Winston-Salem native Byron Samuels takes over the coaching helm at Florida A&M, 2.
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June 26, 2014
Forsyth County Edition
Volume 9 No. 20
The Winston-Salem Roadrunners Track program is back and running strong, 7.
Chris Hairston on the comeback trail for Buffalo Bills Former Carver High and Clemson Univ. standout moving from tackle to guard From Staff Reports The 2014 NFL season could be the make or break year for former Carver High and Clemson Univ. standout Chris Hairston. Hairston, who played offensive tackle for both the Yellowjackets and Tigers, is being being tried as a starting guard for the Buffalo Bills. Hairston got most of the snaps at the Bills recently concluded minicamp last week. And based on what the decision-makers for the Bills saw, it could be a switch that will pay off for the Bills. Hairston missed all of the
2013 season with a non-football related illness. Before that he was making good headway with the Bills. The fourth-round drat pick started eight games as a rookie in 2011 and started seven games during his second year with the Bills in 2012. Coach Doug Marrone said that Hairston could be just what the doctor ordered at guard for the Bills this coming season. “He’s a big body and it’s a position for that,” he siad. “We have Kraig Urbik and we have Chris there. We have some of those younger guys that are playing that position. Like we said, it’s hard to judge at this time of
year in shorts and how it’s going to shake out, especially up front. So we’re putting everyone in there and giving them an opportunity to learn that stuff so they can go ahead and compete.” Marrone said Hairston will get an opportunity to start when the Bills report to training camp.
see Hairston on 8 Chris Hairston is making the switch to guard for the Bills.
Powers, Koonin, Brown pace Nationals Minors to win By Sam Davis Triad Sports Weekly Luke Powers got the Winston-Salem Nationals Minors AllStars off to a fast start, stiriking out six batters over 2 2/3 innings, giving up two hits along the way and scattering two hits as the Nationals took a 23-0 victory over Walkertown in the opening round of the District 2 Tournament last Saturday at the Nationals field. Powers also helped his own cause at the plate, drilling a double and a single, reaching a third time on an error and scoring three runs. Powers also got good support from teammates Jake Koonin and Tripp Brown, who scored four runs each. Coach A.J. Lewis, the Nationals’ manager, said his team came out and took care of business.He complimented the pitching of Powers and said he set the tone for his team early.
Jake Koonin gets ready before belting a two-run double for the Wuston-Salem Nationals. “Luke was on fire today,” Lewis said. “I challenge them today to come out and play hard and they did.” Powers faced nine batters and delivered a total of 39 pitches. “I had him on a strict pitch count,” Lewis said. “40 was
going to be his max.” Powers was pulled after sitting
Luke Powers
Brandon Lowe down on strikce is the top of the third inning. In doing
Jake Koonin
so, he worked his way from a 3-2 count to get McGee looking. Brown came on from center field and pitched the final 1 1/3 innings as the Nationals recorded the shutout. Offensively, the Nationals were also sharp. They rapped out Tripp Brown three hits in the first
inning to jump out to a 3-0 lead. Powers started things blasting a one-out double. Koonin reached on an error in center to put runners on first and third. Brown picked up two RBIs when he drove a triple to the wall to score Powers and Koonin. William Burns then delivered a runscoring single that plated Brown. Brayden Miller led off the second with a triple for Walkertown. However, after Powers got Danny Loflin and William blakely to strike out, Miller was thrown out trying to score on a passed ball. The Nationals broke the game open in the bottom half of the inning, scoring nine runs to increase their margin to 12-0. Matthew Stephens led off with a single and advanced to second on Parkman Cook’s single. Stephens scored on Whit Andrus’ single. Powers kept the rally going with a run-
see Nationals on 3
Hayes headlines 2014 Gaines Hall of Fame Photo courtesy St. Louis Rams
Forner defensive lineman one of eight to be inducted From Staff Reports
Foremr WSSU defenisve lineman William Hayes sacks Russell Wilson.
