University of Arkansas

Open Letter to K.J. Hill: Recommit to Arkansas and Become a National Star
K.J. Hill Arkansas Football Recruit

(Photo Credit: Whole Hog Sports)

Hello, Mr. Hill:

The purpose of this open letter is to urge you (and cause others to urge you) to recommit to playing football for the University of Arkansas. You’re being heavily recruited by the University of Alabama and Ohio State University, but those teams are loaded at the wide receiver position. You, therefore, seriously run the risk of simply sitting on the bench your entire college tenure, squandering an opportunity to live up to your full potential on the football field and make it to the NFL. At the University of Arkansas, you will have the opportunity to emerge as a star, possibly your first season. Although all who follow college football know that Arkansas has a superior power running game—with the biggest offensive line in football (college and NFL)—the team is only an improved passing game away from winning national championships. Arkansas returns a tough defense, a defense that ranked #10 in total defense, holding Alabama to only 14 points and holding LSU and Ole Miss scoreless last season. You, Mr. Hill, will be the featured wide receiver at Arkansas. At Alabama and Ohio State, you will sit on the bench—no matter what the coaches at both schools are telling you right now.

If you’re unaware, one of the significant jobs in college football recruiting, especially among elite football programs, is to not only recruit the best and most appropriate players for one’s team but also to recruit players away from teams to prevent them from progressing. Unfortunately, this brutal recruiting game results in those players never being intended to be used. Nick Saban recognizes the great difficulties he faced against Arkansas last season, which resulted in many Alabama fans calling the team “mediocre” and questioning whether Saban is in decline. Saban understands that Arkansas’ physical play on both sides of the ball is a substantial threat to his team in the SEC West. You’re nothing more than a pawn in his recruiting game.

Urban Meyer and Bret Bielema simply don’t like one another. Meyer isn’t genuinely interested in you—he simply wants to recruit you to anger Bielema. Again, you’re nothing more than a pawn in Meyer’s recruiting war, and he knows his team could face Arkansas in the playoffs, which it’s really possible for both teams to make it there.

If you recommit to Arkansas, you will be just as important to the team as its power running game is to its success. Arkansas has a great tight end, Hunter Henry, who occupies the attention of every defense the team faces. While those defenses are focusing on Hunter Henry, they will open up even more touchdown opportunities and big plays for you. With the recruitment of big-time recruit, Will Gragg, a tight end, defenses will have to concentrate on him as well, allowing increased opportunities for you to gain separation from defenses that will attempt to defend you man-to-man.

Mr. Hill, I have worked for the University of Arkansas’ athletic department and I can honestly attest to the fact that the athletic department has some of the finest facilities in the nation, and you will receive some of the finest academic support inside of the athletic department in the nation. Don’t forget how important it is to have great academic support to maintain your eligibility to play. Too often recruits don’t ask those athletic departments what they’re going to offer them to ensure their academic success. In the academic support center in the athletic department at Arkansas, you will receive tutoring, training, support, and help with your academic work that will ensure your success. If you commit to Arkansas, I make a personal commitment to help you with every assignment you need assistance with completing.

In closing, Mr. Hill, I strongly urge you not to become distracted by offers by Alabama and Ohio State. Those offers are to have you to sit on the bench. Contact Bret Bielema today and make an unwavering recommitment to Arkansas.

I look forward to hearing of your recommitment to Arkansas in the coming days.

Best wishes,

Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Arkansas

Arkansas Has A New Razorback: Kevin Richardson

Razorback Football

(Photo Credit: 247sports.com)

The Arkansas Razorback football team has added Kevin Richardson to the roster.  Read “Kevin Richardson Opts for Razorbacks” to learn more about him making the roster.  When you see his highlights film, you will understand why the coaches at the University of Arkansas believe Richardson has the potential to be a star for the Razorbacks.  At Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, Arkansas, Richardson played wide receiver, quarterback, safety, punt returner, kick returner, and running back.  He has legitimate triple-threat talent; that is, he can make an impact on offense, defense, and special teams.  In the SEC, the competition is fierce and continues to get better each year.  For the Arkansas Razorbacks to have success, the team will need special players like Richardson.

