Showing posts with label N.C. Central University Eagles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label N.C. Central University Eagles. Show all posts

Thursday, April 28, 2011

NCCU coach has a speedy plan for success

DURHAM, N.C. -- N.C. Central football coach Henry Frazier III made the mistake once of trying to adopt someone else's offensive system. At the time, he had just accepted his first head coaching job at Bowie State in Maryland. He was hired three weeks before the start of the season and announced that it was easier for him to learn an old system rather than have his player's adapt to a new one.

"I got to looking at what they were doing, not that it was bad, but it wasn't me," Frazier said. "If I can't be authentic, then there's no need of me doing it. So I scratched that idea."

Frazier takes his own ideas to N.C. Central - and they are forward thinking. At Prairie View A&M, his previous coaching post, his teams ran a no-huddle offense, snapping the ball with 10 seconds left on the play clock. He has an even faster version for the Eagles.


Videographer: NCCU Eagles

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VISIT: NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
VISIT: NCCUEAGLES

Monday, January 3, 2011

NCCU band's big moment had some hurdles

PASADENA, Cal. -- N.C. Central University's Marching Sound Machine had to overcome funding problems, sieges of bad weather and even fear of flying to complete its long-standing goal: marching in Saturday's 122nd Rose Parade.

Thousands of roadside spectators cheered on the Marching Sound Machine as they played Michael Jackson's "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" while executing some of Jackson's most famous dance moves - the moonwalk and anti-gravity lean.

"I never imagined how many people would be there," said Letitia Harris, a junior trombone player. "I can't even think right now; I'm just trying to catch my breath."


Videographer: Music 213

Sound Machine 'brings it'

PASADENA, Calif. -- The N.C. Central University Marching Sound Machine's debut at the Rose Parade on Saturday was a success. The tricky 110-degree turn onto Colorado Boulevard? Flawless. The moon-walking dance moves? Smooth as silk. The response of the crowd? Almost louder than the band's drum line.

"It went very, very well," said Brian Henry, tuba player and senior in mass communication at NCCU. "The turn was very easy. Everybody did an excellent job. It was awesome!"

NCCU plays Disney

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- For members of the N.C. Central University Marching Sound Machine band, Tuesday was their longest day -- it began with packing up in Durham at 2 a.m. and ended 22 hours later in California with the receipt of their new uniforms.

The new costumes arrived at the hotel just in time for their first performance at Disneyland on Wednesday. The design is the same as that developed in 2003, but the band members appreciated having bright new uniforms for their Tournament of Roses Parade performance on New Year's Day in Pasadena.


Videographer: Music 213 -  NCCU Marching Sound Machine performance @ Pasadena Bandfest, Part 1.

NCCU Marching Sound Machine Band honors FAMU's late Dr. William P. Foster

The North Carolina Central University Marching Sound  Machine Band honored the late Dr. William P. Foster at the December 30, 2010, Bandfest in Pasadena, California. The band played a tribute to Dr. Foster, performing Michael Jackson's Bird Song.  Dr. Foster was the "dean and innovator of American university marching bands."

The NCCU band has been greatly influenced by the legendary musical and marching innovations of Dr. Foster through their director, Mr. Jorim E. Reid.  Mr Reid is a positive example of the many fine musicians that have fully developed, enhanced and perfected their craft and musicianship under the late Dr.William P. Foster's leadership at Florida A&M University.

Mr. Reid, a former FAMU Marching 100 drum major, oboe player, piano major, student music arranger for the famous Marching 100 Band, and conductor extraordinaire, is creating his own legacy and influence on student- musicians throughout North Carolina and the World.

Take a listen to the superb musicianship, showmanship, symphonic arrangements and marching precision of the North Carolina Central University Marching Sound Machine Band on part 2 of the Pasadena, California Bandfest performance. Eagle Pride - Amplified!


Videographer: Music 213 - NCCU Marching Sound Machine Band, Part 2.

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Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Coach Mose Rison has high expectations for NCCU Eagles‎

DURHAM, N.C. -- After a week of practice, N.C. Central football coach Mose Rison thinks he's got a team that can be pretty good. "For the first time since I've been here we're not going to be outmanned at any position in any game," Rison said.

"I expect us to turn it up and be ready to play. If we play good early, we have a chance to be ranked in the top-25."

Rison's confidence is boosted by a roster that returns 17 starters. The Eagles got off to a rough beginning a year ago, with six losses to start the season, but rallied to win four of their last five. And after what Rison called a tremendous off-season program, he thinks this squad is in the best shape they have been in since he arrived.

