Explosive Training & Sports Management, LLC (ETSM)

Phelps a hit on the field in Germany

Special to The Star Keron Phelps is playing strong safety for the Remscheid Amboss pro team in Germany at present.

By Alan Ford

Published: Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 19:07 PM.

Keron Phelps had never left U.S. soil until recently.

His stay abroad is having huge benefits for his new football team.

The former Burns High and Gardner-Webb player made a leap of faith and flew to western Germany to become a member of the Remscheid Amboss (Anvil), a team located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (east of the Rhine River, south of the Ruhr).

In his first game with his new team Phelps made quite an impact.

The 6-1, 230-pounder saw action as a strong safety and a kick returner and was a pivotal player in the outcome, a 13-9 victory.

Phelps returned a punt for a touchdown and also intercepted two passes – one of those preserving the win near the end. He was also credited for 10 tackles and two other pass breakups.

“I’m blessed and I thank God for his favor and many blessings and the platform he has put me on to give hope to guys that were doubted,” he said via an internet correspondence. “I’m not finished playing yet!”

This Sunday his team is on the road to play the Paderborn (Germany) Dolphins.

Phelps was an all-star wideout then quarterback at Burns High for coach Ron Greene, then joined Steve Patton’s Gardner-Webb program. A defensive back in college, he missed much of his senior season (2011) at GWU with an injury

http://www.shelbystar.com/sports/local-sports/phelps-a-hit-on-the-field-in-germany-1.136110

Raised by Women, Into a Man

(ATLANTA, G.A.) -December 3, 2012 -“I will continue to fight. I will continue to succeed in life. Because that’s the person my parents raised me to be.”

No. That quote did not come from a book I found in the local library. Keith Holliday, a standout participant that the BSN Combine in Atlanta, Georgia, used that to describe the mindset his mother and grandmother instilled in him since he was a boy.

And this is his story...

Keith Holliday grew up in a peaceful neighborhood in Southeast D.C. and went to high school on the north side of our Nation’s capital. From the time that he was a little boy, he was raised primarily by his mother and grandmother.

Keith’s father did not play an influential role is his life. When Holliday was just eight years old, he got to speak once to his father after attending church. Other than that, that was it.

He looked up to his mother and grandmother. The two women tag teamed to raise this young boy into a confident and smart man. It took a little bit of pushing as Keith’s grade suffered somewhat during his freshman and sophomore year of high school.

During his junior year of high school, the puzzle pieces began to fit together for Keith Holliday. “I realized it was time to shape up and hit the books. I just kept thinking to myself what would your mom or grandma think?” when asked about what helped turn his grades around.

Following his senior year, the wide receiver and linebacker made his way to North Carolina A&T to further football career and his studies.

In the spring of 2009, Holliday was completing pro days and training hard to fulfill his lifelong dream of playing professional football. He often talked to his mother to update her on his progress and how training was going.

“I remember she sounded exhausted. She worked at a D.C. court house and she worked real hard. So, I didn’t think much of it,” recalled Holliday.

The following day, Holliday recalled that something just wasn’t right when he woke up. “Something felt off with the earth. So, I went to go workout and clear my mind for a bit,” said Holliday.

Following his workout, Holliday returned to his room to continue working on a project for art class. While he was adding a few details here and there, there came a knock on his door.

“Campus police came said ‘you need to call home’. My aunt had called the station and gave them the phone number for me to call,” said Holliday.

The number that was given to him call made him more uneasy. It was for his grandmothers’ cell phone and that was only used in case of an emergency. Keith immediately picked up his phone called.

“My pastor answered the phone. He was having a hard time telling me what happened, but I was prepared for it,” said Holliday. What Holliday was prepared for was losing his grandmother. What the pastor told him, however, shook him to his core.

“Keith, your mom has gone home to be with the Lord.”

“My initial reaction was disbelief and then it turned into a destructive rage. My teammates came to be with me and all I could say was ‘Give me my mom back. I just want my mom, my best friend, back,’” said Holliday.

The day was April 22nd, 2009. The cause was stomach cancer.

He completed his studies at North Carolina A&T that same spring and went on to grad school to get his masters in Adult Education. While going for his master’s degree, he tried out and made the Richmond Raiders of the semi-pro ranks.

“My grandma just happened to wake up early one morning and saw my first ever game on television. She called me to tell me how proud of me she was. That meant the world to me,” said Holliday.

The next morning, Keith called his grandmother’s house just to talk. “She didn’t answer the phone. That wasn’t unusual, though, because she was also a teacher,” said Holliday.

