Newspaper Page Text
I PANTHER
page 12 September 25, 1991
Vickerstaff Named Interim Basketball Coach
By ANTHONY GEORGE HI
SPORTS EDITOR
After serving as an
assistant at Clark Atlanta
University for six years,
coach Micheal Vickerstaff
was announced Interim
Head Coach of the men's
basketball program July
9.
"Coach Vickerstaff
has proven leadership
skills as a coach and a
manager of basketball
team activities," said Dr.
Thomas Cole, CAU
president. "We are pleased
that he accepted the
challenge to lead the men's
basketball team."
Vickerstaff said he
has no problem with being
named the interim coach.
He understands that the
university wants to make
the best selection, and as
as long as the program
remains successful, he is
sure that interim will be
dropped from his title.
Vickerstaff, who
said he accepted the
position in early June,
first change was moving
his desk in the office to a
corner. Now in the center
of the room, a large
painting of a Panther with
the motto inscribed, ’We’re
On A Mission" captures
your atttention when you
enter .
"Actually I changed
the office around to create
my own identity," said
Vickerstaff. "I also think
the room looks bigger this
way. The painting on the
wall symbolizes the
direction of our team and
that is to capture the
S.I.A.C. (Southern
Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference) crown, and
also win the NCAA
Division II
championship."
Aside from the
changes in the office,
Vickerstaff said there will
be few changes to the
current team. He expects
to return 10 players from
last season, and also run
basically the same
offensive and defensive
schemes.
’We have a lot of
veteran players who know
the system well, so why
change something that
has proven to be
successful," said
Vickerstaff. "Last year the
guys learned a new
offense, and it v'as very
effective.
" If we hac. \ st a lot
of players, I would have to
come in and make a lot of
changes. It would be
foolish to change
something that works.
Eventually, there will be
some changes that occur
gradually to reflect my
coaching style."
Because CAU did
not have a coach during
the recruiting season, a lot
of potential recruits did
not choose CAU. Yet,
Vickerstaff remains
optimistic because of his
returning players. He also
cited that walk-ons and
transfer students could fill
the other two spots.
Chris Carter, a
transfer student, lead
Bethune-Cookman in
scoring last season.
Vickerstaff said he expects
him to help as the
shooting guard. Also,
freshman guard Terrence
Clark from Swainsboro,
Ga. is expected to gain
experience behind guard's
Argent Steele, Dalton
Greene and Tito Parker.
Martin Stars USBL, NBA Next
By Anthony George m
Sports Editor
After enrolling
into summer school to
complete his graduation
requirements, James
Martin decided to play
professional basketball
and try out for Atlanta’s
newest basketball team,
the Eagles.
Competing with
over 60 players from
major colleges and former
professional players,
Martin made the team.
Although not the NBA,
Martin signed his first
professional contract
making $300 a week, plus
travel expenses, with the
United States Basketball
League.
"It really helped me
a lot by playing with the
Eagles," Martin said. ""It
gave me the publicity that
I didn't get at CAU. It
showed a lot of people that
I could play"
Although playing
foiward for Clark Atlanta
University, Eagle coach
Charlie Criss moved
Martin to guard, and by
year's end, he played point
guard. Martin went on to
score a seasons best 28
points against Empire
State, and in his last two
games average 27.5 points.
Martin finished the
season averaging 16.8
points, 4.9 rebounds, and
3.1 assist a game.
"Switching to point
was really not that much
of a change because that’s
what I played in high
school," Martin said. "I
just had to work out a
little harder, and working
with Criss also helped me
make the adjustment."
Currently, Martin
is working out with the
Atlanta Hawks. He said
that his agent is trying to
work out something with
the Hawks. If not, he is
committed to attend the
Charlotte Hornets veteran
camp Oct 2.
PHOTO BY ANTHONY GEORGE HT
James Martin hopes his next shot will be with a NBA team
Vickerstaff will be the Panthers'first new basketball
coach since 1978.
IP5T(gwfi(SW
By Anthony George III
Sports Editor
The Clark Atlanta University lady Panthers
have a new coach, a new attitude, and a lot of new
players as they start volleyball season Sept. 16,
against Morris Brown.
Regana Hill, first-year volleyball coach,
replaced Valerie Belt- Jones this summer. Hill, a
former basketball, softball and volleyball standout
at Mercer University in Macon, said coaching the
lady Panthers will be a great experience.
'This is my first time coaching at a collegiate
level, which is something I always wanted to do," Hill
said. "I want our team to be a major competitor in the
S.I.A.C. (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference) and the NCAA Division II. If the young
ladies play to their fullest potential, and play as a
team, we will come out as winners."
The lady Panthers, who finished 8-9 last
season, returned only three players, and two seniors.
The remainder of the team consist of walk-ons,
mainly freshman. Yet, Hill remains optimistic
about this season, and says some of her players have
Olympic potential.
"Rhonda Houston and Gwen Bryant are my
only seniors and they are both captains," Hill said.
'They are very strong players with a lot of individual
talent.
"Our freshman also have a lot of talent. With
the players I have, it would not be hard to conceive
some participating in the 1996 Olympic. Some of our
young ladies come from very successful programs in
high school."
Houston and Bryant also echoed the
sentiments of their coach. "We are looking real
good so far," Houston said. "I think we are going to
have a good season. In addition to having good
players, our coach really supports us."
'We definitely have started better than last
season," Bryant said. "Although we have a young
team, I think we will be very competitive and I'm
looking forward to a successful season."