The Griz have offered him a scholly but with all the WR they have verballed, I dont know if there is still an offer... Wasn't Tru a WR out of HS??? Great story.
2012-13 Stats: 1,296 yards and 18TD's and averaged an eye popping 32 yards per catch.
Kendrick Bourne Born Again At Milwaukie
by Dirk Knudsen | Posted on Monday, September 10th, 2012
From a tough situation where his off field and off campus issues had him spiraling down Kendrick Bourne has found new hope and new energy in Milwaukie.
Last year in Portland at Benson High School Junior Kendrick Bourne showed signs that he could be brilliant on the field. Off the field he was a kid in trouble. Now this same story is played out over and over in Cities and Towns all over the USA.
Bright Kid. Wrong Crowd. Bad Decisions. Trouble.
The end of the story most of the time is sad.
"He could have been one of the very best," they always say. "If only his circumstances and environment could have been different."
That was the chapter of Kendrick's life that he and many others thought was coming next. And at times he felt like he was watching himself in a movie rather then being in control of his life.
His lifeline came in the form of the Milwaukie Academy of Art. His mother had heard about it and told him at a critical juncture this past Spring that he needs to check this out.
He and his Mom went to 11300 SE 23rd in Milwaukie, Oregon looking for an opportunity. They never imagined what they would find could hold the promise for a brighter future in so many ways.
Fast forward to tonight.
"I am a changed person. School is fun. I have this class Play Writes and Poets and there I am loving school. Loving the work and the topic. And who would have ever thought that I would get into that," he offered smiling. "Everything about the school has me excited everyday. I am so pumped up in every way."
That class is part of the Challenging curriculum that he will take. And it is letting him see school through new eyes. The Charter school which is on the campus of Milwaukie High School has him hopeful and energized. He is re-born and willing to work for his future.
"The world is opening up for me. I want to know it all and see my future very brightly. To be here and with new people and away from the scene I was in is changing and saving me," he added.
He has a 2.8 and is planning for a 3.5 this season
"My real goal is a 4.0 if I can. Yes. I think I can."
College is no longer an option. It is a promise and a reality for him. And thanks to first year Mustangs Coach Don Johnson it just might be.
"He is a great story. The move to the Charter school here has changed him and it is showing up in every aspect of his life," said Johnson. "This is a total turnaround and a win for all of us."
Football was a part of the move and he plans to play basketball and run track too.
"I will get faster. I am at 4.5 in my 40 now and I for the first time I am so motivated to get better on and off the field."
If his game Friday against Franklin he went for 168 yards and 3 TD's. One on the ground and 2 in the air. He had a solid game week one but the Mustangs drew Sherwood and while they were close at half they went down bad in the second.
"That was a tough game. We knew they were good but we bounced back. Coach Johnson and all the staff are the best coaches any of us have ever been around. We are really blessed too," he added.
Johnson added this.
"He has a superb skill set. If anyone is watching they will see that. I am getting calls about Kendrick and he is right on track for things to happen on the field and in the Classroom," added the Coach.
Idaho, PSU, WSU, Cal, Montana State and a few others are paying attention. He needs game film and hopes to get some by the end of his 4th game. That could be a game changer for him as his talents show up on both sides of the ball. He reports being 6'1.5" and 174 pounds as we spoke.
He lives with his Mom and Dad and little Sister in inner city Portland and takes the Bus from the Mall everyday to get there to school.
"That Bus ride is no problem. I actually use that time to prepare for school and get ready for my day. It's really cool actually," he concluded.
Bourne thinks he wants to study any degree program that will teach him more about the world. His enthusiasm is notable and his demeanor that of a kid in a candy store. What a great thing to see unfolding. This is what we all want for any kid. And even though he is a Senior he says he could not be happier.
"I made bad choices the last couple years. I saw my brothers struggle and my friends. Now being here I see what I was doing was the wrong path," he said. "The choices I have made now are for the better and I wish these feelings I am having for everyone."
Bourne is Born Again! And we will be watching and waiting for his film as soon as it is available. The Mustangs take on Pendleton this week and we know they will be in the game until the very last down. More to follow on this one!
