Q>
Togetfaef We Will Find The Right Dilution
Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
October 3,1980
WALTON TAKES CHARGE
BY SIDNEY BEST
The 1980-81 football season
brings a lot of new faces to the
Elizabeth City State
University Football
Program. The face that will
be most recognized is the face
of Johnny Walton, who
returns to Elizabeth City
State University as the NEW
Head Coach of the Viking
Football Team. Yes, I did say
“returns.”
Walton, a former football
player and a graduate of
Elizabeth City State
University, has been playing
pro football off and on for the
last ten years. Walton’s pro
career was stabilized with the
Philadelphia Eagles. While
with the Eagles Walton had
some up and down moments.
Let’s recall what in Coach
Walton’s mind was his most
finest hour. It was Mondav
Night Football, Dallas
against Philadelphia.
Philadelphia had been
looking good all year and was
motivated on the idea of
defeating the Cowboys. With
the first half drawing to a
close, who should Coach
Vermeil decide to insert into
the game? None other than
JOHNNY WALTON. With the
seconds ticking away Walton
completes a short pass;
however, with enough time
Ic^ for one play, Walton
drops back, looks short, then
pumps it and connects on a 29
yard touchdown pass to one
of bis teammates. The Eagles
had beaten the Cowboys on
the accurate passing of
Quarterback Johnny Walton
and not Jaworski.
Although Walton felt he
should have gotten more
playing time, he didn’t
grumble and mumble about
It. He was patient because he
Imew his day would come,
and it was important that he
be ready to produce; and HE
WAS. Coach Walton feels that
his decision to quit pro
football is one that he’ll
always find hard to accent.
INSIDE
JIVING, page 2
McKinnon, page 6
Mind-Boggier, page 5
Coping, page 6
VOTE, page 8
He feels that it will really
dawn on him this season how
much he really misses
playing football. Coach
Walton also reflected on how
nice the people in
Philadelphia were to him and
also how the players got along
so well together. When asked.
Coach Walton said, “there
aren’t any greater fans than
those of the Eagles.”
Walton’s decision to take
over the coaching job at
Elizabeth City State
University is one involving
opportunities. Coach Walton
viewed this as a chance for
him to help motivate the lives
of forty or more young men.
Also this job allows him a
chance for security and
position, an opportunity that
probably would never come
again. No one in Philadelphia
downed Walton for his
decision; in fact, his fellow
teammates and coaches
congratulated him and said if
there was anything they could
do to help, feel free to ask.
For Walton, Elizabeth City
State University is the place
for him. “It’s where my
friends^are and I know this,”
he said. He’s really pleased at
his school and the many
positive advancements he
noticed that have been made.
He mainly pointed out that
the living conditions have
changed and the facilities are
much better for the students.
Coach Walton also made note
of the fact that the general
attitude of the campus has
changed greatly. “To come in
on a new job and already
know almost everybody and
not have to get to know a
whole staff of people is a good
feeling,” Walton said.
Coach Walton feels the
Vikings of 1980-81 are going to
be a very disciplined team.
The Vikiigs are returning
approximately 40 players
from last year’s squad. Of
that 40 players seven or eight
will be seniors and juniors
and sophomores will make up
the difference.
Coach Walton stated that
he’ll stress discipline and
promptness most of all,
because he is not a repeater.
The Vikings tied their first
game and won their second-
and are looking very good as
a whole. If you ask any
member of the Viking Squad
where they’re going. I’m sure
he’ll reply “to the top of
WALTON’S MOUNTAIN.”
A REMINDER:
REGISTER
TOVOTEINTHE
NOVEMBER ELECTIONS