San Quentin News

Written By Inmates - Advancing Social Justice

In-Depth: Charles ‘Pookie’ Sylvester striving to be part of SQ’s sports program

by

When we are thinking of iconic athletes that have been housed at The Q, there has been only one who has personified what it actually means to be a teammate.

Charles Sylvester – also known as Pookie – made his mark in sports at The Q in 2012 when the West Block Warlocks beat All Madden Flag Football team on MLK Jr. holiday game in January 2012. Pookie was open for a pass in the end zone, however, qb John Windham didn’t see him, leaving the pocket and running for a touch- down. It was Pookie who threw the block that got the qb over the line. In March of 2012, Pookie was passed over when he tried out for the 40 & Over SQ Kings. He then tried out for the SQ Warriors, and was passed over again.

Sylvester and Jacques Verdun at GRIP graduation in June 2019

Pookie has never quit trying nor has he ever waivered in his striving to be a part of the sports programs at The Q. He finally made both teams, and although he never started a game, he played his role as a supporter from the bench until it was his time to play.

Pookie is also known for his trademark Intramural Basketball League teams, called “Pookie & The Boys.”

He finally won a championship at The Q in the CBL with No Fair Ones in 2014.

Pookie personifies the hashtag #Sports@TheQ and it is my honor to introduce him to our readers.

AT: You’ve been playing sports all your life?

Pookie: Yeah, since ele- mentary school. Football and Basketball.

AT: You played High School ball?

Pookie: Yeah, for Fremont High in Los Angeles. Point guard for the varsity, But, no football.

AT: Did you play any col- lege ball?

Pookie: I went to West L.A. in Culver City and to

Los Angeles City College to play ball, but it was a big mess so I didn’t play.

Sylvester in the 2019 Annual 1000 Mile ClubMarathon

AT: You first appeared in The Show at CTF-Soledad during the flag football season in 2011, then here at The Q for two years. Now, you’re being interviewed for the San Quentin Sports; what have you actually done in sports to get so much recognition and publicity?

Pookie: That’s the big question! (We both start laughing at this) My hustle? My defense? Everybody keep my name in their mouth so much (he laughs even harder), so I guess I’m a somebody! Whether I do good or bad, everybody

saying or chanting “Pookie! Pookie!”

AT: (Laughing) What self- help groups have you taken?

Pookie: (Catching his breath from the laughter) Alternatives to Violence Program, Restorative Justice, Criminals and Gangsters Anonymous, Project LA and GRIP (Guiding Rage Into Power).

AT: Did you get your GED since you’ve been inside?

Pookie: Yeah, in 2010. I graduated in full regalia.

AT: Okay, fun time. Name your top five favorite movies. Pookie: Beverly Hills Cop 1, Enemy of the State, Independence Day, Friday

the 13th and Phantasm.

AT: Name your top five all-time favorite R&B songs.

Pookie: “Fortunately” by Maxwell, “Lets Chill” by Guy, “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye, “The Whole Town is Laughing at Me” by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, and “Can You Stand The Rain” by New Edition.

AT: Name your top five all-time favorite basketball players.

Pookie: Magic Johnson, Michael Cooper, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Scottie Pippen.

AT: You get to say one sentence to a group of 13 year olds. What do you say?

Pookie: “Respect your parents,” It’s as simple as that.

AT: Thanks for giving the people some of your time Pookie, its appreciated. It took some time to get around to this interview, so you have the closing word.

Sylvester guarding GS Warriors Asst. GM Kirk Lacob in 2016

Pookie: My hats off to The Q for all the love and publicity to me, Pookie, and I’d like to thank all the brown card holders that come in and facilitate these sports programs. Also to the game officials and to the people that take part on the court and field, thanks. And, to the fans because, without them, the game wouldn’t be exciting. Appreciate yall.

Strong turnout and finish for the 13th Annual 1000 Mile Club Marathon

by

On a clear and crisp Friday morning, 30 of The Q’s 1000 Mile Club members started the race at 8am for 13th Annual SQ Marathon.

