THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 28, 1995 TAG: 9504280619
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
Booker T. Washington High School's Barry Hamler, who took a team to Alaska, took seven teams to the Eastern Region playoffs and occasionally took sideline histrionics to new heights, was introduced Thursday as the man to take Elizabeth City State's basketball program to the next level.
Hamler, 38, was named the Vikings' coach at an afternoon news conference, ending a week of speculation that he would get the job.
``It was a long, tedious process to come to a decision,'' Elizabeth City State athletic director Edward McLean said. ``We feel Barry is a person who is going to take us to new heights.''
Hamler, who compiled a 141-45 record in eight years at Booker T., has no college coaching experience and said the chance to make the rare jump from high school head coach to college head coach was too good to pass up.
``It's the perfect job for Barry Hamler,'' he said.
Elizabeth City State, looking to raise its relatively low profile as well as win games, saw in Hamler the ideal candidate, McLean said.
Hamler, one of the most forceful personalities in local high school sports, was nearly as well-known for his accomplishments off the court as for those on it. He took the Bookers to Alaska in 1992 and to Florida the following year. Plans to take the team to Japan last year fell through at the last minute.
Hamler also founded the Tidewater Basketball Classic, a tournament that in recent years has brought some of the top high school teams in the country to Norfolk.
``That did have a great bearing,'' McLean said. ``We need some of those things here at Elizabeth City.''
At Booker T., Hamler was not only a skilled promoter, both of his program and himself, but also was one of the most intense coaches ever to prowl a local sideline.
``The guy created a lot of excitement,'' said Booker T. athletic director Charles Harvin. ``He made some enemies and a lot of friends.''
Maury coach Jack Baker, once asked to name someone whose intensity matched Hamler's, jokingly replied: ``Attila the Hun.''
Hamler did his share of foot-stomping and table-pounding at Booker T., but said he expects he'll be a calmer man at Elizabeth City State.
``We're moving up a level, and therefore the refs are going to be that much better,'' he said with a smile.
Terms of Hamler's contract were not revealed.
``The package that was put together was very pleasing,'' Hamler said. ``Or I wouldn't be here.''
Hamler, wearing an Elizabeth City State cap, pledged to get right to work. His last day at Booker T. is May 14, but he said he already has started his new job.
``I'm sort of eager to get on the telephone and get some people signed,'' he said.
Hamler promised to recruit heavily in Hampton Roads and said Elizabeth City's proximity to the area and its small-town setting make it a ``perfect area'' for students who are looking to leave home but not go too far.
Hamler also pledged to maintain Elizabeth City State's graduation rate, which was the highest in the CIAA and second-highest in the University of North Carolina system under former coach Claudie Mackey, McLean said.
``It's going to remain high, if not higher,'' Hamler said.
None of Booker T. Washington's star players in recent years has qualified to play Division I basketball, but Hamler said all who have graduated in the past five years have gone on to college somewhere.
``Just because you don't go Division I doesn't mean you're a failure,'' Hamler said.
Hamler's departure leaves one of the state's premier coaching jobs open. Candidates whose names have come up include Maury assistant coach Lonnie Blow; former Phoebus coach Gene Jones, who assisted the Norfolk State University women's basketball program this past season; Warwick High's Ben Moore; and Menchville's Greg Henderson.
``Booker T. was Booker T. before Barry Hamler got there,'' Hamler said. ``Booker T.'s going to be mighty fine after I leave.'' ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
Color photo
THE HAMLER FILE
[For complete graphic, please see microfilm]
by CNB