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Sports Page 7 Clark Atlanta University Panther April 1, 1991 CoachPritchett Reveals Why He Resigned By ANTHONY GEORGE III Sports Editor The computer in the comer is gone. The plaques on the wall and the paintings, gone. Even the name plate on the door, gone. Only a few papers on the desk, and five trophies in the comer are in former Panther's men basketball coach Robert Pritchett's office. Well, there is still Pritchett. Pritchett resigned from his head coaching duties for Clark Atlanta University on March 2, after his team was banned from participating in the NCAA Division II playoffs, and the SIAC tournament. Both infractions resulted from playing 30 games, two more than the NCAA Division II allows. Pritchett's resignation ended a 13-year relationship with CAU. He compiled a 219-127 record, and produced four SIAC championships, three tournament championship finals, and a player of lead the nation in scoring three consecutive years (Ernest Lee 1984-85, 85-86 and 86-87), and a player who lead the nation in rebounding (Anthony Ikeobi 1988-89). Pritchett had only two losing seasons, both seasons prior to this season. Last season the Panthers finished 13-14, and the probation year the Panthers were 6-19. Going into this season's tournament, the Panthers were 18-12, and tied for a share of first place in the Eastern Conference with Morris Brown. The Panthers had won 14 of their last 17 games, making them one of the hottest teams come tournament time. Pritchett said this was a team that never played a bad game this season, and was one of his best teams he had ever coached. The Panthers will lose only one player this season, James Martin to graduation. Pritchett visited the Congo after last season to conduct a basketball camp. The underlining motive of the visit was to persuade two 7-foot-2 17- year old to come to Clark next season. He also disclosed that he recruited heavily a 7-2 280- pound transfer student who has played for a Division I school. He also stated that he was on the verge of getting a female assistant coach who participated in the 1988 Olympics. Pritchett said under his new five year plan was to help CAU gain national exposure by producing a championship team. This year, he scheduled a trip to Alaska to help expose the team. Ironically, this is the trip that ended Pritchett's career at CAU. With all the accolades that Pritchett has accomplished at CAU, why did he leave this all behind? A coach who had a potential championship team that loses only one player, Why? Even after a potential strong recruiting class. Why? even University of Nevada Los Vegas head coach Jerry Tarkanian persuaded NCAA officials to delay probation of this seasons team to give him another opportunity at a national championship. Why? "People think I was crazy to resign, " Pritchett said. "But you should never be in a situation where you lose enjoyment. I enjoy working with young people, but it has become a time where I was losing the edge." The edge Pritchett speaks about are the two NCAA violations in the last four years that have denied the Panthers from participating in post season play- This season because of over-scheduling, and in 1987-88 because of playing an ineligible player. That season, Pritchett's team started 18-1, and finished at 25-3. But most of the victories were stripped because CAU played with Tracy Murray, a transfer student. Murray had enrolled in Murray State the previous year, but he only stayed two weeks. He had never attended any classes or played any games. Nevertheless, CAU was penalized, and denied an opportunity to participate in post-season play, and placed on a one-year probation. "It is time to go when small things turn into big things," Pritchett said. UPCOMING HOME MATCHES IN APRIL April 2 , Morris Brown College 2p.m. April 9, Alabama A&M (Men) 1p.m. April 10 ,Fort Valley College 1p.m. April 13, Savannah State College 2p.m. April 15, Morehouse College 2 p.m. "Eventually, small things do turn into big things, but when minor things turn out to be big things - - thing that could have been different, it is time to step down. Pritchett said his underlying motive for coaching is not weighted by wins and loses, but to insure the success and help develop the plight of the black male. "In our society, you hear mostly of the downfalls of the black male," Pritchett said. "It is important for them to experience success. Championships aren't necessarily the measurement of success, but to win more than you lose. If you win 11 and lose 10, you are still a winner. "It is all about imagery. Molding young men to be role models and to be successful. You have to teach success, thus display it. If you can't teach success, there is no reason to continue. Being denied an opportunity to win the championship, twice, has