One of the runners was going to be crowned a champion because the five previous winners were no longer housed at The Q. The favorite for the title, Fidelio Marin, took an early lead and held it for most of the run, but in mile 21, he twisted his ankle. The man right behind, Mark Jarosik, then took the lead and went on to win the marathon. Jarosik is now the sixth man to be crowned champion of the marathon, joining the ranks of Markelle ‘The Gazelle’ Taylor, Lorinzo Hopkins, Eddie Herena, Stephen Yair, and Chris Scull.

Finishers Dan McCoy and Steven Brooks

The annual marathon is supported by coaches Frank Ruona, Kevin Rumon, Diana Fitzpatrick, Jim Maloney and many others and is the culmination of the 2019 running calendar, the team having ran a total of 12 races in 2019. The next racing schedule begins in late January/early February 2020.

1000 Mile Coaches Diana Fitzpatrick, Runoa and Jason Thompson counting laps for San Quentin club runners

Top Finishers:

1st Mark Jarosik

2019 Marathon winner Mark Jarosik at 3:16:38

2nd Fidelio Marin

Coach Frank Ruona hands Finisher Fidelio Marin an energy pak

3rd Steve Reitz

Finishers Moua Vue and Steve Reitz rounding the track

Other runners who completed 26.2 miles:

Finishers Darrell Mora, Darren Settlemeyer, John Levin, Ben Tobin, Michael Keeyes and Vicente Gomez

Vicente Gomez, Moua Vue, Martin Gomez, Darren Settlemeyer, Tommy Wickerd, Michael Johnson, Steven Brooks, Darrel Mora, Dan McCoy, Alberto Mendez, Oscar Aguilar, Heriberto Escalera, Tien Pham, Ben Tobin, Michael Keyes, Ramon Ruelas and Jonathan Chiu

Finishers Heriberto Escalera, Tien Pham and Oscar Aguilar

SQ News 2019 Sports Writing Team

by

It takes more than one person to cover all the sporting events that take place weekly at The Q. From celebrities to the weekly volunteers, to the once a year appearances, The Q has events that it takes a team to fully cover. The sports writing team and photographers have their hands filled 52 weeks each year, and SQ News wanted to take the time to honor them. Without the following individuals, the sports couldn’t get into the paper. Not pictured: Jonathan Chiu (Photographer), Aaron Mikkelsson (Contributing Writer – Basketball), Salvatore Solorio (Contributing Writer –

Carlos “Papi” Drouaillette

Tennis), Brendan Newanforbi (Contributing Writer – Soccer), Paris Williams (Contributing Writer – Tennis) and Aaron “Showtime” Taylor, Sports Editor

Leonard Brown Contributing Writer
Juan Espinosa Contributing Writer
Javier Jimenez Photographer
Michael Johnson “MJ” Contributing Writer
Anthony Faulk “Tariq” Contributing Writer
Malik Ali “Wise Thought” Contributing Writer
Timothy Hicks “T Bone” Contributing Writer
Dre’Quinn Johnson “DQ” Contributing Writer
Tare Beltranchuc “Cancun” Contributing Writer
Rahswaan Thomas “Brownsville” Contributing Writer

In-Depth: From Eastern Europe, Alexandru Singuru

by

Alex is an Eastern European native of Moldova, and his family migrated to Sacramento when he was ten.

He went to Highlands High School, playing volleyball, tennis, soccer and cross country running – his favorite sport.

At 15, he started playing basketball just to stay in shape, however, he fell in love with the game and has played it ever since.

He’s soft spoken but firm in speech, and when you talk to him, you can pick up his European accent.

AT: Whats your native tongue?

AS: Romanian.

AT: Do you still speak it fluently?

AS: Yes.

AT: Speak some Romanian.

AS: Tu nustii ce spun eu, da poti sa incerci? (Would you even know what I’m saying ?)

