' r . . ... - Suhmmed Photo
Members of the championship-winning XI team.
Club teams mix football and fun
BY CHAD ROBERTS
FHE CHKONK l l
If one day there is a hall of fame for
flag football. Nathan Geipel and his
teammates could be enshrined.
As the dominant force in the
Wmston-Salem Sports & Social Club.
Geipel and his team ? known as XI ?
recently capped their 7-1 season off
with their third-straight flag football
championship.
With Geipel at the helm as the
coach and primary playcaller, XI has
gone 24-3 during the past three seasons
of play, which is the best record of all
the five teams in the WSSSC's flag
football league.
Rob Tuttle. the point-man for the 0
6 Mean Machine team (which included
a 41-13 loss to Geipel's squad on April
19) is quick to point out that Xl's dom
inance doesn't extend to other co-ed
sports that the club does.
"In softball league, it's the oppo
site/' Tuttle said.
But despite their on-field Hag foot
ball dominance. Geipel and his XI
teammates aren't resting on their lau
rels for now.
"We haven't made it through an
undefeated season yet." he pointed out.
Geipel also was less than enthusiastic
when he said thut his team actually
missed a few weeks of practice during
the season. \ ?
But XI ? a team that includes a
hair stylist, computer programmer,
fireman and doctor in their 20s and 30s
? has' ruled the Sunday morning
games, beating their opponents by an
average score of 34- 10 during the latest
season.
The cornerstone of X I 's budding
Hag football dynasty. Geipel said, is
consistency. While other teams in the
league may have experienced changes
in personnel. XI has kept its team
intact. No turnovers, on the field or
among the players.
"We've had the same team for the
entire three-peat." Geipel explained.
In addition to maintaining a core
group of weekend warriors, Geipel said
XI ? which takes its name from wire
less internet service provider XI
Communications, where Geipel is
employed ? rises above the other
teams in the Winston-Salem Sports &
Social Club due to skill and work ethic.
"We're definitely the most talented,
and we work the hardest,'' Geipel said.
In Tuttle's opinion, the differences
were easier to quantify.
"Some of the teams were a lot more
athletic -than others," Tuttje said.
Following their only loss of the sea
son, a 40-39: defeat at the hands of
Leonard Mitchell Ill's Signal 30 squad,
XI turned it up a notch. In the next,
three games, XI outscored its oppo
nents 116-6, including back-to-back
shutout wins over Signal 30 in the dou
ble-elimination playoffs.
Attempts to reach Mitchell on
Tuesday were unsuccesful.
Founded as a way for area newcom
ers and locals to combine networking
with fun and exercise, the Winston
Salem Sports & Social Club offers
year-round sporting activities, such as
flag football, volleyball, softball and
kickball. After the games are over, it's
not uncommon for the teams to gather
later in the evening for a night out in
the city.
For Geipel, who has masterminded
a string of championships comparable
to the Dallas Cowboys of the 1990s or
the more-recent dominance of the Bill
Belichick-led New England Patriots,
the club's activities are a way to keep
occupied and get exercise.
"it's something to do; burn some
time and be active," he said.
Submitted Photo
Members and coaches of the Carolina Tide AAU squad.
Golf tourney to raise funds for team
BY CHAD ROBERTS
ltd CHRONICLE
Mason Kcllum doesn't get out on the golf
course too much anymore. As a teacher and a
father of three, he doesn't have the leisure
time necessary to play 18 holes.
"I don't have that kind of time anymore,"
Kellum said. "All my free time, I'm shuffling
my boys around."
But as a second-year member of Carolina
Tide's golf committee, Kellum is helping to
organize a golf tourrrament fundraiser for the
team.
The funds from the tournament will bene
fit Carolina Tide, a t()-and-under AAU bas
ketball team that one of his sons plays on.
The team is preparing to play in the AAU
national -tournament in mid-July in
Lexington. Ky. As a 9-and-under team in
2008. the Tide came in 1 0th place in the
national tournament in Orlando, Fla.
The Tide are ranked third in the state this
year.
Kellum said some of the other committee
members had participated in and helped host
golf tournaments in the past, and the commit
tee thought it would be a good way to bring
attention to the team. Kellum said the team
changed names, from Lakers to Tide, two
years ago.
"We felt this was a way to get our team's
name out there," Kellum said.
Tee time is set for 8 a.m. Saturday at the
course at Reynolds Park. The tournament is
captain's choice, meaning team captains, if
they so choose, can assign team members to
specific tasks, such as putting or driving, to
capitalize on a player's strength.
Kellum said individuals from several area
companies, such as RJ Reynolds, John Deere
and UPS, have already signed up. though the
tournament is open to anyone who wishes to
participate.
