THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, February 3, 1997 TAG: 9702030124
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 66 lines
Rodney Carmichael remembers his first impression of Echols Arena.
``When I first got to Norfolk State, I looked at Echols Arena and said `no way a Division II school could fill this gym,'' he reminisced upon a visit in the spring of 1994.
But then evidence of a home game was furnished and the non-believer was convinced.
``I looked at the tapes and I was in awe,'' Carmichael spoke of seeing videotaped games at NSU's home gym. ``That was one of the reasons I came to Norfolk State.''
And in his career, Carmichael and team captain Maurice Whitfield have been instrumental in adding to the tradition of Spartan basketball dominance at Echols.
Seniors Carmichael and Whitfield - along with Darius Blount and Robert Robinson - will be honored between intermission of the men's and women's Bowie State games tonight. NSU (13-6, 8-3 CIAA) hosts the Bulldogs (4-16, 3-10) tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the final Spartans' home game of the season.
``Overall the last two seasons, we've had great runs at home,'' NSU coach Mike Bernard said. ``The two of them have been two main sources of our success the last two seasons.''
The stretch actually covers three seasons - dating back to Whitfield's and Carmichael's first seasons from junior colleges in 1994-95. NSU has compiled a 30-4 home record over the last three seasons.
The streak has been just one more measure of NSU's tradition.
``When I first came here . . . I stepped into the gym and saw the banners,'' Whitfield said.
Thirteen men's CIAA regular-season and 11 tournament banners hung down from the rafters when the pair enrolled at NSU. The duo has since helped add one of each - a 1995 regular season title and 1996 conference championship - to the collection.
Yet, as memorable as the championships are, each player has a few games at home they will never forget.
Whitfield remembers the three battles against arch-rival Virginia Union - all victories by seven points or less. This year's game was decided by a pair of Carmichael free throws with 1:04 remaining. They each also remember victories over rivals Elizabeth City State and Virginia State.
Carmichael's most vivid memory, however, was not of happy times.
``When we played St. Augustine's last year and I went 0-for-13 (shooting) on St. Valentine's Day, that was a low point,'' Carmichael reflected. ``I got a lot of criticism and deservedly so.''
But through all the sweat, scrapes and wins, there is little doubt of what the players will miss the most following Monday's game - the fans.
``The crowd, the tradition,'' Whitfield said.''
``I'm sure they will miss the camaraderie with the home crowd,'' Bernard said. ``We have a tremendous following . . . They'll miss the support of the Norfolk community.''
A support that neither Carmichael or Whitfield will ever forget. ILLUSTRATION: CHRISTOPHER REDDICK/FILE PHOTO
Spartans captain Maurice Whitfield, center, was impressed by the
CIAA championship banners hanging from Echols Arena's rafters. Two
more have been added during his tenure at Norfolk State.
IAN MARTIN/FILE PHOTO
Rodney Carmichael, center, saw tapes of a packed Echols Arena and
decided Norfolk State was the place for him.