News Argus, December 1999
Sports
Rams trailblaze through CIAA
championship and head to Bowl
Sports With the Rash
Rasheed
Oluwa
Sports Editor
Congratulations are in order for
the Winston-Salem State University
Rams football pro
gram for their CIAA
championship sea
son. After going
undefeated in the
conference and maintaining consis
tency all season, the Rams proved
that they had the hearts of champi
ons.
But if anyone is wondering why
the Rams are playing in the Pioneer
Bowl and not in the Division 11 play
offs for the national championship,
all they have to do is look back at
this year's schedule to September 4.
That was the date of the Rams sea
son and home opener against
Catawba. The game, the Ram's only
game against a D-II program outside
of the CIAA, provided the Rams
with the perfect opportunity to show
that they were a force in Division 11.
Unfortunately, the Rams lost a close
one 17-14.
At the time the game may not
have proven to be a big deal. But
now, with the regular season over and post sea
son plans being made, the game has come back
to haunt the Rams. After finishing the regular
season 10-1, in second place in the Southern
Athletic Conference, Catwaba received a bid to
play in the D-II tournament. The Rams were left
out in the cold during selection for the D-II
playoffs. Fortunately, the Rams were able to
Congratulations
to the 1999 CIAA football champions!
receive a bid to play in the Pioneer Bowl against
Tuskegee University on Dec 18.
Lennox Lewis vs Evander Holyfield
Finally, Lennox Lewis has been awarded a
victory over Evander Holyfield. Everyone who
saw the two of them fight the first time, includ
ing Holyfield's family, must know that Lewis
won the fight. Regardless of what new informa
tion from investigations bring to light, it will
Courtesy of Adrian Ferguson
not change the fact that Lewis was robbed.
Even though the performances of both fight
ers were lackluster, Lewis again proved that he
was the superior fighter. But here's something
to think about. As unimpressive as both fighters
were, there's a good chance that neither one
would defeat Mike Tyson. Assuming that Tyson
doesn't kick, bite, or push them.
Newkirk doesn’t mind being a role model
Semaj Robinson
Reporter
His mother was his inspiration to play foot
ball. Now Terrie Newkirk is one of the most
exciting running backs in the CIAA.
A junior and mass communi
cations major from Wallace,
Terrie Newkirk's dream of play
ing football began at the
Popwarner level. "Its always
been my first love," he said, "I
would say my mom really
inspired me to play."
In a season full of excitement
for the Rams, Newkirk has been Newkirk
an important part of their suc
cess. He has rushed for over 100 yards five
times this season, along with combining for
1,058 all purpose yards.
Newkirk says he models his running tech
niques after the late great Walter Payton. "He
was a physical type of runner and he liked to
punish the player before they punished him."
When the season began, the WSSU Rams lost
their first two games. The team then went on
the road and began their 7-game winning
streak. Newkirk says that it has been an entire
team effort.
"I attribute the success to everybody on the
team. Because everyone on the team stepped
up and got the job done. But the defense is the
biggest reason, because we would have lost a
lot of games without them."
Charles Barkley of the NBA Houston Rockets,
says he is not a role model. But Terrie Newkirk
says he doesn't mind the title of being called a
role model.
"In some ways, yes I consider myself a role
model. I'm not the kind of person who would
disrespect women and 1 make sure I get my
work done."
He said that his mother and grandmother are
his role models. "My mother and grandmother.
My mother because she's been through a lot
and still has maintained to keep the family
together. I would say they are both strong black
women.
A graduate of Wallace Rosehill High School,
he says his most memorable moment was win
ning the State Championship in his senior year.
Upon graduating from WSSU, he plans to find a
job in TV production or film.
He had much more to say in this Q&A:
Q; What is more important to you: winning or
having an opportunity to play?
A: "Winning. When I first came in, I was on the
sideline. If I'm not getting the job done, I want
coach to put someone in who can."
Q: How do you prepare before a game?
A: "On Friday night after the team meeting, I
lay out my equipment and make sure I go to
bed by 10. The first thing I do when I get up is
yell and squeeze the football."
Q; If you had the opportunity to go pro, would
you?
A; "Yes I would. It's a great opportunity. I don't
think I could be a premiere back, but maybe a
3rd down back."
Q: What has been your most complete game
this year?
A: "I would say against Virginia State, because
everybody depended on me, and coach need
ed somebody to step up."
Q; Is having an opportunity to go to a bowl the
biggest team success you've been apart of at
WSSU?
A; "Yes it's the biggest. Getting the chance to
go to a bowl is an honor."
Q: How would you like to be remembered as a
student and football player at WSSU?
A: "I would like to be remembered as someone
who came to class everyday-tried hard and did
n't take shortcuts. And as a football player who
came to practice and gave 100% every time I
played the game."