Checking in…After a few weeks off I am proud to report that the Hawk Squawk is back and boy there is plenty to report from Chowan University and the athletic department.

First, the staff is all back on campus and busy as bees, or should I say soaring like HAWKS, trying to get ready for preseason practices and classes beginning on the 23.

I am looking forward to what the new year will bring for us

New Faces Heading Places…This year’s fall sports season will feature several new but experienced faces.

We actually slowed locals Pete and Suzanne Gibson down from their running long enough to ink them as our new cross country coaches. Last I heard they were seen running South but at their pace, they’ll be back before they kick off their inaugural season.

Seriously people, don’t ever try to keep up with those folks-they make running 26 miles look like a cakewalk-which to most of us non-runners is much more appealing!

Newcomers Marci Jenkins and Ken Miller will head up the volleyball and men’s soccer programs respectively.

Jenkins is going to breathe some life back into her program for sure while Miller is ready to start building a reputable program on the men’s soccer side. Both come with a ton of playing and coaching experience. Look for improvements in both programs in all areas.

Hawks Take Flight…The 2006 Fall Sports season is just weeks away from taking flight. In fact the football team filed in Wednesday for practice set to start tonight at 6:15 p.m.

Coach Lorick Atkinson speaks highly of his recruiting class and his returning players and invites the community to venture out to the practice football field to catch the Hawks in action sometime in the next few months. (That invitation is null and void for anyone wearing Purple and Gold or from Cullowhee.)

Countdown to Season Openers…The in-season coaches have been anticipating their season openers for some time now. In fact we got word from Washington, D.C. earlier today the official countdowns have already started.

So folks, mark your calendars. Starting today there are 21 days left until football opens their season on the road at Western Carolina, 20 days before volleyball travels to Virginia State, 20 days until men’s soccer hosts St. Andrews Presbyterian, and 14 days until women’s soccer travels to UNC-Pembroke.

For more schedule information, log onto our website at www.chowan.edu/athlet.

Celebrate Good Times…If you’ve been around the past few months you’ve certainly heard about all the new and exciting changes that Chowan is going through.

The University transition, the nickname change, the improvement in buildings and overall campus appearance, and the improved enrollment figures just a name a few. Just think, just a few years ago the Chowan talk amongst the town was just the opposite.

Chowan is alive and well, thriving and booming and to help prove it – Dr. Chris White is having a party and you are invited!

Chowan University will officially celebrate its name change September 7-10.

You will see more in the News-Herald and around town if you haven’t already heard about it. It will be four days of fun and celebration for all. Stay tuned!

What’s in store…The deeper we get in the sports seasons here you can expect to read more about specific teams and players and maybe even some coaches.

I am looking forward to bringing you the news, the updates, the talk around campus, and other fun tidbits throughout the 2006-07 season!

In the meantime, log onto our website and keep up @ www.chowan.edu! GO HAWKS!