2012-13 Stats: 1,296 yards and 18TD's and averaged an eye popping 32 yards per catch.
Kendrick Bourne Born Again At Milwaukie
by Dirk Knudsen | Posted on Monday, September 10th, 2012
From a tough situation where his off field and off campus issues had him spiraling down Kendrick Bourne has found new hope and new energy in Milwaukie.
Last year in Portland at Benson High School Junior Kendrick Bourne showed signs that he could be brilliant on the field. Off the field he was a kid in trouble. Now this same story is played out over and over in Cities and Towns all over the USA.
Bright Kid. Wrong Crowd. Bad Decisions. Trouble.
The end of the story most of the time is sad.
"He could have been one of the very best," they always say. "If only his circumstances and environment could have been different."
That was the chapter of Kendrick's life that he and many others thought was coming next. And at times he felt like he was watching himself in a movie rather then being in control of his life.
His lifeline came in the form of the Milwaukie Academy of Art. His mother had heard about it and told him at a critical juncture this past Spring that he needs to check this out.
He and his Mom went to 11300 SE 23rd in Milwaukie, Oregon looking for an opportunity. They never imagined what they would find could hold the promise for a brighter future in so many ways.
Fast forward to tonight.
"I am a changed person. School is fun. I have this class Play Writes and Poets and there I am loving school. Loving the work and the topic. And who would have ever thought that I would get into that," he offered smiling. "Everything about the school has me excited everyday. I am so pumped up in every way."
That class is part of the Challenging curriculum that he will take. And it is letting him see school through new eyes. The Charter school which is on the campus of Milwaukie High School has him hopeful and energized. He is re-born and willing to work for his future.
"The world is opening up for me. I want to know it all and see my future very brightly. To be here and with new people and away from the scene I was in is changing and saving me," he added.
He has a 2.8 and is planning for a 3.5 this season
"My real goal is a 4.0 if I can. Yes. I think I can."
College is no longer an option. It is a promise and a reality for him. And thanks to first year Mustangs Coach Don Johnson it just might be.
"He is a great story. The move to the Charter school here has changed him and it is showing up in every aspect of his life," said Johnson. "This is a total turnaround and a win for all of us."
Football was a part of the move and he plans to play basketball and run track too.
"I will get faster. I am at 4.5 in my 40 now and I for the first time I am so motivated to get better on and off the field."
If his game Friday against Franklin he went for 168 yards and 3 TD's. One on the ground and 2 in the air. He had a solid game week one but the Mustangs drew Sherwood and while they were close at half they went down bad in the second.
"That was a tough game. We knew they were good but we bounced back. Coach Johnson and all the staff are the best coaches any of us have ever been around. We are really blessed too," he added.
Johnson added this.
"He has a superb skill set. If anyone is watching they will see that. I am getting calls about Kendrick and he is right on track for things to happen on the field and in the Classroom," added the Coach.
Idaho, PSU, WSU, Cal, Montana State and a few others are paying attention. He needs game film and hopes to get some by the end of his 4th game. That could be a game changer for him as his talents show up on both sides of the ball. He reports being 6'1.5" and 174 pounds as we spoke.
He lives with his Mom and Dad and little Sister in inner city Portland and takes the Bus from the Mall everyday to get there to school.
"That Bus ride is no problem. I actually use that time to prepare for school and get ready for my day. It's really cool actually," he concluded.
Bourne thinks he wants to study any degree program that will teach him more about the world. His enthusiasm is notable and his demeanor that of a kid in a candy store. What a great thing to see unfolding. This is what we all want for any kid. And even though he is a Senior he says he could not be happier.
"I made bad choices the last couple years. I saw my brothers struggle and my friends. Now being here I see what I was doing was the wrong path," he said. "The choices I have made now are for the better and I wish these feelings I am having for everyone."
Bourne is Born Again! And we will be watching and waiting for his film as soon as it is available. The Mustangs take on Pendleton this week and we know they will be in the game until the very last down. More to follow on this one!
