Newspapers / Chowan University Student Newspaper / Dec. 1, 1987, edition 1 / Page 5
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Citizens of the Week A Tale of Two Citizens of Chowan College By LEE COPELAND Staff Writer Ahoskle News-Herald William W. “Billy” Hill, Mayor of Mur freesboro, issued a proclamation for them. Chowan named property for them and their friends and peers honored them with a dinner before inducting them into a Hall of Fame. They are of course the dynamic duo of 30 years at Chowan College—Coaches Jim Garrison and Jerry Hawkins. Garrison and Hawkins, Hawkins and Garrison, Chowan College’s coaching “tag team” have just finished their 30th season of football together. Were Entire Staff Garrison, Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, and Jerry Hawkins, Head Baseball and Assistant Football Coach, both came to Chowan in the summer of 1958. These two men were the entire athletic staff for almost 20 years and have worked together longer than many married couples. “Hawk and the G-Man” go back further than their Chowan days. In 1955, Hawkins was a sophomore lineman at Gardner-Webb junior college and he “pushed a blocking sled 100 miles,” for a young assistant coach named Garrison. The spring of 1958, Hawkins had two college coaching offers, one to take the place of Garrison who was leaving Gardner- Webb for Chowan or the other to follow his former line coach to Chowan as his assistant. Garrison used his magic recruitmg skills in persuading the local Shelby High product into leaving his family and friends to head East. It was then that the “Braves Brothers” tag team was bom. “G-Man and the Hawk” are the heart and soul of the Chowan Athletic Department. Between them they have just about done it aU. Garrison, the elder statesman of college football coaches in North Carolina, has been Athletic Director during his tenure and has also coached the golf, basketball, track and tennis teams. Hawkins, Asistant Football Coach and Head Baseball Coach, also, served as Dean of Men during his early years. More than 1,500 Games Together they have coached over 1,500 athletic contests in 30 years and have worked with over 3,000 student-athletes. Both men are still active in the class room as teachers of physical education and Hawkins also teaches psychology. They have seen over 20 major building projects completed on the Murfreesboro campus and the Chowan athletic programs gain national prominence. A great deal of water has passed under the bridge in 30 years for Murfreesboro’s “Dynamic Duo.” However, the one constant factor has been the commitment and dedication to students, which never waivered for “G-Man and the Hawk.” Jerry Lee HawUns A Man for Two Seasons Hawkins’ day is not quite like that of the average worl^ man. He is checking breakfast attendance at 7 a.m. (athletes are required to eat breakfast every morning). Psychology class by 8, in his office at 9, back in P.E. class by 10, on the diamond for baseball practice at 1 p.m., football practice by 3 and home to see the wife and grand children before grading papers and reviewing game films... grab a little sleep James Garrison and Jerry Lee Hawkins are pictured shortly after beginning service at Chowan College. and do it all over again. So goes the day of a “Two Season” coach. With football games on Saturday and baseball doubleheaders Sundays, Hawkins does not let the grass grow under his feet. A three-sport star at Shelby High, Hawkins enrolled in Gardner-Webb Junior College where he again played in three sports. Then, it was two years with the Bulldogs and off to join the Catamounts of Western Carolina University. With an education degree and a minor in Physical Education, Hawkins chose to join his former line coach down east in Mur freesboro. With a Masters in Guidance Counseling and Psychology, “The Hawk” has become a popular fixture on the campus. In fact, if you live in Hertford and know how to swim, chances are Hawkins was your teacher or your teacher’s instructor. Married to the former Reba Hale of Con way, the Hawkinses have three children, Jerry Lynn, Becky, and Chris. Hawkins has had several chances to leave Chowan in the past 30 years but has always chosen to stay. “I have never regretted coming to Murfreesboro and I am doing ex actly what I want to be doing,” states Hawkins. Like a wise old owl, Hawkins has piled up 448 wins in baseball for the Braves and should reach the 500-win milestone in the near future. Counting baseball and football, Hawkins has coached in over 1,080 games for Chowan. Coaching two sports for 30 years, lining off football and baseball fields, teaching and checking breakfast attendance, Hawkins could make for a busier fall season, but we do not know how. James G. Garrison Dean of N.C. Football Coaches Garrison finished his 30th season as Head Football Coach with an exceptional 164-124-12 overaU record. With 24 winning seasons in 30 years. Garrison ranks as one of the most successful football coaches in North Carolina and the United States. Bom m Weaverville, Garrison attended Baptist Children's Home and Thomasville High School in Thomasville, where he played footbal), basketball and baseball. After graduating, he attended Gardner- Webb Junior College where he again played three sports. Recruited to Western Carolina Universi ty, Garrison concentrated on football and earned a B.A. Degree in Math. Coaching Opportunity While working on an engineering degree, Gardner-Webb coach Norman Harris called to offer a coaching job with the Bulldogs. In the Spring of 1958, Dr. Bruce Whitaker issued an invitation to Garrison to interview for the vacant position at Chowan. After two interviews, one with Southem Engineering and the other with Chowan on back to back days. Garrison committed to coaching the Braves. That commitment has finished it’s 30th year and the “G-Man,” who has used his mathematical mind to slice up opposing defenses, has never had any desire to leave. “I realized after a few years that I was living in a community that would allow me to make a contribution, to be involved either in recreation, school board, or whatever, and that meant a great deal to me,” said Garrison. Educational Philosophy “I want my students to be successful. I believe discipline and a vigorous regimented setting give a young person the best opportunity to be successful, whether as a student, citizen, or athlete,” continued Garrison. Married to the former Joyce Malone, the Garrisons have four children, Jimmy, Lisa, Joy, and Darrell. Aker 30 years, the dedicated teacher and coach just wants to stay healthy so he can continue to work with young people. The Braves Qub and Chowan College, through Dr. Whitaker, took the opportunity in November to thank these two men for their long hours by inducting them into the Sports Hall of Fame. Fields Named in Honor Chowan College paid an even higher tribute by naming the football stadium the James G. Garrison Stadium and the baseball field the Jerry L. Hawkins Field. A proclamation, a dinner, the respect of friends and peers, their work places bearing their names. . this is how the Roanoke- Chowan chose to honor the services of these men. Garrison expressed his love for his fami ly, friends, past and present coaches and past and present athletes. He closed his speech Saturday evening by saying,“I could not have had a higher tribute than to have that stadium named after me. Hopefully... hopefully, in that stadium, I will continue to effect the lives of these great young people.” Hawkins closed by saying, “Someone ask ed me the other day if I was going to be here another 30 years. Well, I don’t think so, but I hope so.” In Memoriam No Class Year Mrs. Nancy Winburn Class of 1916 Mrs. Ayler J. Holland Mrs. S. M. Crisp Class of 1929 Mrs. Maidie Wade Hoggard Class of 1930 Mrs. W. E. Greene Class of 1931 Mrs. Margaret Vann Harper Class of 1963 Mr. Earl Powell TheChowanian, December, 1987—PACES
Chowan University Student Newspaper
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Dec. 1, 1987, edition 1
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