AT: No, but since I do speak several languages, I thought I’d throw that out there! (We both laugh at this) Okay, you arrive in the U.S. as a kid, playing futbol; was it an advantage in school?

AS: It wasn’t an advantage, more of a connection. Not knowing the language, it was easy for me to play futbol, then make friends; it made transitioning to being an American easier.

AT: Did having dribbling skills in futbol make it easier when you started playing basketball?

AS: Oh yeah, much easier. It was same as futbol, except now I’m dribbling with my hands.

AT: You started for Highlands High with basketball as a freshman coming off the bench for the JV Squad?

AS: Yeah, then the following year, as a sophomore, I went to the varisty, coming off the bench. Then, my junior and senior years, I started. In my junior year, we went to the section finals and lost that game by two points. My senior year, we had a good year, but lost in the second round.

AT: In Cross Country, you had collegiate scouts come check you out?

AS: Yes, I was league mvp in running at Highlands High. Scouts came from William Jessup University (Sacramento), offering me a scholarship.

AT: Okay, you end up here though with five years, qualifying for level two. How have you adjusted to sports at The Q?

AS: Same way as when I arrived in the U.S. I’m connecting with people through basketball.

AT: You get drafted in the fourth round of the CBL (Championship Basketball League) and now leading the league in assists; you’ve also caught the attention of the SQ Warriors coaching staff. Have you thought about next season and what you want to do?

AS: I mean, I obviously want to play. I don’t care if I start, come off the bench, whatever. That’s why I joined the CBL. I just wanna play ball. I don’t care about the other stuff – I know I’m new, but I play team ball, and if team ball means I come off the bench, sobeit. As long as I have the chance to prove myself and prove to be a good teammate. I have the ball a lot in my hands. I can get indecisive, make a bad decision and my turnovers go up. I should be more selfish, but I don’t ball that way, and because of that, my turnovers have been high in the CBL. But, if making a pass highlights my team’s ability? I’ll take that over my own scoring. Maybe I could be more selfish, but that’s not my game.

AT: How has your family adjusted to you being in prison?

AS: It was hard for them and me. Now, they’re supportive, telling me to learn from my mistakes. Don’t repeat the same thing that got me in here.

AT: Whats the one thing that you’ve learned about yourself during this past year of incarceration that you didn’t or weren’t aware of previously?

AS: Just the knowledge of others around me, being around guys that’s been inside for decades — not letting one mistake define your future. I’m getting wisdom from all races, all ethnicities, and I’m not limited and refuse to be limited in my thinking. I’m an independent minded person and I think for myself, so wisdom is coming from all angles. I don’t want to come back to prison again, ever, so I’m learning how to be successful in the right way while I’m here.

AT: Thank you for sharing with the people some of who you are. Anything you want to say to The Q’s population and the broader audience?

AS: Its been a good opportunity to share with the people and be a part of something inside, the CBL and the SQ Warriors next season hopefully. Thanks to my fam ily for being there for me. It’s an obstacle but I’m learning, and to my friends and others, don’t worry. I’m doing positive work in here so that I don’t come back.

Sports Trivia Quiz Winner

by

By Chris Marshall, Contributing Writer

This month’s sports trivia quiz is brought to you by

Chris “I Got This” Marshall

The only person to get every answer correct over the previous 3 quizzes. Let’s see if you can crack his codes…

Babe Ruth

Lee Travino

Joe Jackson

Abby Wambach

Ron Cey

Babe Dietrichson

Steve Garvey

Elroy Hirsch

Beth Phoenix

Ted Williams

Jack Nickalaus

Brooks Robinson

Megan Rapinoe

Pele`

Ty Cobb

Zlatan Ibrahimovich

Don Garlitz

Arnold Aurbach

Alex Morgan

Jamaal Wilkes

Guierllmo Ochoa

Tony Stewart

Javier Hernandez

John Havlichek

Dale Earnhardt

Human Vacuum

The Lion

Chicharito

Crazy legs

The Bambino

The Golden Bear

The Terminator

Penguin

Popeye

Amazon

Georgia Peach

Smoke

The Lion

Memo

Splendid Splinter

Shoeless

Smooth as Silk

Ice

Sippy

Net Crusher

Number 10

Merry Mex

Bambi

Red

Hondo

Flag Football Round Up

by

By Dre’Quinn Johnson, Contributing Writer

Play Marin-14

All Madden-40

(1-1)

Play Marin, from the local area, came into The Q with 7 players and added a few of the men from the yard to play with them. Riddle-Terrell threw for four tds to DeSean Nichols, Johnny Lee, Bryant Underwood and Keiandre Arrington. He also ran for one.

The Yard Players-20

All Madden-42

(2-1)

Cornell Swain came in by himself and drafted a team from players who either didn’t make The Q’s premiere team, or, chose to sit out try outs and wait to play as fill ins for teams that come down the hill. All Madden dominated the players, getting scored on by defensive mistakes.

The Chosen-28

All Madden-24

(2-2)

Andre Jackson and The Chosen made their return to The Q and came away with a win against All Madden in a close game that came down to the last pass getting intercepted 2 yards outside of the end zone.

After the game, Jackson told the closing the circle “It’s not about the game or winning, it’s about how you win or lose and how you give glory to God in the process.”

Play Marin-20

All Madden-32

(3-2)

Play Marin made their second trip to The Q and played a better game, however, Riddle-Terrell was hot at the QB position, throwing three touchdowns to WR Johnny Lee.

Marin Rugby Team-42

All Madden-54

(4-2)

All Madden had a lead at one point of 20-6 before the Rugby Players kicked into gear and began doing back pitches and cross field laterals to get back into the game.

WR Johnny Lee started at the QB position kept the team ahead in the first half with good decisions to pass or run, only giving up 1 interception to 4 passing tds to DeSean Nichols, Kie’Andre Arrington, Hassan Halfin. In the second half, Riddle-Terrell – returning from a visit straight to the football field and wearing stars and stripes socks – suited up and tossed four more tds (2 to Lee, one to Andrew Watkins and one to equipment manager Michael Pulido) and ran for one.

2019 Prison Sports Ministries All Star Winning Coach: Hamisi X. “Ski” Spears

by

In the 2nd annual SQ All Star Basketball Tournament, Coach Spears – who goes by the name “Ski,” won the title, defeating last years champion, Coach Caesar.

Ski is a Old School Hip Hop aficionado, having an in-depth knowledge of rap and hip hop form its nascency through the late 90’s. His ability to recall the complete lyrics to songs is amazing, as well as having insights into the lives of the individuals of that era.

Ski now has a 2-0 record and sat down for a post game interview with me.

AT: Congratulations coach on getting the wins on Saturday. Did you have a game plan?

Ski: My game plan was it was an all star game. Go into it to have fun and play your roles and positions, lets just have a ball with. I had Thad “The Beast” Fleeton and Montrell “Jack That Thang Up” Vines, and we just went at it.

AT: You’ve been at The Q for a lot of games and a lot of tournaments. How did you feel about even being chosen for this particular tournament?

Ski: I was very elated. I guess all that time for the sideline for the Kings, it must’ve made the league feel good about my participation, so they got at me and I accepted.

AT: What city are from?

Ski: I’m from Oakland, Ca.

AT: How long have you been involved with sports in general?

SKI: Since I was 17, I dropped out of school and I used to go and coach at Brookfield Rec Center. We played against Allandale Rec Center, Rainbow and Arroyo Park; we played against them. I coached neighborhood legends such as Rudolpho Pitts, Jermaine Henry and Andre Lons – Keisha Coles’ cousin – these are some of the guys that I helped not to follow in my footsteps.

AT: What brought you to prison this term?

SKI: At 22, I did a murder-robbery, and the victims name is Simeon Andrades. Each day since then, during this incarceration, I have taken it as a personal goal to uplift him by changing within. I didn’t want to be the same person that committed that horrible act 24 years ago. It’ll be 25 years June 6, 2020. I want to honor Mr. Andradas, not do a disservice to his memory.

AT: That’s huge because people need to know that we’ve changed since being in here. Now, next year, you’re going to have to defend your coaching title; will you still be an member of the Prison Sports Ministry program?

SKI: Of course, as long as they’ll have me. Look, I’m not so much into the religious aspects, but the Prison Sports Ministry has helped many young men involved in the sports program, and each time they arrive? I get to mentally leave prison for awhile. I haven’t spoken to them in-depth, but I appreciate each and every time they come down that hill to be a part of our lives. Ironically, “Donnie Fabulous” (Don Smith) was on my team, so that was huge for me too.AT: Okay, lets get into some sports and rap. Name your top five all time emcees:

SKI: Scarface, Ski & The Mafia (I have to name myself in my top five!), Twenty Sack of P.O.M.E. (Product Of My Environment, from Oakland), KRS-ONE, and the God Emcee – Rakim.

AT: Name your top five all time rap albums:

SKI: By Any Means Necessary – Boogie Down Productions; The Fix – Scarface; Eric B and Rakim’s Gold CD; Strictly Business – EPMD; Pay Ya Dues – W.C. & the Madd Circle. Those are albums I can start and just let them play all the way through, no skipping tracks.

AT: Name your all time all star NBA Basketball team:

SKI: PG: Stockton; SG: Jordan; SF: LeBron; PF: Duncan; C: Chamberlain. Off the bench: Zeke, Scott ,Bird, Rodman, Mutumbo. Magic and Payton.

AT: You get the closing statement for this interview. I appreciate you sitting with me to let the people know about you.

SKI: I love the basketball program and I cant wait to see whose coming for me next season! Next!

—Aaron Taylor

Voluntarios promueven el tenis en San Quentin

by

Por Pedro Espinal Reportero

Todos los sábados por la mañana, la cancha de tenis de San Quentin se vigoriza con la presencia de tenistas de ambos sexos que traen y comparten ese deporte con las personas encarceladas,

El tenis se juega en la cancha localizada en el patio principal de recreación y junto con el softball es uno de los deportes que integra mujeres en sus equipos.

Chris Marshall un preso miembro del equipo tenis de San Quentin, dijo que “la presencia femenina en la cancha de tenis lo hace más competitivo”.

“Poniendo a un lado el género de sexo, para mí la cosa más importante es que tenistas de afuera vienen a jugar un tenis muy competitivo a esta prisión. Esto demuestra al equipo de jugadores de tenis de San Quentin que ellos son valorizados como seres humanos y no olvidados.”

Eddie, otro jugador de tenis voluntario dijo, “en los cinco o seis años que he estado viniendo los jugadores han sido y son muy buenos y la competencia ha sido una mezcla de juegos ganados y perdidos.”

Andrés Gazzini participante de eventos deportivos dijo, “para mí los deportistas voluntarios visitantes nos traen una sensación de libertad, la cual nos contagia.”

Sharon es una voluntaria promotora que se esfuerza en invitar a los jugadores interesados afuera.

Sharon empezó a venir a San Quentin en el 2009. Ella dice que su equipo no tiene un nombre. “No jugamos como equipo, más bien el tenis que se juega entre dos personas se les llama individuales. Si juegan cuatro se llama dobles, y cuando juegan un hombre y una mujer de ambos lados de la malla se le llama doble mixto,” dijo Sharon.

El tenis individual es mucho más rápido que el que se juega en parejas. Paul quien es apodado “The Wall,” dijo “el tenis es un deporte agresivo porque el jugador tiene que estar a la ofensiva y defensiva en cuestión de segundos.”

Mandy tiene tres años viniendo a participar en los juegos de tenis en San Quentin. Ella había estado ausente debido a una operación de hombro que la dejo fuera del juego por un año.

