The News Argus, September 2003
2003 WSSU Football Schedule
w.s.s.u.
Aug. 30
Carson-Newman
Home
6 p.m.
Sept. 6
Fort Valley State
College Macon, Ga. (Henderson Stadium) 5 p.m.
Sept. 13
Virginia State University
Home
6 p.m.
Sept. 20
at West Virginia Tech
Montgomery, W.V.
7 p.m.
Sept. 27
at Virginia Union
Richmond, Va.
1:30 p.m
Oct. 4
Open Date
N/A
Oct. 11
at Fayetteville State
Fayetteville
6 p.m.
Oct. 18
at Livingstone College
Salisbury
6 p.m.
Nov. 1
Johnson C. Smith
Home (Homecoming)
2 p.m.
Nov. 8
St. Augustine's College
Home
2 p.m.
Nov 15
CIAA Championship
Site To Be Announced
1 p.m.
Rams rocky start beginning to smooth
By Samuel Harley
Argus Reporter
In sport's there is a saying that states,
"It is not how you start but how you fin
ish."
The Rams certainly lived by this state
ment recently. Virginia State took advan
tage of a mistake filled first quarter by
the Rams, which included a fumble,
interception and roughing the kicker
penalty that cost the Rams a possession.
Virginia State turned these miscues
into two touchdowns and led 14-0 after
the first quarter. Another fumble on the
first possession of the second quarter by
the Rams set up a 38-yard touchdown
pass from quarterback Kevin Jones to
receiver Rj. Berry for Virginia State.
This pushed the Trojans lead to 21-0.
The shock of that touchdown and the
score on the scoreboard seemed to wake
up the Rams because after that score the
Ram's offense began to dominate the
game.
Using power running and a controlled
passing game plan quarterback Josh
McGee and the Rams offense began to
take over the game.
In the second and third quarters of the
game McGee threw touchdown passes of
llyards and 9 yards to Jared Brevard and
Brandon Free respectively.
Sandwiched between those two scores
was a brilliant 75-yard punt return for a
touchdown by Brandon Hussey, which
helped energize the team and the crowd.
McGee's touchdown pass to Free in the
third quarter made the score 21-19,
pulling the Rams within two points of
the Trojans. Although the passing game
was clicking in second half, the real story
of the game was the Rams rushing attack
and how they controlled the line of
scrimmage.
All three tailbacks used against the
Trojans ran the ball successfully, but
Peete Byrd's 23 carries for 141 yards and
2 touchdowns stood out the most. Most
of Byrd's yards and his two touchdowns
came in the second half when the Rams
were trying to seize control of the game.
Byrd's first touchdown put the Rams
ahead 25-21 with 9 minutes and 7 sec
onds left in the fourth quarter. After a
Virginia State score, the Rams marched
down the field in 4 minutes and 47 sec
onds and Byrd scored again on a 5-yard
touchdown run with 30 seconds left in
the game.
Byrd's touchdown put the Rams ahead
31-27. This score along with the two-
point conversion attempt, which was
successful sealed the game for the Rams
and finished off a great comeback victo
ry. After the game Coach Blount said
that this game was a itestament of willi
for his team, and in his halftime speech
he spoke to the players about ifacing
adversity and showing true character.!
Evidently the coachfs speech worked
because in the second half the Rams
came out and looked like a totally differ
ent team. Coach Blount also admitted
the his team istarted slow,i but in foot
ball, itfs not how you start, itis how you
finish and Saturday, the Rams finished
u
Rams battle out with Carson-New^man
George Croom
Argus Managing Editor
Photo by Garret Garmes
Anthony Robinson had 18 tackles against
Carson-Newman.
It was week two. That was some
thing that Winston-Salem State foot
ball players had to get through their
minds.
Only a week after dropping a
tough 21-14 contest to non-confer
ence rival Carson Newman in their
opener, the Rams couldn't be look
ing over their shoulders because
things weren't getting any easier in
the future. The Rams would travel to
Macon, Georgia to face the Fort
Valley State Wildcats.
"I want to win every game we
play," Linebacker Tony Robinson
said. "You are not a true player if
you are satisfied with losing."
"I imagined myself having a better
game (against Carson Newman). It's
just the fundamental things that we
have to keep up. I am not concerned
if we do what we are supposed to
do." Robinson, who had 18 tackles
and was D2football.com defensive
player of the week, and his Ram
teammates did exactly that against
the Wildcats.
The Rams defense gave up a
touchdown on the opening posses
sion for the Wildcats. At first glance
it seemed as if the Fort Valley State
team that the Rams had beaten in
their two previous contests had the
upper hand. But the Rams began to
trudge back.
The Rams offense began to show
dominence and swagger early in the
first quarter that was not visible a
week prior
The Josh McGee to Brandon Free
and Brandon Hussey aerial assault
proved to be a potent form of open
ing the offense, and allowed the run
ning lanes for Willie "Pedie" Byrd,
Martin Hicks, and Jed Bines to get
seemingly wider.