The Eagles certainly appeared loose and confident Sunday during their annual media and photo day. NCCU opens its season on Sept. 2 at home against Johnson C. Smith, a former rival in the CIAA. Since leaving that conference, NCCU has been preparing for play in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Eagles have five games scheduled against MEAC opponents this season before playing a full slate next year.

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The NCCU Marching Sound Machine wants you to support the NCCU Marching Sound Machine on Their Road to the 2011 Annual Tournament of Roses Parade.

BUY A $20 RAFFLE TICKET TO WIN A 2010 Nissan Versa!!!


Make Your Donation Today! Tickets Will soon be available for purchase: • From any NCCU Sound Machine Musician or The Exquisite Ladies of the eClipse Auxiliary Squad • Student Affairs • Campus Bookstore • Student Union • Michael Jordan Nissan • Sound Machine Booster Club and Alumni Band Members.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

NCCU Eagles get a jump on the competition

DURHAM, NC -- After a tough start to the 2009 football season, when N.C. Central let several winnable games slip away late, the Eagles hope strength in numbers will make a difference in 2010. NCCU coach Mose Rison welcomed 88 players to the first practice on Monday night at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium as the Eagles tried to beat the heat. Rison said he didn't know what to expect with the weather to open camp after going through an oppressive July.

"It was really nice," Rison said. "We didn't have to worry about the heat. It was a good first practice." The Eagles open the 2010 season, their first in the MEAC at the Division I Football Championship Subdivision level, at home against Johnson C. Smith on Sept 2 at 7 p.m. Rison said there were about 30 players out on the field horsing around and playing catch 45 minutes before practice was scheduled to start.

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Eagles are ready to Soar! Watchout MEAC!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

NCCU Band Receives Walmart Gift

When members of North Carolina Central University’s Marching Sound Machine arrive in Pasadena, California, to take part in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day, they will not have to worry about lost luggage at the airport, thanks to a major in-kind gift from Walmart. The transportation services division of the discount giant will transport the band’s instruments, equipment, luggage and uniforms. This gift, valued at close to $100,000, is the largest donation received in support of the (Marching Sound Machine's) Tournament of Roses $1 million dollars campaign.

On Christmas morning, two 18-wheelers will roll into Durham, load up and head west, crossing eight states and arriving in California by Dec. 28. Walmart will also transport the equipment back to Durham on Jan. 5. “This gift is saving the university thousands in transportation costs,” said LaTanya Afolayan, vice chancellor of Institutional Advancement.

NCCU is anticipating a total cost of $500,000, or $2,000 per student, for the band to take part in the prestigious parade. They still have a ways to go, but Afolayan, whose office is leading the fundraising effort, is confident that NCCU will reach its goal. “This gift sets precedence for other major supporters,” she said. “In these economic times to have Walmart step up at this level, it really means a lot. It signifies Walmart’s commitment to higher education, and we hope it will inspire others to join us in this endeavor.”

NCCU alumnus James Dockery, a member of the board of the NCCU Foundation, was instrumental in securing the donation, Afolayan said. Dockery is a former Walmart employee.

Through their dedication to musicianship, electrifying performances and the artistic expression of band director Jorim Reid, the Marching Sound Machine has gained the attention of several sponsors, including Michael Jordan Nissan, which has donated a 2010 Nissan Versa, valued at $18,000, to be raffled during the NCCU homecoming game on Oct. 30.

The Marching Sound Machine was selected as one of 16 bands to perform at the 2011 Rose Parade. Band members will assist with float preparation and perform in the annual Bandfest event before taking center stage as the first HBCU from North Carolina invited to the Tournament of Roses.

To join the parade and help the Marching Sound Machine get to Pasadena, visit www.nccu.edu/tournamentofroses.



The NCCU Marching Sound Machine Band is under the leadership of Mr. Jorim Edgar Reid. Mr. Reid is a former band member of Miami Norland High School, Miami, Florida, and a drum major of the incomparable "Marching 100" at Florida A&M University. Reid earned his undergraduate degree at Florida A&M University, his masters from Florida State University and is currently pursuing a doctorate at Boston University. He has been NCCU Director of Bands for the past seven years, retooling the marching band, which then featured only 32 members to over 200 musicians.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

U.S. House of Representatives passes North Carolina Central University Resolution

Washington, D.C. - Today, the United States House of Representatives passed H.Res. 1361, Recognizing North Carolina Central University (NCCU) on its 100th Anniversary by a vote of 408-1.

