NC CENTRAL GETS ITS MAN: North Carolina Central University announced last week that former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga head coach, Henry Dickerson, will be the Eagles new head men's basketball coach replacing Phil Spence. Dickerson brings 23 years of collegiate coaching experience, including five seasons as head coach at UTC, guiding the Mocs to two Southern Conference South Division titles and an overall record of 72-73 from 1997-2002. During that time, 14 of his student-athletes received their degrees and UTC led the Southern Conference in attendance each year. He also served as associate head men's coach at UTC from 1989-97, and held assistant men's basketball coaching positions at Marshall (1983-89) and the University of Charleston (1979-83). Dickerson's four-year contract, which includes an annual salary of $80,000, will begin May 3, 2004. "I am impressed with his credentials," said NCCU Chancellor, Dr. James H. Ammons. "He has a solid background as both a coach and administrator, which demonstrates that he has an understanding of the importance of balancing athletics and academics." A native of Beckley, W.Va., Dickerson, 52, was a four-sport letterman at his hometown Woodrow Wilson High School before accepting a scholarship to play basketball at Morris Harvey College in Charleston, now known as the University of Charleston. He quickly established himself as one of the top student-athletes in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, earning first team all-Conference and WVIAC all-Tournament for four consecutive seasons. He was also voted to the All-Academic West Virginia team before receiving his bachelor's degree in Physical Education in 1973. He went on to play professional basketball in Israel and had a short stint in the NBA. His coaching career began in 1978 at Maury High School in Norfolk, Va., as an assistant and he accepted his first collegiate coaching position in 1979 at the University of Charleston. He has also served as assistant dean of student development at UTC the past two years. Dickerson is married to the former Deborah Jones of Norfolk, Va., and they are the parents of two sons, Brian and Brandon.

KUDOS TO McCANTS: Former Delaware State University football great Darnerien McCants has been selected by the NFL's Washington Redskins as the team's 2003 Walter Payton Man of the Year, an NFL award that recognizes a player's off-the-field community service, as well as his playing excellence. As a result of his nomination, NFL Charities donates $1,000 to a nonprofit organization of the honoree's choice. McCants selected the Delaware State University football program as his recipient. According to a statement by the Redskins, McCants participated in all of the community events with the Washington Redskins Leadership Council, the nonprofit foundation of the team, this past season. His charitable work includes participation in Knock Out Abuse (benefit for battered and abused women and children), Taste of the NFL (benefit for DC Central Kitchen), Rally Round the Redskins (benefit for McDonald's House Charities) and Quarterback Club Luncheons. McCants also makes regular visits to Washington's Children's Hospital, and distributes goods to needy families. In addition, through the Redskins Read program, McCants has made several visits to local libraries and schools to read to youngsters while donning his Dr. Suess "Cat in the Hat" head gear. McCants is a 2001 DSU graduate, earning a bachelor's degree in General Art. The Odenton, Md., native competed for the Hornets from 1997 to 2000. As a senior, he was a Division I-AA all-America and all-MEAC first team selection after leading all I-AA players with 18 touchdown catches, setting DSU and MEAC single-season records. McCants has made regular donations to the university since his graduation. In 2003, his third year with the Redskins, McCants recorded 27 catches for 360 yards, while tying for the team lead with six touchdowns.

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