Newspapers / Gardner-Webb University Student Newspaper / March 1, 1954, edition 1 / Page 9
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SPORTS CHEERLEADERS — SPORTS FEATURES — A Tribute Whr>t is the most important factor in a winning team, ma terial excluded? Ask any player or coach and he will prob ably reply without hesitation, “Support, of course.” At Gardner-Webb this support has taken the form of eight ycu?'g girls frcm the student body. These girls, deserving of honor, are often left obscured in the background. These cheer leaders, unhearlded and unsung, are a vital part of any ath letic rcnte‘t and ws wish to pay tribute to them in this issue of the Pilot. Prior to 1949 the cheerleading group at Gardner-Webb was upon an unestablished footing. Until that time the practice had r^fon and fallen incessantly. Miss Morgan, the Cheerleader’s sponsor and advisor, came to Gardner-Webb in that year and promoted the group to the standing which it maintains today. The members of the cheerleading staff are chosen in a dcmccratic manner. The four freshmen who have served the previous year remain in that position throughout their sopho more year. They assist in the selection of a group of freshmen who will make suitable replacements for the four vacant spots. This group is then taught the routines used by the cheerleaders and after giving a demonstration they are elected by a vote of the student body. One alternate is chosen each year. Those girls who have given unselfishly their time and ef fort m support of the school this year are, Sophomores: Mar tha Gantt. Ware Shoals, S. C., chief; Martha Brooks and Shirley Bell, Gastonia: and Virginia Huggins, Boiling Springs; Freshmen Shirley and Peggy Reavis, Winston-Salem; Phyllis Kinnaman, Lowell; and Beverly Ward, Charlotte, N. C. Special recognition is warranted for the excellent intern al leadership demonstrated by Martha Gantt, who served as chief. Her vivacious personality and charm, indeed, exempli fies the qualities found in each of the other members. She has worked diligently throughout the year to make this year’s cheerleaders the best group in the school’s history. The qualifications for a cheerleader are numerous— a good personality, attractiveness and an ability to lead are just a few—and this year’s squad exemplifies each one. Since the rewards are not monetary each member of the student body should bestow upon them the greatest reward a cheerleader can receive, the appreciation, gratitude and re spect of the student body which they so ably serve. Last year, besides receiving a trophy, as a token of esteem, the cheerleaders were each presented with an honorary mem bership in the Monogram Club. The Pilot would like to take this opportunity to express their appreciation to the cheerleaders for a job well done. PEARSON VIEWS SPORTS Hear that loud noise? That was the curtain falling on another basketball season at Gardner-Webb. With the des cent of this curtain went the boy’s dreams of winning the conference tournament, which might have become a reality if they could have gotten by Campbell in the opening round of p’ay. This failure to get started also killed the Bulldog’s chances to compensate for an otherwise somber season. This year’s aggregation, which could have been one of the strongest if not the strongest teams in the loop, appeared to have a hard time getting started. As the season opened the boys for some unknown reason could not work together as a polished unit. They had the skill and the coaching but up until mid season they couldn’t synchronize their efforts. After overcoming their handicap, the basketeers began to roll. They made impressive showings against the pace set ters and appeared to gain momentum even in their loss, by a narrow margin, to the strong Wilmington quintet. Following this defeat the Bulldogs increased their speed and emerged victorious in four of their last five regular season games. The finale was a thrilling victory over the Baptist brethren from the mountains, Mars Hill. This late season surge was due mainly to the fact that “Squirrel” Thomas regained the scoring ability that made him one of the leading scorers on last year’s squad. Bill Norris also aided greatly when he found the scoring range. Another im portant factor in this late season on rush was the steady im provement of Dean Upton as a floor and play maker. Although they lost more than they won the Bulldogs had a fair year and they compared favorably with last year’s squad. Before we drop the drapes for good let’s close out the boys intramural league and the tournament. The intramural pro gram, as a matter of explanation, is composed of five teams from Decker Hall. The first floor seems to over balance the basement and second floor segments, since the First West team won the regular season championship and the First East quintet was the tournament champs. Although winners of only one regular season affair, the First East five, lead by Ernie Byerly, ran roughshod over the other contenders, winning the championship in three straight outings. Another highlight of this season was the surprising success of the girl’s basketball team. The girls, under the able tutelage of Miss Morgan, physical education teacher, won two out of four games. Their victories were over teams from Harris High School and the Shelby Nurses while they were defeated by the Howard’s Business College and the Hudson Hosiery teams. Offensive leaders for the girls were Shirley Reavis and Dot Bridges while Nancy Lattimore and Lib Moore sparked the defensive game. With the lowering of the portiere on the hoop sport we turn to the baseball diamond. March 1st marked the start of drills for the horsehide aspirants and the ensuing weeks will be the conditioning period for these candidates. Freshmen will be expected to fill the shoes left vacant by last year’s con ference champions. These freshmen will have to produce a “bumper” crop if last year’s feat is to be repeated, since only one regular, outfielder Ernie Byerly, is back from that great aggregation. Also back from last year’s squad are reserves Richard Bass, pitcher; T. G. Harmon, catcher; and Phil Elliott, outfielder. The main foe for this year, according to reports from a few hopefuls, is eligibility. There are several fine prospects on the campus, but they don’t “cut this book laming to well ” With problems such as this the future looks cloudy for the Rough drills are in order for the Bulldogs since they only have three full weeks of practice before their first outing This initial contest will be a non conference affair with Spar tanburg, champions of their conference, March 29th and will be followed by a conference meeting with E. M. I. April 2nd. ODDS AND ENDS. . . .Predictions. . . .Allen Kincaid and John Isiminger will uncase their tennis racquets ere long Owen Lawter and Jim Messick will do same to golf clubs Nomina tions for next year’s football captains; Hal Dean Upton and Ronald Burns. Nomination for sports club of the year: IRC for their decision in favor of the continuation of intercollegiate Page 7
Gardner-Webb University Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
March 1, 1954, edition 1
9
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