east feb 2013

2 | EAST -February 2013

REBECCA C. BRIGHTWELL

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4LEADERSHIP

Trent Ashby

74-H

The 411 on 4-H

8GUNS AND AMMO

Concealed Handgun License

10IN THE WOODS

Coping with the Endof Season Blues

12HOT TOPIC

Guns in East Texas

14YOUR COMMUNITYCHRIST Ministries

16NEXT LEVEL

Jacolby Ashworth

19COACH’S SPOTLIGHT

Coach McManus

21TROPHY ROOM

Trophy Hunts

Stephanie OliverPresident

Beth [email protected]

Managing Editor

Kim [email protected] Director of Sales

Kevin [email protected]

Marketing Consultant

Macy HaffeyLayout and Design

Lisa Crow [email protected]

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CONTRIBUTORSScott McElroy

Joshua C. Milligan

DISTRIBUTORS Lisa Crow

Janet GloverJared Thompson

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CONTENTS /// FEB2013


f you are not familiar with the name Trent Ashby, you should take some time to get to know the man behind this name. As of January 8th, 2013, Ashby is our newly elected State Representative for District 57.

“This has already been a great learning experience. One good bit of advice I received was to never expect a routine. As soon as you feel like you are in a routine, everything will change,” Ashby said.

At the time of the interview, Representative Ashby was in the beginning of the ‘fast and furious 140’ days. According to Ashby, “Everyone is cautiously optimistic.” The first order of business for the House was to elect a speaker. They were able to keep moving ahead with their schedule, electing Joe Straus for his third term.

Ashby explains, “As of right now, we are waiting for the Speaker to make his decision and picks for the committees. We are in a holding pattern, hoping he lets us know this week where we will all be. Once we know where we all stand, that will help direct where we stand and where to work with the lobbyist. It is a nervous week, especially for a freshman.” When you ask Ashby about committees and where he is best suited, he states, “We all have a passion on many topics, but we can’t all be experts on all 28 committees. That’s why the Speaker takes a lot of time studying our backgrounds and strengths, along with our preference card before making committee appointments.”

According to Ashby, he had a meeting scheduled with the Speaker so that he could get to know him. He says, “It is important that we sit down together so he can get a good feel for our district and rural community. I want him to know the issues that really matter to East Texas.”

Ashby wants to serve on those committees that will make a difference in his district. “Those top topics that are at the forefront of our district are education, water, energy, and state funding. We have so many entities in our district that rely on state funding. That is something I want to work hard and fight for,” says Ashby.

Once he receives his “job duties,” there is no doubt Ashby will be ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work. He says, “My plans first and foremost will be to take care of our district. I am going to dig in and be a strong voice. These first weeks, I have been working hard at cultivating relationships with the other 149 members. It is important for me to be able to bring an issue or a bill that is vital to our district to those other committee members and ask for their help.”

Ashby explains, “Some of the best advice I have received about the Texas House is that it is all about relationships. I really took that to heart and am working hard to build strong alliances that I can share District 57 with. When I get on the floor, I want to know that they will support what I have to say, and when I go to them to for support on a bill, I will know that I have built those relationships to benefit our district.” In his inaugural year, there will never be a dull moment. The way the forefathers designed the house, they were wise enough to create a “part time” legislature, meaning the 150 members of the House work hard for 140 days and they adjourn on May 29. At that time, the members go out and live and work under the laws they created for the next 2 years, which of course does not include any special sessions that could be called during that time or the midterm committee hearings that are held.

As he begins his first sessions, Ashby says, “I am deeply honored by the confidence from the district to be their representative. That is what drives me to work hard. At the end of this first session, I hope to look back and people from home can feel like their voices were heard and needs were met. I have set up a procedure for the office that every phone call, email, or letter will get a response.”

