Michael Brown
Death takes
basketball
star at VCU
Former Chowan Brave and
Virginia Commonwealth
University basketball player
Michael Brown died of a rare
condition in which the heart
becomes enlarged and subject to
an abnormal beat, according to a
state medical examiner’s report
released January 5.
Brown, 24, a senior forward
from Portsmouth, Va., collapsed
during practice on January 2.
The medical examiner’s repxjrt
said tests for illegal drugs were
negative. The cause of death was
listed as “idopathic hyperthrophic
cardiomyopathy,” a develop
mental abnormality of the heart.
The cause of the condition is not
known.
Dr. Joseph Omato, professor of
internal medicine and cardiology
at the Medical College of
Virginia, said that Brown’s heart
condition was a “variation of a
rare condition, and that makes it
even more rare.”
He said tests can be conducted
to detect the condition if a person
exhibits certain symptoms,
including chest tightness and
shortness of breath. Brown never
exhibited such symptoms, and the
condition cannot be detected in
the course of a routine physical,
Omato said.
“Unfortunately, it’s quite
common for the condition to show
up with no previous warning, just
as it did in Michael Brown’s
case.” Omato said.
Coach Mike Pollio had said he
would have been surprised if
drugs had played a role in
Brown’s health. Pollio said that he
felt relief after hearing the
medical examiner’s report.
“I’d be lying if I told you it
didn’t matter,” Pollio said. “But
this is still very much a tragedy
for all of us.”
Brown was buried January 7
after a noon funeral service at the
St. Mark Church of Deliverance
in Portsmouth.
In 35 games with the VCU
Rams last season. Brown, a
transfer from Chowan College,
averaged 1.2 points and 1.4
rebounds a game.
This season, he played in two
games after overcoming early
season injuries to his back and
hand. He had no history of heart
problems, said VCU sports in
formation director Mike Ballweg.
Playing in the Richmond
Times-Dispatch Invitational
tournament in late December,
Brown scored a total of 11 points
and grabbed 10 rebounds in
VCU’s contests against James
Madison and Virginia Tech.
CHOWAN COLLEGE '
SCHOLARSHARE
Dawn Tyler is a Chowan College student from
Ahoskie, N. C. In addition to her studies and cam
pus activities, Dawn also works parttime in the Of
fice of Counseling and Career Development.
Dawn is one of 455 Chowan students who
work up to 20 hours per week to help pay for their
college education. Without this financial aid,
many of these students would not be able to re
main in college.
Chowan is pleased to provide and help pay for
the work of students who take this kind of in
itiative. Each year, Chowan pays thousands of
dollars from its operating budget to students
needing financial aid. Chowan must look to its
friends for help.
For only $10 per month, $120 a year, you can
help those students who want to work to help pay
for their college expenses. Your gift is an invest
ment in future leaders throughout this state and
nation and in our churches.
Please Fill Out This Form
To Help Sponsor Deserving Future Leaders
1. What kind of leader would you like to sponsor?
Young man Young woman
Either
2. What kind of financial aid would you like to provide?
work-study program aid to ministerial students
aid to sons and daughters of Baptist ministers unrestricted
3. Would you rather make an ouhright gift than contribute $10 a month? Yes $
4. 1 would like to have this Scholarshare named
in memory of
in honor of
Please send me more information.
I want to contribute $10 a month to help provide financial aid through the work-study program.
Instead of contributing $10 a month, 1 am enclosing a contribution of $
Name
Telephone No.
Address
City
Mail to:
State
Zip
SCHOLARSHARE-CHOWAN COLLEGE
P.O. Drawer 37
Murfreesboro, NC 27855-9899
Attn; Dr. Bruce E. Whitaker, President
CHOWAN...u;orking with you to Build a Future!
THE CHOWANIAN, February, 1989 - PAGE 7