The Chanticleer: October 2016

OCTOBER 2016

Coaches Say

New Stadium Gives Competitive Edge

Calendar of events*

October 2016 Sunday

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• MSOC 2 p.m.

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• MSOC 7 p.m. • WTEN 2 p.m.

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Jersey Day

Superhero Day Wacky Day Throwback Day Blue & Gold Day Blue & GolD ghost hunter • WVB 7 p.m. • WSOC 1 p.m.

DIY 8 p.m.

• FB 6 p.m.

11-1 p.m., 5-6:30 P.M. Homecoming Classes resume.

Capture The Flag 6-8 p.m.

DIY Breast Cancer Bracelets 5-7 p.m.

• MSOC 7 p.m.

• WVB 7 p.m.

Scarowinds 4 p.m.

• Msoc 2 p.m.

• Wsoc 4 p.m.

Cupcake • WVB 12 p.m.

Decorating & Halloween Bingo Pre-registration 5-7 p.m. begins.

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Key

FALL BREAK COUGAR ACTIVITIES BOARD EVENTS Homecoming week events

• Athletic Events IMportant dates

ESTABLISHED 1922

Photo by Rosa Morales

Executive Staff Advisor Dr. Susan Huckstep

Copy Editor Jada Little

Layout & Design Editor Brianna Shelton

copy & Design Assistant Ashley Bowman

Staff Writers Josh Boggs Kashawn Carter Lanie Davis Clarice Ellinger Lindsey Fulcher Adrianna Hargrove Stephanie Hooker McDonald Rosa Morales T. C. Thompson

3 • The Chanticleer

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New Printing System Freshmen Adjusting Volunteering Profile on Dr. Anderson Tuition Dorm Renovations Sports Preview Spotlight on Lacrosse Stances on the Stadium Coaches Say New Stadium Gives Competitive Edge

Table of

contents

new printing system Solves problems but Causes Concerns

by Lanie Davis

In the past, students have complained about campus printing problems. Even though printing was free, the printers were often backed up and slow. This school year, Averett introduced a new way of printing on campus to try to address some of these problems.

Wepa printers offer a printing solution that allows students to print by sending a document to the printer or inserting a USB drive. The student receives the document after signing into the Wepa kiosk. Each student gets 250 black and white prints, equivalent to $25, before being charged for each print. Black and white prints cost 10 cents, and color prints cost 40 cents.

There are currently printers in the computer lab in the Student Success Center, on the second floor of the Student Center, on the first floor of the Library, in the academic lab at North Campus, and outside the computer lab at Riverview Campus.

The reason behind the switch to a paid printing system was a combination of lowering printing costs, having a more reliable printing method, and student accountability. If a student has to pay for what they’re printing, they’re less likely to print frivolously.

“What it ends up doing is lowers the institution’s overall cost and the students are able to think a little bit more clearly about whether they truly need to print something,” Aaron Howell, vice president for business and finance, said. Howell says that the printers have already shown signs of more responsible printing by students and that the faculty is rethinking teaching methods to make them more electronically based.

The new printing system has received mixed reviews from students.

“I think the way it works is efficient but having to pay every time is the issue because I have a lot of notes and papers to print,” junior modern languages and biomedical science major Sydney Glass said. Glass also wishes there was a Wepa printer in Frith, where there are computer labs.

Sophomore computer science major Joel Johnson considers the Wepa system an inconvenience.

“I printed in Frith last year, and I don’t want to go to the Student Center to print,” he said. Johnson

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Sydney Glass, pictured above, uses her student ID to link her account to the Wepa kiosk. Students can print their assignments from any of the four stations on Averett’s campus.

would rather just print at home. Other students like Jenny Gregory, a sophomore education major, are concerned about the number of pages that each student gets for free.

“For my education classes, we print around 500 pages because we have to have our state standards, lesson plans and papers,” Gregory said. “I think we should get at least 500 prints for free.”

However, Gregory still prefers the Wepa system.

“I will continue to use the printing kiosks because you can print everything at once and it’s fast,” she said.

