SPORTS •Sophomore guard, Shawn Walker plays defense against a Johnson C. Smith player in the Vikings’ home opener on Nov. 25. Walker excelled in football and basketball at Plymouth and transfered to ECSU this fall from Campbell University. Fhoto courtesy o^Thc Daily Advance Dr. Shaw now has clean slate due to old debt cancellation By DeAnna Rudisill ECSU officials are keeping “a close :;:;eye” on ECSU’s Athletic Department to make sure it stays in the black, .; according to Roger McLean, Vice "^Chancellor for Business and Finance. “We will not have a debt at the end bf the year,” said McLean, ’’even if it ‘•meaos smaller programs and cutting ;^ bacfc«n the amount of scholarships that will be awarded.” The increased administrative vig ilance comes in the wake of the Gen eral Administration’s recent cancella- ' tion of a $400,000 debt accumulated • between 1977 and 1983, McLean said. “We had a football coach who convinced administration to give him - authority to bring in 90 football play- *ers on scholarship,” said Mclean. .3 “It simply wasn’t within our means,” said McLean. According to the Chancellor Jimmy R. Jenkins, Mr. McLean worked out the details of the the debt’s abrogation with the Attorney General’s office. “I did talk to the speaker of the house and the senate pro-tem about the concept of forgiving the debt,” saidJenkins. “The debt was inherited. It was about ten years old and the people who were responsible are no longer around.” General Administration took this factor—and the fact that the new administration had not added to the debt—into account when they made the decision to forgive the debt, Jen kins said. Now that this financial burden has been lifted, ECSU’s new Athletic Director, Dr. Willie Shaw, can start off with a clean slate. “Its still hard your first year,” said Shaw, “because grants and purchases are already in practice and I am re sponsible for making sure the depart ment stays within its means. “We are making an attempt to trim our budget,” said Shaw, “by cutting back on overnight trips, trimming schedules and being able to justify all funds.” : > “We will be running a no frills athletic department.” said Shaw. Shaw also mentioned that the de partment will be trying to be more efficient and try to raise more money through business sponsors and adver tisement. “You do not need the luxuries that most coaches want,” saidJenkins, “In the days of dwindling resources we need to pay attention to details and operate like a business.” lyikes' 7-2 season best in ten years By James Sims After serving 26 years as first mate >’;jof the Viking ship, first year head ;-coach Alvin Kelley has taken full ;;^ontrol of the ship’s wheel. This season Kelly led the Vikings - Jo a record of 7-2, their best in ten ;!;years, and he is looking forward to a '! ‘CIAA tide in the future; the last came ^Jin 1971. The Vikings ended the season in a >’.two-way tie with Virginia Union for I second in the CIAA. ‘P After taking their first loss to Nor- '^folk State University, the Vikings regrouped and devastated the confer- ence by beating their next five vic- I’llims: N.C. Central University, Vir- ginia Union University, Bowie State University, Virginia State University i'i, and Hampton University, r; With high hopes of a possible play- off bid, the Vikings needed to beat the Kentucky State University Thorough ly; breds. However, the Vikings couldn’t "I pull it off. The Thoroughbreds romped 21-18 in the Viking’s last game of the sea son. “I feel sorry for the seniors,” said Kelley, “I really wanted a champion ship for them. I feel we should have been undefeated.” Despite the losses, the Viking’s performance brought smiles to the faces of their fans—even non-believ- ers who thought the Vikings would finish next-to-last in the CIAA. Ignor ing the cynics, Kelley said earlier in the year that he knew that the people would be “proud with the team we’ll put on the field this year.” Kelley believes the Vikings will be a top contender next season because of player experience. “We have ten returning starters on defense and each of our defensive categories are ranked nationally,” he said. “With teams such as Norfolk State, Virginia Union and Winston- Salem losing a lot of seniors, we’ll probably be the team to watch next year.” ■‘f;’ / M "’vUil, Entire Stock 10% Off Through Christmas The Nike Flight Collection for basketball that's played over their heads. Apparel. Footwear Accessories. Performance. And attitude. All in one complete set. 338-5091 SOUTHGATE MALL ELIZABETH CITY NC" ECSU's Shawn Walket a solid player for 91-92; By Anna Herring and Mark Morris At 5-7,170 lbs., Shawn Walker’s slim frame makes him look more like a perennial star in chemistry class than in the CIAA. Instead, the Plymouth, N.C. na tive’ s forte is biology: and in the midst of arebuilding year for Viking basket