NCCU is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The resolution was sponsored by Representatives David Price (NC-04) and G.K. Butterfield (NC-01). Rep. Price’s district includes NCCU and Rep. Butterfield earned an undergraduate and juris doctorate from the university.

Yesterday, Rep. Price addressed the House of Representatives to recognize the institution’s impact on North Carolina and urge swift passage of the resolution. The text of Rep. Price’s remarks is below.

CONGRESSMAN DAVID PRICE
FLOOR STATEMENT ON H. RES. 1361
Recognizing North Carolina Central University on its 100th Anniversary
May 19, 2010

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.Res.1361, which commemorates the centennial anniversary of North Carolina Central University and honors its founder, Dr. James E. Shepard. I’ve introduced this resolution as the member of this body privileged to represent North Carolina Central, but I’m proud to say it has the support of the entire North Carolina delegation as well as a number of other members who recognize the university’s significance.

People frequently talk about the “Big 3” universities in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina – referring to Duke University, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – but I like to remind them that it is actually the “Big 4”. North Carolina Central is fully as integral to the historical fabric of our state as its three peer institutions; it is one of the oldest and most prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the nation; and it has rapidly assumed an important role as a research institution.

Established by Dr. James E. Shepard in 1909 in Durham, North Carolina, the University first opened its doors to students a year later as the National Religious Training School and Chautauqua. Dr. Shepard was a visionary leader guided by the conviction that individual self-improvement and collective self-advancement were inextricably intertwined. “There is no economy in ignorance,” he declared. “Education is a vastly expensive resource, but ignorance is incomparably more so. Ignorance and poverty are cures for nothing.”

Dr. Shepard led the University until his death in 1947, guiding the institution through several name changes; watching the University grow in size and mission; and helping the school to gain the support of the North Carolina state legislature. In 1925, thanks to Dr. Shepard’s leadership, the school became the nation’s first state-supported liberal arts college for African-American students.



Now an integral part of the University of North Carolina system, NC Central offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 100 fields of study and graduate degrees in about 40 disciplines to a student body of about 8,500. U.S. News and World Report recently ranked NC Central the top public HBCU in the nation and one of the top ten HBCUs overall. The NC Central School of Law has been named the “Best Value Law School” in the nation by National Jurist magazine for two consecutive years.

NC Central is also renowned for its contributions to the cultural and performing arts. The University is home to the “Marching Sound Machine,” an award-winning marching band that will be performing on New Year’s Day 2011 in the Rose Parade, and the NC Central Jazz Ensemble, which recently performed in the Newport Jazz Festival.

NC Central also has a strong history of athletic prowess: its sports teams have won 41 conference championships, three NCAA regional titles, and two national championships. More than 50 of its student-athletes have won individual NCAA and NAIA national championships; and student-athletes representing NCCU competed in every Olympic Games from 1956 to 1976 in track and field, capturing eight Olympic medals, including five gold medals, during that span.

As a co-chair of the congressional National Service Caucus, I must also note that NC Central was the first state university in North Carolina to establish community service as a requirement for graduation and has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as a “community-engaged university”. It should therefore come as no surprise that the University has enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with its home city of Durham throughout its 100-year history.

Thousands of NC Central graduates have served Durham as community leaders, educators, professionals, entrepreneurs and volunteers. However, the reach of NC Central extends far beyond the borders of the Triangle region of North Carolina. In the century since its founding, the University has graduated approximately 40,000 students and proudly boasts many distinguished alumni, including civil rights lawyer and educator Julius L. Chambers, basketball Hall of Famer Sam Jones, two-time Olympic track gold medalist Lee Calhoun, NC Superior Court Judge Toby Fitch, state Senator and former Speaker Dan Blue, and state Rep. Mickey Michaux, not to mention my friend and lead cosponsor of this legislation, Congressman G.K. Butterfield.

In the words of NC Central’s current Chancellor, Dr. Charlie Nelms: "It's no small accomplishment that an institution of higher education - and in this case founded by African-Americans at a time when African-Americans were barred from most colleges - survived and thrived for 100 years." I could not agree more. Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Shepard, Dr. Nelms, and all who served the institution in between, the University has flourished and has touched countless lives in North Carolina and throughout the country and the world.

With that, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution and yield back the remainder of my time.