MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[hasanova]

Referring to the December GC victory over E&H (147-136) at Emory, "Emory & Henry's Lance Reasbeck, who is no longer on the team, scored a game-high 32 points."

Perhaps this is old news to everyone else, but I didn't know Reasbeck wasn't still on E&H's team until I just read the pregame story on Guilford's website.  Did he transfer?

I heard it was academics

Good ole academics!!  At least in DIII, they're still around.  For the record, and just for tonight, GO TIGERS.

baselinejam, thanks for the update.  Jacketlawyer, I'm also glad academics are "still around" in DIII.  With very few exceptions, these student-athletes will have to make a living in some other way besides professional basketball.  Might as well start learning that lesson now.  I wish Lance well ...

[Jacketlawyer]

I am with you, Hasanova, as far as wishing Lance well.  It's too bad it has to happen but sometimes it does.

[hasanova]

"With very few exceptions, these student-athletes will have to make a living in some other way besides professional (sports)."

This made me think of an interesting question for the board:
In the DIII era, what ODAC student-athletes have played professional sports?

There's VWC's Peter Warren this year, of course.
Guilford's Tony Womack has had a long MLB career (but he played primarily in the NAIA era).  Several other recent former Quakers are still in the minors.  Other Quakers played MLB baseball in an earlier era, including MLB HOF'er Rick Ferrell.
Guilford's Bob Kauffman '68, M.L. Carr '73, Lloyd (World B.) Free '76 and Greg Jackson '74 all played in the NBA (but they were NAIA era).
S. Carolina coach Dave Odom (earlier at WFU) is also a Quaker '64.
Guilford's Junior Lord '98 and Chris McKinney '02 (?) have played for NFL Europe, XFL and NFL taxi squads.
Guilford's Lee Porter held a PGA card - several other former Quakers are currently on satellite tours.
W&L's former QB & baseball player, Christian Batchelor (sp?), signed a minor league baseball contract.

I'm sure there are others, but those are the ODAC alumni that come to mind for me. 

[jdubyadubya]

hasanova - check the VWC baseball site. They had two this year sign with the Florida Marlins.

[Jacketlawyer]

On professional sports, Hasanova, that's a good one.  A question well worth knowing the answer to.  As far as R-M guys, I am unaware of anyone from my era (mid-80s) who has made the jump.  Sid Thrift, a '49 graduate, was connected with MLB for a long time, but I will have to defer to someone else a bit better steeped in R-M sports to answer that question.  Hope someone does. . .

[hasanova]

hasanova - check the VWC baseball site. They had two this year sign with the Florida Marlins.

Thanks.  Among other things, VWC's more temperate coastal climate makes that school a great spot for a college baseball program.

[jeloesel]

You all better list Kyle Williford quickly or Steelyglen will subtract points from your pick'em total.  In fact, Steely, dock 'em two points each even if they do list your guy.  

[hasanova]

You all better list Kyle Williford quickly or Steelyglen will subtract points from your pick'em total.  In fact, Steely, dock 'em two points each even if they do list your guy.  

This is probably an obvious question to some folks on the board who know each other better, but are Kyle and Steelyglen related to former NCSU Wolfpack player (and ABA Carolina Cougar) Vann Williford '70?

[rip08]

From RMC - Howard Stevens was a great running back who played on the 1969 team that defeated the University of Bridgeport (CT) in the Knute Rockne Bowl, which served as the Eastern championship for the NCAA.  He later played for the Baltimore Colts for a few years.

I also know Joey Allen played Pro Basketball in Europe for a while.  He played on the 1977 RMC team that lost to Chattanooga in the Natl Championship game (Division II days)

[rip08]

Also there is a recent graduate of RMC that is a professional fisher.  Can't remember his name right now, but there was an article in the Richmond Times about him when the fishing tour came thru Richmond last year.

[Jacketlawyer]

Thanks Rip08.  Good stuff.  Also Kevin Wood, for Atlanta Hawks.

[Jacketlawyer]

Thanks Rip08.  Good stuff.  Also Kevin Wood, for Atlanta Hawks.

As well as Beth Dunkenberger, who is the women's basketball coach at Virginia Tech.

[hasanova]

Also Ernie Shore (Guilford '12 and namesake for the minor league stadium used by the Winston-Salem Warthogs).  I just read a very interesting internet piece on Babe Ruth and Shore when they were teammates on the 1917 Boston Red Sox.  Seems Ruth was the starting pitcher and got incensed when the umpire called four straight balls to start the game.  An argument ensued, Ruth was ejected and slugged the umpire.  Shore, a starting pitcher, was was brought in for long relieve after only a few days off and pitched a perfect game for nine innings (the lead-off walk was part of a double play).  Weird!

[DenbowsRoomie]

W&L's Michael Hanson and Bryan Mulhern have also played minor league baseball, Hanson with the Braves organization and Mulhern with an Independent League.

[algernon]

Not an ODAC player, but Horace Jenkins, from William Paterson University, played 104 minutes for the Detroit Pistons last year. 

The Tigers played Horace in 2001 when he was a senior at William Paterson.  That was a second round game.  Monroe, Randall, and company were freshmen.  Horace Jenkins scored 35 points in that game, which wasn't uncommon for him.

Horace isn't playing again in the NBA this year.  He is playing in Israel.