'll win the championship.
01:08:02 --> 01:08:04 Yeah, they'll win the championship because once they get there,
01:08:04 --> 01:08:08 if they get there again, I don't think they're going to lose.
01:08:10 --> 01:08:16 They remember what happened in 22 a game that was taken away from them you know
01:08:16 --> 01:08:19 so they righted it this past season,
01:08:20 --> 01:08:26 so why not win it again if they get there let's go let's go birds and who do
01:08:26 --> 01:08:29 you think their opponent would be if they make it to the Super Bowl,
01:08:30 --> 01:08:34 I think it's going to be Buffalo I think it's going to be Buffalo I think Buffalo
01:08:34 --> 01:08:40 has a very good chance with Kansas City playing the way that they're playing,
01:08:40 --> 01:08:44 finally getting past Kansas City and being able to make it to that Super Bowl.
01:08:44 --> 01:08:48 Do you think they can get past the Baltimore Ravens?
01:08:48 --> 01:08:52 The Ravens always shoot themselves in the foot on the way.
01:08:52 --> 01:08:57 They always do. The Ravens, I think, can win the Super Bowl,
01:08:57 --> 01:08:59 but you saw what happened to the Ravens last week.
01:09:00 --> 01:09:05 You know, that kind of stuff seems to happen to them a lot during the playoffs.
01:09:05 --> 01:09:12 You know, so I like the Ravens and I think they have the potential to be the
01:09:12 --> 01:09:14 representative from the AFC.
01:09:15 --> 01:09:21 But Buffalo, Buffalo is ain't nothing to play with. And I'm going to say that for sure. Yeah.
01:09:22 --> 01:09:28 So and I'll put it this way. I think it's going to be one of those two teams
01:09:28 --> 01:09:30 in this and representing the AFC.
01:09:31 --> 01:09:38 So if Baltimore does get there, I won't be surprised. So, but my personal thoughts,
01:09:38 --> 01:09:39 I think it's going to be Buffalo.
01:09:41 --> 01:09:44 So Buffalo and the Eagles for the Super Bowl. There we go.
01:09:45 --> 01:09:50 All right. You guys, you know, you tell us what you guys think.
01:09:50 --> 01:09:52 I'm sure we'll hear about it
01:09:52 --> 01:09:56 once you guys are sending your notes and everything, your feedback on it.
01:09:56 --> 01:10:00 I'm sure we got some chatter going on already thinking about that.
01:10:00 --> 01:10:06 But anyway, Mark, before we sign off, do us a favor, give people information
01:10:06 --> 01:10:12 on how to contact you one more time, you know, And so in case people are interested
01:10:12 --> 01:10:15 in reaching out to you, especially about the Hall of Fame,
01:10:16 --> 01:10:19 you know, definitely go ahead and give your information one more time before we sign on.
01:10:20 --> 01:10:24 Yes. If you're looking to become a member of our organization,
01:10:24 --> 01:10:33 you can go on our website, www.dassoff.org, and you can become a member and
01:10:33 --> 01:10:34 pay your fee right there.
01:10:34 --> 01:10:43 You can reach me at 610, area code 800-2590, or you can email me,
01:10:43 --> 01:10:51 MarkSills17 at gmail.com, or you can contact me on Facebook.
01:10:52 --> 01:10:55 I'm all over Facebook. I'm easy to find.
01:10:55 --> 01:11:01 And you can also contact me on Instagram, MarkSills.16.
01:11:02 --> 01:11:06 And those are the ways you can reach out to me and those are the ways you can
01:11:06 --> 01:11:11 get in touch with me and I love to hear from you and love to try to answer your
01:11:11 --> 01:11:15 questions or concerns or if you have anything you would like to ask me.
01:11:16 --> 01:11:22 Sure, all right, well, great, great. Mark, we want to both thank you for coming
01:11:22 --> 01:11:24 on and hanging out with us today.
01:11:24 --> 01:11:29 Thank you, thank you. We really appreciate it and once again,
01:11:29 --> 01:11:33 And, you know, tell your father I said hello and tell the rest of your family I said hello.