To contact Representative Trent Ashby:Room E2.414, Capitol Extension P.O. Box 2910 Austin, TX 78768 (512) 463-0508(512) 463-5896 FAX

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Biography: “My rural background, business experience, and conservative principles uniquely qualify me to represent the fine people of House District 57 in Austin. As a native East Texan, I am guided by the same set of principles that make us who we are-faith, family, and friendship.” - Rep. Ashby

Trent Ashby is humbled and honored to be representing District 57 in the Texas House of Representatives during the 83rd Legislative Session. HD57 includes Angelina, Houston, Leon, Madison, San Augustine and Trinity Counties.

Trent is President of Community Title and manages the company’s offices in Angelina, Nacogdoches, and Polk Counties. As a businessman, he understands firsthand the challenges many small businesses face from over taxation to excessive regulation.

Trent is passionate about his civic duty and is prepared to tackle important issues including: private property rights, water, transportation, education, budget efficiency, and tort reform. Trent’s top priority is to make sure the people of East Texas have a strong voice in Austin. He wants his constituents

to know that his office in the Capitol belongs to them. He is proud to speak for rural interests and the values which make us unique.

Trent’s history of service includes being hired as the first ever Executive Director of the Texas Forest Country Partnership in 2003. Representing 13 counties throughout the East Texas region, the Partnership is a nonprofit organization that exists to market and promote economic development activities throughout the East Texas region. Prior to joining the Partnership, he worked in Washington as a Congressional aide.

A 1996 graduate of Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Trent bleeds maroon. While at A&M, he was elected to the Student Senate, Class Treasurer, and Yell Leader. During his senior year, he was also elected by his Aggie classmates to serve as one of three Class Agents, a position he held until he stepped down in 2005. He continues to be involved with his alma mater through the Texas A&M Letterman’s Association and Association of Former Students.

Born and raised on a dairy farm and diversified livestock operation in Rusk County, Trent is proud of his rural background and upbringing. Growing up, he was very active in both the 4-H and FFA youth organizations.

TTrent’s interest in politics was shaped by his participation as a candidate for elected positions while involved at a young age. During his junior year at Henderson High School, Ashby ran for and was elected Texas 4-H President. His senior year, he was elected to serve as Texas FFA State Vice President for 1991-1992.

Trent and his wife, Nickie, live in Lufkin with their two sons, Garin and Grant. Ashby has served as President of the Lufkin ISD Board of Trustees, board member for the Lufkin Host Lions Club, Lufkin/Angelina Chamber of Commerce, Lufkin/Angelina County Economic Development Partnership, United Way, Mosaic Center, Museum of East Texas, and the Texas Lyceum. Both he and Nickie are very active in their boys’ schools as well as their church, Harmony Hill Baptist Church.


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THE 411 ON 4-H

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Despite the tough economy we have been experiencing over the past couple of years, support for the Angelina County Youth Fair is not fading. According to county extension officials, last year’s fair brought in a total of $313,450.00. The community’s help will be solicited again this year on Saturday, March 2nd, when the live auction takes place.

The 64th annual Angelina County Youth Fair, sponsored by Polk’s Pick It Up and Brookshire Brothers, will run from February 26 to March 2 at the George H. Henderson, Jr. Exposition Center. Kody Jenkins explains that the community’s backing is based on the perception of what the long term impact to the community will be. Jenkins, who is in her 12th year as secretary at the Angelina County Youth Fair, grew up in the program as an agricultural student. On Saturday, March 2nd, the live auction will begin at 4:00 p.m. This is where the community shows its support every year by bidding and buying the various projects that made the sale during the week of the Youth Fair.

Jenkins explains, “I think the community sees the importance of the program teaching our youth a high level of responsibility in their respective project. They see the value in making that investment in our youth and hope they come back to the community to be good business men and women.”