While these printers are quicker and more reliable, there could be times that they fail. When this happens, Kevin Lipscomb, Averett’s director of information technology, says that the company will send out representatives to repair it, aside from a small fix like a paper jam. The down time of a printer depends on the severity of the problem.

Lipscomb says that if students have questions or concerns about printing, the IT department would like to hear them directly.

“If they want to talk to us either through Yik Yak or email, or just want to come by and see us, we’d much rather have a face to face, in person response so we can fix it quicker,” Lipscomb said.

Freshmen learn to Adapt to their new environment

by Adrianna Hargrove

Freshman year in college can be a difficult time full of anxiety, stress, and anticipation, all while adapting to a new environment and finding who you are. Shifting from high school to college can be hard for anyone. What you experience as a freshman on a college campus can shape who you are. Even though it is a hard transition, you’re still being courageous in taking the first step towards getting a degree.

Nicole Cauthen, a freshman nursing major from Belmont, NC, was attracted to Averett because of the small community atmosphere. While Cauthen’s transition to Averett’s campus was easy for her, not everyone was so quick to adapt to the change.

“I adapted . . . but it was hard for my family,” Cauthen said.

Cauthen will also be part of Averett’s softball team and is excited for their season in the spring.

Meeting new people on campus, especially her teammates, was a fun experience for her. Even though the transition from high school level athletics to the collegiate level can be difficult, Cauthen is making with switch without a problem.

“Being on the softball team here is really not different,” Cauthen said. “Everyone is welcoming and like a family.”

Ravyn Johnson from Lanham, Md. is another new face on Averett’s campus. Johnson is majoring in communication studies/journalism and is on Averett’s women’s basketball team.

“I came to Averett because of basketball,” Johnson said. “Averett also felt like home.

Everyone was friendly.”

Adjusting to being on a college campus and meeting new people was a piece of cake for Johnson.

“The people are easier to talk to. I feel and think it’s because I’m a sociable person. Many people say they don’t like college, but that’s because they’re in their room all the time. If you’re outgoing and a cool person, then people are going to talk to you.

Because of my personality, I’m open and outgoing.

So it’s been much easier for me to adapt,” Johnson said.

Neither Cauthen nor Johnson have had much of a chance to explore Danville.

“I’ve been to Greensboro with the team, but as far as Danville, the only two places I like are Cookout and Buffalo Wild Wings. I haven’t even been inside the mall yet,” Johnson said.

Johnson is looking forward to playing on Averett’s women’s basketball team.

“I played basketball since the third grade. From my freshman year to my senior year in high school, I played on the varsity team,” Johnson said.

Johnson also thinks there’s not much of a difference between high school level basketball and college level basketball.

“The workouts are more aggressive compared to high school,” Johnson said.

Johnson was so amazed at how the scoreboard on Daly Field showed the football players’ pictures that she hopes one day in the future the basketball team will have the same thing inside the Grant Center.

Ravyn Johnson enjoys Averett’s family atmosphere.

Nicole Cauthen has the softball team to thank for her easy transition to college life.

The Chanticleer • 5

Time to get connected: Volunteering made easy

by Stephanie Hooker McDonald

Get Connected is a new software program set up to allow students, faculty, and staff from Averett University, Danville Community College, and Piedmont Community College to get involved in the community. The volunteer management and tracking software allows students to choose what organization they want to volunteer with, and keeps track of the number of volunteers and the hours a volunteer has worked.

Rachel Covington, assistant director of community engagement, is head of the Get Connected program. Once you go to the website and create a profile, you are able to see the organizations and businesses in the area that need volunteers. New opportunities are added on a daily basis.

The most popular volunteer opportunities are those working with animals, tutoring, or mentoring others. There are different skills, interest, and talents needed to fulfill the volunteer jobs listed.

“You can search by needs, events or agencies, and you can search 24/7. New needs and events are being posted each day,” Covington said.

The site also has a volunteer resume tool that will show a potential employer the volunteer work you have done throughout your college career. It will help when creating a professional resume or preparing for an interview.

Get Connected not only Rachel Covington gets you in contact with those in need of volunteers, it’s also a great way to meet other people with the same interest. It can help you network, work on communication skills, team work, and problem solving skills.

