Jan. 12, 2009

As the second semester has just begun here on campus in the Bull City, basketball season continues to heat up and head towards the backstretch. The men's basketball team is in the midst of its season-long six-game home stand and the women continue to go about their business with the annual "Think Pink" game coming up on Tuesday night. I wanted to write this blog to send a message to the rest of the Eagle faithful. Forget the records of each team, and let's continue to do what all Eagle fans have done since I've gotten here... come out in droves, pack McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium, be loud, and show these young men and women that we appreciate what they are doing for this university.

I know you're sitting there thinking, "But the men are winless and women's record is 4-13." Here's my take on this whole deal: Look beyond the final score. The men's basketball team, just in its second year as a Division I program, was nip-and-tuck with the Michigan Wolverines, one of the most successful athletic departments in the nation, for nearly 30 minutes. With 17 minutes left to go against Miami, your mighty Eagles trailed an NCAA Tournament team by only two points. At one point in the ballgame, University of Miami Head Coach Frank Hath had to call a timeout because Henry Dickerson's squad had the Hurricanes guessing. You will see Miami playing all the way in the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament. So what the final score wasn't pretty. This team is young and getting better each and every game. Jamar Briscoe is becoming a great point guard right before our very eyes. If you saw Stevy Worah-Ozimo against Wake Forest, and then saw him during the Miami game, you'd think he was two different players. The 6-9 junior adds a new post move each and every game, and when he gets that ball behind his head while going towards the basket, you can forget about blocking it. Those are only a few examples.

Give credit and a pat on the back to this coaching staff. Henry Dickerson, Ray Martin, and LeVelle Moton have done an outstanding job coaching this team. No other team in the nation will ever go through a schedule like this. Yet, each and every game these kids lace up their sneakers and get after it with a determination and desire unlike anything I've ever seen.

Joli Robinson's squad has beaten a MEAC school in South Carolina State, who beat the Lady Eagles last season, and a team from the MAC in Western Michigan. Wait a minute... a second year team beat an opponent from an established mid-major conference? That's an amazing feat... one that should be commended. Coach Robinson is doing an excellent job with a young squad that is filled with tons of talent. Chasidy Williams is going to be a four-year star for the Lady Eagles. Jori Nwachukwu would challenge in many conferences around the nation for Player of the Year honors. Blaire Houston and Danielle DeBerry also bring a ton of talent and quickness to Coach Robinson's squad. Like I said for the men's team, give big kudos to the Lady Eagle coaching staff - Head Coach Joli Robinson, George Williams, Annitra Cole, and Tony Vanderburg.

Over the weekend, Henry Dickerson's squad fell 115-96 to a Chicago State team that started three seniors, including the third-leading scorer in the nation, David Holston. After a sluggish start of the second half, NCCU battled to within 14 points and had a couple of chances to get it even closer, but it wasn't meant to be. If the Cougars were still in what is now the Summit League, they'd probably be another NCAA Tournament team. My major point of this whole blog is let's take a step back and remember this is a long process. Pack the "Eagle's Nest" and show your support starting this Tuesday when the Lady Eagles take on Longwood. Without you there is no N-C-C-U, so let's continue to be positive and support our teams by coming out no matter the record or the opponent. It may be basketball season, but this applies for all NCCU teams, because this is a long process in continuing the full transition to Division I.

So, I leave you with this. I have to say I couldn't be prouder of what I see each and every day wearing the maroon and gray. Each and every student-athlete here is special and they all deserve your appreciation, and we, the Athletics Department, appreciate you. Thanks for your support of Eagle Athletics.

Questions or Comments... Please feel free to e-mail me at whooks@nccu.edu

Chris Hooks, NCCU Sports Network Play-by-Play, and Sports Information Assistant