This year will mark the first Angelina County Fair which will include the youth fair, a barbecue cook-off, a Texas Club Calf Association sanctioned open heifer show, and a carnival. According to Codie Jenkins, these events have been added in an effort to bring in more people from outside the county and increase revenue to be used for scholarships and supporting the youth during the live auction. The barbecue contest begins Friday night and will be judged at 1 p.m. on March 2. The heifer show begins Saturday morning at 9 a.m. and the carnival runs from Wednesday, February 27 through March 2 on the southwest corner of the expo center.

About 1,000 students within Angelina County will participate in the youth fair. The fair allows students from 4-H community led youth programs for students 8 years old through third grade or through FFA, which is the program led by schools for high school students, the opportunity to show animals such as hogs, lambs, broilers and steers and participate in other activities such as tractor restoration, food preparation, consumer sciences and arts and crafts.

The community can reward these participants two different ways during the live auction on March 2nd. First, individual buyers can bid on the various projects at the auction. Second, buyers’ pools have been set up and allow for community members to donate to a certain project or student who is showing in the fair without committing to say buying a steer or an entire agriculture mechanical project. Ryan Merrell at the Angelina County Extension Agency said a majority of the donations raised from the event come from the buyers’ pool. Merrell explains, “We don’t want someone to stress over the idea of buying an entire project; the $5, $10 and $20 donations add up.”

CONCEALED HANDGUN

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here is a huge demand for CHL registration all across Texas. Casey Evans from Evans Brothers Guns says his classes are full until April. “Normally, every class I hold is only half way full. Now, we are running full classes and are booked a couple of months out.”

There is a rise in Texas for anything to do with the second amendment right. Evans comments, “A lot of people are coming in because of two common reasons. The first reason, partially to do with the election, more people are worried about their rights being taken away. Many of those are hoping if anything were to happen or change to the laws, they may be grandfathered in. The second, of course, has to do with the state of all the casualties. Everyone who takes our classes has their own reasons, but those two are a good majority for the sudden rise in the CHL interest.”

One retired couple practicing for the renewal of their CHL at Evans Brothers shooting range concurred with Casey Evans’ assessment. ‘We used to travel and never think twice about our safety. Today, things have changed and that is really sad. It is sad to think we have to carry a gun to be safe and know that we have a way to protect our family. Many years ago, I would travel to Louisiana by myself and not think anything of it. Today, I wouldn’t go anywhere without the safety of knowing that I have a way to protect myself. ”

There are many avid gun collectors. For those

collectors, having a CHL is a much better and faster process when you are buying a gun. Evans explains, “Having a CHL, all the necessary background checks have already been done.”

The State of Texas has many requirements and eligibility laws to know if you can receive a concealed handgun license. “Usually, no one takes the class or spends the money if they know they may not be approved for a license. Since I have been doing this, I have had maybe 3-4 people get up and leave because they realized they were not eligible. Generally, no one spends the money for the class or the state registration if they are unsure if they will be approved. Only the ones that know they are eligible are the ones we see come in and spend the money for the class,” said Casey Evans.

The CHL is a one day course for a total of 10 hours; some of those hours being classroom training and the other being the hands on shooting portion. The state of Texas registration fee is approximately $140 for a CHL. The cost to take the training course varies; Evans Brothers charges $90, which includes shooting facilities.

After taking the CHL course and paying the required fees, you then submit a few forms to the state within 90 days. Your license will arrive in about 4-6 weeks.

For more information on CHL, contact Evans Brothers Guns. 712 Crippen Road, Huntington, Texas. 936.422.4867.