Kevin Richardson is a gifted football player and a quality walk-on recruit for the Razorbacks.  He’s a great team player, has great character, and good grades.  This young man will have a positive impact on and off the field.

Revolutionary Paideia was the first media source to advocate for the Arkansas Razorbacks to recruit Kevin Richardson.  Through the efforts of Revolutionary Paideia, Richardson received strong support from former players, many Razorback fans, and Arkansas sports reporters, including leading Arkansas recruiting reporter Richard Davenport, and this strong support helped bring Richardson to the attention of Razorback football coaches.

Although Richardson got a late start in getting his recruitment materials out, he did not let his dream of being a Razorback end.  Because he continued to work tirelessly to prove himself to Razorback coaches, he earned a spot on the roster.

His mother, Sanci Richardson, and older brother, Airic Hughes, devoted significant time and effort to advocating for Kevin to be recruited by the Razorbacks; their efforts paid off too.  Kevin comes from a highly supportive and great family.  At the University of Arkansas, I taught and mentored Airic Hughes, a graduate student and scholar in History at the University of Arkansas.  Hughes is also a University of Arkansas alum and staff member and great student.  

Follow Kevin Richardson on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/itsyaboy_KRICH.  Welcome him to the Arkansas Razorback family!  I’m confident Kevin will emerge as a star for the Razorback football team.

Antonio Maurice Daniels

Open Letter to Bret Bielema Concerning Kevin Richardson

Dear Coach Bret Bielema:

The purpose of this letter is express my strong recommendation of Kevin Richardson, WR/QB, DB/S, and PR/KR of Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, Arkansas, to be a part of the 2013 Arkansas Razorbacks football recruiting class. With my experience working in the athletic departments at the University of Arkansas and University of Wisconsin-Madison, and my experience as a football coach, I contend I’m a suitable judge of the type of talent you have acquired in the past and the type of talent the University of Arkansas has selected in the past and needs. I invite you to look at the highlights of Kevin Richardson here: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/602351/highlights/2023389 .

Kevin Richardson would set the Razorbacks apart from all SEC teams: the Razorbacks would have the only player in the conference who can play quarterback, wide receiver, defensive back/safety, and kick and punt returner. For a long time, Arkansas has longed for a player with the skill of Kevin Richardson: a player who can who can play at a high level on offense, defense and special teams. Imagine how frustrating it will be for defenses when they will not be able to decipher what the offense is doing when Richardson is on the field.

When thinking about getting the most value for the allotted scholarships, Kevin Richardson can contribute for you in every aspect of the game: offense, defense and special teams. That’s like getting two or three players on one scholarship.

As a football coach, almost nothing pleases me more than hearing other coaches having limitless great things to say about an athlete. Kevin’s coaches never run out of great things to say about him. He’s a gifted and versatile football player. He plays the game the right way. You will never have to worry about Kevin not meeting his academic responsibilities. He has an ACT score that’s nationally competitive with all student-athletes in the 2013 recruiting class. Kevin is a leader on and off the field. He’s the right player to help the Razorbacks’ defense to develop into a national championship level defense.

I very much appreciate your time and consideration and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Antonio Maurice Daniels
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Related Articles

Support Coach Bobby Petrino


Last night, University of Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long made a decision to place University of Arkansas Head Football Coach Bobby Petrino on paid administrative leave.  At a time when the Razorback football program is flourishing, Jeff Long could make a decision to fire Coach Petrino.  Although all of the details about Coach Petrino’s motorcycle accident and issues surrounding that motorcycle accident have not completely been revealed, one thing all Razorback fans know is how valuable he is to our football program.  Since the decision to place Coach Petrino on paid administrative leave has been made, I’ve been leading a grassroots effort to keep him as our head football coach.  Right now, we cannot afford to lose Coach Petrino as our head football coach.

I’m not sure why the University of Arkansas Athletic Department is trying to act all holy right now, considering I’ve worked on the inside of the University of Arkansas Athletic Department and know that worse things go on than these current issues with Coach Petrino.  We must flood Athletic Director Jeff Long’s email addresses and telephone with our support for Coach Bobby Petrino to remain the head football coach.  We need him immediately back on the football field to prepare our team to win the BCS National Championship.