The WinstonSalem State University Athletic Hall of Fame Committee has announced the 2014 inductees into the Clarence E. "Big House" Gaines Athletic Hall of Fame. Eight individuals and one team will take their place among the WSSU greats. The individual inductees and the team will be inducted in a ceremony on Friday,
September 26th at the Benton Convention Center located in downtown Winston-Salem, N.C. and will be honored at halftime of the Winston-Salem State versus Elizabeth City State football game on Saturday, September 27th at Bowman Gray Stadium. "To an athlete, being enshrined into your university's athletic hall of fame is reaching the mountaintop. There is no higher honor,"
WSSU Director of Athletics, Tonia Walker said. "On behalf of the entire WSSU Department of Athletics, congratulations to all inductees for reaching this milestone." "We enshrine these individuals amongst the elite past and present hall of famers as we move to enhance the vision and growth of our future student-athletes," said Winston-Salem State
see Hall on 4
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June 26, 2014
Home Grown Talent Byron Samuels, city native, named basketball coach at FAMU Former North Forsyth standout gets chance to rebuild Rattlers By St. Clair Murraine Special to Triad Sports Weekly Byron Samuels was six months into his job as Operations Coordinator with the men’s basketball program at the University of Georgia, when a reporter asked him if he’d ever get back into coaching again. His response was swift. “I said, ‘I will be back in coaching again,’ ” said Samuels, a Winston-Salem native, who played at North Forsyth. “I didn’t know where, I didn’t know when. Here we are.” Florida A&M Univ. named Samuels its men’s basketball head coach late last week. With his wife, Beverlyn, and their two children at his side, Samuels made his first public appearance with the media last Monday afternoon. His hire at FAMU puts Samuels, 50, back into the game as a coach for the first time since a brief stop as an assistant at South Florida in Tampa in 2009. Prior to that, he’d spent two seasons as head coach at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa. He was out of the game for two years – his second time sidelined after five seasons at Radford University that ended in 2007. Before joining Mark Fox’s program at UGA last June, Samuels worked with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. But his passion to
get back on the sidelines didn’t truly wane, although he said he felt it was where he needed to be at the time. A huge part of his role at Georgia was to prepare the Bulldogs’ game plan, a job that required several hours of breaking down the opponent on film. “Like the guy that likes to tinker with old cars, or houses or whatever it may be; when you watch as much tape in preparation for an opponent and your own team, it sort of gets you back in that arena,” Samuels said. “It could be intoxicating. “My juices kept flowing to get back in coach mode. I kept having a sense that all the things that I’ve been going through the past five, six years or so was all preparing me for an opportunity to be a head coach again. Low and behold, this opportunity comes around. I think this is a special one.” His task at FAMU isn’t an easy one.He has to rebuild a basketball that dwindled to one player after the program was hit by a one-year postseason ban for poor APR scores. “None of that diminishes the expectations that we will put on ourselves and our program,” Samuels said.“That expectation is to be good citizens. I don’t expect them to be perfect but I do expect them to want to be a part of something greater than themselves and I want them to enjoy the experience.”
Samuels admitted that APR issue has made recruiting a challenge. He equates the position that he faces to that of the University of Kentucky in the late 1980s when NCAA sanctions left the team with four players. It rebounded to become a Division-I power. He’s confident that he could restore the FAMU program, making it competitive again after more than six years of finishing with losing records. Praising Samuels’ work at UGA, Fox said he’s seen enough potential in Samuels that could make the Rattlers winners. “From what I understand, Byron is taking over a situation that is somewhat broken, but he still has a chance to build the program the right way,” Fox said during a telephone interview. “It’s going to take him time but I think ultimately he cares about the right things and he is good at what he does. “You will see quick progress but I think you will (also) see sustained progress from year to year.”
