Community Coalition: Titus Alexus #4
Recently the Indianapolis Tornados of the North American Football League (NAFL) and the Indianapolis Public School have merged…sort of. The Tornados have always had a presence in the community through neighborhood out-reach activities and by providing game day youth activities. In another effort to reach out to our youth, the Tornados have agreed to work with the youth of the Indianapolis Public School (IPS) system, specifically Arsenal Technical High School.
In a brief statement about the impending program, Evan Triggs, president of the Tornados said, “We are currently working with IPS as a whole but mainly with Arsenal Tech and Near Eastside,” said Triggs.(See the Near Eastside Community Organization website for more information on Near Eastside). "The difference between IPS programs and other winning programs (i.e. catholic and township schools) is the involvement of their football alumni as inspiration for the current football players to help them achieve success. Now from a Tornados' standpoint we want to come in and fill that void. Unfortunately through our program it seems to be the only means for former Tech players and other IPS players to get involved”, added the team president.
An Arsenal Tech alum, who will participate in the program, is Tornado wide receiver Titus Alexus, a three year starter for the team. Upon initially seeing Alexus, one would be hard pressed to see the approximately five foot, eight inch, 165 pounder as your first choice as wide receiver on a team that won the 2008 NAFL championship. But, as you will read and as opposing defensive backs have come to know, Alexis may be smaller than your average football player, but more than makes up in heart and desire...