MURFREESBORO - As Chowan University's Director of Athletics, Dennis Helsel, embarks on his fifth year at the helm of the Hawks athletic's program, he sits down with Meredith Long and the Athletic Communications office to reflect on the ins and outs of 2009-10 athletic season as well as what fans can expect to see in 2010-11.
What benefits did our student-athletes and coaches experience playing in their first year a full-fledged member of the CIAA? There are three benefits it would appear (according to our student-athletes): 1) competing for championships and the rings such a championship would bring; 2) competing for individual honors; and 3) building student-athlete relationships with other conference members.
What do you consider some of the department's major successes this season? 1) Conference membership and the benefits afforded our student-athletes; 2) NCAA tournament participation (Chowan went from being 221 out of 221 in sport success rankings to 180 out of 221); 3) Facility upgrades; 4) Increased attendance at athletics events; 5) Four Players of the Year and several all conference and weekly honors; and, 6) Increased revenues.
Women's Bowling participated in the CIAA as a first for Chowan. What are your thoughts on their progress this season? It was a new sport and the coach had no chance to bring in any "bowling" recruits. The coach now understands what can happen with a few good "women." We will be a factor that will attempt to leave a mark on the future of women's bowling in the CIAA.
What are you most excited about for next year? I truly believe that we will be better in the conference. This year we just got our feet wet and saw a glimpse of what could be. I would hope that we would win our first NCAA tournament game. Chowan will have a televised football game for the first time in its history. And let us not forget that our student-athletes are not willing to settle for a small role in the conference. They want to be a force to be reckoned with.
What do you anticipate for our fall sports this year? Winter sports? Spring Sports? SUCCESS! Chowan athletics will be better. But the joy of being the athletics director is to sit back and watch each program define what that word means. In my opinion, two championships is just the beginning.
How can fans get season tickets to our home football and basketball contests this year? The answer is rather uncomplicated: Join Hawks Haven. Each member receives one season ticket and the knowledge that he/she has helped a student-athlete become better.
Chowan is slated to play in its first televised game on October 2nd against Virginia Union at Garrison Stadium. What does this mean for our institution and the CU football program specifically? A TV game brings exposure for the university. It places Chowan University in the homes of many who may have never heard of us. As the fastest growing private school in North Carolina, the more students that apply the greater selection Chowan has. The academic success of the university has the potential to increase. For the football staff it provides a recruiting plus. It makes the coaches jobs a little easier. If the football team shows well, the first TV game creates the opportunity for more. A successful football telecast possibly brings a basketball telecast closer to reality.