ball, Walker is the stabilizing factor in what would have been a wreckless backcourt forl991-92. “Always work hard and never take anything for granted.” is the motto that the Campbell University transfer applies to both academics and athlet ics. Walker is carrying a double major in physical education and biology and plans to obtain a master’s degree immediately after he graduates from ECSU. His track record in sports, includes the school record at Plymouth High School for “football tossing.” Walker passed for more than 2,700 yards as a Plymouth Vikings quarterback and was awarded All-Conference Team honors. His impact in North Carolina high school athletics was even more evi dent on the basketball court. In four years Walker collected such basket ball awards as All-Conference, All- Area Washington Daily News, All- EastA^ewj and Observer, North Caro lina East-West All-Stars and North Carolina High School Player of the year in 1990. During his senior year in high school. Walker turned down scholar ship offers from Wake Forest, Vir ginia Commonwealth and Penn State. After much deliberation, he decided to go to Campbell University. “I got recruited by a lot of schools but Campbell stood out because I was impress^ by their academic programs and they garaunteed that I would re- “Once I got to the campus [Campbell University], I felt like the playing style thei!i didn’t suit me and I didn’t fit in, so after a lon\fi T 1 debate of schools this summer I chose to com^c to ECSU..My father and his friends were upstc s with me because I didn't choose ECSU at first,^ Shawn Walke^^ cieve a lot of playing time when they recruited me.” Walker said. “Once I got to the campus, I felt like the play ing style there didn’t suit me and I didn’t fit in, so after a long debate of schools this summer I chose to come to ECSU.” Walker’s choice to come to ECSU could possibly have been aided by his parents. “My Father (Julius) and Mother (Katie) are alumni of ECSU.” said Walker, “they met in college and have been married for 21 years.” Julius Walker graduated from ECSU with a degree in history educa tion in 1967 and continued his educa tion to his master’s and superinten- dant Certificate. He is currently the principal of Plymouth High School. Katie Walker graduated from ECSU in 1969 with a degree in busi ness education. She also has her master’s and is in her 18th year of teaching at Plymouth High. “My father and his friends were upset with me because I didn't choose ECSU at first,” said Walker. “But they have always encouraged me to play basketball.” Walker has been playing bask( ball since he was three years olda t credits his father for inspiring him c play the game. “Of all the people in the worMiv play ball with, it’s a rare occasion! t a kid to get to play with his dad.”sa t Walker, “I remember coming h® \ one night and my father was outsii playing basketball. Even now hepli every night in a gym.” j, Walker’s lenghthy background basketball has come in handy forECl ( head basketball coach, Clanj, Mackey. f The Vikings are at .500 after ^ first six games—losing their tnj games to Johnson C. Smith on N: ^ 25, Shaw University on Nov. 211 Fayetteville State on Dec. 8—and* j ning two games at the Bull City Ct sic on Nov. 22 and 23 and anotherci ( Dillard University on the second nij ^ ®f the ECSU Invatational on Dec.l ^ The Vikings are gearing for Ta naments in Valdosta, Ga. Dec. 26-;; and the Smoke on the River Classki > Wilmington N. C. Jan. 4-5. Individual statistics on WaUcerj; not available. . . Photo by Jackie “The team has discipline and char acter which are the ingredients to hav ing a successful season,” he said. “The team was also very positive; they believed they could win and they did it.” This year the following ECSU Vikings were named to the All-CIAA first team; Tracy Boyd, Everette Mclver and James Gonzo. Named to the All-CIAA second team were Dar rin Mitchell, Gene Stovall and Eman uel Smith. Everette Mclver also received the All-CIAA Defensive Player of the Year award. Coach Kelley was named CIAA Coach of the Year by the Coaching Association. The team’s performance this sea son has also attracted the attention of some professional scouts. Scouts from The New York Jets, The Dallas Cow boys, the Denver Broncos and other teams have visited ECSU to talk to individual team members, including Boyd and Mclver. A Viking linebacker soars through the air pursuit of a loose ball during their home contest against Kentu(i state while McMcGrue Booker (22) looks on. Retail Price.. Reebok “Pump” Court Victory ,.120“ Everyday Price 110®® Clearance Price Just....69®® Nike Air Jordan Off white & Marroon only Retail Price 130“ Everyday Price 118“ Clearance Price Just....99“ RcGbcfh Retail Price. K Swiss Siricca% Hikers ,.80“ (Brown or Black) » K.r! 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