MJBL COMMISSIONER SPOTLIGHT

Name: Brent Thibeaux

MJBL position:California Commissioner

Date and place of birth: Oakland, CA – April 8, 1981

Current home:Antioch, CA

Education:Saint Augustine’s College BA, Grambling State University MS

Occupation:Legacy Transportation

How long have you been involved with MJBL?I was introduced to MJBL in the summer of 2006. That same year, my father, Steve McClendon, and I became Northern California Commissioners.

Why did you start an MJBL league in your city? It was important for me to start an MJBL league in Oakland because many great inner-city athletes’ talents were being squandered and not being sought out by colleges. It became my motivation to help these underprivileged youth find a way to compete and not be hindered by societies’ false presumptions of racial ability or socioeconomicstatus.

How did you come up with the name Team Cali? When my father and I compiled our first full team to compete, we met with the team to discuss what we would call ourselves. We felt proud of where we came from so we threw ideas around to best represent that. One of the players suggested Team Cali and the rest of the team agreed.

Why did you decide to get involved with youth sports? Do you work in other sports besides baseball? Growing up, I was an active athlete,heavily involved in baseball and football. When my father approached me to help assist him with coaching a youth baseball team, I thought this would be a great opportunity to inspire youth with the same passion I always had for sports. I always planned to be involved in sports whether as a career or for leisure so coaching fell right in line. From coaching with my father, I began to realize that not only was I helping to coach youth but it also allowed me to help spark a positive outlook of life through competition.

I have worked as a coach for football and soccer but right now my focus is to help advance educational opportunities for inner-city youth through baseball.

Scope of MJBL activities today (number of cities, participants, and programs offered): We have had over 40 participants since we started with MJBL in 2006. Northern California MJBL encompasses several cities throughout the Bay Area. The program offers educational opportunities for youth athletes through competitive baseball and college and life training.

When baseball program starts, ends? Northern California MJBL program is a year round effort. We recruit during fall and spring and train in the summer all the way to the MJBL classic.

How is your MJBL program financed? The program is financed from parental support and sponsor donations.

Why do you think MJBL is unique and important in the black community? MJBL is unique because its sole premise is to help urban youth have an equal playing field in life through the game of baseball. I can’t name another program that not only provides baseball league play but also emphasizes the importance of educational enhancement. The service that MJBL provides is invaluable in the black community where so many have become apathetic about baseball and higher learning.

Favorite Major League Baseball team: It was the Oakland A’s in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s.

Favorite baseball player: Barry Bonds

The person who influenced you the most: My grandmother, Jessie Vernail Sharp. She always taught me to be strong and to never give up on the things I want. She started from humble beginnings but never gave up on the dream of owning her own hair salon. Learning from Madam C.J. Walker’s daughter, she became one of the first African-American women in Berkeley, CA to do just that. Her business was successful and she was able to buy her own home and even the latest car. Her legacy teaches us African –Americans how to never let anything interfere with our goals and how hard work can lead to success.

What is your long term goal for MJBL? I see the future of MJBL as the major pipeline for educational and athletic opportunities for all urban youth nationwide. My long term goal is to do what is necessary to work towards the expansion and national recognition of the exceptional opportunities that MJBL provides.

What were your favorite subjects in school?African American History, Sociology.