Byron Samuels Apart from the Radford job, Samuels hasn’t spent more than two years in a head coaching position in his two decades of coaching. On Monday, he sounded as if he intends to establish some sort of legacy at FAMU, echoing what he’s said in a previous interview. “I’ve had some ups and down in this profession as some people do,” Samuels said. “I just want to impact young people’s lives for the greater good. When it’s all said and one and they’re putting dirt on top of me, maybe they will say he impacted young people’s lives for the good.”
Hang the Net and Slam Dunk Contest slated for July 24 24th annual contest will honor three From Staff Reports Hanes Hosiery Director and Hang the Net creator Art Blevins recently announced the following participants and celebrities for the 24th annual Hang the Net Celebrity Shootout and Slam Dunk Contest to be held at Hanes Hosiery Recreation Center on Thursday, July 24th, at 2:00 pm. Among those scheduled to appear are media celebrities
Cameron Kent from WXII, Danny Harden from Fox 8, Sam Davis of Triad Sports Newspaper, Carolina Panthers Super Fan "Catman" Good, Atkins Basketball Coach Louis "Dr. Chocolate" Lowery, former Wake Forest University star Willie "Super Sub" Griffin, former Winston-Salem State University Star Brandon Hobbs, former Yale Star Mike Grace, former North Carolina Central star Albert "T-
ball" Connor, former Belmont Abby College Star Jon Adams, Howard Coston, former Harlem Globetrotter Rob Little and others. Last year Blevins honored former University of North Carolina Basketball star Reyshawn Terry, Mount Tabor Coach Andy Muse, Winston Salem Prep Coach Andre Gould, and sports journalist and anchor Dave Goren with Living Legend Awards.
Reggie Johnson, former W-S Prep standout and Reyshawn Terry, former standout at R.J. Reynolds High were on hand last year for the Hang the Net an Slam Dunk Contest at Hanes Hosiery.
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Wake adds Darius Leonard to basketball program 6-9, fifth-year senior, joins Deacons from Campbell From Staff Reports
“Darius is a versatile player who has a good understandWake Forest has offi- ing of the game and is a quality young man. We are cially added fifth-year forlooking forward to his expeward Darius Leonard, a rience and maturity having transfer from Campbell an immediate impact on our University, to its roster for program.” the 2014-15 season. Leonard, a 6-9, 225Leonard, who gradupound forward, averaged ated from Campbell this 10.2 points and 4.9 rebounds spring, is eligible to play per game last season. He immediately for the Demon played in 32 games with 30 Deacons. The Raleigh, N.C. starts for the Camels and native has enrolled in Wake shot 50.4 percent (127-ofForest’s Liberal Studies 252) from the graduate profield and 38 pergram and have cent (35-of-92) one year of athfrom 3-point letic eligibility range. remaining. “I connected “We are with Coach extremely Manning and the pleased to rest of the staff. I announce the can see his vision addition of for me,” said Darius Leonard Leonard. “Coach to our program,” Manning has said Wake Darius Leonard played at the highForest head est level and coached at the coach Danny Manning.