This new program is not just for Week to Engage or Day to Engage. Get Connected is open for anyone who wants to volunteer at any time.

It’s time to “Get Connected” and sign up to help out those in the community. The opportunity to lend a helping hand is just a mouse click away.

For more information on how to Get Connected, vistit engage.averett.edu.

Anderson joins Averett as new Director of Student Success

by Josh Boggs

Dr. Sherill Anderson is the new Director of Student Success. Her office is located in the Galesi Family Student Success Center.

Anderson, who holds a doctorate in education, helps with everything from tutoring to writing and academics. Anderson is available to help with any questions students might have.

Originally from Harlem, NY, Anderson moved to Danville just before the start of school. She saw the Averett position posted online and, having experience working in a small liberal arts college, Dr. Sherill Anderson saw this as a good

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opportunity. She wants the Success Center to be a welcoming and helpful place.

“I want to see the students continue to use the Success Center and be able to study. There are people here to help and want to make sure all students are successful.”

Anderson is available Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in her office located in the Student Success Center (pictured below). She can be contacted through email, at sanderson@ averett.edu, or by phone 434-791-5754.

Where is My Tuition Money Going?

A look at Averett University’s budget and student opinions

by T. C. Thompson

Students are often concerned with where their tuition money goes, but they might not be sure who to ask or even the right questions to ask.

A good place to start would be Averett’s chief financial officer, Aaron Howell.

According to last year’s budget, the school anticipated $27.2 million in revenue for the year. That factored out to an average of around $14,261,187 in traditional tuition revenue (about $31,980 a student), $5,409,606 from fees, $5,177,500 from other tuition, such as GPS, and $2,309,400 from other sources. These totals can be seen in Figure 1. (Note: Actual revenue was $26.9 million.)

The revenue made from these costs to students are then allocated to areas such as direct labor and benefits, academic affairs, enrollment management, business finance, and operating costs. An exact layout of the budget can be seen in Figure 1 and Figure 2.

As the charts provided by Howell show, all of the money paid to the University is used for the overall benefit of the student body. It provides for basics, such as students’ electricity and water as well as lawn maintenance. It also covers areas such as Wi-Fi and faculty and staff salaries.

“The students’ money has not been used for anything outside of these costs,” Howell said.

Some students expressed concern on whether

FY16 Budgeted Revenues

Other Revenues $2,309,400

Fees $5,409,606 Other (GPS) Tuition $5,177,500

their money is being spent wisely. They feel the University could be more open to suggestions.

Howell and the rest of the administration are available to hear the students’ concerns. Last year, they utilized focus groups to hear opinions on the upcoming dormitory renovation plans.

“I might think I’d like to see some of these things other schools have — like a putting green outside one of the dorms. But Averett students surprised me because there wasn’t a lot of that.” Howell said. “They want to have good learning and living centers, good safety and security.”

And Howell is right. A majority of students are not looking for expensive, lavish changes. They seem to be more concerned with healthy living spaces.

“I like Averett as a whole,” Logan Tucker, a junior from Roanoke, said. “But improvements could be made.”

Tucker would like to see more money spent on dorms, internet, and major specific professors.

Kaitlyn Meadows, a junior from South Boston, felt the same. Before moving off campus, she spent two years in Fugate Hall.

“I think the dorms could be better, but overall, I like the school,” Meadows said.

These types of requests make the administration, and Howell specifically, think of the Averett student body as “good consumers.” We want necessary changes that use our money sensibly.

FY16 Budgeted Expenses

Other operations $6,464,597 Traditional Tuition $14,261,187 Figure 1

Debt Service, Contracts, & Utilities $6,046,497

Direct labor & AdjuNCts $14,646,600 Figure 2

The Chanticleer • 7

Residence hall renovations revealed

by Clarice Ellinger

In recent years, there haven’t been many significant changes to residence halls at Averett.

The buildings that have been around for decades are beginning to show their age, along with the wear and tear of previous generations of students.

Since the completion of the Frank R. Campbell Stadium, Averett University has now turned toward a new goal. The school hopes to renovate all of the residence halls over the next ten years.

“It’s time to put life back into residence life,” Executive Vice-President Charles Harris, said.