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(1) is a legal resident of this state for the six-month period preceding the date of application under this subchapter or is otherwise eligible for a license under Section 411.173(a);

(2) is at least 21 years of age;

(3) has not been convicted of a felony;

(4) is not charged with the commission of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or equivalent offense, or of an offense under Section 42.01, Penal Code, or equivalent offense, or of a felony under an information or indictment;

(5) is not a fugitive from justice for a felony or a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or equivalent offense;

(6) is not a chemically dependent person;

(7) is not incapable of exercising sound judgment with respect to the proper use and storage of a handgun;

(8) has not, in the five years preceding the date of application, been convicted of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or equivalent offense or of an offense under Section 42.01, Penal Code, or equivalent offense;

(9) is fully qualified under applicable federal and state law to purchase a handgun;

(10) has not been finally determined to be delinquent in making a child support payment administered or collected by the attorney general;

(11) has not been finally determined to be delinquent in the payment of a tax or other money collected by the comptroller, the tax collector of a political subdivision of the state, or any agency or subdivision of the state;

(12) is not currently restricted under a court protective order or subject to a restraining order affecting the spousal relationship, other than a restraining order solely affecting property interests;

(13) has not, in the 10 years preceding the date of application, been adjudicated as having engaged in delinquent conduct violating a penal law of the grade of felony; and

(14) has not made any material misrepresentation, or failed to disclose any material fact, in an application submitted pursuant to Section 411.174.

According to the Texas Concealed Handgun Laws, a person is eligible for a license to carry a concealed handgun if the person:


he end of waterfowl season can be a depressing time for duck enthusiasts. Nearly eight long months provide a grueling wait until early teal season rolls back around. These months pass as slow as dwindling a stick down with a pocket knife, every stroke taking away another day until your waders get to feel the touch of cold

water again. The truth is that for us waterfowlers, these long months can be the most crucial time for the upcoming season. Here are some items that should be on your end of season to-do list to better enhance the quality of your next season’s hunts.

End of Season SalesOne of the first objectives for avid waterfowl hunters can be to take advantage of end of season sales at your local hunting stores, adding weapons to your hunting gear arsenal that can help to improve your hunts. Here are some hot items to look for:

Baby Mojo: Adding movement to your decoys can be a huge benefit for early season birds. Using a Mojo style decoy on a cloudy day can be the perfect trick to fool those wary birds.

Pairing a drake mallard Mojo with a hen decoy in the late season can be a great lure as well. Finding gear on sale that can make your decoys come alive are a great buy for next season.

New Decoys: Finding deals on new decoys is much easier this time of the year, and getting a good mix of decoys can add realism to your setup. It would probably be safe to bet that even your grandmother’s dog has mallard decoys. Avoid the norm and mix your bag with wigeon, shoveler, pintail (for open water), gadwall and even divers for that extra realistic feel.

Calls: Getting tired of that plastic sound coming out of your old cheap duck call? Buying better quality calls become more affordable now that the season is over, allowing you to get your hands on some new reeds. Getting calls now and learning to master them before next season will help you to better speak the language when ducks start coming down for winter.

These are just a few items that you might want to add to your gear pile to help you boost your upcoming hunts. Go get them while the deals are hot.

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ScoutingA great way to speed up the time is to start scouting now for potential hot spots. Google Earth is a hunter’s friend when taking on this task. Look for bodies of water in your surrounding areas and then make it a point to visit them in person. Look for shallow areas with evidence of smart weed or millet that are sure to be a good food source for ducks. Finding areas in remote locations may help to distance you from other hunting pressure, providing you with better hunts. Asking for permission to access private land can also help to give you that dream edge over other competition.

Upgrade Your Honey HoleAlready have access to a private body of water? Take advantage of the spring and summer months to make your hole a duck magnet. Improving habitat is the best way to prepare for next season, enhancing your chances at getting limits of waterfowl. As the Texas heat drops water levels, plant various types of millet in fresh wet mud to spur growth of preferred duck food in your spots. If you have a way to drain your water levels, early summer is the time to do it. Drop the water to plant seeds and give time to allow them to establish, eventually allowing water to creep back in to keep the millet growing strong. Be sure to leave open holes as landing zones for birds.