Nationals from Page 1 scoring single. Koonin then reached safely after a botched fielder’s choice resulted in another Nationals run scoring and Koonin reaching safely. Brown then got his second hit of the day to score two more runs and the Nationals led by a 6-0 margin. Joseph Woodruff drew a walk on four straight pitches. That began a streak for Walkertown’s pitchers who struggled to find the plate and was a part of four consecutive walks. Matthew Martinez, who replaced Burns, Wes Daniels anothe sub and Noah Quarless, who also was a replacement all reached safely. Harrison Lewis, another sub, was he Nationals’ first out, when he hit a grounder to third, but he picked up an RBI Martinez scored. Andrus flied out to center in his secondatbat in the inning. But he also picked up an RBI when Daniels scored. Walkertown A.J. Lewis finally got out of the inning on Powers grounder to third. Brown set down Gerald Hardy, Jayden Atkins and Miller in order in the top Tony Fleming half of the third. The Nationals then pushed across 11 more runs to secure the win. Lewis said the trio of Powers, Koonin and Brown are wht players he looks to when he needs to get the team’s offense jumpstarted. “Those three are the heart of my lineup,” he siad. “thyey did what I
highest level. I really felt that I could connect with him as a player. I thought that was a great thing to be able to learn from him. Coach Manning has told me what role he wants me to fill, and I’m just Darius Leonard should provide immediate help for Wake Forest in the going to go front court. At 6-9 he is also able to step back and hit open jumpers. out and do He then transferred from the field. whatever he asks me to do.” to Campbell prior to the A native of Raleigh, Leonard originally 2011-12 season and sat out Leonard played at Kestrel attended Kent State the redshirt year due to Heights High School in University as a freshman in NCAA guidelines. In his first Durham where he averaged 2010-11, playing in 30 eligible season with the 16.9 points and 11 rebounds games for the Golden Camels in 2012-13, Leonard as a senior in 2009-10. Flashes, who won the MidLeonard chose to American regular season title played in 33 games with 20 starts and averaged 5.6 transfer to Wake Forest over and advanced to the third points and 3.7 rebounds offers from Virginia Tech, round of the Postseason NIT while shooting 47.5 percent Miami and Drexel. that year.
ball. After that we had trouble getting “I told them that it was only expected.” one game and they couldn’t get down Lewis said nearly all of his play- the ball across the plate.” Fleming said his players on themselves about it,” he said. “It’s ers have been in all-star competition in the past and that made a difference in the game. “They have all played at different levels,” Lewis said. “It was good playing at home because we know the field and that always helps. We’re enjoying playing at home.” Coach Tony Fleming talks with his team following their loss to the Winston-Salem Nationals. By learned a lot from the game and that baseball and things happen. You have the same token, Coach Tony Fleming to learn from your mistakes and make of Walkertown said his team’s lack of counts. He said he hopes the Walkertown players will continue to the most of it the next time you play. All-Star experience showed. play the game. They will get more You can use it as a learning tool “ “No, we don’t have a lot of experience and improve as they venplaying experience in All-Stars,” ture further in All-Star competition. Flemming said. “We put a team together that is a W-S Nationals Walkertown bunch of good kids 93 Whit Andrus 10 GeSean Hardy and we have a lot 3 Luke Powers Jacob Fleming of fun with them. 6 10 Jake Koonin Gerald Hardy They played hard, 16 6 Tripp Brown 24 Jayden Atkins but we were up 2 Joseph Woodruff 22 Brayden Millner against a really 13 William Burns 9 Danny Loflin good Nationals 14 Connor Frail team. 26 William Blakely “They’re a 34 52 Matthew Stephens McCray McGee great hitting team,” 0 00 Parkman Cook Brandon Lowe Fleming added. 9 West Daniel 3 Bryson Millner “They jumped out 24 84 Harrison Lewis Armarye Barber to a big lead and 11 Matthew Martinez we never could 12 Noah Quarless recover. In the first Manager: Tony Fleming Manager: A.J. Lewis couple of innings Coach: Brannon Millner Coach: Jason Koonin Coach: Mike Lowe we threw strikes Coach: Brent Stephens and they hit the Luke Powers
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Hall from Page 1 University Clarence E. "Big House" Gaines Athletic Hall of Fame Chair, Robert Weeks. "Let this greatness not be forgotten by our hall of famers, faculty, staff, students and friends of this great university. We must remember our financial commitment and physical support of the Winston-Salem State University Clarence E. "Big House" Gaines Athletic Hall of Fame. Joseph Howard Daniels Meritorious Service Joseph Howard Daniels has been a longtime supporter of WinstonSalem State University athletics. Working along with Clarence E. "Big House" Gaines, he helped to recruit and assist numerous students and student-athletes to Winston-Salem State. He even used his personal vehicle to transport teams and student-athletes when the need arose. He even took the track & field students to The Penn Relays and to New York. He was also a staunch supporter as he never missed a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) tournament. When the tournament was held in Greensboro, N.C., he also assisted in finding housing for persons to stay in Winston-Salem, N.C. Even when student-athletes arrived without housing, he "put them up" until they were cleared to register and met their financial obligations to the WSSU Business Office. For his efforts, he has a room named for him in Wilson Hall. He did all of this despite not being a graduate of Winston-Salem State. He has served in numerous capacities during his career. He served as the director of housing, a university recruiter, and the Bickett Hall Dormitory Director at Winston-Salem State. He is a retired U.S. Air Force Sergeant and a retired U.S. Navy Commander (Reserve). He also served as the WSSU Homecoming Parade Marshall for many years. Harden "Butch" Wheeler Meritorious Service Harden "Butch" Wheeler has been a strong supporter of WinstonSalem State University athletics for years. A Winston-Salem State University graduate, Wheeler has been a staunch supporter of Winston-Salem State University and WSSU athletics. He has provided support to WSSU athletics in a number of capacities, including providing financial support, advice to various department personnel, spearheading major events, donating food and even cooking when needed. Harden and his wife Janet Wheeler, have established the Harden and Janet Wheeler Scholarship Fund
June 26, 2014
which provides support to selected students from Forsyth County who attend WSSU.
