THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 28, 1995 TAG: 9512230148
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
Bob Jackson, also known as Bobby J, spends his evenings spinning Motown, rhythm and blues, and oldies tunes from the studio at WSVY in Norfolk.
He entertains listeners with his steady rap of riotous commentary on ``The Only TV Show on the Radio.''
On a recent Thursday morning he was putting a different spin on things for a serious cause.
Jackson appeared at the Little Creek Bingo Club on behalf of a scholarship fund-raiser for Norfolk State University. The bingo and Bobby J drew about 200 players.
Jackson also drew laughs from the ladies in the crowd for his trademark ``Man is the King'' mock-sexist routine. He told them that any money they won should go to their husbands or boyfriends.
``I'm just here to help out with a very worthwhile cause,'' Jackson said, putting his joking aside.
``These guys are the ones who deserve credit,'' Jackson said, turning the attention to the fund-raiser's coordinators, Jack Howard and Bill Thomas.
Thomas, a radio personality of a different sort from Jackson, has been hosting fund-raisers for Norfolk State since mid-September. Thomas appears on WNIS, the news-and-talk-show station. He does spot political commentary for the radio station. He and Howard, a WNIS talk-show host, appear on WTKR-TV at 7:15 a.m. each Sunday for an hour-long show called ``Face Off.''
``I'm a conservative, and Jack's a liberal,'' Thomas explained.
``This is a direct call for grassroots, to do for yourself what government can't do,'' Thomas said of the fund-raising effort. Budget cuts have made necessary what should be routine - individual initiative, he said. Thomas added that the college shouldn't have to ``go begging'' for money.
The one-day proceeds from the bingo games attended by Jackson added about $1,500 to Norfolk State's coffers. The event will continue each Thursday for several more weeks at the bingo hall, 1760 E. Little Creek Road, in Norfolk.
``We've raised about $5,000 so far,'' Thomas said.
Robert Poole is vice president for development at Norfolk State. As such, he's aware of the fiscal realities confronting the university.
``We are grateful for the support provided by Bill Thomas and Jack Howard,'' Poole said. ``We encourage any new source or revenue to supplement the grants and aid we receive.''
Poole said federal budget cuts have been a problem for years, and the recent flap about downsizing has brought increased attention.
``Public universities will continue to need government funds,'' Poole said. by CNB