CLEVELAND – Derick Todd is no stranger to hitting the books.
Yet, when his school, the Whitney Young Gifted and Talented Leadership Academy, offered him a chance to hit the football field, the high school senior couldn’t resist.
“It’s been a long time coming. We’ve been doing this for a few years trying to get this program coming,” said Todd, a senior defensive tackle. “It means a lot. I just always tried to play ball, but Whitney Young is just a good school to be at academically, so I never left. It finally came to me, so it was just meant to be.”
The school is starting its first-ever football team, something the academy’s fought to get for several years. The school will also have volleyball, basketball and track teams.
“I was losing some of my children with athletic prowess even though they were scholars because they were looking at high school programs that offered them academics as well as athletics,” said school principal Karen Byron-Johnson. “We get to be not just the flagship as far as academics, but now we get to ride that ship of athletic excellence that the city’s held for years. We can now be a part of that.”
“We’re excited,” added Leonard B. Jackson, commissioner of athletics of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. “We thought it was a great idea and a great opportunity for these young people and you will see them today excelling on the field, their own field of dreams.”
Todd and fellow senior David Abdul-Alim had worked with administrators over the past few years. Last year, when they learned Whitney Young would finally get athletic teams, they were first to start recruiting.
“Football is my favorite sport. So finally being able to play it at school, it’s just a lot easier to come at school, and you don’t have to just hit the books and that’s it,” said Abdul-Alim, a tight-end on the team. “Just pure playing. That’s all I’m excited about. I’ve been waiting to play football at my school for a real long time.”
Todd and Abdul-Alim are among eight seniors on the 25-player squad this season. Each student has a 3.5 grade point average of higher.
Head football coach Brooks Baird said the team will compete as a junior varsity squad this year, as required by the state athletic association.
Next season, the team will be upgraded to varsity.
“It’s a process. We’re looking to improve every day,” Baird said. “We’re going to emphasize effort and teambuilding and getting better each day each week. There are going to be a lot of challenges, a lot on the way, a lot of experience for the kids, but they’re working hard and as a team.”
Two ladies will also be working hard on the sidelines, one as a linebacker and another, junior Remi Zellers, as kicker.
“I’m kind of like a girl that has an edge,” Zellers said. “I’ve been around football all my life. The coach has been working really hard. And we have a lot of support from Whitney Young: the students, staff, and the people outside. People probably doubt us, but I think our team has the potential to win.”
This Wednesday, the football team will make its debut down the road at rival, John F. Kennedy High School.
“Everybody is excited for us playing Kennedy since it’s down the street,” said junior quarterback Marquan Shannon “Everybody’s pumped up. I’m excited to see us come together as a team and be on the same page.”
Todd said the team is anxious to show that they’re not just the best in the classroom but have potential to be the best on the field.
“I’m very excited. I’m just ready to get out here and play,” Todd said. “We just want to show them what we can do on the field. Whitney Young might be new at this, but it’s all about hard work and we’re ready to give it our all.”
The JFK-Whitney Young game will be at John F. Kennedy High School, 17100 Harvard Avenue. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.