www.triadspor tsweekly .com Directors from 1990-92. He is also a founding member of the WSSU Corporate Partners Program (1993)
play. She is a 2004 Summa Cum Laude graduate of Winston-Salem State University where she graduated
William Hayes was in on 27 tackles and made five sacks last year for the St. Lous Rams. and has been a long-time member of In addition to his contribuboth the WSSU National Alumni tions to WSSU athletics Wheeler has Chapter as well as the WSSU Atlanta been a pillar in the Winston-Salem, Alumni Chapter. North Carolina comIn addition to his munity through his service to Winstoninvolvement in the Salem State, he has also Northwest Piedmont served in the National Service Corp Board Youth Sport of Directors, the Association, the West Winston Lake Senior Forsyth Board of Golf Association, and Directors and was a Carver High School board member of the Alumni Association William Hayes Central DeKalb Sports and was a past board Association. He was also a founding member of Big Brothers-Big Sisters, member of the Atlanta Chapter of the Children's Theater, and at First NCHBCU. Baptist Church. Williams is a 1970 graduate Wheeler is the owner of Jof Winston-Salem State where he was Wheels Auto and worked as a special a member of the Physical Education education teacher in the WinstonClub and a member of Groove Phi Salem Forsyth County school system for 23 years. He also spent three years Groove Social Fellowship. He is the owner and president of D.M. Williams as a public safety officer in the & Associates from 1997-2013. He was Winston-Salem Police department. also a R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Sales & Wheeler has also spent time in the military with six years in the National Marketing Executive from 1975-1996. Guard and five years in the U.S. Navy He also found time to serve as the WSSU Upward Bound Program Reserve. Coordinator in 1974-75. Donald M. Williams Heather Davis Meritorious Service Softball Donald M. Williams will be Heather Davis has been a valinducted into the C.E. "Big House" ued member of the Winston-Salem Gaines Athletics Hall of Fame for his State University softball program in numerous contributions and years of every way possible and will be inductservice to WSSU athletics. He has ed into the Clarence E. "Big House" been president of the WSSU-Atlanta Gaines Athletic Hall of Fame for her Alumni Chapter (1990-92) as well as efforts. the WSSU National Alumni Liaison As a player, Davis was a team (1992-94). He also served on the leader both on and off the field of WSSU National Alumni Board of
fourth in her class with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and graduated first in the School of Business & Economics. She was named the NCAA Woman of the Year for the State of North Carolina. She was also named to the CIAA Commissioner's All-Academic team. On the field, she earned first team All-CIAA honors in all four years with the Lady Rams. She led the CIAA in shutouts as a senior and was second in strikeouts during her senior season. She was also named the WSSU Mary Garber Female StudentAthlete of the Year. Following her graduation, she continued to be a supporter of the Lady Rams softball team and also volunteered as an assistant coach for over four years. William Quintin Hayes Football William Quintin Hayes was a dominant player on the WinstonSalem State University defensive line. Playing during the transition from NCAA Division II and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) to NCAA Division I and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Hayes stepped up his play to continue to lead the Rams. He finished his career with 117.0 total tackles, including 35.5 tackles for a loss and 15.0 sacks. During his senior season, he ranked second on the team with 78 total tackles and became an All-American. He also led the
see Hall on 5
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from Page 1 Football Championship Series (FCS) in touchdowns on four fumble recoveries. Following his collegiate career, Hayes was drafted by the National Football League (NFL)'s Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL draft. He played three seasons with the team (2008-11). In 2012, he signed to play with the Saint Louis Rams, where he continues to play. Off the field, he is a member of the Rams' All-Community team and purchases 20 tickets to each WSSU home football game and gives them to people who would not be able to afford to attend the game. He also hosts the Hayes D-Line Champion Community Paintball Tournament fundraiser. Dr. Nikita Williams Lindsay Cheerleading Dr. Nikita Williams Lindsay will enter the Clarence E. "Big House" Gaines Athletic Hall of Fame after a strong