Pre-Season Diary: Entry 6
Today was the 2004 Shaw Football Kickoff Luncheon held at O'Charley's in Garner on Highway 401.  It went very well.  All the media was there and O'Charley's was a very gracious host.  President Newsome was there as was executive vice-president Martel Perry and special assistant to the president Dr. Claud Flythe and director of athletics Al Carter.  Coach Clark fielded a bunch of questions from the media and was funny and witty at times with some of his responses.  The interview session lasted a good 20 minutes. 

Today was of course another hectic day.  Just trying to make sure everything is in order for Saturday.  We did a test with a couple of the stations on the Shaw Bear Sports Radio Network and will do the test to make sure everything is working with the rest of the stations tomorrow.

I went out to practice today.  Before practice I talked to William Montague, head coach of the men and women cross country teams as his teams practiced.  He is excited about the 2004 season which begins Sept. 4 at Methodist College Invitational in Fayetteville.  He really likes the women's chances this year.  Of course the Lady Bears finished runner-ups in last year's CIAA Championships.  His top returnees are juniors Lisa Stewart and Tania Coleman, both of whom were named All-CIAA last season.  "We will definitely finish in the top three this season," said Montague.

The guys are really ready to play Livingstone.  They went through some of the basic drills that they have been going through, gearing it more towards what Livingstone may do.  It was good to see Chester Charles out there kicking field goals today.  Chester had sort of an off season last year, but is ready to go this year.  You remember Chester don't you?  That 20-yard game-winning field goal against St. Augustine's October 26, 2002 at John Baker Stadium.  Chester had been injured and had not practiced this summer, but in watching him kick the ball, has gotten more leg under it.  The defense however did block a couple of kicks, but that was not on him.  As a matter of fact, those were some good defensive plays.  Watch out for that defensive field goal unit.

There were quite a few guys that sat out today with nagging injuries.  One of those was wide receiver Kenneth Robinson who is currently at the top of the depth chart.  "What's the deal Rickards?" I asked him., referring to the fact that he went to Rickards High School in Tallahassee, FL and last year I had it spelled Wrickards before he told me about the correction this year.   "I pulled my hamstring a little.  I don't want to be sitting out right now."    

Tonight was also the first Shaw Football Coaches radio show.  Coach Clark along with Coach Farrier were on the show.  It was a pretty good show.  I can't believe it, it's like the show snuck up on me.  It is already August 24!  Just so much going on.  I asked both of them about what they thought about the guys shaving their heads bald.  Coach Clark said that it showed the unity of the team.  He also said that if the Bears win the CIAA Championship, he will shave his head bald too.  You all remember that.  I also asked Coach Farrier about his bald head.  He said about six of the guys asked him if he would shave his head.  He did but he said none of those guys said anything to him about it afterwards, but he said it was okay and that it was cool because his wife liked it.  Of course, that is the most important thing.

Well it's about 9:35 p.m. so it's time for me to get home to my wife and sons.  Four days and counting until the road to the championship begins.