The ten year plan for residence hall improvement was developed with the help of a company called Credo. Credo officials visited the school last year in order to assess buildings and talk with students, faculty and staff about their ideas for the remodel.

“Students just want the basics, showerheads that were at the right level, things that work, and places where they could just come to hang out and call home,” Harris said.

The beginning of Credo’s ten year project plan would place its focus on Main Hall’s third and fourth floors. These floors would be turned into freshman residence halls, and would no longer offer single rooms. The renovation would also offer a new staircase to the building, as well as an elevator. Students would also have access to a shared kitchen area on the fourth floor of the building.

After Main Hall is renovated, the plan calls for renovations to Danville, Davenport, and Bishop Halls, while also renovating Fugate and the Averett Commons. Some changes to the buildings will include study spaces in each of the halls, new community areas, such as a rooftop lounge on Fugate, and gas fireplaces in the buildings.

“I’m excited to see how it will affect our student body and affect the retention of our student body,” Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life Kyle Patterson said.

With the hopes that the third and fourth floors of Main will be renovated soon, the school will need to find donors. Main Hall’s two floor renovation alone will cost nearly $3.4 million.

“We’ve had generous, generous donors before.

Now is the time to go after this project,” Vice

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President for Institutional Advancement Buddy Rawley said.

This new plan will bring significant changes to each building on campus in order to make students feel more like home. The school currently has space for 525 residential students. While not all of the rooms are occupied, or are fully filled, the school has hopes to fill the rooms soon since the addition of three new sports, wrestling, men’s lacrosse, and women’s lacrosse should bring even more student-athletes. Averett also hopes to raise residency by 70 percent, leading to the addition of 300 new beds.

Until the end of the ten year plan on campus around 2026, students will not be able to see the full effect. In the meantime, students will continue to see small changes and updates to buildings as maintenance works on renovations, buildings receive new furniture, and lobbies receive new entertainment resources, such as Fugate’s new foosball table.

“It’s important to offer a competitive living environment that is comparable to those schools in our price range and to create a better since or home and community on campus,” Patterson said.

Davenport Hall Renovation Final Concept Fugate Hall Renovation Final Concept Danville Hall Renovation Final Concept Main Hall Renovation Final Concept “Intersection of Opportunity” (Bishop, Davenport, Danville)

Graphics courtesy of Au Res life

The Chanticleer • 9

Fall sports teams work towards success

by Lindsey Fulcher

FOOTBALL

Football’s first game was against Hampden Sydney on Saturday, September 3, 2016. They celebrated the brand new stadium and first game of the season with a 38-28 win.

“This season is looking to be the best that Averett has seen since the conference championship team,” Brandon Couden, a senior starting receiver for the Cougars, said.

Averett Football was chosen sixth out of eight in the USA South preseason poll. The team brought in 55 new players, as well as the majority of their offense and more than half of their defense from the 2015 year.

“We are overlooked by a lot of teams in the conference and it just adds fuel to the fire,” Kelly Hall, senior first string quarterback, said. “There are a lot of things that have gone on behind the scenes over the past eight months that make us feel very confident that we can go run the table and bring a ring back to Danville.”

CHEERLEADING

Averett Cheerleading officially became a competition team for the 2016-2017 season.

On top of competing, they will continue to cheer for both men and women’s basketball and football games.

“This season our school can expect a lot more out of the cheerleaders,” Danielle Funkhouser, a junior cheerleader, said. “We have added a lot of new talent and that is going to contribute to many changes in what our audience sees.”

Cheerleading’s first competition is set to be early March.

“Sideline cheer is great but there is nothing more exhilarating than stepping on that mat and laying out everything your team has worked on for everyone to see. It’s such an amazing feeling,” Funkhouser said. “Even though this is our first year competing, I know we have the talent and drive to return with a great outcome. We can’t say thank you enough. It’s an honor to be able to cheer our Cougars on.”

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VOLLEYBALL

Averett volleyball was chosen to finish first out of eight in the USA South-East Division preseason poll. They started their season off strong by winning the Cougar Classic Tournament held Sept. 3-4 at the Grant Center.