Keith went about his daily routine. He went to class and then called his grandmother again without an answer. Again, Holliday thought that that was nothing out of the ordinary. So, he went to train and figured he’d call her later or she would call him back.

“It wasn’t like my grandmother to just not call back, though. She always called me back as soon as she could. So I called my aunt and asked her to go check on her,” said Holliday.

When his aunt arrived at the house, the police were there and asked her to call Keith and ask if they could break the door down because they thought they saw something in the living room. Wanting to know if his grandmother was okay or not, Keith gave the go-ahead via phone call.

Twenty missed past and then Keith’s aunt called him. “She said they found her on the floor unconscious and not breathing,” said Holliday. Later on, she would be announced dead.

The day was February 18th, 2010. Keith believes that the cause was stress on her heart after losing her husband, and Keith’s grandfather, early in Keith’s life and then losing her daughter just ten months before.

Keith was just 23 years old at the time. "I had to grow up quick. All of a sudden I was living on my own. Not a day goes by where I don't think about them," said Holliday.

Just because those two women don’t walk on this earth anymore, does not mean that their presence isn’t felt. After speaking with Keith both over the phone and in person, it is obvious that those women raised a fine young man.

“My mom was a preacher at our church. I am a man of faith. I read scriptures and try to live like Christ rather than like Keith Holliday. My mother and grandmother instilled a ‘don’t quit’ attitude in me. I will not stop until the task is finished. I will fight to succeed because that’s what I was raised to do,” said Holliday.

Posted by Brian Skinnell -TheSkinny66 on Beyond Sports Network http://bsncollege.com/

Mon at 6:22 PM - 581 views - Filed in Pro Football

Article Tags: #NFL #AFL #Pro Combines #Brian Skinnell

VIA- http://bsncollege.com/articles/93/raised-by-women-into-a-man

Cavalry Loading Up Their Arsenal Signing Ryan Dinnebeil

(RALEIGH, N.C.) -December 3, 2012-ETSM represented client Ryan Dinnebeil a 6'0 242 running back has signed a contract to play for the Wyoming Cavalry of the Indoor Football League (IFL) in 2013. Ryan played collegiately at Marist College from 2008-2011 as a bruising fullback, completing his collegiate career with 21 touchdowns and garnering some NFL attention. After going undrafted in last April's NFL draft, Dinnebeil continued to train for a professional opportunity which has now arised in his signing with the Cavalry. Many of players have either spring boarded or rejuvenated their careers into the NFL by playing in the IFL such as Washington Redskins Anthony Anderson, Buffalo Bills Fred Jackson and future NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens. "This will be a good opportunity for Ryan to showcase his talent in more ways than just as a blocking back which will generate more NFL team interest in the future," said ETSM Founder Calvin Williams. The Cavalry go into training camp in February with the first game to be played March 8, 2013 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa against the Cedar Rapids Titans.

via- http://www.the-etsm.com/news-and-announcements.php

Former Ashbrook, G-Webb standout back in town after first pro football season

July 10, 2012 3:57 PM

Richard Walker

GASTONIA – There’s little doubt that Hall, a former Ashbrook High and Gardner-Webb University standout, had a solid start to his professional career and has high hopes for playing more pro ball in his future.

Hall, a 2007 Ashbrook High graduate, rushed for 1,033 yards and scored 14 touchdowns in 10 games for the league runner-up Thonon Black Panthers (9-2).

“It was a great experience,” said Hall, a four-year standout at Gardner-Webb from 2007-10. “Football I thought might be a little different over there, but it was the same game and I enjoyed the team and the teammates and coaches that I had over there.”

Now living in Mount Holly and seeking a job as he continues to workout in hopes of getting opportunities for CFL, NFL or Arena teams, Hall thrived in his first professional season.

Despite suffering a strained knee ligament in the ninth game, which cost him one game, Hall averaged 103.3 yards per game and 7.7 yards per carry in helping the Black Panthers go 8-1 to win the regular-season title, then win a semifinal game before losing 10-7 to Amiens Spartiates in the championship game.

“I honestly expected to run for more yards,” said Hall, whose season-highs were 220 yards rushing and four touchdowns. “But I was happy with my production since I had to learn the offense we were running.”

Hall had operated primarily in one-back offensive sets at Ashbrook and Gardner-Webb before learning the Delaware Wing T offensive formation with the Black Panthers.

At Ashbrook, Hall finished with 3,172 yards rushing in his career (3^rd in school history), capped by an All-Gazette season of 1,651 yards as a senior in 2006. At Gardner-Webb, Hall rushed for 1,834 yards and 27 touchdowns in his career and twice earned All-Big South Conference honors.

