Oct. 27, 2009
PHOTO GALLERY
Bronx, N.Y. - A good number of college student-athletes have signed autographs for fans. However, the number who have signed a book on their lives and how they overcame adversity is probably fairly small. Included on that short list as of October 27th is Fordham University sophomore defensive lineman Thomas Lloyd III.
On October 27th, Lloyd, who goes by the nickname T-Lloyd, addressed a group of high school students from seven schools in the Bronx on the importance of staying motivated, giving a consistent effort, setting goals and achieving them. The event was sponsored by the Fordham University RETC 21st Century Learning Center, a new University-run community learning center that aims to increase the tech savvy of families in the Bronx while helping students further their educations, and Scobre Press.
The 21st Century Community Learning Center, which is operated by the RETC-Center for Professional Development, began offering technology classes and more in September, helping students who are behind in credits catch up in order to graduate.
The idea of having Lloyd address the students was hatched by Theresa Lupo, a senior professional developer with the RETC Center, who interviewed Lloyd, a former resident of New Orleans, for a volunteer position in the afterschool program. During the interview process she discovered that Lloyd's family was forced to evacuate New Orleans in advance of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, losing all their possessions and almost a family member, in the disaster. The hurricane forced Lloyd's family to move to Texas where he was able to excel both in the classroom and on the football field. But the most interesting part of his interview came when he mentioned that a book had been written about his ordeal.
The Lloyd family packed up and left for Texas just prior to landfall of Katrina. All that is except for Lloyd's father, Thomas Lloyd, Jr. It seems he wasn't convinced that the storm would be that bad and he stayed behind to look after the house. After Katrina hit, the Lloyd family was unable to get in touch with the father, who spent part of the time on the roof of his house, for almost two weeks.
"Dad was being stubborn," said Lloyd. "We were all worried because we followed the events on television and couldn't get in touch with him. When he finally called I remember running to the phone and hearing his voice. We were so relieved."
The book T-Lloyd: In the Trenches was written by Ron Berman and Stephen McFadden and published by Scobre Press. The origins of the book started with a story about Lloyd's ordeal that appeared in the Dallas Morning News. A representative of Scobre Press happened to be in Dallas that day and read the story about the Lloyd's trials and how he adjusted to his new post-Katrina life, becoming one of the top defensive linemen in the state of Texas at L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, Texas, a suburb of Dallas.
Lloyd opened the event by answering a list of prepared questions on topics ranging from his major (Accounting) to what he does with his free time (volunteer with the Learning Center, serve on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, play football) to what he likes about playing football (being able to hit people).
Lloyd then took questions from the students, one of which was what it was like to have a book written about his experience.
"It was a shock to me that someone would be interested in my life," said Lloyd. "The publishing company contacted my school and my parents and one day I see my parents at school. I thought I was in trouble which was odd because I never got in trouble at school. That night at dinner my parents told me about the book idea and all I could say was `why?'"
Lloyd used his experiences to drive the lesson home to the students of maintaining effort, staying motivated and setting and achieving goals.
"It's all about effort," said Lloyd who penned "Give an Effort" in each of the books presented to the students. "Once you put in a little effort it can get you over the hump. I've seen most of you come to the program every day and work hard to achieve your goals of getting your credits. That motivation needs to be with you ever day."
Lloyd implored the students to keep working hard and not to think they can't make it in college.
"Don't let the idea of going to college scare you," Lloyd said. "Everyone can go to college. You just need to keep working hard, keep coming to the program and do the necessary things to be successful."
Lloyd volunteers with the program twice a week, along with other football student-athletes Lloyd Morrison and Jock Payten. They assist the students as they navigate the computerized programs that help them earn the credits they need to graduate. They are also important role models for the students, showing them that they can do whatever they put the effort into.
"I want the students to know that you have to work hard to be successful," said Lloyd. "I don't consider myself to be successful yet. It's a continuous process and these students need to know that they just can't give up. If you give the effort you give yourself a chance."
Lloyd wrapped up the event by signing copies of the book for each of the students.
"I think the student-athletes are great role models for the students," said Lupo. "They do a great job balancing their schedules in order to play sports and go to college. And the football players have been great at spreading the word about the program to their teammates."
The program consist of approximately 100 Bronx high school students who work on academic programs twice a week and who experience college life one day a week in the form of taking in events on the Fordham campus, sitting in on a college class or even eating a meal at the cafeteria.
There's one other thing these high students will be doing to get a taste of college life. Attending a college football game. On November 14th, they will be in attendance at the Fordham-Lehigh Patriot League football game. And if you're wondering where they are sitting, just listen for the roar when Thomas Lloyd III makes a tackle.