put a dark cloud over the institution." Even though Pritchett speaks of the dark cloud around CAU, he defended his position for scheduling 30 games this season. "Head coaches only make out the schedule, not validate it," Pritchett said. "I made that schedule prior to going to Africa, and the athletic director had to verify it. Then the schedule is sent to the conference to get approved. "I don't want to put the blame on anyone because there is no NCAA rule that states you cannot play over 28 games . The NCAA Division II rule states that you cannot participate in the tournament if you play in more than 28 games. So CAU is not in jeopardy of being penalized any further." Pritchett said he was familiar with the Division II rule about over-scheduling, but the infraction occurred because the additional games played in Alaska were not exempt as he thought. He said when teams Pritchett (left) resigns after 13 years of coaching at CAU, 11 of those years produced winning seasons. play in Alaska or Hawaii, the games are exempt. What he didn't realize is that exemption rule only applies to Division I schools. Division II schools must include those games. "Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Alabama all participated in tournaments in Hawaii and Alaska, and still played in the NCAA tournament because those games were exempt from their schedule," Pritchett said. "I was not aware of the Division II rule. Ironically, that rule changed this January to be consistent with the Division I rule." According to Pritchett, CAU would still be eligible to participate in the SIAC tournament had he not resigned. He said because of the timing of his resignation, it voided the opportunity for the Panthers to participate in the SIAC tournament. "The day I resigned was the day before the SIAC made its tournament selection," Pritchett said. "I guess the commissioner saw we didn't have a coach, so he had to make a decision." When asked why didn't he resign until after the SIAC tournament, Pritchett again cited timing. "I was recruiting in Florida when I was contacted about the violation," Pritchett said. "Upon my arrival in Atlanta, I met with the president (Dr. Thomas Cole) and the team. After the discussion, I decided that the best thing to do is step down immediately." Despite conceding his coaching position, Pritchett will remain at CAU as an instructor until the end of the semester. Once his contractual agreement is fulfilled, he said he plans to move elsewhere. Because of additional spare time, Pritchett said he plans to complete his first book, Up the Down Side. The Mythical Black Athlete. He said he intends to write a second book, Black Colleges, which is intended to encourage alumni of African American institutions to put something back into the schools. Pritchett said he wanted to publish some of his poetry he has written in America, poems that are already published in Africa in French. Ultimately, Pritchett said he wants to continue to work with young people, and said he wants to coach again. He said he has some 'feelers' out. Overall, Pritchett said he was happy with his Tennis Motto: Game, Set, Match By ANTHONY GEORGE III Sports Editor Clark Atlanta University's tennis team have a combined record of 9-1, women 5-0 and the men are 4-1. The only loss for the team this season was against Morehouse. Coach Oliver McClendon, in his twenty-first year of coaching the tennis team at Clark, said this is the best team he has ever coached, men and women. "This is the strongest team I have ever coached since coming to Clark in 1969," McClendon said. "Every year we have consistently improved, but I am still concerned because we don't have the facilities at Clark to do even better. If we did have the facilities here all along, I would have always had the best team in the conference." McClendon said since there is not a facility on campus, that he must schedule his practices when classes aren't scheduled, and that conflicts with the hours of the dining facility at CAU. Currently, the team plays and practices all of their home games at McGee tennis center, off of Beecher Street in southwest Atlanta. "You can't expect much student support unless you have a campus facility," McClendon said. "The school needs to support the tennis team more financially." Despite not having campus facilities, both teams are doing well. Ronica Harris, the fifth flight player, has not lost a match (6-0). Keeva Bryant, Kathy Simon, and Portia Hamilton have a combined record of 17-4. In doubles matches, the lady Panthers are 14-1. The men are also doing well, as Parrish Preston, Chris Robinson and Dannon Henderson are 14-7 in the matches they have played. Teams are scored according to six single matches and three doubles matches. One point is awarded for each victories match. All matches are played outside.