In truth, Hall says football was the easiest part of his adjustment.

“Since they’re six hours ahead of us, it took me about four or five months to really get used to that,” Hall said. “Then there was the food and the language difference. They have no fried food and not as much seasoning to their food, so that was difficult but I eventually got used to it. And since I’d never taken French (Hall took Spanish at Ashbrook and Gardner-Webb), I had to work hard to pick up on their language. But I got good enough to pick up some phrases to get by.”

Hall is represented by former Ashbrook, Lenoir-Rhyne, North Carolina A&T and pro football player Calvin Williams and both hope Hall will get more opportunities next season.

Richard Walker: 704-869-1841; twitter.com/JRWalk22

Back To Make Championship Run

(RALEIGH, N.C.) -June 20, 2012-When Patrick Hall arrived in France in January he had several individual goals, but one main goal for his new team was to win a league championship. Hall will have the chance as he and the Thonon Black Panthers will play for the Elite League championship on France on June 23, 2012 in Paris, France against Amiens Spartiates. Hall tops the league in two statistical categories (rushing yards and scoring) and ranks second in a third category (total yards). In the Black Panthers regular season win against the Spartiates, Hall had 16 carries for 156 yards and four touchdowns. The game can be viewed live via an online stream at: http://www.les-black-panthers.org/panthers-tv.html

via- http://www.the-etsm.com/news-and-announcements.php

ETSM Client Hall Leads Team Into Playoffs

Hall (40) in a recent game

(RALEIGH, N.C.) -June 13, 2012-Patrick Hall leads the Thonon Black Panthers into the French Elite League playoff semi-finals this weekend against the Nice Dauphins. The winner will play for the Elite League championship on June 23, 2012 in Paris, France. Hall tops the league in two statistical categories (rushing yards and scoring) and ranks second in a third category. In the Black Panthers last regular season 42-14 win against the Dauphins, Hall had 15 carries for 170 yards and four touchdowns.

via- http://www.the-etsm.com/news-and-announcements.php

Rushing : 1. Patrick Hall (Black Panthers): 98 races for 814 yards (average: 8.3 yards / run) 13 TD 2.Baylen Laury (Black Panthers): 73 races for 657 yards (average: 9.0 yards / run) 8 TD 3.Guillaume Buquet (Flash): 107 runs for 514 yards (average: 4.8 yards / run) 4 TD

Cumulative Yards: 1.Baylen Laury (Black Panthers): 1,060 yards (132.5 yards / game) 2. Patrick Hall (Black Panthers): 844 yards ( 105.5 yards / game)

Scoring: 1. Patrick Hall (Black Panthers): TD 14 (13 on race, on a password) 2.Baylen Laury (Black Panthers): TD 11 (8 to race, three on passes) 3.Steve Delaval (Flash): 8 TD (8 passes on)

Statistics via- http://elitefoot.blogspot.com/2012/05/elite-point-stats.html

Rage Lock Up Number Three Seed in CIFL Playoffs

Poitier (5) catches a touchdown pass

(Evansville, IN) - The Evansville Rage (5-3) locked up the number three seed in the Continental Indoor Football League Playoffs with a 28-7 victory over the Port Huron Patriots (3-6) on Saturday night on the Clarion Inn Field at Swonder Ice Arena.

Travis Poitier had a huge second half for the Rage as he brought back a kickoff 40 yards to start the Rage drive on the Patriots ten-yard line. He also caught an 18 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Nate Samas driving the score to 21-7.

Poitier sealed the win after snagging an interception in the end zone with thirty seconds remaining on the clock and returning it out to the Rage 15-yard line. The Rage will travel to Indianapolis next Saturday to take on the Enforcers (1-8). Kickoff for that match-up is scheduled for 3:15pm ET.

Rage Press Release May 5, 2012 (Courtesy of Jared Revlett, Evansville Rage) http://www.evansvillerage.com/2012/05/06/rage-lock-up-number-three-seed-in-cifl-playoffs/

Friday’s Senior of the Day: Keron Phelps

By: Marcus McCoy
gwu-today.com Reporter

“I was with my aunt when we pulled up on Gardner-Webb’s campus for the first time. I remember as if it was yesterday getting out of the car and smiling at the sight of Mauney, thinking I’m ready for my journey,” said Keron Phelps, a senior student athlete here at Gardner-Webb University.

Phelps knows just what it takes to be successful, balancing hectic schedules in Health and Wellness, as well as football for four years. According to Phelps, this has been a journey of many faces, consisting of struggles academically, socially, physically and mentally.

“My first year here was my best year. I was a new face on campus and the people were welcoming of my country way of doing things,” said Phelps.