Another way to upgrade your hole is to build blinds on all four sides - North, East, South and West. This will allow you to play the wind properly when hunting next season. Not much is more disheartening than to spend time in the wee hours of the morning putting out decoys and getting ready for a hunt, only to watch birds land into the wind opposite of you. Eliminate that problem by giving yourself as many options of places to hunt as possible. Cutting out shooting lanes to ensure proper holes for shots is also a pre-season action that can be done now before wintering birds arrive. Make sure to create overhead cover when building your blinds to ensure that you do not get busted by a circling bird.

The end of season days may seem slow, but there is no better time than now to prepare for the upcoming season. Putting in the effort early and finding good sales are some fantastic ways to help you bag limits of waterfowl in the later months of the year.

Joshua Milligan is a senior studying Business and Forestry & Wildlife Managment at Stephen F. Austin State University. He recently became the owner of Broken Pine outfitters. BPO is a film company that captures your once in a life time hunting excursions. For more information, visit http://www.brokenpineoutfitters.com/

Joshua C. MilliganOwner/Cinematographerat Broken Pine OutfittersHunting Film [email protected]

By Joshua C. Milligan

12 | EAST -February 201313 | EAST -February 2013

ll the chaos and casualties happening across our country are very disheartening. Gun control is now at the very center of that topic. For the very pro second amendment right state of Texas, the gun control topic is a heated debate. Many have a lot to say about what the federal government is proposing to do with our second

amendment rights.

Being an outdoor activating, possibly a hunting capital for the country, the second amendment debate is definitely a hot one.

Dustin Ellerman, winner of Top Shot season 3, is not short with words on this topic.

“First, it is really sad we have to have this argument in the first place. We are honestly seeing fools or evil. Politicians are making fools of themselves by being ignorant on the subject. These politicians, Vice President Joe Biden and many in New York, are not fully knowledgeable on what they are talking about when they speak about the issues, they look ignorant. On the other hand is the evil we are seeing. There is no way to control or be prepared for the type of evil.

For instance, the Sandy Hook shooting and the Aurora movie theater shooting are both no gun zones. To me, those are ‘victim rich environments’. If you look back at the last 50 years, the mass shootings that have taken place have all happened in gun free environments. There are places I will not go or put myself in situations that are ‘victim rich environments.’ They are recipes for disasters. Now, I am not saying, ‘ARM ALL TEACHERS,’ either. However, all it takes is one good guy with a gun to defend and act against a coward and/or a murderer.

For the most part, there are a lot of people who do not know how to act in a crisis situation, whether that is CPR, medical emergency, an injured child, or a mass chaotic gun situation. Today, we live in a society that as a whole, does not value responsibility in the first place. Many people want to step back and call 911 and have someone else take care of it. In a gun crisis situation, there are many law abiding citizens that do know how to handle themselves.

The argument that is being heard and thrown around is something needs to be done to take these guns off the streets. I have traveled many roads and across the country. I have never seen ‘guns on the street.’ The idea of compromise isn’t an option for me, because it will never end. We keep compromising until we have nothing left to compromise.”

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12 | EAST -February 201313 | EAST -February 2013

The gun debate stretches far and wide. Representative Trent Ashby also had a few things to say regarding the hot topic.

“There are many facets to this debate. One very important facet to me and our district is that of education. Right now, we are more concerned than ever about making our school as safe as they can be. Now what does that mean, arm the teachers and put police officers on campus? Current state laws allow school districts the ability to implement programs for personnel to carry guns in school. However, my stance on it is where is the common ground? I believe the decision should be kept at a local level because every community is different. Where I would have an issue with any decision is if there was a state mandated solution or a one size fits all decision. If Austin mandates something for all the schools but provides no funding, there is

going to be a problem. I will not be in favor of an unfunded mandate. If we create a program, we need to send funding with it.”

Rep. Trent Ashby has supported a bill filed by Rep. John Otto, HB553, and The Second Amendment Protection Act. The bill is basically protecting the State of Texas against the federal gun control policies.

