The Upper Cumberland Camera; 1133

You You You evening and welcome to the upper Cumberland camera

tonight later on you'll meet the Golden Eagle basketball team the 1994 men's tech basketball team You'll also learn about a Danish gymnastics team They're only going to appear in one Tennessee city and that's Cookville You'll also find out about a local UFO chapter that is started. It's a worldwide information gathering network But first let's meet the 1994 Golden Eagle ads Tennessee tech Golden Eagle ads basketball team is celebrating its silver anniversary this year and the season is already underway Before the first regular season game We visited a practice session with coach Bill Whirls team, which was picked to finish second in the OVC behind Tennessee State Great schedule this year of course by the time people see this you'll already be back from Hawaii But you'll still have Ole Miss and Louisiana Tech some other games coming up looking forward to playing the schedule. Definitely looking forward to playing It's one of the toughest schedules. I believe that we've had since I've been here and Playing the good teams only make us better It's a lot better than playing not so good teams and winning because you can't really get a feel

for how good you really are How good do you think this team is this year? Oh after Monday night. We just clicked. I have this feeling I was watching we were watching films at the next day after practice and just watching it. It's just like this feeling I've never had I haven't had in a couple years. We just click everybody Everybody can play the bench. We've got a deep bench. It's a wonderful feeling You've got a lot of new faces in fact I think this is the most new faces I've ever seen on one eagle a team is it hard to get everybody mixed together and get Everything to jail. Well, I think we spend a lot of time together though. We really know each other a lot We're personally off the floor. We hang around each other But and I think it makes it easier when we're on the court together To come together as a team when you you know know each other's personalities and stuff How did you feel about being picked second in the league? I expected it. I guess because I mean TSU did win last year and you know, we'll see that's all if you can say You know, we have a different opinion of what they do. And so we'll just have to prove that Don't you think it's awfully gutless that they

always pick the person who's won last year to finish first again Oh, yeah, but like you said, that's expected though. mean they they think that they have the same team I mean, they didn't lose very many people last year neither do we though So I mean, I don't really know. We have a young team I think that might be one of the reasons why we were picked second But our young players have come along and played just like our upperclassmen have so Why did you transfer to Tennessee Tech? Well, I miss being close to home. I miss being around my family and friends and I just like the atmosphere here better, it's smaller school there's a Smaller teacher student ratio, and I just like that better What do you think about this year's team for the Eagle X? I Think we can do great things. I'm really excited about this year Now one thing I guess people will notice right off the bat. You got braces. Yeah, your teeth look good That's a tough decision. I guess to get braces when you're being banged around

To keep your lips from getting I think anyone who's worn braces is familiar. Yeah What do you think about this year's team? I really feel that we're like stronger than we were last year I feel like we're more experienced and we're like quicker And I just feel like we're a whole lot better than we were last year You got to play an exhibition game against one of the great centers in Tennessee Tech history Cheryl Taylor. What was that like? Well, I was telling myself not to be intimidated and I don't think that I was but she is big and she is strong and She's a really good player, but I feel like I held my ground against her and By the time everybody sees this you'll already have returned from Hawaii What do you think about the schedule this year? I feel like it's a real tough schedule It's gonna be challenging and I think that since it's gonna be before our OVC season starts it's really gonna help us and gets prepared gives a challenge to get ready for the OVC season

How do you feel this year's team is different from last year's? Um We have more bodies this year than we did last year, so we have more potential to do our press more than last year so I mean it's Not much not a whole lot different. We're stronger in some areas than we were last year you all finished second to Tennessee State and Are you going to be looking for revenge this year? Is that going to be a motivating factor you think? Well, not so much revenge. think We need to we have a we feel like we have a place in the we've been number one for the past couple years And last year we kind of slacked off. guess we We're looking just like, you know, it was just like a sure win But not we have to prove it to ourselves It's not gonna be so much as revenge as it is gonna be for us to prove to ourselves that we can do it By the time you get to be a junior sometimes practice is a little bit tedious I would imagine is basketball still fun or is it mostly hard work?