Though his freshman year was the most fun, Phelps’s sophomore year was the most memorable after nearly suffering from a severe neck injury at a Saturday evening football game.

“Everything was going well for me up until that point, in an instant I lost everything I had worked so hard for,” said Phelps. “That injury taught me a lot about myself.”

In his eyes he had went from hero to zero, with the injury forcing him to either rise above it all or fold under pressure.

With the help of the Gardner-Webb community, Phelps was able to get back on his feet and carry on successfully in academics and sports. Despite continuing to be challenged each and every day, he enjoys every minute of it.

Phelps plans to walk across the stage in December to start a new journey in community work or professional football, something he is currently getting a taste of after joining the Carolina Force, a member of the American Indoor Football League, this spring.

“I feel accomplished, I still have a ways to go but I’m on the right path to success,” said Phelps. “Wow the time has gone by fast.”

Keron Phelps looks back at his journey with the GWU Football team. gwu-today.com photos by Heather Pendergraft.

Phelps is moving on from his career as a student athlete to play arena football for the Carolina force. gwu-today.com photos by Heather Pendergraft.

Courtesy of http://gwu-today.com/2012/03/fridays-senior-of-the-day-keron-phelps/

SHARKS TWEAK ROSTER, ADD VETERAN BENSON

04/11/2012 5:39 PM

JACKSONVILLE – The ArenaBowl XXIV Champion Jacksonville Sharks made some adjustments to the team’s roster Wednesday, as the team has been assigned defensive lineman Dayon Benson.

The 27-year-old Benson (6’2”, 290) began the 2011 AFL season with the Milwaukee Mustangs, recording 7.5 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack in six games with the team. Partway through the year, Benson joined the Pittsburgh Power and had an even greater impact with his second team.

In just six games with Pittsburgh, Benson notched 12.5 total tackles, four tackles for loss and three sacks, finishing fourth on the team in the latter two categories. In his time with the Power, Benson also broke up a pass and recovered a fumble.

Prior to making the jump to the AFL, Benson played in several other indoor football leagues, most recently playing for the American Indoor Football Association’s Reading Express in 2010. He also has past experience in the Indoor Football League and in af2, playing for the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Pioneers in 2007.

Before beginning his professional career, Benson played at Central State University, finishing his college career in 2005.

To make room for Benson on the roster, the Sharks placed offensive lineman Zarah Yisrael on recallable reassignment. The team also announced that wide receiver V’Keon Lacey has been activated from recallable reassignment and placed on injured reserve.

The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the Arena Football League (AFL). The ArenaBowl XXIV and back-to-back South Division Champions are presented by Sea Best Seafood and play all home games on Sea Best Field at the Jacksonville VeteransMemorial Arena. Season Tickets for the 2012 season are now available, two tickets as low as $123. To reserve your season tickets or for more information, please call (904) 621-0700. Follow the Sharks on facebook at facebook.com/jaxsharks and on Twitter @jaxsharks, as well as the Attack Dance Team at facebook.com/sharkattackdance.

via - http://www.jaxsharks.com/news/?article_id=367

May The "FORCE" Be With You

(RALEIGH, N.C.)-February 22, 2012-ETSM announces another player represented by the company has signed a professional contract to play in 2012. Keron Phelps, a 6'1 225lb safety out of Gardner Webb University has signed to play with the Carolina Force, an American Indoor Football (AIF) team. At Gardner Webb University, Phelps played in 38 career games contributing 54 tackles, one forced fumble and four pass breakups and was an intricate part of the special teams units. "Keron is a player that accepted his role in college and never once complained about playing time, the Force are getting a real class act on and off the field," said ETSM Founder and Managing Director Calvin Williams. The Force will begin play March 17th when they host the Maryland Reapers at Cabarrus Arena and Events Center in Concord, NC.

via- http://www.the-etsm.com/news-and-announcements.php

Phelps (14) pictured about to tackle a ball carrier.