“Coming back as North Division champions, there is definitely a huge target on our backs and every team will bring their best game when they play us,” Hannah Shields, junior All-American volleyball player, said. “While another championship would be great, we are pushing towards the NCAA tournament. It won’t be an easy road but I think we have great potential.”

EQUESTRIAN

Equestrian teams show all year and will continue to do so from now up until the end of spring semester. The 2016-2017 year will end in both regional and national competitions.

“We have two intercollegiate teams, IDA (intercollegiate dressage association) and IHSA (intercollegiate hunt seat association).

Both teams are coming off very successful years. Last year IDA ended the year as Reserve National Champions. IHSA came out of an extremely competitive region in third place in over-all team standings,” senior Hannah Walters said.

Equestrian’s first show is an IHSA show that will be hosted by Averett on September 24, 2016. Averett will be fighting to defend and improve their existing titles.

CROSS COUNTRY

Averett men’s cross country was chosen fifth out of eight and Averett women’s cross country was chosen ninth out of thirteen in the preseason poll. Both teams are led by new coach John Cochran. Cornelius Snow now provides guidance as the assistant coach.

Cochran comes to Averett athletics with extensive coaching experience in cross country.

He has coached for high schools, colleges, and was a collegiate cross country athlete himself.

Cochran has made it a goal to have the teams running a minimum of 50 miles a week.

“We are slowly and steadily working towards that goal. The men’s and women’s team will be traveling to Georgia twice this October, including for our conference meet.

We are used to having meets close enough so that we could make it a day trip, so this will be something different, but exciting for our team,” senior Elizabeth Kueng said. “We have some great dedication and potential for both our men and women’s teams this year.”

MEN’S SOCCER

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Averett Women’s Soccer was predicted to finish sixth out of eight in the preseason poll.

They have 19 returning players, 10 of them being starters. They played their first game against Emory University with a hard loss of 7-0.

“The freshmen that came in have been unbelievable. Their work ethic, let alone their talent, is a great addition to the team,” Ashley Yando, senior, said. “Our coaching staff is really strong. I truly think that they are a powerful team in themselves and their energy and desire to win flows through the team. This season is big for the seniors because we didn’t have any [seniors] last year. It’s really hitting us hard. I can’t wait to play with my family.”

Averett Men’s Soccer was picked to finish fifth out of eleven teams in the preseason poll.

The returning class has seven starters from last season.

“All of the returners have come in fitter and more focused than last year, which is helping with team chemistry and work rate,” Phillip Wilson, head coach, said. “The freshman class has great potential, many of which I can see making immediate impact and earning significant minutes. Playing in the new stadium is going to be awesome. I am confident the team’s style of play and the addition of the new stadium will attract more fans this season.”

The Chanticleer • 11

Lacrosse: New addition to our official list of teams

by Kashawn Carter

Averett is bringing three new sports programs for students to watch and play. Men’s and women’s lacrosse and men’s wrestling are scheduled to begin competition during the 2017-18 academic year. The two lacrosse coaches have been hired and are ready to build their programs.

Anthony Mackin and Kelly Ryan are the head coaches of the men’s team and women’s team respectively. Both coaches are looking forward to starting their teams.

“It feels good, and it’s an exciting experience,” Mackin said. “I’m ready, and it feels great to start a team from scratch, and it’s also an honor to have a school’s support behind it.”

Mackin comes to Averett with lots of coaching experience.

He spent three years at Virginia Military Institute as an assistant coach and coached the junior varsity team for two AnthonY Mackin years. Mackin also coached at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Penn. and was an assistant head coach at Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tenn. for three years.

“I like the fact that Averett pretty much sells itself with the new things it was able to bring in and I also enjoy the friendliness of the community,” Mackin said. “I was really excited with the level of support given for something new.”

“From the men that play, I expect them to want to be a leader everywhere, be active and seen also to engage on the school side,” Mackin said. “I also expect them to represent Averett University on campus and in the community. We are going to need to come together as a unit, keep focus as high quality leaders, and be good student athletes, then every should fall into place.”

Mackin is also very excited to build on Averett’s ‘one team’ philosophy.

Although Ryan is not Averett’s first women’s lacrosse coach — the school fielded a team from 2003-2007 — she’s just as excited to build the program.