The Rams at one point in the first
half led by 14, after a 29-yard recep
tion from Josh McGee to Brandon
Free made the score 21-7. Key Ram
defensive breakdowns led to two
unanswered touchdowns to make
the halftime score 21-21.
The second half was a defensive
display by both squads. Quarterback
Rodney Milbourne scored the only
points of the second half on a one-
yard fourth down touchdown run
after leading the Rams on an llplay.
46-yard drive.
"I want to control the tempo of our
team," said Coach Kermit Blount.
"If we can control our mistakes and
control the flow of the game then our
chances are very good."
The Rams controlled the ball com
pleting 14 of 19 passes through
McGee and Milbourne collectively.
Fumbles were also eliminated by the
Rams offense, contrary to the prior
week against Carson Newman when
the Rams fumbled three times.
The defense, anchored by Tony
Robinson who had 14 tackles, forced
7 fumbles and recovered one. The
Wildcats potent running attack was
neutralized with the Rams holding
Duron Croson and Derrick
Wimbush, who gained over 250
yards collectively a week prior
against Morehouse, each under 100
yards.
After tough competition from both
Carson-Newman and Fort Valley
State the Rams have played the basic
strength of their schedule. If they can
continue to grow as a team unit,
Winston-Salem State may soon be
able to boast the title of CIAA cham
pions.
Two women take top spots in WSSU athletics
Bolden named adviser to athletes
By Daysha Lynei Scruggs
Argus Reporter
Student athletes have a new adviser to
help them in the classroom.
Leslie O. Bolden was recently named
as the coordinator of athletic/academic
support services. The position was creat
ed by Dr Percy "Chico" Caldwell, the
atheletics director and Tonia Walker, the
associate director of athletics with the
help of Chancellor Harold Martin.
"We are obviously happy to have a
person with a strictly academic focus in
the athletics department," Caldwell said
in a release. "The academics of our stu-
dent-athletes are steadily improving and
Leslie brings added value and another
dimension to our department."
In the position, Bolden will advise the
university's more than 150 student ath
letes.
Bolden has worked for the university
for a number of years advising students.
But her connection to the university goes
back much further Her father served as
the university's registrar and her mother
was an instructor in the School of
Business.
Bolden attended Hampton University.
After getting her degree in finance, she
worked in the insurance industry for
several years.
Eventually, though, she came back to
WSSU. After getting her master's degree
at N.C. A&T State University, Bolden
began advising students at WSSU and
teaching a freshman seminar class.
Bolden has been working closely with
the coaches and the student athletes
since June and recently moved into a
new office in the C. E. Gaines Center
In her new job, Bolden will help stu
dents with pre-registration and monitor
grades and course selection. She will also
monitor student athlete's academic
progress and ensure that they are on
track to get their degrees.
"It's a great challenge," she said.
Bolden said she is also working to
improve communication between par
ents and the coaching staff..
She said she hopes to be able help ath
letes make the best of her time at WSSU.
"That's why I'm down here in the cen
ter of action, so that I have access to the
coaches and they have access to me,"
Bolden said. "The athletes can always
come by and see me anytime."
Walker is named associate AD
By Darryl Smith
Argus Reporter
Winston-Salem State University's ath
letic program is an important pass-time
for students and the Winston-Salem
community. This year there is a major
change in the line-up which means big
hopes for Ram sports.
The change comes as Tonia G. Walker,
who was formally the head volleyball
coach. Assistant Director of Athletics
(both part-time), and Senior Women's
Administrator, assumes the role of
Associate Director of Athletics.
Her official duties include working
with athletics director Dr Chico
Caldwell on fundraisers, supervising
finances, and reviewing staff policies
and procedures.
Some of her goals include enhancing
the athletic facilities, building on the
current athletic programs, providing
more opportunities for the athletics'
staff, and assisting the progression of
Winston-Salem State to NCAA Division
I-AA status.
Walker carries many of the goals she
has as Senior Women's Administrator
into her new position. She also
“There is a journey
ahead of us, but we need
to celebrate the small
steps.”
— Tonia Walker
expressed intrest in gaining recognition
for women's athletics.
"Female athletes are on the rise,"
Walker said. "The female point of view
needs to be recognized. Being a female
athlete it is as important to be a lady on
the field and off."
Walker said that more focus needed to
be given to the female perspective and
equality between males and females,
not only as athletes, but as staff as well.
Walker said she is excited about her
new position and feels that she is an
asset. Her new position will allow her
to help the athletic department accom
plish its objective, while having more
interaction with student-athletes.
"There is a journey ahead of us, but
we need to celebrate the small steps and
one day we will applaud the long jour
ney we have taken."