Beginning Of A HALL Of Fame Career

(RALEIGH, N.C.)-February 2, 2012-ETSM Client Patrick Hall will make his professional football debut Saturday as his team the Thonon Black Panthers travel to Nice, France to take on the Nice Dauphins. Hall was a three time All Big South Conference selection in college at Gardner Webb University finishing his career with over 1800 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns. After going unsigned to play in the National Football League (NFL), Hall signed a one year deal to play in France for Thonon. With the NFL still in his sights Hall plans to be a major offensive contributor for the Black Panthers 2012 season to not only bring a league championship to Thonon, but in hopes of an NFL will take notice. "We hope that not only does he do good for Thonon, but that this opportunity will open some more doors for him to continue playing professionally for years to come, said ETSM Founder and Managing Director Calvin Williams

via- http://www.the-etsm.com/news-and-announcements.php

Hall pictured (Second from the right) at a recent Thonon Black Panther team press conference

ETSM Client Tackles Private Workout With The AFL's Cleveland Gladiators

(RALEIGH, N.C.)- January 16, 2012- Former Wingate University Bulldog Defensive Back Terrence Stephens recently participated in an invite only private workout for the Arena Football League's (AFL) Cleveland Gladiators. Stephens is already signed to play with the Knoxville Nighthawks of the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL), which is a lower professional indoor league capitalized on the opportunity to move up the professional playing ranks and has been placed on a two-day waiver call back list. The AFL is regarded as the top level of competition of indoor/arena football. "I appreciate Calvin setting it up so quickly after I signed with him to represent me. It's nice to know he is doing the things to help me that he said he will do and I look forward to advancing my career with him representing me," said Stephens. This is just the next step forward in the professional ranks for a young man that at Wingate University was an All-SAC conference player. As a senior in 2010 Stephens recorded an impressive 93 tackles, 2 Interception, 9 Pass break ups, 2 Blocked Kicks and 3 Forced Fumbles."This kid has a huge upside and endless potential, its scary to think he hasn't even played a lot of football in his life and he is this good," said ETSM's Founder and Managing Director Calvin Williams.

via- http://www.the-etsm.com/news-and-announcements.php

Former Ashbrook, Gardner-Webb standout signs pro football contract

November 14, 2011

GASTONIA – When Patrick Hall left Gardner-Webb University as a two-time All-Big South Conference selection and one of the Bulldogs’ all-time leading rushers, he hoped he would be able to continue his football career as a professional.

It’s taken longer than Hall would’ve liked, but after signing a contract with the Thonon Black Panthers in France’s Division I pro league, Hall will get that chance early next year.

“It feels good,” said Hall, a 2007 Ashbrook High graduate who is a few classes shy of a business degree from Gardner-Webb. “I’ve been working out and trying to stay in shape.”

Hall reports to camp in January, with games starting in February.

Instead of playing football, Hall has spent the fall working out to stay in playing shape while doing maintenance work for a Gastonia apartment complex.

“It stinks really,” Hall said. “This is the first time I’ve not played football in 17 years and I really miss it. It’s been hard to even watch football with me not playing. But I guess things happen for a reason.”

At Ashbrook, Hall was an All-Gazette selection as a senior after finishing with the second-highest single-season rushing year (1,651 yards) and third-best career total (3,172) in Green Wave history.

At Gardner-Webb, Hall tallied 1,834 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns in his career, highlighted by second-team All-Big South Conference honors as a junior and senior in the 2009 and 2010 seasons, respectively. ” His career rushing total is ninth in school history and his 12 touchdown season as a junior in 2009 in second in school history. “I tried to sign with a pro team starting last spring,” Hall said. “I’m still trying to make it to the NFL one day.

“I tried to sign with a pro team starting last spring,” Hall said. “I’m still trying to make it to the NFL one day. I just wanted to get a chance and this is it. Hall also is the first client of another former Ashbrook standout, 1998 graduate Calvin Williams. Williams, who played collegiately at Lenoir-Rhyne and North Carolina A&T, played professionally from 2003 to 2010 before deciding to become an agent. “I got licensed in August and Patrick is my first client,” said Williams, whose Raleigh-based Explosive Training and Sports Management has other clients. “I’m happy he’s getting an opportunity to continue his career.”

Richard Walker: 704-869-1841; twitter.com/JRWalk22

ETSM Client Resurrects Career From The DEAD

(RALEIGH, N.C.)-October 13, 2011-Explosive Training & Sports Management, LLC (ETSM) client WR/DB Keith Holliday graced the run way at the premiere for the independent film "The Dead"(http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1386925/) fashion show Wednesday night at The Mez in Charlotte's very popular Epicenter. "It was a new experience (for me), but I met some great folks and truly enjoyed myself," said Holliday. Makeup artists created scars and wounds on Holliday and the other models bodies in order to give the visual effect of zombies walking the run way. The movie premiere followed the fashion show, which included a meet and greet with the up and coming director Howard J. Ford, who's other films credits include Mainline Run (1994) and Distant Shadow (2000). "I thought our client Keith did very well and I'm proud of him, this event was a good display of up and coming professionals in the fashion, film and modeling industries," said ETSM Assistant Managing Director Kevette Williams.

via- http://www.the-etsm.com/news-and-announcements.php