Word is spreading that FAMU’s new Teaching Gymnasium and Multipurpose Center has given the university a big edge in the race for the best basketball recruits.
Here’s what the Orangeburg Times and Democrat had to say about the new gym’s impact on the South Carolina State University Bulldogs’ recruiting season:
“There’s been plenty of talk in recruiting circles that FAMU’s new building helped dissuade potential Bulldog men’s basketball recruits from coming to [SCSU]. Despite recent improvements to the locker room, adjacent swimming pool and the installation of a new scoreboard, the 41-year-old Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center sill looks outdated by comparison.”
FAMU’s brand new facility carried a $40 million price tag.
With the capacity of seating approximately 9,639, the gymnasium house classrooms, a dance studio, computer lab with 24 workstations, TV production room, a banquet room, a separate hydrotherapy area featuring a Swimmex Therapeutic Pool, an examination and treatment area, and rehabilitation area, to name a few.
The Alumniunit.com site reports that FAMU has recruited the following players for its upcoming season:
Men
1. Diamon Alexander 6'-7 PF
2. Jeremy Lightfoot 6'-8 PF
3. Travis Wallace 6'-6 185 SF
Women
1. Eliza Bryant 6′3, C
2. Crystal Chaney 6′1, PF
3. Simone Durden 5′11, WF
Has there been an official release from the Athletic Dept on the Men's recruit? I know on the Women's side we recruited the young lady from Quincy and she's not listed.
ReplyDeleteOn the Men's side lets be honest the gym will get them here but that horrible coach will get rid of them! He is the worst, since MC! Having said that, it is sad that we have to watch a Men's Bball program that was on the rise in the gutter again and especially when we have such a great new arena.
ReplyDeleteThis article is very misleading! Who's to say these potential recruits are any good? We posted that coach Harris was bringing in Alfred Frayer for a visit and the this guy scored 78 points for the entire season and he's 6"10. With this facility you should be able to recruit top high school and junior college talent.
ReplyDelete8:10. I understand your frustration. I don't agree with it, but I understand. Hopefully you are contributing to the athletic department and providing yourself a means to get the AD's attention.
ReplyDeleteYou know the old saying, money talks and everything else walks.
I am pretty sure Alexander and Lightfoot were teammates in junior college. They should give the FAMU front line the height and scoring it needs.
ReplyDelete8:10 Yes, I'm frustrated with the direction of the basketball program but I'm extremely frustrated with the AD. From your response I should be running down the AD which is backwards. A good AD needs to be a salesman and run down alumni with his strategic plan!
ReplyDeleteSpeak about what a good AD does. William Hayes has done nothing to endear himself to FAMU alumni. He does not talk to us at sporting events. He does not share his vision or needs with alumni. The caches HATE him. We have truly hurt our athletic program with the revolving door of athletic directors., Until we get an AD with vision who has the energy and resources to match, FAMU athletics will continue to flounder.
ReplyDeleteWe have never been this low in our contested events. FAMU was at the top of the MEAC in track and field with Rey Robinson. He demonstrated he was a winner with proper support. However, recent years, there has been no support to our athletic teams other than football and all sports are suffering. Look at women's volleyball. Every year we blaze through the MEAC and make it to the NCAA Championships. What could the coach do with 2 more volleyball scholarships and about $10000 more dollars in his budget? Look at tennis, also a perennial winner in the MEAC. Same coach, but now we are only knocing at the door finishing second. The need is only 2 more scholarship players and a few dollars. Changing FAMU from winners to losers is not that hard. It juse takes people with commitment, the right exeprtise, great vision and ideas and a desire to work hard. Too many place holders collecting a check and fattening their retirement. Bill Hayes must go and must go now.