By Dorothy Okung
Professional Football Players Mothers Association
FORT BEND ISD - Fort Bend ISD’s Athletics Department, headed by Director Philip O’Neal, hosted a district wide Congratulatory/Signing Day Recognition at Hopson Field House to honor 129 of the District’s student athletes who made commitments to play for colleges and university. Athletes from 11 of FBISD’s high schools were represented at the event, which welcomed their families, coaches, principals and other guests.
The Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD) Athletic Department, in conjunction with Russell Okung’s foundation initiative – Knowledge is Power - hosted a Scholarship Signing and Congratulatory Ceremony on May 8th in Wheeler Field House located at 16403 Lexington Dr., Sugarland, Texas. The Congratulatory Breakfast celebration was attended by FBISD student athletes participating in all sports from football, basketball, swimming, baseball, track, soccer, volleyball, and softball in signing a national letter of intent to further their education and continue their athletic careers.
As guests arrived, they were greeted by members of the South Central Region of the Professional Football Players Mothers’ Association, a national nonprofit organization comprised of mothers of active and retired professional football players.
The ceremony began with O’Neal joined by T.J. Ford, alumni of Fort Bend and former NBA player, who spoke words of encouragement and the importance of education. They each congratulated the honorees and commended the coaching staff, school principals and families for their roles in the students’ success. Russell Okung of the Seattle Seahawks also congratulated the students saying, “I know you’ve had dreams about going to college and playing ball. I’ve sat in that same seat and felt the same anxiety you’re feeling. You’re making a tremendous transition in your lives as you sign on the dotted line. Your commitment as a student athlete will be tough, but well worth it. Most importantly education is key.”
Participating and present at the ceremony were one hundred and thirty scholarship recipients, coaches, parents, family and friends, some members of the press from Fox news and Fort Bend news. This is the 3rd year of the Knowledge is Power breakfast. The intent is to recognize, encourage, mentor and instill good values in the student athletes as they embark on their college experience! “This event is a great opportunity for us to recognize our student athletes,” said O’Neal. “We are proud of what they’ve accomplished in FBISD and are looking forward to hearing of their future successes with the colleges and universities they have chosen to attend.”
On leaving the breakfast there was a lady with her girls and I said congratulations to you and your family. She said, “I am a track and field coach and I am here to show my girls (track athletes) that if they apply themselves they will be a part of this in the near future”.
Knowledge is Power is a program that honors, congratulates and encourages the student athlete on scholarships in the Fort bend School districts.