THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 29, 1995 TAG: 9501270773
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
BASKETBALL IS MAKING a comeback at Tidewater Community College's Portsmouth campus.
Actually, the Portsmouth school has joined the Virginia Community College System basketball league.
The revival is on a much smaller scale than when Frederick College occupied the TCC site. At Frederick for several years basketball was about the biggest thing on campus.
Frederick College was a four-year liberal arts college and existed from 1960 to 1968 until its benefactor, the late Fred Beazley, donated the land and facilities to the state and it became part of the state's community college system.
TCC is in the midst of a 10-game schedule, currently holding a 4-2 record. The Portsmouth school also will host the league's championship tournament March 3-5.
Karl Adams is the TCC coach. He's a student at the school and a part-time security guard there.
Adams is a former Army sergeant. He coached military teams in Korea and has worked locally with youth teams in both basketball and baseball.
``The Chesapeake TCC team came to our school to practice a year or so ago and I talked with David Moore, the coach, about getting a team started in Portsmouth,'' said Adams.
``With the help of the Student Activities Association, we purchased uniforms. We formed a team and the school provides our transportation. There's no scholarships or anything like that involved. It's just an athletic program we wanted to get going for those who still have that competitive nature.
``No special awards. Only the pleasure of playing.
``The only requirement is that the players must maintain a 2.0 grade-point average.''
He has a 12-player squad.
The group includes several former area high school players, including ex-Western Branch star T.J. Giles, former Cradock athletes Phillip Ellis and DeCarlo Williams, and ex-Norcom player Derrick Wilder.
Perhaps the standout player on the team is shooting guard Aaron Fisher, who came from New York.
``Fisher is capable of playing at a higher level,'' said Adams.
Adams says there are no women on his team, but he would welcome any who desire to participate. ``Some of the community college teams have female players,'' he pointed out. ``If there are girls who want to play on the team, that's fine. We can make the team coed.''
The small following that the team now has includes a loyal group of volunteer supporters. Karen Clements, an enrollment services specialist in the Admissions and Records office, drives the van that shuttles the team to and from off-campus games.
John Bailey, the campus student ambassador, handles the printing of fliers, schedules and other notices about team games.
Brenda Starkey is the ``unofficial supply manager.'' She takes notes on her own of what the team needs and then helps secure it.
Rodney Tucker is Adam's assistant coach. He also is a security guard at the college and a student. He plans to become a physical education teacher.
The two coaches are officers in the Portsmouth Campus Minority Affairs Club. Tucker is president; Adams is vice president.
The 33-year-old Adams, who is pursuing a major in administration of justice, hopes to create a little student body interest in the team by holding a nickname contest.
``We don't have a nickname yet,'' he said. ``We have a small team, but it's quick and feisty. And we would love for folks to come watch us play. Our games are on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
``And admission is free.'' ILLUSTRATION: Left: FILE PHOTO; Right: Photo by GARY C. KNAPP
A basketball team has formed at TCC, playing on weekends in the
renovated gym. Admission to the games is free.
by CNB