collegiate career. She was a four-year letter winner with the program and was Co-Captain of the Varsity Cheerleaders. She began her career with the junior varsity squad and finished her career with three years on the varsity team. She also earned All-CIAA honors as well. She was also impressive outside of cheerleading as she was named 1995 Miss WSSU, was a member of the Student Government Association (SGA). She was also a member of the Mozik Modeling Troupe and was president of the WSSU chapter of Zeta Psi Beta Sorority, Inc. She capped her career in style, graduating from Winston-Salem State University as a Magna Cum Laude graduate in 1996. Following her career at WSSU, Lindsay continued her education at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University and graduated in 2000. She has practiced medicine as a pediatrician for 13 years. She has also been active in the international community where she made a medical mission to Haiti and is a community activist within her Charlotte Graduate Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She is also an active WSSU Alumni Cheerleader. Claudette Weston Meritorious Service Claudette Weston has been a vital figure in the Winston-Salem, North Carolina community and has found time to also be a big supporter of Winston-Salem State University. She is the President and CEO of Weston & Associates, Inc., a local meeting and event management firm. Under her leadership, Weston & Weston & Associates, Inc. has grown to be a national authority in corporate and professional meeting/event management. She has also found time to give back to her native Winston-Salem, North Carolina where she commits her personal time to being a leader in a number of organizations, including The Big House Gaines Unsung Hero Award and the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award. She is also a leader in several other organizations, including being a board member for ACTS of Forsyth County, Advocacy for the Poor, the Council on Anxiety Disorders, and others. She is also a member of the Winston-Salem State Athletic Council and the Winston-Salem State Foundation Board. Ms. Weston has served as a staple to the WSSU 1967 National Division II Basketball Championship Team since the Big House Gaines era. Her financial support to the University has remained endless over the years. Weston recently received the Winston-Salem
Foundation Award for her volunteerism. This is one of the most coveted volunteer awards in the Triad. Charles Arthur Love Meritorious Service Charles Arthur Love has been a strong supporter of Winston-Salem State University and the department of athletics for years. He has been a strong supporter in numerous ways, including serving as a member of the WSSU National Alumni Association as well as serving as a past president of the Charlotte Chapter of the WSSU Alumni Association. He has also served two terms on the WSSU Board of Visitors and the WSSU Foundation Board. He is also a member of the C.E. "Big House" Gaines Hall of Fame Committee. As a supporter, he is also a member of the 1000 HORN$ Campaign, the WSSU Helmet Campaign, and a past member of the Red & White and AMON Booster Clubs. He has also served as a member of the Advisory Board of the WSSU School of Education and Human Performance. He was also a member of the WSSU Class of 1966 Alumni 50th Reunion Steering Committee. Love has completed an illustrious career as an educator and earned the title of Dean Emeritus in the School of Education at the University of South Carolina Upstate. He has spent 13 years at the
University of South Carolina Upstate. During his career, he has also served as the Director of Student Information Management in the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in 1986 and was the Chair of the Department of Education at Johnson C. Smith University for two years. He also served as the Director of Teacher Education at Grambling State University and Chair of the Department of Middle Grades Education at Albany State University. He is a 1966 graduate of Winston-Salem State as an Elementary Education/Biology Graduate. He was also a 1965 initiate of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. 1971 WSSU Football Team The Rams' Winston-Salem State University 1971 football team will be inducted into the C.E. "Big House" Gaines Hall of Fame after finishing that season with a 6-4 overall record and a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Southern Division championship. The team, coached by Cleo Wallace, ended a streak of six straight losing seasons by the Rams in just the second season for head coach Cleo Wallace. The 1971 Rams went on to compete against Elizabeth City in the CIAA championship game.
