Redlands Community News file photo by John Murphy
HIGHLAND – As the Aquinas High football team prepares for its final regular-season match, its diversity will certainly stand out. The roster includes white players as well as those who are African-American, Polynesian, and Hispanic. Some players will proudly wave flags that showcase their family’s heritage.
Wearing No. 50 in navy blue is Hawk Ramos, a junior defensive lineman standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 240 pounds. He takes pride in being a member of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians from Highland.
When Hawk looks out onto the field before the game against Ontario Christian on Friday, Oct. 29, he’ll see a new scoreboard/message board donated by his family, who reside on the San Manuel reservation.
Hawk is among several tribal members who have played for local teams in recent years, including his older brother Tommy “Tom Tom” Ramos, who now serves as an assistant coach at Aquinas. They are driven to perform not just for themselves and their school but also to honor their families and tribe.
“Every time I get out there, I get very excited,” Hawk said. “Hearing the crowd gives me an adrenaline rush. “I think, ‘This is my job and I have to do it to the best of my ability and get to the ball and make the tackle.’”
Aquinas High coach Jordan Brusig has known Hawk since before he started attending the Catholic school.
“He was a ball boy when his brother was on the team in 2013 and 2014,” Brusig said. “He’d be running around with his long hair and other coaches would ask, ‘Who is this kid?’ Now he’s here. He’s one of the strongest players on the team and has a lot of potential.”
A starter on defense, Hawk averages four tackles per game for a team that currently holds a record of 4-5 against tough competition while going 2-0 in league play.
The influence of the San Manuel tribe can be seen at Aquinas and other nearby schools. Not only did the Ramos family donate that scoreboard, but also contributed $3 million toward constructing a stunning new San Manuel Performing Arts Center at the school-just one example of their support.
“I can’t explain how grateful both our school community are for what San Manuel has done,” Brusig said. “The help from Hawk’s parents Tommy and Maria through their connection to the casino has made such a positive impact-it’s elevated our school in ways we couldn’t have imagined without them.”
‘Hit ‘em hard, hit ‘em often’
An important source of inspiration for Hawk Ramos were his late grandparents Maria Estella Brown and Neville “Bomber” Brown. Both passed away within three years-his grandfather died in January right before an abbreviated spring football season in 2021.
“I dedicated last season and my whole career to him,” Hawk shared.
After losing his grandfather, part of Hawk’s hair was cut off as part of tribal tradition.
The Falcon player decorated his uniform backplate with drawings including a cross and crown along with Bible verses representing his jersey number 50 plus inscriptions saying “Abuela” (grandmother) and “Bomber” for grandpa.
His grandfather came from Sydney Australia where he served in the Royal Australian Navy before meeting his wife at Mare Island in Northern California; they eventually settled down in Highland.
“We were really close,” Hawk mentioned. “He influenced me so much-he encouraged me to keep pushing forward.”</P
Bomber played rugby as well as cricket during his youth which inspired Hawk not only to continue with football but also give rugby a try too.</P
“My father would attend games whenever I played Junior All-American; it became like routine,” Maria Ramos recalled. “I’d say things like ‘Okay honey be careful’ while my dad would chime in with ‘All right mate good luck-and hit ‘em hard hit ‘em often.'”</P
At home</P<p<Hawk Ramos stood patiently outside waiting for visitors at their three-story family residence located on tribal land-the original structure built long ago using stones brought up from east San Bernardino Valley wash by Tommy's great uncle.
There’s an inviting fire pit along with various cars parked outside-the home has been cherished by generations within their family.
“This is one among oldest homes on reservation-it means everything,” explained Tommy Ramos about where many ceremonies took place over years past including gatherings led by great-grandma sharing history about when they first arrived there.
Today this house displays many artifacts belonging to San Manuel tribe featuring items such as decorative staffs used during annual Pow Wows along grinding stones once utilized transforming acorns into mush called wiiwish.”
At just sixteen years old himself while younger sister Shawnee aged fifteen participate actively alongside others involved serving councils geared towards preserving Serrano language spoken throughout community.”
Source link
Source link