Regardless of where you stand, you have to get out there and let your voice be heard. There are many people passionate about these issues. The leaders in place are trying to be the voice for the people. Reach out to your elected officials and let them know how their constituents in their district feel on these topics.


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lot has happened since the inception of Christ Ministries. Bert McKinney, Michael Sessions and Kenneth Reynolds had the idea for such a ministry. Since then, there have been over 75 people added to the contact list.

“We don’t have a plan. We do not have a budget. We do not go looking for projects. None of this happens by chance or luck. When we are presented with a project, the money shows up. God sends us the needs, and His people fill those needs with what they have to offer. A lot of times it is a group of us doing the work, but sometimes it is just filling a financial need,” says Bert McKinney.

McKinney says a lot of the people they help are people that agencies do not want to help, cannot help, or they simply fall through the cracks because they do not know what to do or where to turn.

He shares the story of how they found one of the couples they were able to serve. “We had a lady that attended Clawson Assembly, one of our partners, working at the Polk’s by the paper mill. One of the lady’s regular customers shared their need of home repairs with the Polk’s employee. The employee and Clawson Assembly church member said, ‘I know a group of men that might be able to help.’ The woman had a hand written note to pass along to us.”

After they worked at that home, almost a year and a half later, a friend from First Baptist called Bert and remembered that the Bailey’s home needed a septic system. He asked Bert if he thought the Bailey’s would mind if they put in a new septic system for them. Bert called the family and they could barely believe their ears.

“I had to repeat myself three times. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He told me that they had prayed and prayed and prayed for God to give them the finances to fix it. When he went to get the permit signed, he could barely sign his name.”

The stories go on and on; you can always see God’s hand in this ministry.

Bert says, “We don’t help everyone, only because we can’t help everyone. It is just another way God provides. Sometimes things just don’t come together or they just don’t work out for a project.”

Christ Ministries has no idea what God has planned for 2013. They wait for God to put things in front of them. “It’s exciting and encouraging seeing God at work.”

If you would like to learn more about this ministry or find out how to donate financially to this 501 (c) (3), visit www.christministriesoftexas.com.

CHRIST MINISTRIES

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t’s 8:25 p.m. on a chilly Thursday night in Houston, and there’s a party at Jacolby Ashworth’s off-campus home right now. Recruited from Lufkin High School to play left tackle for The University of Houston in 2008, Jacolby has started every game for the Cougars over the last three seasons and is now preparing for

the NFL draft. At just twenty-two years old, Jacolby is living the dream; he is the big man on campus, has money in the forecast, and he’s even got the girl, too.

Yes, he is now in a quite enviable position, but by no means is Jacolby some type of an over-night success story. Jacolby’s story is actually quite the opposite. He was often responsible for his younger brother and sister. His sister, Tracy, took on the role of ‘Mom.’ to Jacolby. He has overcome many obstacles set in his way and quieted many a naysayer. Though if you ask him, Jacolby is still the underdog.

Born Jacolby Ryan Ashworth, he recalls the first time we ever met in a Lufkin area gym for a city league basketball practice, when six-year-old me exclaimed, “Is HE on OUR team? YES!” And yes, I know what you’re thinking, and yes, I wasn’t very good. But surprisingly enough neither was he. Granted, his size has always been staggering, standing bare-foot today at 6’3” and 300 lbs, but his athletic talent was far from outstanding, even as he entered high school.

More of a class clown in our early days as classmates, Jacolby was a natural at making others laugh. With a huge smile and a contagious personality, there was rarely a dull moment with him, and that’s how we all liked it. Naturally, he was named Best Personality before graduating high school, but looking back now and thinking about how different his home and social lives actually were, Jacolby takes a long pause, returns with a subtle grin and a light in his eye, and he happily credits his mother and the Good Lord Upstairs for keeping him smiling all of these years.

