Favorite TV show?
Except for Sports Center, games and the local
newscasts, I live in the past on re-runs of the Beverly Hillbillies,
Andy Griffin, etc.
Favorite meal?
Any meal shared with good Pirates!
Biggest moment in East Carolina athletics since you became athletic
director?
The eight days when the Football Pirates beat
nationally ranked Virginia Tech one Saturday and nationally ranked
West Virginia the next Saturday.
Biggest thrill at any point in your career in athletics?
The Virginia run through the 1976 ACC Tournament as
the sixth seed beating three nationally ranked ACC powers — N.C.
State, Maryland and North Carolina — in a little more than 48 hours.
What do you consider your biggest accomplishment at East Carolina?
The biggest accomplishment by the athletic department
(not “my” accomplishment) during my time at East Carolina has been
the facilities upgrades that will serve future generations of
students, athletes and coaches.
How did you meet your wife, Ann? How did you propose?
I used to stay and watch a little of band practice
after our football practices because there was a very cute
majorette. I was too shy to try to even talk to her, but a mutual
friend put a group together for an outing at the drive-in movies and
we hit it off right away. Luckily, she has never been as shy as I
am.
My mother passed away shortly after I graduated from
Davidson in 1964. Before she died, she gave me her engagement ring
and told me that she wanted Ann to have it. Ann was graduating from
Mars Hill in the spring of 1966, so for Christmas in 1965, I gave
Ann my mother’s ring and knowing that I was expected to say
something really cool, I managed to choke out, “My mother wanted you
to have this.” (I told you I was shy — but I did manage to add “and
I wanted you to have it, too!”)
Favorite restaurant in Greenville?
Anywhere there are a bunch of Pirates.
What's the biggest change in college basketball since your playing
days?
The shot clock and the three-point basket.
What do you think about ECU's chances as an all-sport member of the
new Big East?
It will happen sooner or later but sooner if the
non-football schools leave the conference as they have announced.
What's the next big thing in terms of facilities now that the
basketball practice facility is going up?
A new swimming pool and outdoor competition courts
for the tennis teams.
How do you think the Big East will do on it's new TV deal?
I think the new Big East will have to prove itself
worthy before landing a really competitive television contract, but
that is nothing new for us as Pirates. We are used to earning
whatever we get.
Do
you think you will live in Greenville after you retire?
That is the current plan.
Who had the greatest influence on your athletic administration
philosophy?
I would like to think that I have learned (and/or
“stolen”) from everyone I have met in my 50+ years in
intercollegiate athletics, but Gene Corrigan (UVA AD, Notre Dame AD,
and ACC Commissioner) has had a particularly big influence on me.
Which player on the current ECU team would you have liked to be on
your roster during your coaching tenure at Virginia?
Couldn’t pick just one — Coach Lebo has made them
into a real TEAM and they need to stay that way in everyone’s mind.
How did you become aware of the invitation to the Big East?
The Commissioner, Mike Aresco, called the office
number. Scott Wells answered the telephone and was so excited that
she cut him off twice trying to transfer him to my line. Finally, I
just went to her desk and got the good news while the whole office
tried to read the expression on my face as to whether it was good
news or bad. I kept a very businesslike look to keep them guessing
but, after I hung up, my big smile spilled the beans.
