Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

PANTHER page 11 September 25, 1991 Allen, King Return to Panthers After War By Anthony George m Sports Editior Kelvin Allen will not admit it, but according to Anterius King, his friend since the ninth grade, it was Allen's idea to join the United States Army Reserve on the buddy system to earn extra money. The bright idea of earning pocket change became hazardous for both young men on Sept 12, 1990, as they were mobilized and sent to Saudi Arabia Nov. 1, ending their football season after two games, to fight in Desert Storm. One year later, both are part of the Panthers football team, contributing on the offensive and defensive line. King, an offensive lineman, is fighting to attain his starting posititon lost during his absence. Allen is adjusting to changing from defensive end to defensive tackle. Both agreed that they were happy to be home and playing football again. "The way our offense and defense is set up, we both get a lot of playing time," Allen said. "We both play in certain situation downs." The situation for both was more hazardous earlier this year. King, a track vehicle mechanic and Allen, a supply specialist, said they did an assortment of duties while in Saudi Arabia. Their duties included supporting regular army units. King repaired track vehicles, cooked, cleaned and moved supplies. Allen's duties were to help supply other units, repair weapons and run support missions into Kuwait. Both said they did not fight in any direct conflicts. "The only real danger were those scud missiles," Allen said. "Our unit was positioned in an area were they were trying to hit." King and Allen were surprised when their unit was mobilized, but the fear of death was in the back of their minds. In Saudi Arabia, the major concern was getting back home. 'When we first got there, they told us we would be leaving in three months," Allen said. "Then we got extended another three months. Everyone was getting restless. Then we kept getting missions that kept us in the country longer. Once the war was over, we were responsible for repairing, washing and inspecting equipment of deploying units." During the war, both men sacrificed the comforts of hot water and a soft bed, to living in tents, trucks and trailers. 'Where you lived depended on where you were for the paricular mission," King said. "Since we supported other units, you went where need. Sometimes, you slept in a truck, but other times you had an opportunity to sleep in a tent." During the war, both said they had very little spare time. No weekends, no holidays. Everyday was a Monday. After the war, on occassion they had a free moment. On July 13, both traded the open sandy plains of Saudi Arabia, for the hills and trees of Atlanta. Allen and King felt lost upon their arrival home. "I felt as though I was in another world," King said. "No more "The only real danger were those scud missiles," Kelvin Allen. camels or sand. I wasn't used to seeing trees. Nobody really had immediate plans when they got home. The main concern was to get home." One of the things both young men did was to buy cars. King bought a 1988 Ford Mustang LX and Allen a 1987 Ford Mustang LX. "Most people did by cars when they got home," King said. "The pay was good because it was tax-free. Also, we got additional money for being in a war." Both said they were happy to be home, and said they did not regret going to Saudi Arabia. They agreed that they would do it again if they had to. "While you are over there, you are always thinking about being home, ” Allen said. "Now that I am here, I realize it wasn't that bad. I miss that tax free money, free gas, and those Editorial: Come On, Join the Bandwagon By Anthony George XZT Sports Editor Imagine this, the Clark Atlanta University football team wins their first two games of the season. Yes, I did say the football team. Even more amazing, they beat Morris Brown, breaking a 16-year losing streak to the Wolverines, and trampled over Livingstone College. Hence, before Halloween, the Panthers have won two games. This must be a unique year, the Atlanta Braves leading the National League West in September, and the Panthers leading the SLAC after two games. What makes it more amazing is the Braves have not had a winning season since 1983, and the Panthers since 1978. The Panthers are also a team that did not win over 15 games in the 80's. Now a possible pennant and a 2-0 start. Now I have called them wrong before, but I thought winning was contagious? Just look at the Braves, last season when I wanted to go to a nice quiet place to study, I often bought a ticket to a Braves game. This year, you cannot get in. Yet, in the 1991 FOR THI :RECORD FOOTBALL SCHEDULE SIAC FOOTBALL STANDINGS AS OF 14 SEPTEMBER HATE OPPONENT PLACE TIME 1991 August INSTITUTION CONFERENCE OVERALL 31 ‘Morris Brown College Atlanta, Ga (A) 1:30 p.m. w l per W L PCT September Fort Valley State College 2 0 1.000 2 0 1.000 7 Open Clark Atlanta University 1 0 1.000 2 0 1.000 14 Livingstone College Hemdon Stadium 7:00p.m. Albany State College 1 0 1.000 1 0 1.000 21 J.C. Smith University Charlotte, N.C. 1:30p.m. Alabama A&M University 1 0 1.000 1 2 .333 28 West Georgia College Carrollton, Ga. 7:30p.m. Savannah State College 1 0 1.000 2 1 .667 October Miles College 0 3 .000 0 3 .000 5 ‘Fort Valley State Fort Valley, Ga. 1:30p.m. Morris Brown College 0 1 .000 1 1 .500 12 ‘Tuskegee University Tuskegee, Al. 1:00p.m. Morehouse College 0 1 .000 0 3 .000 19 Open Tuskegee University 0 1 .000 0 2 .000 26 *@Miles College Lakewood Stadium 6:00p.m. November WEEKEND RESULTS AS OF 14 SEPTEMBER 1991 2 ‘Albany State College Hemdon Stadium 1:30p.m. Clark Atlanta University 33 Livingstone College 14 9 ‘Alabama A&M Hemdon Stadium 1:30p.m. Morris Brown College 21 Cheyney State 14 16 ‘Morehouse College B.T. Harvey Stadium 1:30p.m. Fort Valley State 20 Morehouse College 17 Alcom State 38 Alabama A&M 0 * Required SIAC game Albany State 16 Miles College 12 @ Homecoming Savannah State 43 Tuskegee 38 against Livingstone, only 3,200 patrons came out, with only four sections of Herndon Stadium filled, with two sections reserved for the bands. Hardly a sell-out. It has come to my attention that the University is committed to having successful athletic programs. More money has been allocated to the athletic department. Never before in the history of Clark have players been awarded athletic scholarships. They also have uniforms for both home and away games. There was a time when the team would wear the hand-me-downs from the Atlanta Falcons. Even the band has new uniforms. In addition to external overhauls, internal changes within the athletic department have occurred. In two years, every sport with the exception of the tennis team has gotten a new coach. Changes have also been made as the athletic director and sports information director. The only mainstay in the athletic department is Betty White, the secretary. Dr. Thomas Cole, president of CAU, stated that he is committed to having a successful athletic program at CAU. The administration is currently making some changes that will promote- improvement. Yet, why aren't some of the student body, faculty and staff not supporting the CAU athletic teams? Changing a losing program to a winner takes time, and in time, I imagine more fans will support the Panthers. Win or lose, every time the Panthers suit up, they represent themselves, alumni, students, faculty and administration. In return, they expect support from the CAU family.