Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 20, 1993 TAG: 9302200008
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
CARLISLE HIRES EX-TERP ADKINS
Former University of Maryland guard Jeff Adkins is the new boys' basketball coach at Carlisle School in Martinsville.Adkins, who was a star player for Martinsville's 1980 and 1981 Group AA state champions, takes over for Eric Seiy, who has been the Chiefs' basketball coach the past two years.
Seiy remains the school's athletic director. Adkins, who was one of the finalists for the Salem High job last spring, has been an English teacher at Carlisle this year.
Carlisle is a member of the Virginia Independent Conference that has Roanoke schools North Cross, Roanoke Catholic and Roanoke Valley Christian as members.
"They came to me about three weeks ago and mentioned the idea [of coaching]," Adkins said. "I was excited about it. One of the things I look forward to is building the program."
A young Carlisle team finished its season Thursday night with a 78-44 loss to Lynchburg Christian. That left the Chiefs with a 2-20 record.
Carlisle headmaster Colin Ferguson said the school is coming off a difficult season.
"But we're optimistic, with Jeff's talents and experience, he can add a new dimension to the program," Ferguson said. "He's already made an impact in our classrooms . . . so I know he can do the same on the court."
Seiy said he would have more time to work as athletic director and as director of student activities. He was also promoted to the position of assistant to the headmaster.
"This is a career change for me and my family," Seiy said. "It's something I wanted to do and try to help the school."
Adkins started every game for four years at Maryland through the 1985 season. The Terps won the ACC championship in 1984.
Adkins said he found coaching at a private school appealing. "I can do a lot of things you can't do at a public school like bring in players. I just have to sell my program," Adkins said. "I'm excited because the administrators and the board are committed to building a team."
Adkins added that his coaching philosophy was similar to his teaching philosophy. "I teach the fundamentals and not so much the x's and o's. Sometimes teachers and coaches forget about the simple things. Basketball is actually a simple game."