The Pilot/Oct. 3
Page 4
GWU students work at the
Carolina Panthers opening game
by Karen Brower
staff writer
The Carolina Panthers opened their
first regular season at Ericsson Stadium on
Sunday, Sept. 1, and Gardner-Webb was
there to see it all.
Scott Brisken, Karen Brower, Garry
Eller, James Julian and Amanda Williams,
students; Matt Webber and Shannon
Kennedy, public relations staff, and Noel
Manning, 1994 GWU graduate spent Labor
Day weekend in Charlotte.
These GWU representatives worked
with 15 world-renowned photographers
(including two Pulitzer Prize winners) in
putting together a collector's book of the
Panthers' first regualr season game in
Ericsson Stadium.
Carolina Panther Sunday will be a 136-
page picture book published by Pachyderm
Press and TCI Companies, featuring all of
the day's football action, from sunrise to
sunset.
Gardner-Webb's participants acted as
photographers' assistants, and attended
training sessions on Friday, August 30 and
Saturday, August 31. Assistants were paired
up with photographers for Sunday's game,
and received all-access passes to Ericsson
Staduim.
Each photographer received an
assignment for the day, and these
assignments ranged from capturing
moments in the locker rooms, private suites
and on the sidelines to shooting behind-the-
scenes action, including food preparation
and traffic control.
Photographers for the collector's book
included such names as Joe McNally (Life),
Ben Van Hook rSports Illustrated), David
Roark rWalt Disney Worldl. Art Meripol
^Southern Living! Lynn Johnson and Joel
Sartore (^National Geographic"), Jim
Gensheimer ^San Jose Mercury News) Scott
Wiseman fPalm Beach Post^ and Scott
Cunningham and Les Riggins (Carolina
Panthers Team Photographers).
Gardner-Webb was asked to participate
in this event. The U.S. Olympic Cycling
Trials held in Boiling Springs this June "got
the word out" about Gardner-Webb
University. Matt Webber and Shannon
Kennedy were contacted late this summer
by TCI Companies and Pachyderm Press,
who then asked GWU to supply
photographers' assistants to aid in the
completion of the Carolina Panther Sunday
book.
Students attend
Panthers game:
A first-hand account of a
GWU student’s experiences
James Julians' story
I had the opportunity to work with Joe
McNally (National Geographic and Life).
We were assigned a variety of shoots
throughout the day. Our first job was to
check the remote cameras located in the
lights of Ericsson Stadium.
We climbed to the top of the lights and
made sure they were in working condition.
The view was breathtaking. I brought a
camera and took shots throughout the day,
but none would be as spectacular as the
sunrise above the stadium with the Charlotte
skyline in the background.
That morning I got to meet Jerry
Richardson (owner of the Panthers), when
Joe took pictures of him for the book. I was
surprised to see him so "down-to-earth" and
appro approachable. Joe had been assigned
two assignments at once: he had to
photograph the team entering the field prior
to kickoff, and to take pictures of the
marching band's warm-up. Since he could
not be at both places at once, he asked me if
I could work the cameras at the tunnel ANd
get the team entering the field.
Fear of failure gripped me the entire
hour before the team was supposed to enter
the field so I tried to relax by walking
around the stadium. I tested my press pass
at every location I could. I walked onto the
field and no one stopped me. I went to the
locker rooms, and again, no one stopped
me. I went to the Press Elevator and no
hassle. I guess this feeling of importance
replaced the fear of failure, and I was able
to snap the pictures without any trouble.
After halftime, Joe needed to take
some pictures from the top of the
NationsBank sign on the West end of the
field. The climb up the ladders was steep
and tiring. I thought the sound from the
speakers was going to blow my eardrums
out, but when the hatch door was unlocked
and the wind hit my face, I knew I was in
for another great view.
The stadium was packed, and even
though I was eleven stories above the field,
I could still feel the intensity of the game.
Joee had some pictures to snap and whil he
was using one of the five cameras we
brought with us, he allowed me to finish up
the few pictures that were left on the other
cameras. I snapped some great pictures that
I hoped turned out well.
Our job was no over after the game
was. We still had to remove the remote
cameras and get all of Joe's gear packed up
and ready for his filght to New York the
next day. We finally arrived at headquarters
about 7:30 p.m. We were invited to a free
dinner at the Lone Star Steakhouse, but
exhaustion and aching muscles convinced
me to call it a day.
GWU students go to Graham crusades
by Jenny Rogers
staff writer
Revival swept through the Carolinas as
long-time evangelist Billy Graham returned
to his home territory for the crusade Sept.
26-29. The crusade met at Ericsson Stadium
in Charlotte and featured well-known
speakers and musicians, according to a flier
promoting the event:
*Thursday featured the Maranantha!
Praise Band with Crystal Lewis, the Charlie
Daniels Band, and testimony by Joe Gibbs.
* Friday featured guest singer Gary
Chapman, the Brooklyn Tabernacle Singers,
and testimony by author Joni E. Tada.
*Saturday at 11 a.m. a children's
crusade was held, followed by an evening
service which began with the rock band dc
Talk and singer Michael W. Smith.
* Sunday featured the Chralotte
Symphony Orchestra, the Gaither Vocal
Band, and a special appearance by famous
contry singer Johnny Cash.
Billy Graham spoke at every program
except the children's crusade.
Thursday, Friday and Sunday services
also included speakers Cliff Barrows and
George Beverly Shea and a 5,000 voice
choir.
The ministry was translated into 10
foreign languages. Outreach programs
included evangelical rallies in local prisons
and Love-in-Action for children.
All seats were free.
Gardner-Webb took van-loads of
students free of charge each night to the
crusades.
"I loved it," said senior Justin Ham.
"What struck me was that Billy Graham has
been around for years and still ministers to
so many people."
Junior Joseph Ramirez said he was
"surprised how such a simple message
could generate such a large response." Even
tought it rained the night he attended,
Ramirez was amazed at the number of
people that stayed.
Ham said he thinks that Graham has
ueen true to his calling.
"When thousands of people come
forward (to accept Christ), there's still a
reason," he said.
Interested in step-aerobics?
Join the Gardner-Webb cheerleaders every Mon., Wed. and Fri.
from 6:45-7:30 a.m. in tlie LYCC gym and every Tues. and Thurs.
from 5:15-6:15 p.m. on the third floor of Lindsay Hall.
Cost is $1 per student per class and $2 per faculty/staff per class.
Please bring your own step, towel and water.
For more information, call Deborah at ext. 4375.