Newspapers / Elizabeth City State University … / Feb. 14, 1983, edition 1 / Page 8
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SPOR TS ECSU’S Football Team Takes Great Loss 6’5”, about 210 lbs., a very neat dresser, clean shaven and walks very cool. A walk that could determine opinions about his conceit. If you were to ask any Viking football player, that would be their response about their former Coach. Mr. Johnny (cool) Walton, a native of Elizabeth City, N.C. and Alumni of E.C.S.U., has served as Head Coach for three years,1979 to 1983. Walton attended ECSU from 1965 to 1969. He then went on to play pro football in the National Football League as Quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, from 1969 to 1971. After his term with the Rams, Walton came back to his home and Alma Mater as the Director of the Student Union from 1972 to 1973. Feeling that his ball days weren’t over, he then played for the Annapolis Capitals, a team in the Continental League. Walton felt if he could leave high school as the only player to play in the East-West Game plus going on to college and being voted “Most Outstanding Offensive Player” in 1969, he could still accomplish something in the Pro Leagues. After being with the Capitals for two years, Walton was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles as a back-up quarterback. He stayed with the Eagles until '79, when he decided to come back to his Alma Mater and coach the Viking ball club until '83. » Former Head Coach, Johnny Walton still feels that his ball playing days are not over. That’s one reason he is by Gary Savage leaving and taking the offer from the Boston Breakers, a new team from the United States Football League. In the years that Walton has served as Coach, the Vikings went to the National, playoffs in Northen Michigan. Even though the Vikings lost 55-6, it was another great step for the ball club history. Walton feels that the record has gotten better and the players have improved a lot,not just in skills, but also in disciplinary actions. Walton gives his coaching staff a lot of praise. When asked about his evaluation of his staff, Walton said “The Coach and his staff are just like a band of In dians; he’s the Chief and they’re his warriors. They’re the head warriors because they know the strategy,just like he does. They all know the aspects of the game plan.” During his term, Walton has had the chance of giving two former ball players a chance to prove themselves at a shot at the big leagues. Walton feels that his decision in choosing these two players was the best one. The chosen players are Elvin “Bam- Bam” Jones and James “Sugarbear” Hamilton. Overall, during his total years here, Walton has really enjoyed his position as Head Coach. He feels that with the attitude of the Athletic Department, the ECSU Athletes wUl go a very long way and will be progressing along the way. Walton would like everyone to know that ECSU will always be in his heart and Johnny Walton Vikings never give up. HOT TOTROE ECSU Track What it is and what it stands for The Vikings have always been known for our out standing athletes in football and basketball, but what about track? Last year the track program at ECSU got it’s birth into the competitive C.I.A.A. Conference. Starting with five veterans,four men and one woman plus six new arrivals, the Vikings set off on the quest to win the CIAA. After the preliminaries and the semi-finals of the CIAA Championships on Thursday in Winston Salem, all eleven contestants had qualified for the finals; even though some had to run six times a day. Friday, day of the finals , the Vikings began to surprise the mighty St. Augustine’s team and Hampton Institute. At the end of the meet the Vikings had broken eleven records and finished fourth, a long way from the predicted twelth place. This was a shock as well as a joy for Coach Mackey, because next year the entire team was returning. This year the team looks even better than last year’s by Gerald Mitchell team. With last year’s returnees the Vikings also have some additional people trying out for the team. New hopefuls in the distance, longjump. snd high jump, the team looks like they’re on the move. When talking to some of the members on the team they have alot of confidence in the ability of their squad. We stand for the team of the future, said one member. We want to attract new members to out and try their skills to see if they have what it takes to be part of a winning team. A lot of people think this is just a man’s sport, but we’re also trying to build a strong girls track team program to work hand-in-hand with the guys. We all train hard, so if you’re interested you must come prepared to put your heart into it. We also need the support of the Viking family, so be a proud Viking with your encouragement and support. We all believe that if this team produces to its full potential there might be a big upset in the CIAA Cham pionships this year because ECSU is a team to be dealt with. In the words of the track team, “Look out CIAA Because ECSU is moving to the top All The Way Live.”
Elizabeth City State University Student Newspaper
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Feb. 14, 1983, edition 1
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