Well by the time you're junior in college you get kind of old so it's probably more hard work But I mean it's still fun, you know, it's gonna always be fun Yeah, what are you looking for this year? the Eagle Lads OBC championship Probably more than anything. meant that's the in road or whatever. So that's what I'm looking forward to You have probably Played against many of the players on this team or did when you were in high school What's it like being their teammate? At first it's kind of it was difficult. was kind of hard to know what to expect But we've come together really well, and I think There's no difference now. We're just one big team. It's just the same as playing with those from Shelbyville What does it take to get that team feeling and with a group this big the biggest group you've had? I think a lot of it comes from not only on the floor, but off the floor We do a lot of things outside of the gym together And I think that has a lot to do with it and like I said, you know, we're all friends We all hang out together and that has a lot to do with it I guess it's gonna be a real battle at the guard

position for the Eagle Lads this year Well, not really. have Each card does something else for the team and we have our own thing that we do that helps the team And so it's not really a battle. It's just whoever can go in and get the job done We have a lot more depth this year. it'll make it a lot easier. What'd do in the off -season? Not much Remember Coach, we're all watching. Not too much Just ran a little. It's hot and round. I didn't really work that hard Was it hard to get back in shape? No, not really. Just a little running In the morning six o 'clock. Not that bad Not bad for you, babe. Okay, anything else you want to add? We're just excited about the season ready to get started. What do you think about this year's team? I think we're gonna be a lot better than we're last year. We're a lot deeper Got a lot more experience Do you think it's depth and experience that will make the difference? Yeah, I think it will be We've got a lot of young players that are gonna help us off

the bench and stuff and I Think we'll be a lot deeper and it'll help us in the long run Again, you're playing a real tough schedule outside of the OVC And everybody says that really helps but doesn't that just wear you out when you play the top competition in the nation? Not really. just makes you get you that much more excited and I don't know I think it'll be better because it'll Make us play that much better. Any predictions for this year? I think we're gonna do really well this year. looking forward to it Does it have the practice has been tough getting back in shape? Yeah, we did a lot of pre -season running and lifting weights, but I think we're doing really good What do you think about being picked second in the OVC? I Think that we could become first And tell us about the schedule this year by the time everybody sees this you'll be back from Hawaii Probably all tan and looking good What about the rest of the schedule? It looks pretty tough. Well, I guess We'll just have to take one team at a time and do the best that we can Now

what do you expect? Your role on this team to be this year Practice hard Be a be a good opponent for that team and just try my best If I give me game then I'll do my best I can. What's the big adjustment from high school to college? Just the physical play. It's a lot. It's a lot more physical and It's harder work and you expect more out of you and stuff Is it tough being away from home? Not really. No. And Understand that you actually tried to kill the Tennessee Tech mascot. No That was Max's fault. She could have Tell us what happened so we have the story straight. she just didn't jump high enough and So she was just trying to maybe look bad, I guess. In a pass that you made hit the mascot in the head And send him reeling to the floor You're pretty strong passer then I guess Tell us a little bit about your game. I know you play guard. What kind of game do you play? Are you a shooter or a passer

or a rebounder? More a passer I guess because that's what my main thing was in high school So, mm -hmm. You got some pretty good people to pass the ball to on this team looks like. Yes Now you're going to red shirt this year. Can you tell us why? Because I've had I had arthroscopic knee surgery just recently and they found out that I had a 50 % tear in my ligament So I'm gonna have to sit out for the season. Is that tough? Yes, it is. It's really hard coming to practice every day and watching everyone practicing because I really wish I could be out there But I guess you're learning a lot about the system the coach world uses at the same time Yes, you think that might benefit you in the long run to have a year to look it over. Yes, I do I think it's it's good to be able to come in here and you know I've already I practiced some the first of season So I've got to feel what it's gonna be like for the next year. So mm -hmm Now you're a pretty good inside player as well as pretty good

three -point shooter. understand is that correct? I guess That's a hard combination to to find and in a player these days. How did you perfect your game? well in high school I was One of the tallest players on the team. So I had to play a lot inside to help out. mm -hmm And also you got to play some outside So you got your three -point shooting abilities from that. Yes It a lot of good players have come out of Sparta. Why do you think that is? well, I think We we've all started young in Sparta And we've all a lot of the girls we've all played together even in elementary school And so and then a a you we play together and I just think that We've had a very good coaching Since you played together with those young ladies for so long is it going to be hard do you think to fit into this team? No, I don't think