On the football field, however, Jacolby rarely had much to smile about, especially early in his career. He didn’t start as a junior in high school or even play much at all. To say he was guaranteed a Division I NCAA scholarship for a program like U of H going into his senior season was far from the truth. In fact, fittingly for his humorous personality, it was more of a joke. And then, in the summer before our final year of high school, something happened. He grew a little more, started to fill out a little bit and some college coaches started to take notice. He eventually participated in an invitation-only lineman camp, turned some heads, and the rest is history.

But even now, after dominating at the college level, he’s not propping his feet up reliving his 40 career starts, enjoying his 2nd and 1st Team All-Conference Awards, rechecking the Early Season Lombardi Watch List to see his name, or

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congratulating himself on being invited to The Texas vs. The Nation All-Star game in February. No, he’s not doing any of that.

In fact, Jacolby’s not even at the party right now that’s at HIS house in Houston. At school, away from his mother, and in the position he is in, he could be doing most anything he really wanted. However, he’s sitting here with me and his girlfriend, Brianna, in her nice, calm dorm room, reliving everything that’s transpired tolead him up to this moment. An underdog story? Sure. But that’s exactly how Jacolby likes it.

EAST: Jacolby, clearly early on you didn’t take to football like some might expect given your current state. Tell me about your earliest football memory.

JA: (Laughs). My first memory would have to be playing for the Jaguars in Lufkin’s city league. Lawrence Johnson was the coach, and I just remember being bigger than everyone else. (More laughs). And because I was bigger, everybody expected me to be really good, too, but I just wanted to be like all of the other kids. Honestly, I didn’t even want to go.

EAST: But your mother made you go, right?

JA: (Laughs, again). Yeah, she made me go. I must have been a little nervous, but she knew best and here we are.

EAST: Having been through the doubt and criticism of others, it’s one thing to be an underdog. Is it another thing entirely to be an underdog on the offensive line?

JA:It might be, man. When you’re doubted or expected to fail, it never feels good, especially if you actually feel the opposite. It’s one thing when others can make you doubt yourself, but I never doubted myself. I always knew I was good, and even during my Jr. year, Mom used to always tell me to just leave it up to God, wait my turn, and take advantage of my opportunities. And that’s all I’m doing now.

EAST: It sounds like you always had an extra coach in the stands..?

JA: Yes and no. I’ve been lucky to have learned from some great coaches. Obviously, Coach Outlaw and some others at Lufkin – Coach Early was big for me and Coach McManus, my basketball coach. Those are my guys. And at Houston, Coach Sumlin is really the reason I committed to Houston. He’s phenomenal, even though he’s now at Texas A&M (Laughs). Coach Kingsbury, B.J. Anderson, my OL Coach who really groomed me into the man I am, and Jason Philips, now at SMU, are all guys I still call on. Momma has always known how to get me going, and I’ve actually probably learned the most from my cousin Rex (Red Hadnot, NFL veteran). I’ve tried to mold my game around his, both on and off of the field. I’ve been blessed to have all of these people in my life; wouldn’t be here otherwise.

EAST: Was there ever a moment, either at Lufkin or in college, where you finally realized that you could go pro one day?

JA: U of H invited me to their lineman camp the summer before my senior year, and I knew there was going to be some highly recruited players there. I ended up going against this guy named Tracy Robertson, the #2 or #3 defensive lineman in the state. He got me once and I got him once. After that, I called Mom and told her that we might have something here! (Laughs)

By Scott McElroy / Photography Courtesy of the University of Houston’s Athletic Department

JACOLBY ASHWORTH

EAST: That certainly sounds appropriate. So looking back at everything, how would you describe the influence your Mom has had on your life?

JA: As a kid, I couldn’t go nowhere. If it was a school night or I had homework, I was in the house. Of course, at the time, I didn’t like that, but looking back now and seeing some of my peers now who grew up in different situations, I’m very grateful.