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Hundreds of kids benefit from Roadrunners’ rebirth More than a decade after its demise, program comes back strong and places 37 in National AAU Meet By Sam Davis Triad Sports Weekly Jahvaree RitziePouncey is one of 37 local athletes who will take to the track when the Winston-Salem Roadrunners Track Club begins competition in an AAU National track competition on Friday (July 27) in Suffolk, Va. RitziePouncey is ranked No. 1 or tied for the top spot nationally in three events Marcus - the shot put, discus, and high jump. He and others on the team are helping to reestablish the program as one of the top track and field programs in the Triad. The Roadrunners, which was established by the late Coach Virgil Simpson in the 1970’s, is on the comeback trail. After several declining years, it went out of existence more than a
decade ago However, due to the determined efforts of several former members, the program is once again making a lot of noise. Marcus Sutton helped in getting the program back going again. Sutton was a standout on the Roadrunners in the late 1980’s. He said it was part of his obligation to help. “I’m trying to be humble and give back as much as possible,” he said. “Being a part of this program Sutton helped me to accomplish some of the things that I was able to accomplish.” Sutton, who was recently selected to the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Sports Hall of Fame, was a standout track and field performer at North Forsyth. In addition, he finished second nationally at the National Scholastic Championships in
1989. He earned a scholarship to the Univ. of South Carolina. During his acceptance speech last month, he paid homage to several people who helped guide him to the Roadrunners. One of them was Linell Johnson, his cousin, who encouraged him along the way. “I showed up in a pair of football cleats and, quite frankly, I sucked,” Sutton said. “I didn’t understand any of the sport. I was trying to find something I was good at.” He did, finally excelling in the sprints and long jump. “I went from not making it to the pit to being a national runner to being able to attend college for free and get an education for free,” he Sutton said he and his brother, Harvey, who also ran with the Roadrunners and at North Forsyth, along with Johnson, started talking about the idea of reviving the club in
2012. “We spoke to Mrs. Simpson and she said it was a good idea,” Sutton said. “We had always said we would give back once we got established in our careers, lives and families. We started talking about it and decided now is the time.” The program was revived in 2013 and had much success in its first year. Now it is trying to continue that success. Sutton said the group has gotten a lot of support thus far. “Our wives, especially, have been supportive of our efforts,” Sutton said. “They have been involved from the beginning, even when we were brainstorming. We had another couple that came in and now they are like family as well. We are really trying to build a new look. My wife is a teacher, so we have an educational component. We also have an individual who is involved in nutrition and he
brings something else to the table.” Suttons said he and the other coaches are trying to take the athletes in the program to another level. “When we were wih the program the coaches meant well, but they didn’t have the technical expertise to elevate us to the next level. That’s something that our coaches have to help the kids in ways that they couldn’t..”