"It's open to individuals also. We'll get
them on a team," Kellum said.
The charity tournament also seeks to cross
gender lines, he said.
"We'd like to see a turnout of more
women golfers," Kellum said.
Turnout is important to the team and espe
cially to Kellum. who says he would play in
the tournament only, if another person is
needed to round out a team and no one else is
available. And if that happens, he said he
isn't excited about reviving his golf game.
"I'm the last resort." Kellum said with a
laugh.
To drive his point home, he repeated the
fact that the tournament was open to all, even
younger golfers.
"It's open to everybody. Even teenagers,"
he said.
JCSU's is new
Kentucky State
athletics director
SPt-C IAI TO THE CHRONICLE
FRANKFORT, Ky.
President Mary Evan Sias has
named Denisha L. Hendricks
as the Director of Athletics at
Kentucky State University,
effective July 1 .
Dr. Hendricks served as
the Senior Woman
Administrator
(SWA) and
Assistant Director
of Athletics for
Internal Operations
at Johnson C.
"Smith University.
She has been on the
senior management
team, assisting
with the adminis
tration and gover
nance ,, of the
Department of Athletics at
K SI
Dr. Hendricks will lead an
athletic department with 13
varsity sports programs at
KSU. Kentucky State
University's intercollegiate
athletic teams compete in the
National Collegiate Athletic
Association Division II and
the Southern Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference. Men's
varsity teams include base
ball. basketball, cross-country,
football, golf, tennis and
track. Women's teams include
basketball, cross-country.
Softball, tennis, track and vol
leyball.
"This is an extremely
excitihg opportunity and chal
lenge that I am looking for
Hendricks
ward to at Kentucky State,"
said Hendricks. "Johnson C.
Smith will always feel like
another home to me and the
experiences and knowledge
gained here has been essential
to my development as an
effective athletic administra
tor."
In addition to
serving as the SWA
and Assistant AD.
Hendricks has been
an instructor and
coordinator in the
Health and Human
Performance
Program.
Hendricks is the
youngest Director
of Athletics in the
history of Kentucky
State University at
the age of 30.
She brings to the universi
ty a Wealth of knowledge in
intercollegiate athletics, hav
ing also served at Livingstone
College as the SWA and Dean
of the Academic Village.
"Dr. Hendricks leaves
with high admiration from her
colleagues and student-ath
letes," JCSU AD Stephen
Joynet said.
Hendricks holds a
Bachelor of Science in
Physical Education/Athletic
Training from the University
of South Carolina. She earned
a Master's and Doctoral in
Higher Education
Administration from Auburn
University in 2001 and 2004.
respectively.
Forsyth county
Bail Bonding
Selester Stewart, Jr.
"Serving you when others want"
Office: (336) 727-0606
Pager: (8660 304-0973
Cell: (336) 399-2889
E-mail: selesterb@aol.com
ailUP.aPKRPFHIR r.oiPFimfi pia;* Thursday 5:3qpm fi.anpy
June 25
SEE PEOPLES/
THE MANTRAS
1 IB tSSBCUTIOM WTW /ICgVg
pownpown jazz COBPtmilfi PLAa PH1BAT 5,aflPM a.aopij
^ June 26
JACKIEM JOYNER
"SPECIAL NIGHT: FOOD DRIVE
FRIDAY AT DOWNTOWN JAZZ"
MA&iUUAIUIWJIHroi MIUIIJMNUI
SUmmBPonDP3DB ? iirnmmMm
t June 27
B-STRING ALL STARS
?HWHWlWllJHWl WB I'll
M ftoOUUM I IUH l?l I n incaMuuc
www.dwsp.org
For Teens 13-16 Friday Nights through |uly 31 (extern mi, 3)
REGISTER YOUR TEEN
3 DAYS LEFT \
TO REGISTER! 1
June 25, 5-9 p.m.
(line 29, 10 bji.-S p.m.
lone 38,18
www.theMIX.ws
Register for Both Locations
at Hanes Hosiery:
? Registration forms available on site and
at www.theMIX.ws.
? Parents or legal guardians must be
present during registration.
? No registrations
will be accepted on
Friday nights
during theMIXat
either location.
Two Locations:
HANES HOSIERY RECCE!
501 Reynolds Drive
Fridays 8-11 p.m.
- new activities every week
- music & dance revolution
- wii & x-box 360
- Snack bar & $2 pizza combos
MILLER PARK RECCENTEflf
400 Leisure Lane
Fridays 6-9 p.m.
- 3-on-3 basketball
- leagues for 1 3/14 and 1 5/16
- up to five players per team
- prizes for tournament winners