And I never really had to be “taught” anything because she showed us with her actions. She would come home from work, cook us dinner, and then leave for her other job, all with a smile on her face. She never complained about anything and she was always grateful. She left a lot up to God, and we saw that. Seeing that every day, it was easy to work hard and smile. She set a great example.

EAST: And growing up without a father? It’s sad to think about how common such a situation is, but you really seem at peace with it. If someone is in the same situation, what do you say them about it?

JA: It’s undoubtedly a tough situation. I can’t lie; it definitely hurts. I used to ask my mother about it all the time, “Why me? How come he doesn’t want to know me?” She answered my questions as best she could, but she never bad-mouthed him. She would always just tell me to think about the type of father I wanted to be once I had a family. It’s one of those things you can’t explain. It never really makes sense, so you just leave it up to God. Honestly, as much as it hurts, it’s really helped me develop my relationship with The Lord, so I’m thankful for that.

God has been it, really. Having that unconditional love and friendship with Him makes everything easier; you’re never alone. My mother showed me the way and I always look to her for answers. I always look to her for inspiration, but knowing that she has always looked to Him for the same thing helped me find that unshakeable faith.

And with that, I left Jacolby and Brianna to enjoy one of the quiet nights they still have left. Not only was his final answer impossible to follow, but as April 27th (Draft Day) gets closer, he knows nice, calm evenings like this will be hard to come by. In the mean time, Jacolby is preparing for the draft at a smaller gym in Houston. He decided to turn down the offers of a bigger facility that would bring the cameras and lights. That’s just classic Jacolby. What a guy.

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oach J.T. McManus was only a sophomore at Texas A&M Consolidated High School when he decided he did not want basketball to be something he used to do.

He wanted to make it his future.

“I decided I probably would not have many chances in the NBA, because I was not big enough or good enough,” McManus said. “Another reason was that I had other coaches besides my father who were influential on me, like Coach James Giese, a track coach. I’ve just been in the athletic environment all my life.”

Other than what he learned about basketball from playing the sport and running track, McManus learned from his father, Jim McManus, who spent his 35-year career as a basketball coach. As a retiree who lives on nearby Lake Palestine, the elder McManus comes back to watch many of the games his son coaches.

“To have him there is good, having another set of eyes you respect,” McManus said. “Being able to help you evaluate your program is always good.”

Now the junior McManus is no doubt making his father proud at Lufkin High School as his basketball team is sitting in the second place district spot behind the Woodlands.

“I always had a competitive nature, so becoming a coach was about getting to be around a game I loved and grew up with,” he said.

Some of his early memories of basketball games and his father come back to him each time he steps into a gym for a night game. Those memories take him back to a time when his father served as coach and bus driver.

“Well, I remember riding the bus as a kid, as a coach’s son. After they would get through with the games, dad would run the bus route and take kids home that didn’t have a ride home,” McManus said. “Normal in my world was Tuesday and Friday night games and even the smell of popcorn when you walk into a gym. There are still lots of times I walk into the gym and smell the popcorn, and it takes me back to being a coach’s kid. I have a lot of memories growing up of those experiences.”

He has spent half of his 21 year career in coaching with the Lufkin basketball program. He says, “I am proud to coach these students.”

“We have a good group of young men who represent the Lufkin community and Lufkin High School in a good manner. This is just a group of kids who love basketball.”

He credits his knowledge of running a program from early experiences he had, both on and off the court. His former track coach, Coach Giese, gave him a chance to help run a big summer track program for youth while he was in high school. Later as a

coach starting out in Marshall, Texas, he got the opportunity to work as an assistant coach of all other sports, something that has made a difference for him throughout the years.

“Through the first seven years, I was an assistant coach of everything and had responsibilities during football season and baseball season. Many times, those guys are your assistant coaches and are important in developing your philosophies.”

McManus explains, “I am fortunate, one of the lucky people, because I really love my job. There are probably four or five days when I feel like it is work. Most days, I’m excited to go to work, because coaching kids is all I ever wanted to do.”

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