The Compass Tuesday, December 7, 1993 11
ECSU’s new atheltic director says
‘mental attitude’ is key to winning
By Reginald Worlds
Edward McLean, Elizabeth Qty State
University's new athletic director, isover-
flowing with faith in the future of the
University's atiiletics.
'This progranrt is ready to explode," he
says. McLean believes that with sonne
cooperationbetween the community and
the school and a little hard work, Eliza
beth Qty State university could be "on
the map as a prominent athletic program
on the national level."
McLean, who became athletic director
Sept 1, replaced Willie Shaw, who re
signed to take a job at More house Q)l-
leg^, in Atlanta. Mclean is a former ath
letic director and physical education de
partment chairman at Qaric Atlanta Uni
versity.
McLean sees this year's basketball sea
son as a sprir^board for his plans. With
nationally acclainnedplayerssuchasNate
Higgs and Sean Walker along with some
of tt\e best basketball talent in the country,
he sa)^ the Vikings are poised for great
things this season.
"It's very important that we treat it
rigj\t and keep it in perspective," he says.
In terms of his overall approach to the
program,McLean seeks to "tobringinthe
student athelete who is trying to get an
education and to keep him/her here ."
This thisnnaynotshowupin the win-loss
column, says McLean, but it will attract
athletes from all over the country, who
will take the program up to a new level.
"We aren't looking for a quick fix,
suchassomeprogramsdo," saysMcLean,
"snatching a lot of junior college players
for only a couple of yeeirs. We want to
cultivate our teams with players who are
close to each other."
McLean is also working on getting the
Viking team new unifonns and restoring
the training room.
"Right now we do not have the ap
pearance of an up and coming program
and we are attempting to give ourselves
a better image," he says.
McLean, who hashisdoctorate in sports
psychology and motor behavior,believes
"mental attitude" is vital to the student
athlete.
"We have to develops a winning men
tality here because at Ws level thediffer-
ence between winning and losing is in the
mind,".
McLean says he hopes to see nwre
people attending Elizabeth Qty State
University's sporting events.
"We're in the business of entertain-
ment,"hesays. 'Teopleenjoyseeing qual
ity entertainment"
‘Midnight madness’ kicks off season
By Carlos McConnick
Thenightstartedoff witha "slamdunk"
contest by the fans—which was judged
by the VUdng Basketball Team.
Fans had the diance to do three dunks,
and were evaluated on the best of the
three.
This was all part of Midnight Madness,
which ECSU celebrated Oct. 30 in the
Vau^ian Center. The event, culnunating
in the Viking's first practice just after
midnight, officially launched the Viking
season and provided Viking fans to a
preview of the team.
According to National Collegiate Ath
letic Association (NCAA) rules, practice
must begin on Nov. 1. Since most schools
begin practicing one minute past mid
night, the NCAA aUowed practice to be
gin this year on Oct. 31, to prevent prao-
ticefrominterferingwithsti^ent' sdasses.
After the prelimaries were over, the
VikingcheerieadersapTpeared dad inmail
carrier uniforms, to represent the theme
for this year's team, which is 'The Viking
men are a total package."
The theme was created by the players
"to nnean 15 players from ECSU coming
together for one cause, to bring home the
CIAA Championdup," according to Ma
son.
The cheerieadersgaveeach team mem
ber a basketball, and after the plaj^r re
ceived the ball he either slam dunked the
ball or did a lay-up.
The Viking men split up into blue and
white tecims and played a 20-minute
scrinunage. The blue team won.
The evening culminated in a dance and
pancake breal^t, around two a.m.
This year's team wiU be anchored by
QAA player of theyear,Nate Higgs, and
all QAA Shawn Walker.
The team has an array of talent, from
second year player Shrano Woodley, to
the man in the r^dle, Jove Fbrd.
Mason said the purpose of ttte event is
to generate enthusia^ for the Vikings
and the upcoming season.
"We hold midni^t madness to get
Elizabeth Qty exited about the potential
of the basketball team. We wanted the
public to realize duit we need them to
su[>port us now."
News Briefs
By Lynn Jordan
On Nov. 17 Pasquotank County Health Etepartment worker An
drea Savage spoke to students in the New Dormitory Residence
about the danger and spread of AIDS. The purpose of the meeting
was to inform students of the increasing rate of AIDS cases in their
age group. Savage said she felt it was important to speak to students
because they really aren't taking the disease serious enough-
"1 think the risk of HIV, the spread of HIV, in young adults is
increasing rafndly and we do not think we are at risk. We don't take
the precautions that weneed to take, as young adults, because we fed
we are invincible. Savage said it is important for young adults and
teenagers to be fully knovdedgeable about how the AIDS virus is
transmitted.
