When Michael Irvin left Sunland Park following a stunning youth career and moved on to play collegiate football at the University of Miami and then a pro career with the Dallas Cowboys, there was no fanfare and no limo ride.
On Dec. 15, Irvin returned home in a limo and was greeted by a sign at the entrance to Joseph C. Carter Park, which read: Home of Michael Irvin.
“It’s a great feeling, especially now,” said Irvin, who graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High and won a national championship at the University of Miami and Super Bowl rings with the Dallas Cowboys.
Irvin attended a ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening of the Michael Irvin Academic Recreation Academy.
“I am no Superman,” Irvin said. “I am as human as any. It was such a great feeling pulling in here and looking at these kids and I tell you what, I can’t wait to see their faces again when we pull up to Disney World and we see that world. That is going to be something for me.”
Irvin was arrested Nov. 25 in Plano, Texas, on a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was initially arrested for an unpaid speeding ticket, when police reported they found a pipe and bag containing marijuana residue. Irvin said the paraphernalia belonged to a longtime friend.
Irvin said he didn’t want his recent legal troubles to get in the way of what he is doing at the park.
“I got attacked pretty hard in the media and it hurt,” Irvin said. “It was devastating. I just don’t want that to get in the way. If these people are waiting for someone perfect to help these kids, then they will never get any help. Because there is no one perfect.”
The current ESPN NFL analyst is reaching out to the community he grew up in. Irvin’s foundation is designed to enhance and strengthen the mental and physical well being of students who are in environments that do not promote success.
The Michael Irvin Academic Recreation Academy (M.I.A.R.A.) is a program developed by PlayMaker Charities and Academies, Irvin’s foundation. M.I.A.R.A. is a free after-school program that offers college entrance exam tutoring, FCAT preparation, crime prevention and awareness programs, sexual education, drug awareness programs, comprehensive reading classes and computer literacy training. The program targets at-risk children from grades five through 12.
Joseph C. Carter Park is being renovated and expanded as part of a $35 million project funded by bonds approved by voters in 1996. The park, one of Fort Lauderdale’s oldest, is the home of Michael Irvin’s PlayMaker Charities and Academies. Irvin grew up playing sports in Carter Park as a youth and credits the park and the mentoring he received from park volunteers for his success.
The grand opening of the facility at Carter Park was originally scheduled for Oct. 28, but was postponed due to Hurricane Wilma.
Johnny Alexander, 64, a programmer at the park since 1953, worked with Irvin when he played flag football and eventually tackle football at-then Sunland Park.
“This is one of the greatest things that could ever happen to this community,” Alexander said. “To have a person of Michael’s stature who grew up on this park and knows the economic, social and educational importance of these children having a better way of life and to kind of look back over his days and see that there are so many that he can touch here, is one of the greatest feelings that I have ever accomplished in this city.”
Joseph Carter, 83, of Fort Lauderdale, who retired in April 1994 after spending 41-plus years in Fort Lauderdale recreation, said he doesn’t mind sharing the park he has named after him with Irvin.
“It means so much to our youth,” Carter said. “To hear Michael Irvin say, Sunland Park formally, which is now Joseph C. Carter Park, is where he grew up, it is good to know he remembered his birthplace as it relates to how he spent his leisure time.”
Alvin Houston, 13, of Fort Lauderdale, was impressed.
“I’m glad he is here because he is a role model for me and he is nice,” Houston said. “He’s a good football player and I am glad he came to the park. It’s good that he is coming here to help us.”
Alexus Thorpe, 11, of Fort Lauderdale, presented him with a poster signed for Irvin by Thorpe and her friends.
“It was a miracle that he came,” Alexus said. “I have never seen a football player before. This is great. I live right around the corner [from the park]. I was very excited to hear he was coming.”
Irvin said it is his calling to help kids.
“I am going to do things around here as much as I could to help kids as much as I can,” Irvin said. “If you want to make a difference, make a difference in the lives of kids from having the issues that we as adults fight everyday.”
New Year fitness
The Coconut Creek Fitness Center has put together an incentive program called the “New Year Fitness Challenge” which will run for six weeks starting Jan. 9 and ending Feb. 19. The Center is offering the program for $25.
Current fitness members can join the incentive program at no additional charge. The winner will be determined by who obtains the most points in the six-week period. Points can be earned by visits to the fitness center with one visit maximum per day. Loss of body fat percentage will be used for all tiebreakers.
Workouts can take place either at the Recreation Complex (4455 Sol Press Blvd.) or the Community Center (1100 Lyons Road). Weekly updates will be available online at
The winner will receive a one-year free fitness membership at the fitness center and a $100 gift card. Second place will receive a six month free fitness membership and a $75 gift card. Third place will receive a three-month free fitness membership and a $50 gift card.
For information, contact the Recreation Complex at 954-545-6650.
TURKEY BOWL
Coconut Creek Parks and Recreation Department will host the eighth Turkey Bowl at Sabal Pines Park, 5005 NW 39th Ave.
The registration for the Four on Four Flag Football Tournament will run through Jan. 21 at the Recreation Complex. Registrations will be accepted the day of the event, only if there is availability.
The first six teams per division will be allowed to enter the tournament, which will be at 10 a.m. on Jan. 29. The tournament is open to boys and girls ages 9-11, 12-14, 15-17, 18 or older. Each team will consist of up to six participants. Each participant will be required to donate three canned food items for a Coconut Creek charity.
For information, contact the recreation complex at 954-956-1580.
Registrations
LAST CALL FOR KICKBALL: Registrations for the inaugural season of the World Adult Kickball Association program in Boca Raton close Monday. Play begins Jan. 6.
The WAKA has leagues in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and West Palm Beach, where it has proved very popular, especially among young adults, for its mix of nostalgia, sports and sociability. The social aspects of the league are as important as the athletic ones, and players don’t need to be superior athletes to compete.
The cost to take part in the fun is $70 per season, which includes a game uniform, player cards, an eight to 10-game season and awards. Games will be played at Meadows Park’s west field.
To sign up, go online to and continue on to the Florida-Boca division.
JINGLE BELL SCRAMBLE: Lakewood Golf Club in Delray Beach will run its popular Jingle Bell Scramble tournament on Saturday. The deadline to register is 5 p.m.
The par-60, 3,006-yard course lends itself perfectly to special events and youth play, making it a great place to bring the children or grandchildren along for a round. Cost to compete is $9 for golfers 7 and under; $15 for those 8 to 17 and $17 for adults.The shotgun start for the scramble is at 11:30 a.m.
Call 561-498-3229 or go online to
SENIOR GAMES: Hollywood is pre-registering for the South Florida Senior Games through Jan. 14. The event, featuring athletic, non-athletic and social activities, is for ages 50 and older and will be Jan. 25-Feb. 8. Call 954-357-8170.
BARRACUDAS BASEBALL: The Broward Barracudas 12-under travel baseball team is seeking players and is holding ongoing tryouts. Call coach Jose at 954-274-5253 or e-mail .
DAVIE BASKETBALL: The Davie Broncos 11-under travel basketball team has tryouts at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday at Bamford Park. Call Sean Dugan at 954-673-7373.
Gary Curreri can be reached at .