“I’m not the first head (lacrosse) coach to be

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here but I’m the one who’s ready to rebuild. It’s really exciting,” Ryan said.

Like Mackin, Ryan comes to Averett with a background in coaching and competing. Ryan played in college for Catholic University in Washington D.C. She coached as a graduate assistant at Frostburg Kelly Ryan and spent one year as an assistant coach at Southwestern University in Texas, where she helped establish the university’s women’s lacrosse team. She also spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Division II University of Tampa.

With lacrosse growing in the NCAA, Ryan hopes the additions of our programs will help Averett and bring spirit to the community. She has high hopes for the future of Averett women’s lacrosse.

“My goals for team would be to be competitive in the conference. I have a goal to coach a team that the teams in the conference look up to. I also want to get to know the student athletes and be a part of the community and win. I expect my players to be respectful and kind, good students, with respect for everyone.”

Averett’s environment, leadership and location drew Ryan, a native of Long Island, NY, to Danville.

“I like my choice in Averett because I like the leadership of Meg Stevens and Dr. Franks. They are two strong women that I look up to as mentors.

The location was also key,” Ryan said. “There is room for growth of women’s lacrosse, but it’s also surrounded by good overall support with the new stadium and everything else. The stadium played a big part in my choice as well as the family like environment.”

Like any other coach, the two coaches have hobbies that they love doing in their spare time.

Mackin enjoys watching all types of sports, taking walks and hikes, and spending time with his wife and two-month old daughter. Ryan enjoys running, working out and exploring Danville, and, as she says, “recruiting, recruiting and more recruiting.”

Stances on the Stadium: Students speak out on new addition

by T. C. Thompson

The new Frank R. Campbell Stadium at North Campus has been a hot topic since the project’s conception. But with its completion, students have been speaking out more on the subject. They have both positive feedback and constructive criticism.

“It looks very nice overhead,” Ryan Smith, a junior aviation major, said. “I think it will give the teams more motivation to do better and bring in more money to the university.”

Smith seems to be right. The teams that have been competing in the stadium have been performing well, and with new prices for nonAverett personnel there will certainly be some financial success.

Another change is the seating itself. Patrons will no longer have to choose between limited bleacher seating or stone benches. Now there are bench seats and special sections with backed seating that will make the games and events much more comfortable for all.

“We did need a new stadium in my opinion,” Harrison French, a junior aviation major, said.

“The old seating made the atmosphere of the

games less enjoyable for me.”

The stadium is not only providing a new attraction to Averett, but also the community as a whole.

“It gives Averett and Danville something new to be proud of.” Marshall Moreau, a senior political science major, said. “It is somewhere for everyone to go and enjoy themselves.”

While it is true that the stadium adds to the city, some students are still concerned with the time and monetary commitment it took to complete.

Even though the improvements were made possible by donors, some would like to have seen improvements in other areas of the university.

“I feel like the stadium was a good investment, but other things could have been taken care of first.” Carlton Wethington, a junior aviation major, said. “Like dorms or classrooms.”

Overall, the student body is very pleased with its new stadium. The games are sure to be much more fun, and the community will surely love it.

Now the school can move on to even bigger and better projects.

The Chanticleer • 13

Coaches and students believe stadium provides a competitive edge

by Rosa Morales

The new Frank R. Campbell Stadium, an athletic facility named for Averett President Emeritus the late Dr. Frank R. Campbell, officially opened this fall. Many student athletes and coaches are excited about what this facility will bring to the university.

Although Averett University’s head football coach, Cleive Adams, has only been with the program since February 2014, Adams has seen tremendous growth the athletic facilities.

“It’s been an unbelievable ride with our team, our recruiting, our perspective students to watch the process over the last two years and always see Cleive Adams growth,” Adams said. “So it’s been a big plus for us in terms of the students that we have here now from a retention stand point as well as attracting new students in our [upcoming] freshmen classes.”

Adams believes the new stadium will have a tremendous impact on recruiting.

“It’s going to be huge. I feel like in the USA South, we probably now have one of the top two stadiums in the conference, and I think that goes a long way,” Adams said. “We’re at the top in terms of facilities now so in terms of our recruiting footprint, it’s going to make a huge impact moving forward.”

