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| Volume XXIII Number 15 | November 7, 2003 |
By Marlin Billie
LAWRENCE, KS — Some of the nations top American Indian athletes and coaches were honored during the Haskell Indian Nations University's Homecoming week in Lawrence, Kansas.
The American Indian Studies program and the University's Cultural Center and museum put together a new exhibit featuring many past, present, and future Indian athletics. The exhibit is titled: Honor, Respect and Courage - Looking Back to See The Future - A Tribute To Native American Athletics.
"We want to remind our young people of their place in history," said Mike Tosee, an instructor in Haskell's American Indian Studies department, "It's a history that includes many athletics, not just the ones they probably already know about, like Billy Mills and Jim Thorpe." The exhibit, located in the University's library, will be part of the Cultural center in the future.
Seminole Tribe member Travis Rory Billie, a thirteen-year-old member of the Bird Clan, has been competing in sports throughout his young life; this year all of his accomplishments were recognized by the Haskell University, creating a collage of photos and autobiography of Travis' talents.
Travis' sports achievements include Brown Belt in Tae-Kwon-Do, baseball, football, and wrestling. He also plays the clarinet. This year, Travis is attending Southwest Junior High School in Lawrence, Kansas.
"We are very proud of the way Travis has willingly participated in the sports," said a family member. His family includes sister Natalie, his two brothers Nelson and Darryl, his mom Norma Tommie, who attends Haskell, and father Marlin, who lives in Big Cypress. Sister Natalie joined the Homecoming 2003 festivities also as a Junior Cheerleader and performed with the Haskell Cheerleaders during the entire game.
During the Homecoming parade, a float featured "Legends of the Seminole Tribe Sports Hall of Fame." On board were Seminole Recreation Director Moses Jumper, Jr., famed distance runner David Jumper, all-around great Eugene Bowers, and athlete Mike Tiger. On Saturday, the University held an awards ceremony to coincide with the exhibit's opening.
The Seminole Tribe's sports members were the guest of honor in what would become a great sports ceremony. Among the other honorees that coached or played at Haskell during their growing years, included Coach Jerry Tuckwin, whose Haskell's cross country teams reached junior college Nationals 11 times between 1970 -1986, fielding 30 All-Americans, Cecil Harry, All-American linebacker of junior college football 1970-72, Coach H.E. Llewellyn, 1957-84, coaching football, track, and baseball on high school and junior college levels, including the 1959 Jay hawk League title. Scotty Harjo, a former Golden gloves boxer and decorated Korean War veteran, coached several of Haskell's boxing teams and was a mainstay in Haskell's fast-pitch softball teams for over 40 years, traveling around Indian country both recruiting and showcasing young talent.
"Everybody in Indian country knows Mr. Harjo," said George Tiger, a member of Haskell's Board of Regents. "They call him Mr. Haskell."
Harold, Ronald and Harold Murphy, best known as "The Triplets," played both basketball and baseball from 1974-76. "The Murphy's were some of the best all-around athletics to ever play at Haskell," said Mike Tosee.
At the present, there are several Seminole Tribe members playing for the Haskell Indians 2003 football squad. Among them are Peter Haun, of Live Oak, (family from Brighton), a quarterback and punter, and defensive tackle Kotcha Tiger, of North Carolina. (family from Hollywood).
The entire Seminole community congratulates all those (Past and Present) who are being honored for their achievements. Mado!
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