so. It's been pretty easy coming in here so far because everyone gets along so well and It's I think it's great. What attracted you to Tennessee Tech? I heard that had a really good academic program For those really good school and I also heard that there was going to be a position open for a walk -on here on the basketball team now pre -med is a very tough curriculum at Tennessee Tech and One thing about the pre -med curriculum is that the chemistry program is so hard that if you get through that It's easy to get into medical school. I understand. That's what I've heard So is it tough to balance academics and basketball? It really is you have to learn how to manage your time and that's something that I've learned to adjust to it took a little while But now I think I can manage it. What attracted you to pre -med? My father's a doctor and my mother's a nurse so I've always been associated with the health field So it just seemed a natural thing to do and why'd you choose Tennessee Tech other than the academic curriculum? Why did you want to play basketball here? I heard that they had been very successful and I just heard that it was a great program Is it tough to be a walk

-on? In a way it is because you're going against people who've already met each other They played the summer together, but then again, these are all really nice girls and they've accepted us and feel like it's part of team And will it would it bother you if in the course of the year you don't get to play in a lot of games? No, I just feel good to be a part of such an exciting program such a successful one What if the players talked about as far as what happened in last year and the previous years? What have they told you about the history of this team? Well last year I know that they really wanted to win the OVC and they thought they should have but they didn't but this year They seem really dedicated and committed and we're all very confident You came to Tech from Princeton, Indiana What attracted you to Tech? I guess I'd have to say I was looking for a good basketball program to play in that was that wasn't a big division I mean, I guess Big big school like you know Purdue and Indiana, which is around where I live And they had a good

education program So I kind of looked at that and then talking to coach Whirl. I decided to walk on and Neither that way did you realize when you walked on that this team would be playing against the type of competition You're talking about the Louisiana tax and yeah, yeah I knew when I talked to him he had said that they were working and I think that's great I mean, I want to play against it I mean, I think that's a great experience to play because I'd like to coach further on I think playing teams like that and seeing things like that. It's good. Mm -hmm. What do you think about coach Whirl's system here? Oh, I like it. I think I've been able to I mean, it's been a little bit of an adjustment just because I Came from a smaller school and and you know, so it's I think it's a good. I like it Indiana has been known throughout the years to produce great men's basketball players Do have they produced a lot of women's greats? Well, we have one girl's playing for University, Tennessee You know, there's a Have to think a couple girls are playing for Iowa was played all -american the year I graduated seniors with me So

yeah, they've had a few I mean It's not as noticed because we are known for men's basketball as say is you know as this but there's been a few that come out They're really good. And what do you think you can contribute to the team this year? Well, I hope I can contribute, you know, just being Someone good person to you know practicing in practices and stuff and being someone that can when called upon can do What needs to be done when asked? Sherry, how do you like college basketball so far? I like it It's it's different from high school, but the competition level is higher And we're playing a lot of different teams than you ever play in high school I like it a lot of people get discouraged when they come to college because they find that they're not the star player anymore Sounds to me like you like a challenge. I love challenges You don't have to be a star to be successful. You your teammates make you a star You don't do it by yourself. You do it with everybody I can see why in some cases playing college ball might be more fun

because the things that you wanted to do in high school It couldn't do you might be able to do now because of the level of talent around you Yeah, we travel a lot more Meet a lot of different people as in high school. You play the same teams over and in college You you played different teams all over the country And foreign teams. Now, how do you fit in on this team? How do you feel like you fit in? I think I fit in well. It's it's the type of game we play as a game. I like Do you consider yourself a better shooter passer? Rebounder, what do you feel is your strength? Probably my strength Physical strength. I see your strength is your strength. Yeah That's an interesting point. So is this natural strength or do you lift weights? Probably a little bit of both. We lift weights preseason and circuit train now, but Now by the time everybody sees this you'll be back from Hawaii. I know you're looking forward to that What what are your expectations for the upcoming season?