Sarah Chapman, the women’s soccer head coach, shares Coach Adams’ optimism.

“We have the great locker room. We have the great indoor facility, and we have the practice field, and the turf, and the lights. Well now we’re going to have this great entrance to really show off that we appreciate student athletes performing here,” Chapman said. “Do I think it’s going to give me the top notch recruit just because we have a great facility? No, but it’s showing that we care about the student athletes. So again, it’s getting

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that atmosphere that these athletes feel really appreciated for all the effort they’re doing.”

Men’s soccer Head Coach, Philip Wilson, has been a part of the Averett coaching staff for five years, being a graduate assistant for three seasons, and now coming in for his third year being the head coach. Having been with Averett longer than Adams and Chapman, Wilson has been able to see the immense progress of the athletic facilities at North Campus.

“Every year there’s something new coming in or add-ons / improvements to facilities that we already have. My first year here, we had the grass game field and no lights,” Wilson said. “The three teams weren’t allowed to practice on it, [it] was only used for games. So to have the lights and the turf put in two years ago, and obviously now the stadium, adds excellent improvements every year.”

The athletes who compete in the stadium have a different perspective than the coaches. They are focused on the energy and atmosphere that would be emitted from the stadium filled with raving fans.

“I feel like it’s going to be a better playing experience now since the stadium has been built.

The feeling of, you know, being able to kind of like put our mark in history since we’ll be the first team playing in the new stadium. It’s going to have a different atmosphere, being able to have all the fans in the stands right behind us,” Terrance “T.O.” Owens, a wide receiver on the football team, said.

Owens has been with the program since his sophomore year. Transferring in from a different school and not having played collegiate football previously, Owens had an “extra” year of eligibility to play the sport he loved compared to his fellow peers. Owens is currently enrolled in the master’s program at Averett but is considered a senior on the field.

Owens did not have to continue his education at Averett once he graduated, however he stated that he chose to play another year because of “buying into Coach Adams’ system” and because of the bonds that he created with his teammates, the

incoming stadium, and his overall enjoyment of Averett University.

“When I came here, they had been preaching about getting a stadium. To finally see it actually happening is another big reason as to why I decided to come back,” Owens said.

The student-athletes at Averett University are looking forward to seeing the stands fill up.

A large part of the home game experience is the feeling that comes from knowing that you have a support system behind you. Hearing the cheers when things are going well brings the players an excited energy. When things aren’t going as planned, the support coming from the stands, pushing the team(s) to do their best, provides the players with a determined energy of giving it their all and eventually coming out on top.

Ebonee Strother, a senior on the women’s soccer team, elaborated on how game day will be a completely different experience with the incorporation of the Frank R. Campbell Stadium.

“It will make athletes more pumped to play in such a nice stadium. It could also make athletes even more proud to be an Averett Cougar and play in their new home [stadium],” Strother said. “This [stadium] could be what makes teams want to win more games, giving them more of a sense of pride for who and what they’re playing for.”

Similarly, men’s soccer captain Sean Dunbar emphasizes how new stadium will enhance the game day atmosphere.

“I just think it’s going to be a lot louder because more people will be willing to come out. More people will be supportive, especially if other

Coach Chapman, left, gives words of encouragement during a time out at the season opener against Emory University on Sept. 1.

teams are supporting one another,” Dunbar said, echoing the words that Meg Stevens, athletic director of Averett University, has been preaching since she joined the program in 2013.

A philosophy that Stevens has implemented in the minds of all the student-athletes is that we are “One Team. One Family. One Averett.”

This phrase is echoed across Averett University’s North Campus, the home of the newly constructed Frank R. Campbell Stadium, in hopes to get the athletic teams to support one another across the board. This is the support that the fall sports athletes are looking for in the new stadium. They hope that students and athletes alike will embrace this philosophy and bring a new energy and atmosphere for game days.

For game schedules, visit: www.averettcougars.com

Terrance Owens celebrates Averett’s first win of the season against Hampden Sydney on Sept. 3.

The Chanticleer • 15

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Oct.15, 2016 Homecoming

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