Curtis Brinkley doesn’t have lot of time before training camp begins next month with the San Diego Chargers. Brinkley, Chargers running back who starred at West Catholic and Syracuse, will do something nice for his Philadelphia neighborhood.

Curtis Brinkley’s Second Community Day will take place at the Abbotsford Community Homes, Fox Street and Roberts Avenue. The event will be held on July 7 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Brinkley grew up in this East Falls community. He knows how important it is to give the youngsters in this neighborhood something positive to do in the summer.

“It’s a great event,” Brinkley said. “We want to build off last year just having different guys come up from the league. I have LeSean McCoy (Eagles running back) coming. I got Jameel McClain (former George Washington High star) coming from the Baltimore Ravens. I got the twins (former Prep Charter standouts) Marcus Morris (Phoenix Suns) and Markieff Morris (Houston Rockets).

“I was born and raised in this development. It’s just a day to sign autographs, take pictures and talk to the kids. They’ll have a chance to talk them and they’ll let the kids know how they were able to get to where they are today. We want to show the kids that it’s more out here than some of the negative things that’s going on.”

In addition to the special appearances from professional athletes, there will be food, beverages, face painting, contests and other activities. It should be a big day for Brinkley as well as his community. Moreover, this should be a big year for Brinkley with the Chargers. A year ago, he scored his first NFL touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football. Brinkley scored on a two-yard run. The 5-foot-9, 208-pounder is ready to make a solid contribution this season.

“I started off on special teams,” said Brinkley, who was signed by the Chargers in 2009 as an undrafted free agent. “I had that game on Monday night. That was big and having the opportunity to be able to start. I’m really looking forward to this year.”

Brinkley has been a sensational football player going all the way back to his scholastic days. In 2003, he rushed for 2,294 yards using his speed and great open field moves. After a year at Hargrave Military Academy, he played some good football for the Orange. Brinkley rushed for 1,165 yards and ran for 14 touchdowns his senior year. The former Catholic League standout is happy to be in a position as a professional athlete to make a difference in his community.

“This is something I always thought about doing,” Brinkley said. “I always dreamed about being in the NFL and wanting to give back. I want to make life a little easier for kids. Now, I’m in a situation where I can do that. It really makes me feel good.”

Contact staff writer Donald Hunt at (215) 893-5719 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Angel Morris, mother of former Prep Charter and University of Kansas basketball stars Marcus and Markieff Morris, and guardian angel of their teammate, Thomas Robinson, and his younger sister in the wake of last January’s tragic death of their mother, on October 7 will be honored as the first “Life Saver” by Headquarters Counseling Center. The celebration in Angel’s honor is the fourth annual Life Support Refresher, Friday at Maceli’s in Lawrence, Kansas. This is a fundraising event to benefit Headquarters Counseling Center.

Angel was chosen by Headquarters Counseling Center’s board of directors and staff to be honored for her sacrifice and selfless actions, which embody the Headquarters’ mission to provide unconditional life support to those in crisis.

“I’m honored to get the award, but I would have done it without being recognized at all,” Angel said. “I love children, his family [Robinson’s] and his mom. He asked me to take care of him before any of this happened. I just feel honored to get this award. I never thought that I would get it. He was always like family to me. He was really close to my boys.”

Headquarters, a community organization for more than 40 years, provides free and confidential counseling, education and information, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Angel is waiting for the NBA lockout to end so she can watch Marcus and Markieff play professional basketball. She has followed them throughout their careers at Prep Charter in the Public League as well as their college basketball careers at Kansas. Markieff was a first round selection of the Phoenix Suns, 13th overall. The Houston Rockets drafted Marcus in the first round with the 14th pick. The twin brothers have played together their entire career until now.

“I think I’m going to do one month with Markieff and the other month with Marcus and go from there,” Angel said. “That’s the only way I think I can do it.”

Kevin Durant, John Wall headline lockout exhibition

The Battle for I-95 continues as NBA superstars Kevin Durant from the Oklahoma City Thunder and John Wall from the Washington Wizards team up to represent the nation’s capital against Philadelphia’s all-star team on October 15 at Calvin Coolidge High School in Washington, D.C. The game begins at 6 p.m.

Durant and Wall (who also competed with the Goodman League All-Stars), less than a month removed from playing with Team DC, look to represent the District again along with Jeff Green (Boston Celtics), Michael Beasley (Minnesota Timberwolves), Nolan Smith (Portland Trail Blazers), DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings) and Greg Monroe (Detroit Pistons).

Tyreke Evans (Sacramento Kings), Hakim Warrick (Phoenix Suns) and Lou Williams (Philadelphia 76ers) will play for the Philadelphia team. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to local youth sports programs and recreation centers. For ticket information, visit http://dcphillytickets.eventbrite.com.

Contact staff writer Donald Hunt at (215) 893-5719 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Ramone Moore, Temple senior guard, was named the recipient of the Jim Maloney Award, presented annually to the men’s basketball team’s Most Valuable Player at the Owls Club annual awards banquet. Moore, a first-team All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection, led Temple in scoring and ranked third in the conference with a 17.3 average. The former Southern High standout placed second in the conference in minutes played (36.6 mpg.) and second on Temple in three-pointers (57) and assists (110). He scored his 1,000th point this season and ended his career in 27th place on Temple’s all-time list with 1,393 points.

Senior guard Juan Fernandez was named the recipient of the Tim Claxton Award for loyalty, dedication and attitude to the university and community. Redshirt junior guard T.J. DiLeo was honored with the Harry Litwack Award for sportsmanship, dedication, devotion and conduct on and off the court. The Ted Quedenfeld Most Courageous Athlete Award went to graduate student center Micheal Eric, while the Owl Club Academic Award went to senior Jake Godino.

Long time men’s basketball secretary Essie Davis, who recently retired, was presented with an award for her 40 years of service to the program.

Two Owl Club members — Rick Gross and Cherifa Howarth, received the Joseph “Jack” Hutton Honor Roll Award.

Morris twins sign deal with AND1

AND 1, the basketball footwear and apparel company dedicated to on-court performance and off-court lifestyle, recently announced the signing of NBA players and twin brothers and former Prep Charter and Kansas stars Marcus and Markieff Morris to a three-year endorsement contract. Both currently play in the NBA.

Markieff plays for the Phoenix Suns. Marcus plays for the Houston Rockets. They were both taken in the 2011 NBA draft. Markieff was selected with the 13th pick and Marcus was chosen at No. 14. They are only the third set of twins selected in the first round since the modern NBA draft began in 1966.

They led Prep Charter to back-to-back PIAA Class AA titles in 2006 and 2007. The Morris twins also had great college careers at Kansas.

Two Lincoln baseball players named HBCU All-Stars

Lincoln University baseball seniors Alexander Donald and Kyle Brooks have been selected to play in the third annual HBCU All-Star Baseball Revue, hosted by the Atlanta Wood Bat Instructional League, June 29-30 at Mundy’s Mill High School in Jonesboro, Ga.

The all-star baseball festivities begin at 6 p.m. on June 29 with a home run derby (all players from MEAC, SWAC, SIAC and CIAA). On June 30, the all-star game between CIAA and SIAC schools begins at 1 p.m. and the announcement of pitcher of the game and MVP of the game will follow the contest.

Contact staff writer Donald Hunt at (215) 893-5719 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .