Wash your hands, avoid sick people during flu season Maurika Smutherman Staff Reporter
msmutherman110@rams.wssu.edu
Flu season is here. North Carolina’s first two flu-related deaths occurred in Forsyth County, and 31 flu-related deaths have been reported statewide as of Jan. 12. Michael Isler, clinical ser-
vices coordinator and professional nurse at the WinstonSalem State A. H. Ray Student Health Services, said students should be proactive in protecting themselves against the flu. Isler advises students to stay away from sick people and to wash their hands as often as possible and long enough to sing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song
twice. “This year’s flu outbreak is particularly worse than last year’s,” Isler said. “It started earlier than most flu seasons, and it also hit many states around the same time.” The virus usually peaks late January or February, but it spread quickly in more than 40 states, including North
Carolina. According to the Centers for Disease Control weekly influenza report, 41 states have reported widespread geographic influenza activity as of Jan. 15. The flu is one of the most common winter illnesses; it is also one of the most dangerous.
“The flu is not just another virus…[it’s] a deadly virus,” Isler said. Isler said the flu can lead to disabling infections including pneumonia and lung abscesses.
Flu
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Music prof, graduate New look for campus police building compose book
DaYona McLean Staff Reporter
dmclean109@rams.wssu.edu
Unable to find a children’s book about string instruments for her 2-year-old daughter, a music professor partnered with a recent Winston-Salem State graduate. “I really wanted to find a book that would introduce instruments in a way that my daughter, Leena, would understand,” said Christina Placilla, associate professor of music and director of Winston-Salem State’s Chamber Orchestra. “I couldn’t find anything that introduced all of the instruments. Nothing that really talked about the lesser known instruments like the viola.” Placilla began writing “Meet Lola the Viola and Her String Instrument Family” in March 2012; it was published November 2012. The book is for readers 6 to 8 years old, but Placilla said that 3-to-5-year-old children can read the book and understand it. She said that by focusing the book on the lesser known string instruments, young children might gravitate toward them when given the option to study music in later years.
The book personifies string instruments as characters with names; “Violet the Violin”; “Chester the Cello”; “Buster the Bass”; “Hazel the Harp”; and “Gary the Guitar.” The main character in the book is “Lola the Viola.” Placilla said she chose the name because of a family story about how her cousin pronounced the name of her instrument. When she was 2 years old, Placilla’s cousin asked to see her viola which he called “Lola.” After writing the book, Placilla asked a music major, Alexander Hollowell, to illustrate the book. Hollowell said during a ride to the American String Teachers Association Convention, Placilla talked about her idea of a children’s book. Hollowell is an August 2012 music business graduate from Salem, Mass. “I happened to be in the back seat of the car sketching to pass time, so I decided to draw up some sketches for the book,” Hollowell said. “After the drive, I showed Dr. Placilla my sketches and that led to us working together
Book
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Health Sciences to host research conference
The School of Health Sciences is calling for abstracts of research, programmatic and/or evidence-based strategies showcasing health disparities solutions for the upcoming conference “Moving from Disparities to Health Equity.” Abstracts are due before midnight Feb. 22. The conference is April 18 in the Dillard Auditorium. For more information contact Vanessa Duren-Winfield at 336-750-8677. Source: WSSU Media Relations
Photos by Charli Conklin
A frontal view of the renovated Old Maintenance Building, the workplace of WSSU’s campus police. Daniel Braswell Editor In Chief
dbraswell110@rams.wssu.edu
After receiving a $655,347 facelift, the Old Maintenance Building -- the Winston-Salem State campus police building -- reopened in December. The building had been unoccupied about a year. Old Maintenance has been the workplace for the campus police since 1988. Director and Chief of Police Patricia D. Norris said the building had been upgraded to meet the requirement for accreditation with the Commission Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. CALEA’s accreditation programs purpose is to improve the delivery of public safety services by maintaining a body of standards, establishing and administering an accreditation process, and recognizing professional excellence. Before the renovation of the building, Norris
Smart Rams More than 1,800 WSSU full-time students were recognized for outstanding academic accomplishments by being named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester. Of the students that made the list, 105 were athletes. Those honored achieved a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, with no grades below a C and no incompletes. Source: WSSU Media Relations
said Old Maintenance did not meet the CALEA standards. She said campus police are hoping to become accredited by the fall semester. Before it was renovated, the building had issues that included asbestos and HVAC problems. Norris recalled the difficulties she had with the room temperature of her previous office. “We were calling someone in Facilities [the department] every month to come over, especially with the changing of the seasons,” she said. “I would freeze in my office in the winter and burn up in the summer.” Norris said their building’s temperature is now more effective and overall efficient. “The heat and the air only go to a certain level
Renovation
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WSSU alum inducted to CIAA Hall Fame
Former Winston-Salem State wrestler James McLinnaham has been selected to the John McLendon CIAA Hall of Fame. McLinnaham graduated in 1990 and will be inducted in March during the CIAA basketball tournaments. At 126 pounds, he won four CIAA Championships (1987-90) and had a career record of 93-33-2. Source: WSSU Media Relations
Chemistry major awarded at conference
George Guillaume, a junior chemistry major, recently won the outstanding poster presentation award in the immunology category at the 12th Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students in San Jose, Calif. Guillaume’s project was “Molecular Determinants in Cellular Defense: Mobilizing Cell Autonomous Immunity.” ABRCMS is the largest professional conference for biomedical and behavioral students. Source: The Winston-Salem Journal
News & Features Page 2
The News Argus
Chelsea Burwell Staff Reporter
cburwell110@rams.wssu.edu
Scholars from WinstonSalem State, Salem College and Wake Forest united on Wake Forest’s campus for the 4th annual MLK Day of Service on Jan. 18. The event was hosted by HandsOn Northwest North Carolina, an organization that promotes nonprofits and volunteer service. “The purpose of this event is to celebrate King’s legacy of service, literacy and education,” said Amy Lytle, executive director of HandsOn NWNC. Approximately 50 children between the ages of 4 and 10 were paired with 70 college student volunteers. Children were guided to various stations throughout the day. Lytle said despite the snowfall in the Triad area two days earlier, she was pleased with the turnout. She said that this event encouraged intergenera-
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
tional interaction and learning. “For some of these kids, it might be their first time on a college campus, so that hopefully will instill in them a love of reading, service and the idea of making a difference even at a young age.” Children visited 13 different activity stations, which included: a dreams station where they could write their dreams on a cloud; a reading station that permitted children to take home books of their choice; and, a fire safety station. The Winston-Salem Fire Department helped with this station. Some students helped with the event for the first time. WSSU student, Akinyele Cameron, junior computer graphics major from Holly Springs, N.C. , said that Chelii Broussard gave her that extra push to participate in the service day. Broussard is the marketing and promotions coordinator for student activities. “Chelii called me into her
office and said I had to do it,” Cameron said. Assisted by two other WSSU students, Cameron helped as a student advisory board member while serving as a liaison for other WSSU student volunteers. Cameron, who is familiar with volunteer service projects, took the initiative to recruit volunteers on campus. She said that this event was a great chance to interact and learn. “I just want them [the children] to express themselves creatively and never lose that,” Cameron said. “Also I want them to understand the importance of literacy and what Martin Luther King’s values were.” WSSU student Christopher Jeter, a junior sports management major from Newport News, Va. volunteered for the first time as well. “I feel that this event was a perfect 10 because the kids were able to get hands-on experience with learning about Martin Luther King Jr. and the
Photo by Chelsea Burwell
Student volunteers paired up with children at activity stations. initiatives he stood for,” Jeter said. “My favorite part about the day was just seeing the kids have fun at the stations and seeing them learn not only who Dr. King was but also what he was about.” Dawn Swinnie, senior marketing major from High Point, has participated in this event for the second year.
Flu The Campus Incident Report is a concise summary of the upto-date incidents that affect the Winston-Salem State campus and community. Incidents can lead to News Argus articles. Sunday, Jan. 13 Resisting, Obstructing, Delaying Officers At 4:11 p.m., a male student was arrested and cited for resisting and obstructing campus police officers conducting an investigation in the C-Store. The police reported that the student disrespected and disturbed the officers by laughing and taking pictures of them with his phone. The student also refused to show his identification and began to argue with the officers. A court date was set for the student and he was referred to Judicial Affairs. The case is closed. Tuesday, Jan. 15 Ram Card Fraud At 5:14 p.m., a female student reported her Ram Card stolen. The student said she had lost her Ram Card at 10 a.m. while she was between Java City and the Computer Science buildings. According to the report, purchases were made with the card. Video footage revealed three suspects. The case is pending further investigation. Disorderly Conduct At 12:39 p.m., a female student was asked by campus police to move her vehicle because it was making it difficult for other cars to exit the C.E. Gaines Center parking lot. After officers asked the female student to move her vehicle, a male student used profanity at the officers. The male student refused to provide identification to campus police. When the campus police told the male student he
would be charged with disorderly conduct, he complied with the officers’ request. The case is closed. Thursday, Jan. 17 Vandalism At 7:21 a.m., campus police was dispatched because of a report of an attempted breaking and entering in Coltrane Hall. An officer at the scene took a report from a male employee who said he has returned to his office numerous times to find someone had attempted to break into his pantry. No items have been taken from the pantry, but the locks are damaged. There are no suspects. The case is closed. Larceny At 2:56 a.m., a female student reported to campus police that her Apple iPhone had been stolen from her room in Rams Commons. The student said she noticed her phone stolen when she returned to her room after having a conversation with a male student in another room. The police entered the phone into the National Crime Information Center for stolen item recovery. The case is closed.
All information provided in the Campus Incident Report was provided verbally by the Campus Police. These were the most updated reports available before The News Argus deadline.
Source: WSSU Department of Police and Public Safety Compiled by Daniel Braswell
www.thenewsargus.com
While Swinnie said that this event is a perfect opportunity to be a mentor for a child, she said that there is an important underlying meaning to the service day. “I want them [the children] to walk away knowing the importance of MLK Day, education and appreciate what our ancestors did to provide for us.”
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He said the flu is easily detectable because of its quick onset. “All of a sudden you will start feeling extremely weak,” Isler said. He said students should come into the Student Health Services within 48 hours, if they suspect a flu-related illness. Flu symptoms include fever, body aches, tiredness and coughing. The CDC estimates that flu deaths in the United States range from about 3,000 to 50,000 each year. Isler said getting a flu vaccine is the first and most important step people can do to protect themselves. “The [flu][ vaccine is 60 percent effective,” Isler said. He said the odds of getting a vaccine to prevent getting the virus are good compared to having absolutely no protec-
tion. The Student Health Services administers flu shots to students 9 to 11 a.m. and 1:30 to 3 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday. Isler said students who are diagnosed with the flu can get medicine as well as a voucher for the cafeteria from the Student Health Services. “Students [with the flu] can get a friend to bring them food from the cafeteria using that voucher, so they don’t spread the virus,” he said. He said students with the flu should stay inside and away from others for two to three days after being diagnosed. “We will notify the hall director for students that live on campus, and those that live off-campus will be sent home,” Isler said. “We can’t do anything to help if students don’t come in,” Isler said.
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News & Features Page 3
The News Argus
Renovation
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
www.thenewsargus.com
continued from Page 1
Photos by Charli Conklin
(Top left) Director and Chief of Police Patricia D. Norris [in the uniform] speaks with a staffer in their lobby. (Next) Norris walks down new hallway. (Top right ) Tamika Richardson opens locker that connects to new evidence room. (Far right) Norris demonstrates how they retrieve evidence from the room. because we want to make sure we stay within a range of being energy efficient,” she said. Henry Gray, interim lieutenant of crime prevention and investigation, said he is thrilled with the security upgrades. To enter certain doors in the new facility a person needs either a card or a key. The main entrance is locked daily at 5:30 p.m. A person only enters the building after that time by
Book
being granted access via telephone by the communications department of campus police. “We could go out on a call in the old building and if you didn’t shut the door back any and everybody could just come in here,” Gray said. Ginger Grannaman, university program specialist in the police and public safety department, said their building feels more safeguarded. “It’s more secure, and
everybody seems to like it,” Grannaman said. There is also more workspace for employees, two interview rooms and a new evidence room with a refrigerator to store DNA evidence. As they are still getting settled in their new facility, Gray said he has already seen morale improve with his co-workers. “When you are in a professional place, you feel good about where you are, and it
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and eventually publishing the book.” Hollowell said he was strictly the book’s illustrator. Placilla and Hollowell decided to use their project to benefit string educational charities. They are donating 10 percent of book’s proceeds to the Winston-Salem Symphony Educational Programs and the WSSU String Programs. They chose the Winston-Salem Symphony organization because of the organization’s outreach commitment to public schools and music education. They are also donating funds to the WSSU String Programs for the orchestra.
Placilla said the orchestra has to purchase music, instrument strings and instrument replacement parts. “We don’t have the same kind of visibility as the choir and the band, and we don’t have the same opportunities because we’re very small. We can’t reach out into the community and do big events,” Placilla said. “There’s no battle of the orchestras.” The orchestra has nine students, two faculty and one staff member. Placilla’s paperback book costs $12 and is available on Kindle for $3.75. After paying self-publishing fees and taxes, Placilla said in the first two months the book made about $60.
reflects in the officers themselves,” Gray said. “You feel more pride in where you work and in your performance it shows.” Norris said she could not be more pleased with the outcome of the renovation. “I’m ecstatic,” Norris said. “It’s so rewarding to come to work in a really nice facility and I am much appreciative that the University saw fit to refurbish this location.”
Blueprints for the renovation were drawn before Norris came to the University in 2008. The renovations started November 2011 and concluded toward the end of fall semester. While their building was being renovated, Campus Police Administration personnel relocated to 1604 A Lowery St. about a block away from the campus.
Opinion Page 4
The News Argus
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
www.thenewsargus.com
The Editor’s View We need more gun control Just more than a month after the horrific shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School that left 20 children and six adults dead, Jan. 16 President Barack Obama and his administration revealed new gun control proposals sparking a national debate. In an incident that occurred six days after the president’s gun control announcement that supports his proposals, a fight between two people at a Texas community college left a maintenance man shot in the leg and wounded. In the president’s proposals to Congress, there would be more detailed background check protocols for all gun sales and the banning of military-style assault weapons, high-capacity ammunition and armorpiercing bullets. There would also be more funding for additional police officers, first responder training, mental health programs DANIEL and school emergency plans. BRASWELL How can a person have a problem with Editor in Chief any of these proposals? Obama did not say he wanted to get rid of the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. His proposals, if passed, would better protect those who live in our country. Obama said these proposals are common sense measures that have the support of the majority of the American people. In a recent CNN/Time Magazine/ORC International poll about 55 percent of Americans generally favor stricter gun control laws, with 56 percent saying that it’s too easy to buy guns. Background checks should be included for all gun sales including private sellers . The National Rifle Association disagrees with Obama’s proposals. The group responded to the president’s proposals in ad calling him a “hypocrite” and pointed out that his children attend a school that has armed guards. This ad is misleading for the fact that Obama’s children are entitled to have Secret Service Protection (like every other presidents’ families). Obama shouldn’t be labeled as an hypocrite when one of his proposals is to add more police officers to the streets to patrol our schools and communities to better protect us all. It is estimated that more than 900 Americans have died due to gun violence since the tragic shooting spree at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December. This should motivate the government and organizations such as the NRA to work together. There should be no filibusters by the Senate when it comes to these proposals, especially when they potentially can stop some of the violence connected to firearms. Obama’s gun control ideas are a step in the right direction.
Argus Letter Policy
As a matter of policy, The News Argus will publish corrections for errors in facts. The corrections will be made as soon as possible after the error has been brought to the attention of The News Argus at
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The News Argus is a student publication of Winston-Salem State University. The News Argus encourages written comments to the editor and guest columns, but some rules apply: q A signature, address and phone number must accompany all letters. Letters should be double-spaced and no more than 250 words. q Letters will be verified by The News Argus by a phone call prior to publication. If The News Argus is unable to contact the writer of a letter, the letter will be held until contact is made. Letters intended as advertising will not be published. q The News Argus does not publish “form letters”or letters sent to multiple newspapers outside the Triad unless the issue discussed in the letter is of importance to the WSSU community. q The News Argus reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for clarity, length and libel. The News Argus will edit letters that are grossly inaccurate or cross the boundaries of good taste. q The News Argus allows readers to reply to someone’s response to any earlier letter only once. q Guest columns may be no more than 400 words. The News Argus will accept endorsements of candidates, but only one per writer per candidate. The letter may challenge a candidate’s record, but no intensely personal attacks will be printed. The News Argus permits candidates to write letters to the editor to specifically respond to another letter. Photos and Interviews by Jada McElrath and LaToya Sifford
WSSU students, faculty and staff are selected randomly to answer a provocative question developed by The News Argus staff. Comments do not represent the opinions of the Argus staff. To listen to the complete responses visit www. thenewsargus.com.
ETOPIA LOGAN SOPHOMORE, EXER. SCI. ASHEVILLE No, because students could get the gun and something bad could happen.
Since Feb. 29, 2000 there have been 60 school shootings across the nation that have taken innocent lives. The Dec. 14 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn., was the second-deadliest school shooting in U.S. history, after the Virginia Tech mas-
DONTE WESTON SOPHOMORE, ACCT. WILSON, N.C. Only professors who carry a gun permit or license should be allowed to carry a gun on campus.
sacre which occurred on April 16, 2007 in Blacksburg, Va. Students and professors want to feel safe and be able to protect themselves in the event of a shooting.
This issue’s Campus Crew asks...
Should professors be allowed to carry guns to work?
TIA PEAK SOPHOMORE, CLS CHERRYVILLE, N.C. Yes, if they use rubber bullets.
RYAN WILLIAMS SOPHOMORE, ACCT. ROCKY MOUNT Professors who carry guns to school should have consent from the school and a sufficient license.
LEWIS MILLER SOPHOMORE, MASS COMM. DURHAM Yes, if they have the mental capability.
Opinion
www.thenewsargus.com Tuesday, January 29, 2013
The News Argus
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Do renovations, constructions meet student needs? Which singer do you want to perform during President Obama’s second Inaugural ball? Beyonce
30% Adele
23% John Legend
33% Me
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Some buildings on our campus are more fortunate than others. Take for example the Hill Hall, Fine Arts, and the campus police buildings. Hill Hall has been vacant since 2005 because of asbestos and other hazardous materials. KANESHA It has been schedLEAK Editorial Assistant uled to be renovated and turned into a Student Success Center that will feature an open lobby, a café, classrooms, a major lecture hall, counseling offices, meeting rooms and a tutoring area. The building sounds like a combination of the Hauser building and Java City. WSSU, we have to do better. The new Donald J. Reaves Student Union, scheduled to open in May will house lots of new amenities including office spaces, meeting rooms for student organizations, a dining area and fitness centers.
I believe in Armstrong. I believe in the LiveStrong brand. I believed that Lance Armstrong was innocent. Up until the exclusive interview with Oprah Winfrey, I could not be convinced that Armstrong was guilty of taking performance enhancing drugs. During the interview, Armstrong admitted, among other things, that he had taken Human Growth Hormone, Testosterone and Cortisone. Additionally, Armstrong admitted to blood doping. Blood doping was explained as a sophisticated way of using blood transfusions to put banned substances into the blood stream. I was in complete disbelief of Armstrong’s confessions. I, like many others, had placed an enormous
The fitness center and Ram Shack, both in Thompson Center, will be relocated to the new structure; however, our small bookstore will remain intact. That bookstore was built for a smaller student body of about 2,000 students. We have now grown to more than 6,000. Because of all the moves from one building to another, the school will have to spend more money to turn the old
We have to do better fitness center and Ram Court area into something else. Will the school have the money to make those changes or will those areas sit vacant? WSSU, we have to do better. Lecture halls in the RJ Reynolds and Hall Patterson buildings were updated; however, classrooms on the third floor in Hall Patterson need work. In some of the classrooms in both buildings, half of the windows don’t close, half of them don’t open and the majority of the classrooms still have chalkboards. It’s 2013 and we
are still using chalkboards in classrooms. WSSU, we have to do better. The Fine Arts building is falling apart. For example, there are areas in the building that leak, the band room is not large enough to hold all the band members and the Wi-Fi works sometimes. The building is overdue for a serious makeover. In addition, there are not enough classrooms. Some music classes are taught in The Anderson Center because there are no spaces available in Fine Arts. WSSU, we have to do better. The campus police building recently received a full makeover. Campus police have been in that location since 1988, so it was long overdue. But what about our classrooms? Yes, the campus police should have a comfortable work area, but shouldn’t students have a comfortable study area? WSSU, we have to do better. Clearly, there needs to be some re-evaluations done about the things we need on campus to improve the overall student study, entertainment and living experience. WSSU, we have to do better.
LiveStrong for life amount of pressure on the super-athlete, seven-time Tour De France winning, cancer surviving man named Lance Armstrong. Armstrong fed this superego which was multiplied by the media. He denied accusations of banned substance abuse for more than a decade. He embarrassed his accusers and pursuers with verbal insults, profanity and law suits. Armstrong said he felt “invincible.” Now, Armstrong has a much different approach. “I am no longer in the business of calling people liars,” Armstrong said during the interview. Armstrong said he owes apologies to many including Emma O’Reilly (team massage therapist and assistant), David Walsh (journalist), Frankie and
Betsy Andreu (team member and his wife), Tyler Hamilton (team member) and Floyd Landis (team member). Is a verbal apology enough to reconcile these relationships? I think not. On the other hand, what more can Armstrong do? He has been stripped of his seven wins and his ability to compete in any sanctioned sport. He has stepped down from his foundation. Armstrong has admitted he has a serious character flaw. He has apologized to his supporters. He said he is committed to a scheduled therapy regime. He said he is dedicated to the “process” of recovery and re-gaining the trust of the American public. Armstrong said one of the most humbling moments was
when he told his 13-year-oldson not to defend him anymore. During this part of the interview, Armstrong showed the most humility. I think his willingness to share that vulnerable moment will benefit his perception with the media and public. Since the controversy, the media have portrayed Armstrong like a villain. I think some backlash is to be expected, but the media seem fixed with disappointment. The media have unrealistic expectations of Armstrong. After all, he is a man. I believe that he has taken the necessary recourse to address his mistakes. I will still wear a LiveStrong band. Angelik Edmonds Staff Reporter
News & Features Tuesday, January 29, 2013 www.thenewsargus.com
Ram Sports Preview Jan. 30 Women’s Basketball WSSU vs. Johnson C. Smith 5:30 p.m., Charlotte Jan. 30 Men’s Basketball WSSU vs. Johnson C. Smith 7:30 p.m., Charlotte Feb. 1-2 Women’s Track NCAA Division II Team Challenge Geneva, Ohio Feb. 2 Women’s Basketball Livingstone vs. WSSU 5 p.m., Winston-Salem Feb. 2 Men’s Basketball Livingstone vs. WSSU 7 p.m., Winston-Salem Feb. 8-9 Women’s Track CIAA Indoor Championships Hampton, Va.
COACH’S
GAME BALL By Matt Parmesano Contributor
Men’s basketball Head Coach Bobby Collins chose Michel-Ofik Nzege [Ziggy] as the recipient of this issue’s Game Ball. Nzege, a 6-8 freshman forward from Geneva, Switzerland, is already starting in his first season. “He’s made great strides from the first day he stepped on campus to now by working hard and he’s in the starting lineup,” Collins said. “He’s really played well, and if he stays out of foul trouble I know he can really be trouble for the other teams.” Nzege ranks fourth on the team in points per game (6.6), second in offensive rebounds (1.6), and second in blocks (0.8). “He plays hard each and every night and does a lot of things that don’t show up on the stat sheet ,” Collins said. “He is a great player and I’m excited to watch him grow because he’s just getting started here at WSSU.” Q: Does getting the Game Ball give you any added confidence or motivation for the rest of the season? Nzege: It’s cool to get the Game Ball. It shows that I work hard and getting recognition like this will give me added motivation to keep working. It gives me a little extra motivation but my main moti-
The News Argus
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vation is still the same and that’s to help my team win the national championship. Q: You’ve played well. What has been the key to your success? Nzege: I’ve been more consistent over the last several games and my confidence level is getting higher. Coach has been showing more confidence in me by telling me to take more shots and my hard work has been paying off. Q: What type of leader do you try to be on and off the court? Nzege: I always try to make the right choices off the court by doing my homework, getting to class on time and making good grades. I also like to come into the gym and get some extra shots up to continue to work on my game outside of practice. Q: What NBA player do you model your game after and look up to most? Nzege: There are a couple. I really look Photo by Charli Conklin at Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Clippers) Freshman Michel-Ofik Nzege (left) is and Kevin Garnett (Boston Celtics). I second on the team in blocks and ofwatch Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder) a little too because I want fensive rebounds. people to know that I’m not just an inside player but that I can play outside as well. basketball. Hopefully, I can play professional basketball for a couple of years Q: What are your plans after WSSU? and after that I want to become a lawNzege: My major is justice studies. If yer. the Lord gives me a chance, I would love to play in the NBA. Otherwise there are a lot of great leagues overseas where I could make a lot of money playing
Lady Rams focusing on defense, closDe-Ann Smith Staff Reporter
dsmith311@rams.wssu.edu
Despite an overall record of 9-8 and conference record of 4-3 [as of Jan. 19], the Lady Rams basketball team is currently second in the nation for their defensive game. “Coach makes us focus on defense and rebounds because offense will come,” said Raven Fields, sophomore from Columbus, Ga. Chaylia Coleman, a sophomore from Charlotte said the ranking boosted their confidence. “It helps us and motivates us. We want to be first and it pushes us every day in practice.” Head coach A.G. Hall said he was pleased with the overall defensive effort of each player but with an injury-free team, their results could be better. “When we are healthy defensively we are pretty good. We haven’t had a perfectly healthy team since Virginia Union [Jan. 3].” The Lady Rams have been playing without Keyrra Gillespie, who according to Hall is their “floor general.” Hall said she has shown an incredible amount of toughness. Coleman said, “Playing without her [Gillespie], a lot of roles are different; she is a big contribution to the team.” Coleman, who also has an injury, said she believes she could have made a difference in recent games. “I could have helped as an extra pair of legs, and my height is an advantage in the CIAA,” said the 6-2 forward. “ Hall said both players will be back on the court very soon. He added that with the absence of Gillespie, the
team’s weaknesses have been revealed and they know what needs to be worked on. This is Hall’s first year as Winston Salem State’s head coach. He said though he wants better results personally, with a young team the season is going so far as expected. “Many of the girls are sophomores; they didn’t play last year. They now have a big responsibility.” With half of the players joining the Lady Rams this season, the team has only four upper classmen, along with seven sophomores and one freshman. “Everyone is fairly new. We have a new coach and a new system, and we are trying to come together as a team,” Coleman said. Hall said the players are learning and getting better in a short period of time. “We have a lot of room to develop. We know that and that is the first step,” Fields said. The Lady Rams still have time before the CIAA championships Feb. 25 at the Time Warner Cable arena in Charlotte. On preparing for the CIAA championship, Hall said, “We need to improve on what we do well which is defense. Offensively we are still trying to figure out who is comfortable with the ball. We need to get to the point where we play at the top of our game.” Hall’s strategy is to motivate motivate athletes to play smarter and more proficiently. With only CIAA Southern Division conference games left, Hall expects Shaw and Fayetteville State to be their toughest competition. Shaw won the NCAA Div. II National Championship last year and Fayetteville State is first in the southern division with an undefeated conference record [as of Jan. 19].
Hall does not rule out Johnson C. Smith, however. He said they will be on top of their game, having former WSSU Head Coach Steve Joyner. The the first three conference losses, the Lady Rams ended in a 3-point game difference or less. “The team is fairly young and learning how to win,” Hall said. In an unfortunate loss at home against Elizabeth City Jan. 14, the Lady Rams held a 14-point lead against the Vikings with 2:49 left but were unable to hold them off, taking a loss by 2 points. “I think early on we weren’t mentally to the point where we felt like we could win. But now we are playing so well. We put ourselves in a position to win and I think it shocked us a little bit to the point where they made a run and we weren’t experienced enough to close out the game,” Hall said. Coleman said, “We have been working on that in practice, like game situation type drills. The thing we still have to learn is knowing what to do in which type of situation.” Hall said his experience as head coach has been more than he could have hoped for. “The biggest thing I enjoy is being able to have a direct impact on players.” Hall said he can help shape the mentality of the team and set the standards that as an assistant coach he could not do. Though unsure of the team’s readiness to win the CIAA championship, Hall said they are gaining respect from the conference and somewhere along the way, they will have the confidence. “We are playing well. We just need to learn how to take care of the ball up to the last minute of the game
Sports www.thenewsargus.com Tuesday, January 29, 2013
The News Argus
Page 7
Rams shoot for CIAA, Matt Parmesano Contributor
mparmesano112@rams.wssu.edu
The Winston-Salem State men’s basketball team is off to a great start this season and has high expectations. After losing to West Virginia Wesleyan, 57-54 in the first round of the Division II tournament last season, Head Coach Bobby Collins and his players say that they are on a mission for nothing short of a national championship this time around. The Rams are 13-3 overall and are tied for first with Shaw University in the CIAA conference standings (6-1). WSSU won its 11th conference title last season and looks to be on its way to another. Coach Collins is pleased with his team’s position. “I’m excited about where we are,” Collins said. “We started conference play 6-0 before losing to St. Aug’s [St. Augustine’s], but I like where my team is. We understand what’s at stake and hopefully that loss got us
back focused on how we need confident in their chances of to compete night in and night retaining the CIAA title and out.” making a run at the national Collins said his team has championship. played well but there is still “I’m very satisfied right need for improvement. now,” Wells said. “I know that we can defend “We’re mixing and blending and rebound a lot better than well as a team and our experiwe have,” he said. ence from last year gives us an “If we want to win a champi- advantage. We want it more onship, we have to play some this year and it shows in our defense.” effort and focus.” Senior guards Justin Glover, The Rams have nine games Marcus Wells and sophomore left in the regular season, and forward WyKevin Bazemore 12 games overall counting the were all part of last year’s team conference championships that fell short, and Collins before the Division II tourbelieves that this experience nament begins in February. has had an impact on the Collins and Wells both said team’s success this season. that the team is looking to “The fact that we have guys finish strong, win the conferthat competed last year in the ence championship and gain run that we had has definitely momentum going into the played a major role,” Collins tournament. said. “If we play the next 12 games “We’re a more experienced like we’re capable of, we will and motivated team this year.” win the CIAA championship,” PRODUCTION Glover leads the team in TMP Collins said. points per game (16.6), Wells “After that is the tournament, 4.94 x 7.5” in assists (4.6), and Bazemore and we want to go further and rv in rebounds (7.2). deeper than we did last year. Wells is happy with the way We know what we’re capable his team has played and is of if we stay focused.”
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