Además de jugar tenis, Mandy es una instructora de fisicoculturismo y al preguntarle cómo se siente al venir a jugar a una prisión, respondió, “Cuando vine la primera vez todo se me hacía surreal y me sentí un poco nerviosa pero la gente fue muy amable conmigo y me hicieron sentir cómoda.”

Otra de las voluntarias quien tiene un año viniendo a jugar a San Quentin, dijo sentir mucha desconfianza, pero “ahora no siento aprehensión de venir aquí, solo aprehensión de no jugar lo suficientemente bien.”

El tenis es un deporte atrayente y competitivo ya que ayuda a mantener el cuerpo en un buen estado físico.

En San Quentin, el tenis es un deporte popular y quienes lo practican esperan que en un futuro más y más deportistas amateur y profesionales visiten las canchas de la prisión y les ayuden a mejorar sus habilidades deportivas.

San Quentin Athletics: 38-2

by

The San Quentin A’s finished the regular season at 38-2, having a 33-0 win streak
to begin the year. This is the best sporting record at The Q, ever.
Below are the San Quentin Athletics coaches, general manager, players and game officials.

Anthony “T Tone” Denard co-captain, 1st Base, pitcher
Angelo “The Meech” Mecchi infield, catcher
Oscar “Gordo” Acosta outfield
Juan “Ears” Navarro 3rd Base
Royce “Gator” Rose pitcher, d.h.
Carrington “Suit & Tie” Russelle 2nd Base, pitcher
David “By the Numbers” Booth, Scorekeeper
Brandon “Logo” Riddle-Terrell co-captain, Short Stop, pitcher

San Quentin’s 2019 Championship Basketball League Draft

by

Mekhi “Fly-Khi” Williams was the first pick in San Quentin’s 2019 Championship Basketball League (CBL) draft.

“It’s a cool feeling, being picked number one,” Williams said. “Now I gotta show and prove.”

Aaron “Showtime” Taylor created the CBL, which provides a positive activity for the incarcerated. Players of all skill levels and ages are drafted in rounds to ensure fairness and inclusion.

On Oct. 5, draft night, 10 coaches circled Taylor and CBL Referee James “Aka Tech” Carr in one corner of the prison gym. Each coach studied a list of available players. Seven draft rounds placed the players on their respective teams in the four- on-four league.

“Team Skills” coach Jamal Harrison had the first pick of draft. He smiled and used it to snatch Williams.

“We got a relationship deeper than basketball,” Williams said about his new coach. “‘Mal was the first to take me in and give me knowledge on how to run my program as a first-termer.”

At 6 feet 1 inch and 210 pounds, the 21-year-old Williams is a Sacramento native. After moving to San Diego, he averaged 25 points-per- game as a freshman on the varsity team at Balboa Prep high school. There Williams played with Deandre Ayton, a longtime friend that the Phoenix Suns picked number one in the 2018 NBA draft.

Coach Jerry “JB” Brown picked San Quentin Warrior Jesse Blue second in the draft.

“My team was built not on talent, but on character – good guys that will buy into work- ing together to win,” Brown said.

Brown said he has 30 years coaching experience including coaching LeBron James when he played for the Oakland Soldiers in the Excellent Basketball Organization sponsored by Adidas in Las Vegas from 2008-2009.

The league for 17 and under also featured Deshaun Stevenson and the Lopez twins. Brown describes his proudest coaching moment as training his son who ended up play- ing pro overseas. Now Brown aims to make Blue the best player in the league.

“I really appreciate the opportunity to work with young men,” Brown said. “If I can help somebody get through the day, I accomplished something.”

Brown’s sentiments are exactly what the CBL is all about. “The CBL has been around since 2007, but now it gets compared to Ice Cube’s ‘Big Three’ –which I don’t mind,” said Taylor with a grin. “The main thing is to have fun as well as exercise sportsmanship.”

Translate »