Please email Athletic Director Jeff Long at the following email addresses to express your support for Coach Petrino to remain the head coach of our football team: jefflong@uark.edu and jplong1@uark.edu.  Additionally, call his university office number: (479) 575-7641.  Take a moment and join the “Team Save Coach Petrino” Facebook group.

Act today!

Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Arkansas Razorbacks Will Win the BCS Sugar Bowl

The Arkansas Razorbacks will square off against the Ohio State University Buckeyes in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) AllState Sugar Bowl. As a Razorback, I am tremendously proud of the Hogs for making it to this BCS game. Bobby Petrino, his coaches, staff, and team have done a tremendous job of doing what was necessary to get to this game. This season the Razorbacks were really about two plays away from being in the BCS National Championship game facing the Oregon Ducks. Ohio State University will get to see tonight why there is a significant difference between playing in the Big Ten and playing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

Arkansas has the only offense in the nation to have both a 3,000 yard passer and a 1,000 yard rusher. Yes, Ohio State has a good defense but this defense has not seen a team with the speed and physicality that the Arkansas Razorbacks bring. This team has not faced a quarterback as talented as Ryan Mallett.

Ohio State University has five players, including the starting quarterback, who have been suspended for the first five games next year. These five players should not be playing in this game tonight, but they are and the Arkansas Razorbacks are glad that they are playing because we don’t want any excuses when we beat Ohio State! I don’t think for a moment that the talk about suspensions are going to distract the Ohio State players because all that they are concerned about is tonight, considering all of them are probably going to leave for the NFL after the game anyway.

The Arkansas defense has been a much improved unit this year, and this unit has gotten better and better each game. I look for the defense to step up and make big plays and do just enough to help Arkansas win the game. Arkansas is a tested team who has played strong competition—not a weak Big Ten schedule. Arkansas will represent the greatness and superiority of the SEC tonight!

Mallett will have a big game, as he has had all year. The key to the Hogs winning tonight will be the ability of the offensive line to pass protect for Mallett and Knile Davis will need to gain 100 yards for the Hogs.

I really could focus on the suspensions of the five Ohio State players, but I will not elevate those players to the greater attention that my Razorbacks deserve for getting to this game tonight and for the victory that they will get tonight!

I believe that this is going to be a close and outstanding game. I predict that the Arkansas Razorbacks will defeat the Ohio State University Buckeyes 31-27.

I pray for the success of all members of the Razorback team tonight and that they all will return to Fayetteville, Arkansas healthy and the winners of the BCS AllState Sugar Bowl! I know that you guys are going to do it! Go Hogs! WOO PIG SOOIE!

Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Online Education, Students of Color, and Access to Higher Education


Many people of color simply have circumstances that do not allow them to attend traditional brick and mortar higher education institutions. Fortunately, higher education has a strong online presence. Most traditional colleges and universities now offer some type of training and/or undergraduate and graduate degrees online. For example, at the University of Arkansas (www.uark.edu), one can select from a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs (even doctoral degree programs). For students looking to attend a historically Black college or university, Albany State University (www.asurams.edu) offers undergraduate and graduate degrees online. Another traditional brick and mortar university that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees online is Troy University (www.troy.edu). For people of color looking to pursue higher education and need to benefit from the flexibility of not having to attend a college or university in person, I highly recommend you consider attending a college or university online. You may be thinking that you could attend college if only you could have the flexibility of not having to attend classes physically. This may be the thought of some people who think that their current jobs would interfere with them attending college.

In a post-affirmative action society, many students of color should really consider online education as a means of receiving training in higher education. You may not have the funds to live on campus, so it may benefit you to attend the college or university you plan to attend online. If you want to participate in student activities on campus, you can always drive to the physical campus—if the institution is near you.

One of the strongest reasons why I think online education can be one of the best ways to improve access to higher education is it reduces costs that accompany physically attending a college or university. For example, if you are attending college online, then you don’t have to worry about parking costs, increased fuel costs, having transportation to and from school, room and board expenses, and etc. For many people of color, these significant savings can make the difference in their ability to attend college.

Some acts of racism can be avoided by attending classes online. If you attend a predominantly White institution online, then you could avoid campus issues that involve race in undesirable ways.

