BCSP X-39: BCSP Notes

"Charles Harris emerged early in our search as an outstanding leader who has accomplished much in his career," Averett President Dr. Richard Pfau said. "He has built strong and successful academic and athletic combinations at University of Pennsylvania in the Ivy League and Arizona State in the Pac-10. His is a compelling presence, and I look forward to the contributions he will make to the entire University as a member of our leadership team."

Harris has served as director of athletics at the University of Pennsylvania and Arizona State University, and as well as commissioner of the MEAC. He has also chaired the NCAA Division I Management Council, the most senior position not held by a college or university president in the NCAA hierarchy, and has served on the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee. Presently, he is a partner with Excel Development Systems, Inc., a private management and consulting firm based out of Greensboro, N.C., that provides strategic advising and crisis management in the sports field.

In the spring of 2002, Harris withdrew from acceptance of the athletics directorship at Dartmouth College when a discrepancy in a resume from 1979 was reported.

"I sacrificed short term aspirations for long term values," said Harris of the 1979 incident. "I apologize to the entire athletic community for failing to live up to the standards that make athletics so important in any university community. For me, the most important lesson learned is there is only one way to do anything; that is the right way. In that regard, I am very appreciative of Averett viewing my past indiscretion in the context of an overall body of work in athletics that has spanned 25 years."

Said Dr. Pfau of the Averett decision, "When Charles told me about the situation, we talked with the Dean at Dartmouth and then asked the advice of Averett's faculty committee on intercollegiate athletics, who recommended that we go ahead. The final decision to hire him is mine, based on his complete record and great promise for the future."

Administrators and coaches throughout the NCAA have offered praise for Harris and for Averett's decision. The University received congratulations from officials at UVA, Dartmouth, NC State, Syracuse and other Division I schools and associations.

Peoples stars, West prevails in Cleveland All-Star tilt
From The Cleveland Plain Dealer
St. Augustine's center and CIAA Most Valuable Player Desmond Peoples tallied a game-high 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds but it was not enough to hold off the West All-Stars who took the first Black College All-Star game played at Cleveland's Gund Arena Saturday night, 103-95.

A crowd of 13,793 was on hand to watch four all-star games including the finale which featured seniors from the SWAC and SIAC on the West squad and counterparts from the CIAA and MEAC on the East.

Too much balance by the West offset the sterling offensive performance by Peoples. Seven West players scored in double figures with none getting more than 15.

"I had never seen him play," said East coach Lafayette Stribling from Mississippi Valley State. But the 6-8 Peoples said he did not arrive in Cleveland under the radar.

"The players knew," he said. "I had played against a lot of these guys last weekend in Atlanta."

In the opening half, the West used its balance to counter the inside work of Peoples and 6-9 Anthony Greenup from Shaw. Both used their size to stick back offensive rebounds from missed jumpers, or to throw down alley-oops.

The West was aided by the East not starting celebrated guard Terrance Woods, one of the leading scorers in the nation out of Florida A&M University. When Woods did hit the court, he found it hard to get in rhythm. He scored just four points in the opening half.

Grambling forward Paul Haynes and Benedict forward Eugene Jackson were a combined 10-of-16 shooting in the opening half for the West and more importantly the West had just seven turnovers to help build its slim halftime advantage.

In the second half, the West was content to spread the wealth with Haynes finishing as its leading scorer with 15 points, and solid 46.9 percent shooting for the game. The East struggled offensively, shooting 38.8 percent for the game, as Woods finished with just 10 points.

BCSP Notes . . .