"Until people leam of the importance of using protection, the
disease wUl continue to spread," she said.
The ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta Sorori
ties, Inc. sponsored a Blood Drive in Williams Hall Gym on Thurs
day, Nov. 18,1993. The American Red Cross was receivedlOl pints
of blood from the ECSU family. Nearly all of the blood was donated
by students, according to a Red Cross representative.
The Chancellor's Distinguished Executive Speaker Series pre
sented three Executive ^jeaker forums during themonth of Novem
ber in the Jenkins Science Comfdex. Gil Berry, President of Beny
Construction Company in Pittsburgh, PA, Robert Mauldin, Chair
man of Centura Bank, Rocky Mount, NC, and Donald Bennett,
President of Richfood Inc, Richmwid, VA held discussions with
faculty and students. Dr. Deborah Carter Fontaine was departmen
tal coordinator.
The Beta Zeta Chapter and the Epsilon Chi Lambda Chapter of
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. hosted the 32nd Annual Assoaa-
tion of North Carolina Alphamen Ehstrict Conference, Nov. 19-21,
1993, on the campus of ECSU. The Conference opened Saturday with
apublicquestion and answer forum moderatedbyNatiianE.Scwens.
Panelist wrere Dan Bleu, North Carolina ^)«d(er of the House,
Attorney Ronald Penny, Chancellor Jenkins, and Rev. Charles
Szemor& The issue b^g discussed was Reclaiming ttie African
American Community.
Beta Zeta competed in several events and was recognized for their
achievements. Miss Nikita C Sutton, Miss Beta Zeta, will represent
the state of NC in regional competition as Miss NC Black and Gold.
Midiael A. Myrick participated in the oratorical contest; the topic
was "Reclaiming Our Community the Awakening of a Sleeping
Giant." The chapter also participated in the quiz bowl competion.
Beta Zeta was recognized as the chapter with the highest culinative
GPAinNC
The Beta Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. wishes
to say "thank you" to all students, falculty, and administrators for the
support given to us during our ANCA Conference.
The ECSU Gospel Choir sponsered a free concert for students on
November 22,1993 in Moore Hall Auditorixmi. The concert was in
reqx>nse to a request by the Viking Football Team and other stu
dents. The Gospel Choir had not planned a fall concert, but the Choir
decided to perform because of the siqjport the students have given
the choir this year. The Gospel Choir wishes to express Season's
Greetings to everyone
WRVS Radio Station raised over $11,000 during their Radiothon.
Contributors are urged to mail their pledges to WRVS-FM, Campus
Box 801, Elizabeth Qty, NC 27909.
WRVS held a Kwanzaa Program Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 8:00 pm in
the G.R. Little Theater.
CBAC held a meeting on Tu«day, Nw. 23 at 2:00 pm in the ba^
of tiiie University Center. Students discussed a number of topics,
including the question of v^ether or not the administration has too
much influence with SGA.
The Brothers of Omega Psi Phi Iratemity, Inc. sponsored College
Night at "The Wiz" on Thursday, Nov. 18. Admission was $2.00 to
students with ID.
A special thanks is extended to all students, faculty, and staff that
contributed to food collection for the Thanksgiving Vesper Service
Rev. Charles Foster and UCRF were in charge of tiie collection and
the Thanksgiving service
Students of the Science departments presented an informative
seminar on Thursday, Nov. 18 at 730 pm in tt>e Jimmy R. Jenkins
Science Compdex. The program was entitled "Inventions and Dis
coveries ... Blacks in Sdence."
ECSU officially lit the Christmas tree on Thursday, Etec. 2 at
6KX^nn.
Everyone is encouraged to participate in WRVS Christmas Toy
Drive which will be going on throu^ Dec. 21. In this gift-giving
season, please give to the less fortunate.
Two ECSU students, a male and a female, got into a brawl in
the G.R. Little Theater on Nov. 3,1993. The male student was
arrested and charged with assault on a female after he pimched
the female in reaction to a mist of pepper spray. The female was
freated and released from the Emergency Room at Albemarle
Hospital. Hearings in ECSU Student Court and Pasquotank
Coimty District Court are pending.
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