FB: USA South Athletic Conference

[Allen C]

They have a fair amount coming back, but I do not have the exact #. Key losses from last year included QB Matt Dobson, RB Mike Vann, 3 O linemen, 1WR 2 LB's and they only have 1 in the secondary returning. Sort of a young team, but they are solid. Atomic football has them at 5-5, I say 4-6, D3football has them at 1-9...hope they are more than a little off.

It will be interesting to see what happens this week. Ferrum and Averett I think are open.

[WFU34]

Averett is open this week.  Gives the young freshman QB another week to prepare for Guilford until the starter comes back against Washington & Lee.  It's a shame that has happened because although Averett may not have won against HSC last week, it sure won't have been 45 - 7 going into the 4th quarter.

[Ryan Tipps]

Averett is open this week.  Gives the young freshman QB another week to prepare for Guilford until the starter comes back against Washington & Lee.  It's a shame that has happened because although Averett may not have won against HSC last week, it sure won't have been 45 - 7 going into the 4th quarter.

WFU: What happened with your starter? He was listed in the game notes, but there was no mention about why he didn't wind up playing on Saturday. Someone dropped me a note that said he didn't play, but that was it. No reason why. And the AU website sadly didn't mention it at all.

[Allen C]

Ferrum President Dr. Jennifer Braaten announced today that all approvals necessary from the Board of Trustees have been received, and that the College will hold an official groundbreaking for the new Hank Norton Athletic Center Saturday Oct. 2nd,  just before the homecoming game. Expected completion will be near the end of 2011.
Here is the press release:

Ferrum College to Break Ground on Hank Norton Center
New athletic facility will offer state of the art training and fitness space,
classrooms and staff offices.

Ferrum, Va. (September 10, 2010) – Ferrum College announced plans today for a new athletic center to be named for retired coach Hank Norton, Ferrum's renowned former athletic director and championship football coach. The $5.5 million dollar facility will serve the men's and women's outdoor athletic teams and offer state of the art training facilities, a weight room, classrooms and offices for coaching staff.

"We are so pleased to add the Hank Norton Center to the outstanding facilities Ferrum offers to our students," said Ferrum College President Jennifer Braaten. "The Center will offer enhanced opportunities for all of our student-athletes, including space for classroom instruction in the areas of athletic training, sports medicine and health sciences, and additional offices for our dedicated coaching staff. For the large numbers of our students who participate in athletics, the Hank Norton Center will be a welcome and much needed addition to campus."

"This is an important step in the history of Ferrum College," said Sam Lionberger, Jr., chair of the Board of Trustees. "We are we adding a first class facility to our campus and at the same time honoring a legendary coach, mentor and friend of the Ferrum family. This project signifies the commitment from the trustees to the president, faculty, staff, alumni and especially current students to stay ahead of the curve and increase Panther pride."
The 29,000 square foot facility, designed by Mark W. Smith AIA of Craddock Cunningham Architectural Partners, features a brick façade and will be located adjacent to Adams Stadium. Frith Construction Company of Martinsville has been awarded the construction contract.   The ground floor will house classrooms, locker space and a weight room, while the first floor will feature the Ferrum College Sports Hall of Fame and house offices for coaches, a kitchenette, and shower facilities for referees and other game officials.

"A facility like the Hank Norton Center will allow us to better train our current student- athletes," said Athletic Director Abe Naff. "And it will give us a better opportunity to recruit students who want to continue their athletic careers after high school. In this day and age student athletes are looking for this type of facility when they choose their college."
Women's softball coach, Vickie Van Kleeck agreed, saying, "We want to continue Ferrum's great success in Division III athletics. This will help us recruit and serve the best students for the program."

Hank Norton, who served as head football coach from 1960 to 1993, said he was both honored and pleased. "I've had more honors than I deserve," said Norton, from his home in Deltaville. "This isn't about me. It's about Ferrum College. We've come so far from the days when our punter stood in the middle of Route 40 in order to kick the ball. This is a great accomplishment for the College." Norton won four national championships at Ferrum when it was a Junior College. At the Division III level Norton's teams enjoyed 5 undefeated regular seasons, and 9 seasons with just one loss. He served as Athletic Director from 1965 to1985 and from 1989 to1993.

Work on the Hank Norton Center will begin immediately following a ceremonial ground breaking, scheduled for at 1 p.m. on October 2, just prior to the Ferrum Panther's homecoming matchup with North Carolina Wesleyan College. The project is scheduled for completion in late 2011.

Videotaped statements from President Braaten and Coach Norton are available on the Ferrum College You Tube channel. It can be viewed by visiting www.ferrum.edu and clicking on the Ferrum College YouTube channel.

[abnrgr]

Hank!!
Well done

[Allen C]

Sorry folks-

I know I am almost the only Ferrum supporter on the board...(except for Ryan) but this is a BIG DEAL!!!

[waspermike]

Sorry folks-

I know I am almost the only Ferrum supporter on the board...(except for Ryan) but this is a BIG DEAL!!!

Allen, I love you. How is that for a little LOVE! I ain't really crazy about Ferrum because they always fight my Waspers tooth and nail! It is a great rivalry. This IS a big deal, and I am really happy for Ferrum. I think back 3/4 years ago when E&H announced the stadium expansion. The work done so far has done alot for the morale of the school, athletic teams and fans. Ferrum will reap great rewards from this announcement. Congratulations!! WM

[D-BAT]

Another not so good Saturday for USA-South vs. ODAC conference:

Shenandoah (31) Bridgewater (38)

Hampden-Sydney (21) NCW (19)

Emory & Henry (28) Greensboro (6)

[KEEPING IT REAL]

Well CNU is gettin BLASTED. How does a QB have 140+ of total offense in the first half. Riddle me that batman?

[WFU34]

Looks like a rough week for the USA South out of conference performance.  I guess we're the ACC of Division III.  After VPI lost today to James Madison (I'm old enough to remember when Va Tech was called that), I wonder if Beamer is going to try to schedule ODAC or USA South schools next year.  If he trys I hope the AD's insist on a home & home.

[KEEPING IT REAL]

Looks like a rough week for the USA South out of conference performance.  I guess we're the ACC of Division III.  After VPI lost today to James Madison (I'm old enough to remember when Va Tech was called that), I wonder if Beamer is going to try to schedule ODAC or USA South schools next year.  If he trys I hope the AD's insist on a home & home.

That's funny!

[D-BAT]

Centre (35) Maryville (0)

Salisbury (58) CNU (10)

Methodist (14) Guilford (7) ... at the 1/2


Looks like USA-South football is very down this year.

The conference is just (1-12) overall not including Methodist game that is at the 1/2.

[narch]

Well CNU is gettin BLASTED. How does a QB have 140+ of total offense in the first half. Riddle me that batman?

talent, joker...

[narch]

the monarchs responded well tonight, getting a 26 - 21 road win vs. guilford - murphy was a stud...17-24, 200 yards, 4 td's through the air and 13 carries for 39 yards - and he made big plays when the monarchs needed them

big ups to the guilford camera crew...the broadcast was outstanding!

[KEEPING IT REAL]

That is true. Plus the players that left the program for whatever reason. A 150+ in camp doesn't mean you have talent if the players aren't up to snuff. Plus you have that 1970's play calling. Need to make some changes and fast. Need to run a spread. The running game is not there. Really nothing is there. Someone will be out again if changes aren't made. I said 3-7. Might come true.