KAPPA LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT
Houston (TX) Alumni Chapter Kappa League: A History of Success
Houston Kappa Leaguers apply lessons on preparation, execution and the importance of follow through using the lens of the sport of archery.
A s we reflect on 50 years of Kappa League, we are thank- ful for God’s grace, which has provided us with a strong foundation to build a program at The Houston (TX) Alumni Chapter (HAC) with the assistance of The Education and Charities Foundation of Houston. It is with the support of these groups that our Kappa League Program has been able to continually mentor and support numerous students of whom we are extremely proud. Current HAC Guide Right and Kappa League Co-Di- rector, Corey Harris, states, “I have been involved with our Kappa League Pro- gram for about seven years. I began as a dedicated committee member under, Brother James D. Martin (Houston (TX) Alumni 2000). After about two years of working on the committee, I was asked to step up to Guide Right Director. Throughout my time as Co-Director, I have witnessed the program grow from a committed group about 10 young men to
a group of more than 75 students in our Kappa League Program alone. I believe this in part due to the nature of how we conduct the program, enroll students, and our diverse leadership styles, as we have three active Co-Directors: Ma’Corius Harris (Omicron Beta 2005), Bryan D. Tigner (Alpha Nu 2011) and Diallo A. Smith (Eta Lambda 1994). Each brings his own particular leader- ship style and dynamic, that blends together for excellence.” Enrollment occurs on a rolling basis. “We don't discriminate on what type of students we bring in as far as their educational performance or off socio- economic status. A big part of our suc- cess comes from being personable with the guys and having open conversations with them. Being a consistent figure for them,” stated Brother Harris. *** When reflecting upon the history of the HAC Guide Right program, Brother Willie Earlie (Beta Upsilon 1967) Senior
Kappa and the youngest Polemarch in the history of the HAC writes, “The earliest history of our Guide Right/ Kappa League was working with young men from Cuney Homes. We took them on overnight trips at the summer homes of brothers in Baytown and on Lake Houston. For most of the young men it was their first time being away from home overnight and their first trip out of town. Some of the activities were fishing and swimming. The program evolved into sports. The chapter sponsored and coached youth football teams for at least 15 years. We also sponsored basketball tournaments at St. Peter the Apostle Church for a similar number of years with members of HAC serving as of- ficials. Brother Maurice S. Batiste (Beta Upsilon 1963, Chapter Invisible 2006) continued to coach a team until his death. The basketball court at the gym is named in his honor. The program went defunct for a while until James Martin took over.”
32 | SUMMER-FALL 2020 ♦ THE JOURNAL
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