01:11:34 --> 01:11:38 You know, Mark's a longtime friend, like I said, you know, and I really appreciate
01:11:38 --> 01:11:40 him taking the time and coming to hang out with us.
01:11:41 --> 01:11:45 Lynn, you got anything you want to add before we sign off? I just want to echo
01:11:45 --> 01:11:47 Mark, you know, thank you as well for coming on.
01:11:47 --> 01:11:51 Thank you for all you do, too, because, you know, with the Delaware Afro-American
01:11:51 --> 01:11:54 Hall of Fame, a lot of time we don't get recognized.
01:11:55 --> 01:11:58 And so, you know, I always think it's any time that we can kind of recognize,
01:11:58 --> 01:12:07 you know, these people who were, you know, royalty, legacy, you know, top performers.
01:12:07 --> 01:12:10 You know, I think that's a great thing to recognize others.
01:12:10 --> 01:12:15 So I applaud you on it. If there's anything Dave can ever do to help,
01:12:15 --> 01:12:22 whether it's donations, financial support, just call on Dave Coker and he will be there for you.
01:12:23 --> 01:12:27 Yes. Thank you so much. And thank you for this great opportunity.
01:12:27 --> 01:12:30 And thank you for allowing me to be on this show. And I really enjoyed the dialogue with you.
01:12:31 --> 01:12:36 And I enjoyed speaking with you and your viewership and your audience.
01:12:36 --> 01:12:37 And I really had a great time.
01:12:38 --> 01:12:41 And I'm thankful for this opportunity again.
01:12:41 --> 01:12:45 And Dave, tell your family, I asked for them and send them my love.
01:12:45 --> 01:12:49 And your family has just been a blessing to our family over the years.
01:12:49 --> 01:12:57 And we attended the same churches growing up, and the church was right there
01:12:57 --> 01:13:00 on East 29th Street. Right. 28th Street.
01:13:03 --> 01:13:05 Yeah, that's right. That's right.
01:13:08 --> 01:13:12 And Mark, I do want to say something super quick again. When the banquet comes
01:13:12 --> 01:13:14 up, can you send an invite for Dave and I?
01:13:14 --> 01:13:19 Because to be honest, I would like to attend just to kind of see it, too.
01:13:20 --> 01:13:24 Absolutely. I will send you an invite. It's on Saturday, April 18th,
01:13:24 --> 01:13:29 2026 at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover, Delaware.
01:13:29 --> 01:13:34 That's at 1121 Forest Avenue. And tickets are $60 a person.
01:13:35 --> 01:13:39 Or you can go on our website and purchase them for $66 per person.
01:13:39 --> 01:13:43 And a table of $10 is $600 per table.
01:13:44 --> 01:13:52 Or on our website, $660 for a table of $10. And we look forward to seeing you
01:13:52 --> 01:13:55 guys in the place on April 18th.
01:13:55 --> 01:13:58 And I will send you an invite as it gets closer. Okay. Thank you.
01:13:59 --> 01:14:06 I'm hoping to see some people there that I know going in there.
01:14:06 --> 01:14:08 So we'll see. We'll see what happens.
01:14:10 --> 01:14:14 And Mark, great job with the tournaments and everything that you do.
01:14:15 --> 01:14:18 Leonard brought this guy from his talking. But I've been to a few of Mark's
01:14:18 --> 01:14:23 tournaments and everything, and he does a great job organizing these tournaments for the young people.
01:14:23 --> 01:14:27 And just keep doing what you're doing, man. You're doing an awesome job. Okay?
01:14:28 --> 01:14:34 Yes, thank you so much. Okay. All right. Okay, guys, that's everything that we have for you tonight.
01:14:35 --> 01:14:38 We really appreciate you taking the time to listen to us, and we'll be back
01:14:38 --> 01:14:40 with you guys again next Tuesday.
01:14:41 --> 01:14:44 Have a good night, and thank you once again.
01:14:55 --> 01:15:00 Tune in next week, ladies and gentlemen, for another edition of News and Trends
01:15:00 --> 01:15:02 with your host, Dave and Lynn.
01:15:03 --> 01:15:22 Music.