AC Phoenix, September 1988
Page 3
L
Positive Changes Highiight Origin of 1988 Season
The worst of
summers blistering heat
has has gone into
hibernation and the
cool fresh air of fall is
upon us. After one of
the hottest summers on
record it is a relief to
know that soon the
green leaves of spring
and summer will
transform into yellows,
oranges, reds and
combinations that are
not only symbolic of
autumn, but also hits
the coming of Americas
true game...football.
The 1983 issue of
Winston-Salem State's
campus paper, The
News Argus, was the
origin of what we know
today as the A C
Phoenix CIAA-MEAC
Football Preview.
Times have changed,
and so have I, but each
year at this time when
the earth is most
beautiful in death (fall of
the year), and coaches
whistles bellow on
dusty, but lonely,
practice fields it gives
me a feeling of a new
av^akening...a fresh
start.
The AC Phoenix is
proud to be associated
with two of the most
competitive
predominantly black
conferences in the
country, and as usual
wishes the best of luck
to each and every team
in the two conferences.
Things have changed
somewhat since that fall
of 1983 in both
conferences.
The MEAC, and
Commissioner Ken
Free, are pleased with
the progress of the
conference, which
includes the addition of
Coppin State (non
football) and the
balance in the league as
a whole. Balance may
be an understatement
when a conference can
have five different
conference football
champions in five
years. In addition to
post-season play the
MEAC teams have
appeared in eight
NCAA-sanctioned
bowls, and two Orange
Blossom Classic. The
NFL features a number
of former MEAC
players. The
conference has also
kept it's dream alive in
the form of the annual
Freedom Bowl All-Star
Classic.
The CIAA, and
Commissioner Bob
Moorman, are equally
proud of the progress
made throughout the
past five seasons. The
Northern Division
holds a decisive edge in
championships with
Winston-Salem State
winning the only title
from the Southern
Division in ,1987 over
Hampton, 22-12. The
Northern Division did
suffer a blow this
season as they will be
without the St. Paul's
Tigers on the gridiron.
After struggling throe-'.
losing seasons and loss .
of revenue, the
administration felt that
dissolving the program
at this point was in the
universities and the
conferences best
i nterest.
One of this season's
most talked about
events was the
resignation of A&T
State's Mo Forte and
the hiring of W.S.S.U.
All-time percentage
winning Coach William
"Bill" Hayes. The loss of
Hayes was not only a
blow to the Rams, but a
void is left in the
conference. Hayes'
never quit attitude
made the conference
more' competitive and
kept respectability in
the CIAA South by
placing a formidable
opponent opposite the
Northern Division
powers.
If that's not news
enough how about
Division M's most
prolific passer and total
offensive leader, Earl
"Air" Harvey. Harvey,
(a senior this season,
finally) began the 1987
MEAC Football Preview
will consist of basically
the same subjects we
covered in 1983. A
composite schedule of
each conference along
with a brief, but
informative preview of
each team is included in
this issue. Trivia, which
we all enjoy, is also a
part of this September
issue, and as usual
commentary by some
of the most
knowledgeable writers
in the Triad area is also
highlighted.
myself have inserted
some interesting
comments, just as we
have the past five
season. There is
nothing more
descriptive as pictures,
and as always we want
you to understand
what we are saying
even if you don't read a
word.
We are excited about
this season and the
economic potential it
carries throughout our
communities. We ask
that you support Black
College Football this
season and patronize
those businesses that
have your interest at
heart. If you see an
advertisement in this
issue that you
patronize regularly, tell
them where you saw it,
and continue to do
"good business" with
them. Write us and let
us know how you feel
about us. Have an
outstanding academic
and athletic year CIAA-
MEAC and surrounding
public school systems.
AC Phoenix Publisher
Rodney J. Sumler could
not bare to miss this
golden opportunity to
speak out to Black
businesses and
consumers about the
One of th e season's most talked about
events was the resignations of N.C. A
& T State's Mo Forte and the hiring of
W.S.S.U. All-time percentage winning
Coach William "Bill" Hayes.
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campaign with over
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three seasons as the
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would be a surprise to
myself, and those who
have followed Flarvey's
career if he does not go
in the NFL drafts first
three rounds.
The 1986 edition of
the AC Phoenix CIAA-
economic impact of the
football season,
specifically the WSSU-
A&T clash. Phoenix
staff writer Nathan
Ross Freeman gives
some soiid hypothesis
on the televising, or
non-televising, of Black
College Football. Co
editors Sam Davis and
Do Not
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