Water Cooler — May 12, 2010

By Bontã Hill
The Guardsman

Just two years ago, this little whippersnapper named Bontã Hill walked into bungalow 214, home of The Guardsman, curious to know what it took to join the school newspaper.

After that, a good friend of mine sent me two sports writing books for Christmas urging me to start writing. To be honest, it was the only way I was going to stay in school.

With no journalism experience (does reading the Sporting Green from the age of 10 count for something?), I was assigned to a women’s basketball game at City College, and after writing that story, my hunger to become a better journalist grew with each assignment.

Two years later, my time with The Guardsman is coming to a close. But it has not been without great memories, classic run-ins with members on staff and the joy of expanding the recognition of City College athletics here on campus.

Chasing down the likes of George Rush, Justin Labagh and Jamie Hayes for quotes will be something I will surely reminisce about 15 years later.

Going forward, the Cooler has served its last cup, meaning the future for The Guardsman is sure to be dryer than the Sahara Desert.

All kidding aside, it’s been a pleasure to make all you readers laugh and get away from the daily grind of going to school. To the people who stopped me on campus to talk about various topics in my column, thank you.

I couldn’t be more proud in saying that my journalism career started right here at City College.

Idiot of the Week

My protege and current sports editor here on campus suggested I do an Idiot of the Semester.

I know I can’t go wrong with JaMarcus Russell, Josh McDaniels and Ben Roethlisberger, but after last week, how can I pass up the opportunity to recognize a guy who used to take quarterbacks’ heads off while on cocaine?

This honor of course goes to the original L.T., Lawrence Taylor. While he’s had a long list of off-field troubles, last week’s was probably the most embarrassing moment of his life.

While in New York last weekend, Taylor was looking to have a little fun in his Holiday Inn room He contacted Rasheed Davis, who had a prostitute pay Taylor a visit.

The 51-year-old Taylor was told the girl was 19, and Taylor then paid $300. The catch? The girl was 16, still a couple of years away from being classified as an adult.

The girl, who was reported missing by her family in March, met Davis at a Bronx bus stop two to three weeks ago. Federal prosecutors say she told investigators that the 36-year-old parolee offered her a place to live and a way to make money.

It is simply unbelievable that Taylor, with a long list of run-ins with the law, would put himself in that position.

Taylor could face up to 10 years in prison and a life-time sex-offender registration if convicted. It’s a shame that he has given the African-American community a black eye.

Whatever the outcome is, L.T. is a fool, fool enough to be the Idiot of the Semester.

Misc.

I loved how Floyd “Money” Mayweather took apart Shane Mosley on May 1 to once again hush his critics. Mayweather upped his record to 41-0 and hopefully, $40 million to $50 million dollars will convince Manny Pacquiao to take a blood test and make the fight between himself and Mayweather happen.

In hockey news, the San Jose Sharks are four wins away from  their first ever Stanley Cup Final. Is it me, or does it seem like the Bay Area sports landscape is starting to look a little more promising? This region is overdue for sporting success.

Lastly, how about the guy who blasted A-Rod for stepping on the pitcher’s mound? Oakland A’s pitcher Dallas Braden threw the 19th perfect game in Major League Baseball history on Mother’s Day against the Tampa Bay Rays with his grandmother watching in the bleachers.

Nothing like a great sports moment to end a great run at The Guardsman.