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Show rQSpsGGivGfy for BVID's Gay to say, Little league football is great. Looking back it taught me how to deal with frustration and bow to deal with people. At South Junior High and at Bonneville High, Gay was geared toward stardom. His lightening quick speed helped the Lakers capture region championships in track and football. As a senior at Bonneville, Gay helped lead the Lakers to a grid iron title and a state title in track and field. "The track championship in high school will never be forgotten, commented Gay. "We were all one big family under (Neville) Petermen and (Gary) Van Velsom. I probably learned more about track during my years at Bonneville than I ever learned here at BYU. Here the sport is more individualized and maybe it should be, but Ive never felt the closeness like I felt at Bonneville." And where was Gay on a Saturday night when Weber State played at home? Anyone who bougit a ticket to a Wildcat game found him leading the Bonneville High marching band at halftime. He served as the Lakers drum major his senior year. most valuable and After awards, Gay was actively sought after by Nebraska, Idaho State and Weber State. I wasnt recruited as heavily as I probably would have been by the Y due to the fact there were a lot of people that wanted me to go to Weber. My father was excited about BYUs effort to recruit me, but never once told me I ought to come here. He was always there to give advise, but he never pushed. My father figured if I could graduate from BYU, it would really help me in life. I know it will make them feel good the day I graduate. When I first came down here, I only wanted to play football. But now graduation is the primary thing and All-Sta- te r varsity Sportstaculor CHay MaGHmelM football is secondary. Blackwell is majoring in organizational BYU Career Solid depth and lack of blocking expertise are the thing Gay feels kept him out of more varsity action than he has experienced. But before that freshmen year was through, Blackwell was to prove himself a runner, including 285 yards rushing fast, hard-hittin-g against Ricks College and a historic touchdown against the University of Utah in a varsity game. The against the Utes made Blackwell the first Black athlete to ever score a touchdown for Brigham Young University. Blackwell looked sharp in last springs practice but a pulled side muscle slowed his progress and since that time he has fought on a team with quintesessential depth. Athletics at Brigham Young has taught me how to deal with people. Ive learned discipline. In my freshman year I was a bit wild and I got in trouble. Discipline has taught me er patience. Its been tough for me so far this season, but I figure Page if I hold on somerthing good is going to happen, said Blackwell. Blackwell recently ran a 4.3 when pro scouts toured the BYU camp, but experience on the field will be necessary for his chances in the pro league someday. Clay has three brothers, Derick, a freshmen at the College of Eastern Utah; Mark who attends Utah State and Trent who is a senior at Bonneville High. Speaking of his parents, Gay said, My involvement in athletics has helped my parents help me. I believe theyre proud of myself and my brothers. They want to see each of us get good educations and be accepted well in the community. n in the community and My parents are the involvement in athletics has helped to boost the well-know- respect," said Gay. Gay knows that life isnt going to be filled with sweet smelling flowers, but he wouldnt mind spicing life with some of the feelings he felt in his freshman year in the game against the University of Utah. That was memorable. Ill never forget the standing ovation and the way the crowd accepted me. A lot of people didnt think I could make it and that day proved a lot to them and to myself, said Clay. action. ClAY BlACKWELl? PRIMARY CONCERN thesa days isnt antiraly football, graduating this April. its obtaining a diploma and 11 |