Roadrunners National Qualifiers Aniya Edwards Asia Phillips Stephanie Sutton Ashanti Sutton Kalani Gillion Queen Lee Dahlia Thompson Sykonza Evans Brandon Sutton Caman Chaplin Jericho Edwards Kealan McGary Bryce Baker Jahnaul Ritzie-Pouncey Chaney Fitzgerald Joshua Scales Justin Powell Sterling Fair Tremaine Pate
Brandon Johnson Gahques Ligons Isaac Sutton Jahvaree Ritzie-Pouncey Jamison Warren Javon Siddle Brandon Whitfield Cameron Attucks Joshua McCravey Christian Hicks Christopher Chaplin III Gjerria Ligons, Jr Nickolas Childs Tavis Garlington Trajan Baker Braxton Ford Jaden Sutton Jordan Johnson
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Hairston
June 26, 2014
Page 8
can do that.” Hairston started seven from Page 1 games at left “I think we will see how that tackle last goes as we get closer to camp,” season for Marrone said. the Bills, Hairston’s development could while be key to how well the Bills fare Demetress offensively in 2014. The Bills showed Bell was confidence in him before both the injured. With 2012, 2013 and 2014 drafts, foregoing no team offopportunities to draft highly-rated season condioffensive linemen in favor of Hairston. tioning proLeft tackle was ione of the gram, OTAs, positions that many draft experts or even a thought Buffalo would look to address playbook early in the draft. While some people until late July feel that this is the Bills most glaring due to the need, others within the organization lockout, this beg to differ. was a lot to “We need tackles but I’m ask out of a going to make this clear, we think fourth round Chris Hairston can play left tackle for draft selecus and win,” Bills General Manager tion. Buddy Nix said. “Chris Hairston, he Left tackle is may not be the prettiest foot athlete, often consid- Chris Hairston playing for Clemson during his final game at the Meineke Bowl in Charlotte. but he’s got so much length that he can ered to be the (Jason) Babin, I mean you name it we hard are you willing to work and this protect the back side. We feel like he most important position come against one every week. It was year I want to take full advantage of on an offense besides pretty special and I took that experience what I am able to do here in the offquarterback. Therefore, a and tried to really soak it in. This year I season with all of these facilities at team generally invests a want to use it to my best advantage.” hand,” Hairston said. “I’m trying to significant amount of It’s thought by most coaches make the biggest jump that I possibly trust into their left side that many players make the biggest can and I want to be the best player anchor. Buffalo certainly jump in improvement from their rook- that I can be. Whether that is a swing showed last season that ie season to their sophomore campaign tackle or whether that’s being a solidithey believe din in the NFL. fied starter I want to be the best guy Hairston’s abilities, which This is a realthat I can be. Hopefully, I can use this allowed him to acquire istic goal for a offseason to become that.” some crucial game expeplayer like Whether he plays tackle or rience. Hairston, who settles in at the guard slot, Hairston “Playing against guys that missed out on said he hopes to be able to help the do this for a living, you some essenBills’ offensive line improve. With secknow you don’t really get tials during ond-year quarterback E.J. Manuel with that with the shortened the work stopa year under his belt and with fellow offseason last year. I didpage his rookClemson alumni C.J. Spiller and firstn’t really get a shot at ie year. He round pick Sammy Watkins, the team that; I just got thrown into gained a lot appears to have the offensive weapons Chris Hairston camp and thrown into the of critical to make a playoff run. playbook,” said Hairston. playing time duri9nhg both his rookie “It’s just the beginning stages. “Once the season came I and sophomnore seasons, but now he We still have the draft to take care of am getting thrown against can focus in on the details this offseato make additions to this team to help rushers who I hear their son. The nit picking in the film room us win,” he said. “As long as I can do name on TV and ESPN and vital learning process was stalled what I can do to help this team win The Magazine and all last year. As a result, Hairston was that’s what I’m worried about. I’m not that. Just being able to only able to scratch the surface in really worried about who they bring in play out there with the reaching his full potential. or what they want to put on my shoullikes of Osi (Umenyiora), Chris Hairston playing at Wake Forest. “I think it all comes to how ders. I’m just ready for anything.”