For those interested in attending completely online universities that do not have challenging admission standards, then you might want to consider Walden University (www.waldenu.edu) and Argosy University (www.argosy.edu). Those two online universities are accredited by the same accreditors who accredit an elite university like the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Walden University and Argosy University are two quality online universities that some students of color who have not performed well coming out of high school or even undergrad should consider.

I am not trying to promote online education as the panacea to problems that students of color have with gaining increased access to higher education. Online education, however, is something we should consider when thinking about how to improve access to higher education for students of color.

Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Nothing’s Wrong With Being Yourself

It seems like no matter where I go people are  unwilling to be themselves. I have thought critically for years about why people are unwilling to be themselves and arrived at two dominant reasons: they lack courage and have unsatisficatory self-esteem. This lack of courage and satisificatory self-esteem has caused many people their chances at great success. While growing up in elementary, middle, and high school in Monticello, Georgia, some of my good friends who had opportunities to be great talents and college educated failed by the wayside because they lacked the courage and healthy self-esteem to combat peer pressure. They were unwiling to fight against the peer pressure that dared them to be different. Some of my Black male friends (while growing in Monticello, Georgia) resolved that getting good grades made you gay, so they elected to devote themselves to the “thug life” instead. I still love them very much and am not bashing them. I just wanted better for them and still do. Anyone who knows me well understands that I will do anything to help anyone, so don’t think that I’m being elitist at all!

While going to school in Albany, Georgia at Albany State University, I found that even college students lacked courage and satificatory self-esteem. Because some of them lacked the courage to resist not being “cool,” they flunked out of school. While attending the University of Arkansas, I saw how the lack of courage and satisificatory self-esteem caused some people to simply hate me because I had the willingness to be courageous enough to be myself. Guess what? I loved them then and love them now. See life is about loving one another. We often have to unsettle, unnerve, and unhouse people to make them better. This is what I do. It’s a tough job and is often misunderstood and mischaracterized but it’s an essential job for the betterment of human beings.

Since I have been here at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for a little over a year, I have been amazed at how unwilling people are to be themselves. Of course, my past experiences have taught me that many people lack a willingness to be themselves, but I have never witnessed how vexing this problem is until coming to Madison, Wisconsin. While here, I have experienced a person who de-friended me simply because she is miserable that she is unattractive and has not been able to get any man to pay her any attention in Madison, Wisconsin. I have also witnessed people who have betrayed me because they are envious and jealous of me. People have violated state and federal laws to try to undermine and prevent me from achieving some things while I have been here, because they are simply unsettled, unnerved, and unhoused by how completely happy I am to just be me. Guess what? I love them!

University of Wisconsin-Madison has given me the opportunity to see like never before the tremendous posturing, posing, lying, and masquearading people are willing to engage in just to hide who they reallly are. I have seen men who have demonstrated that they like other men, but will go to extremes just to prove to people they are not gay. I have also witnessed men who have been and are engaged in relationships with other women just so no one will call them gay. I have witnessed people with Ph.Ds who are jealous and envious of graduate students because they are about to graduate from an institution far more prestigious than the ones in which they graduated. How pathetic! Unlock the chains of bondage that you have placed on yourself!

If you are not willing to live free, then why want you just save yourself a whole lot of misery and just die? If you would think about it, when you are not willing to live your life freely, you are actually dead anyway.

It has to be a miserable life to worry about what other people are saying about you. It has to be a miserable life to try to live your life like others would have you to live it. It has to be a miserable life to pretend to be something you’re not. It has to be a miserable life to be gay and pretend to be straight. It has to be a miserable life to get a woman pregnant while having sex with men locally and across the country. It has to be a miserable life to feel like you’re unattractive and undesirable. It has to be a miserable life to know that you love your girlfriend or wife, but you don’t have the courage and self-esteem to resist the pressure of maintaining a “player” status. It has to be a miserable life to know that no one in your academic department likes you after you have tirelessly tried to be everyone’s friend. Guess what? I love you. I hope my love gives you a bit optimism.

Dare to be yourself! Dare to be free! Dare to fight peer pressure! Dare to combat low self-esteem! Dare to be courageous! Guess what? I love you all!

Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Wisconsin-Madison