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Phillips likes FAMU

Sports

Wednesday, 22 June 2011 14:45

News-Gazette Photo/Rick Pedone

From left, Osceola High boys track coach Mike Clemens, Christina Brown, Defario Phillips and Principal Gary Preisser celebrate Phillips’ track scholarship to FAMU at the OHS gym.

Aunt helped Osceola sprinter earn grant to MEAC university

By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor
Defario Phillips will display his speed at Florida A&M University next year after Rattlers mens track coach Wayne Angel offered the Osceola High sprinter a full scholarship.
“It was the best offer I had, and they also have the program I want to study,” the Kowboys senior said at a signing celebration at the high school gym.
Phillips will study journalism and broadcasting.

“I don’t mind talking,” he said with a grin. “I’m interested in television.”
Meanwhile, his 10.62 speed at 100 meters will make him story material for other journalists at the Tallahassee-based university.
Phillips came to Kissimmee to live with his aunt, Christina Morris, for high school after he struggled at Howard Middle School in Orlando.
“My grades weren’t the best,” he said. “I never had an opportunity to participate in sports until I came here.”
Morris made sure that her nephew took care of his classwork. Her efforts have paid remarkable dividends, said Osceola Coach Mike Clemens.
“What this woman has done is remarkable. Her persistence has created this opportunity for Defario, which he is very wisely taking advantage of,” Clemens said.
Morris said she heard pitches from many college coaches, but what most got her attention was their stance on academics.
“I told them, ‘I know you can make him faster. He’s already fast. I want to know what you are going to do for him in the classroom,’” Morris said. “I wanted to know where he was going to be in four years. With FAMU, they came in and talked about a degree. That got my attention.”
She also taught her nephew how to negotiate.
“They had offered 80 percent. I was worrying about where the other 20 percent was coming from,” she said. “When (Angel) called back and asked why Defario hadn’t signed yet, I told him that. He said, ‘OK, let’s make it 100 percent so you don’t have to worry about it.’”
Phillips, who holds OHS records at 100 and 200 (21.8) meters, both set at the George Steinbrenner Invitational at Tampa, said Angel told him to be more aggressive when he gets to FAMU.
“I guess I can do that. I played football, so I must have some aggression in there,” he said.
Phillips placed eighth at the Class 4A state track meet at 100 meters, the only OHS male to earn all-state honors.
Phillips will run the sprints and the 4 x 100 relay for the Rattlers, who compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.