THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 7, 1996 TAG: 9603070591
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
The Carolina Panthers will move into offices in their new, 72,685-seat stadium in Charlotte in July. Could that scenario play out here?
``Why not?'' said Donnie Shell, the Panthers' director of player relations. ``From what I hear, this area has good sports interest and a lot of tradition. The population base probably is similar to ours around Charlotte. If the promotion is right, I think it would be successful.''
Shell, a strong safety on four Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers teams, said the interest in the Panthers has been ``pure excitement'' since the expansion team opened its first season of play by winning seven games last fall.
Shell said some probably were surprised by Carolina's 7-9 record. ``But it wasn't surprising to us. Our front-office folks know talent. Our team is building, growing, adding pieces to the puzzle. Eventually, we are going to have a Super Bowl championship for the Carolinas.''
A five-time Pro Bowler who was named to the all-time Steelers team, Shell was asked which of his teammates from those outstanding 1970s squads was the best.
``We have several in the Hall of Fame but I would say the best of all was John Stallworth,'' he said.
And the best he had to defend against?
``Cliff Branch of Oakland.''
In the years ahead there may be another Donnie Shell in pro football.
``My 10-year-old son was the most valuable linebacker in the camp he attended last year. He already weighs 160 pounds. He's going to be a lot bigger than me,'' said the 5-foot-11, 220-pound Shell, now only five pounds over his playing weight.
Shell's comments came shortly before he stepped behind the podium to headline the 50th annual Portsmouth Sports Club Jamboree Wednesday night at the Holiday Inn-Portside.
Larry Piland was honored at the Sportsperson of the Year, recognized for his contributions to youth baseball in the Churchland area. Piland, an electronics technician at SupShip in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, attended Old Dominion and is a graduate of Wilson High School.
``It's especially nice that this is the 50th year for the Portsmouth Sports Club Jamboree and I was born 50 years ago,'' Piland said. ``I'm just delighted to have my name alongside the many fine people who have received this award in the past.''
Also honored were Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer as college coach of the year, ODU's Samantha Salvia and Norfolk State's James Roe as college athletes of the year, Churchland's Carl Rhodes as high school coach of the year and Jimmy Williams as Sports Club member of the year. Williams, the city treasurer, was chairman of this Golden Anniversary jamboree.
Special awards went to Norfolk State quarterback Aaron Sparrow and Indian River High School football coach Bob Parker. ILLUSTRATION: MARK MITCHELL
The Virginian-Pilot
Carolina Panthers executive Donnie Shell, left, chats with Larry
Piland, the Portsmouth Sports Club's Sportsperson of the Year.
KEYWORDS: PORTSMOUTH JAMBOREE by CNB