I feel last year we finished second LVC One of our goals going into this year is to win the LVC in regular season and I feel we have a really good chance of doing that You've watched the eagle that's on television quite a bit, haven't you? What do you think of is that what attracted you to this team? Is that one thing that attracted you the fact that you got to see him so much? Yeah, I grew up right here in the county Growing up running eagle at basketball. I've always admired it. It's always caught my eye and A lot of the people around the community support fans. It's one of best that I've seen Sometimes when you look into the sky you see things whether balloons gas clouds falling stars Some people believe they've seen UFOs a local group discusses these sightings Laverre, can you tell us a little bit about the Mutual UFO Network? Well, it's about 25 years old The abbreviation for it is Mufan and Mufon and anytime you see anything

on television about Sightings or special programs that come on you usually see someone from the organization being interviewed The Mutual UFO Network Incorporated is an international scientific organization composed of people seriously Interested in studying and researching the phenomenon known as unidentified flying objects by combining their mutual talents areas of expertise and investigative efforts Mufan is a Texas non -profit corporation Mufan firmly believes that a concentrated scientific study by dedicated investigators and researchers Will provide the ultimate answer to the UFO enigma. It was founded on May 31st in 1969 in North America a state or provincial directors Overseas the investigative activities of the field investigators through state section directors an International coordinator and seven continental coordinators work with the foreign representatives and national directors in each country on the international scene Some people don't understand. How do you deal with people

who? Feel that what you are seeing is swamp gas or whatever. Well, it's kind of hard to explain it off as swamp gas When something makes a right -hand turn in the sky Go straight up and down in an area that and you know, it's not a helicopter. It can possibly be a helicopter We have Mufan has several specialists that are astronomy and Physics professors and major colleges that people speak to we speak to to make sure that what we're seeing and What we've got films of or pictures of can't be explained way because some of it can be not everything that people think is a Unidentified is unidentified. It can be identified, but there's some they

can't and Which is about the size if you held your your hand up at arms length It would be about the size of a baby aspirin a Bright light that goes flashing across the sky from one horizon to the other Now if it was a meteor it would spark it would have a tail it goes fast enough so that the eye can hardly follow it and Objects like that can't be explained. We have nothing that can go that fast Because of gravity we have nothing that can make sharp right -hand and left -hand turns or turn around go the opposite direction These sightings go back into the 40s and even before during World War two they were sighted and actually go back centuries Native Americans have a lot of tales about sightings No one can really guess what it is. Well, that's all we can do is guess and People have different opinions. It's my job as section director not

to have an opinion as to what it is In an age though where computers and video cameras and People with technical skills can create. I mean you can watch any science fiction program or movie and be taken in by our technical credibility What do you do to make sure that what you're given or what you're told is Accurate why myself am not professional enough to know that So what my job is to collect the information and forward it into people who are professionals and do know that What we do is we take as much of the report as we can there's lots of forms To be filled out depending on what the sighting is Then we turn around and send it to our state director who in turn sends it to Texas and They're the ones who have the professional expertise to make sure that this is not some sort of a hoax I've taken reports

from Sparta Gainesville Cookville Baxter Grandville The the area is pretty active and Again, if anybody thinks they may have seen something we'd really like to know about it It's the only way we can get statistics for you but central Tennessee seems to be a real hotbed from Knoxville to Nashville area and The quite common for years now We have a resident up the road from me whose calves broke out kept breaking out of their fencing and at that time this was like seven years ago the there were quite a few sightings around the Martins Creek area and His comment up at the store was well, they can come down and sit down in my pasture any time they want But I'm gonna tell them you're welcome, but you got to stop

staring my calves and They're pretty casual about it because that there are so many Down around the Oak Ridge area. It's been real real heavy And in fact there are films taken and I was hoping to have one for you today But I couldn't get a hold of it in time a lot of people don't want to be identified in any time you make out a Report on something you've seen it's quite though it goes into a central office in Texas and You may remain anonymous if you like you don't have to give your name and no one has access to those records either How do cattle mutilations tie into? sightings Well many times it's very near where the sighting was in the case that I'm going to tell you about It was near Knoxville and it was near the sighting that was filmed by the constable in fact the adjoining property the people there had

17 Cows and 14 of them within a couple days span Died with the mutilations or they had mutilations there were ears missing Genitals two of them had their brains removed But the interesting thing was there was not a drop of blood Not on the ground not on the animals Their hides were clean as if they'd just been scrubbed, but they were not wet Anybody who's gotten a cow ready for the fair knows what that fur looks like after it's been washed and dried and it was it kind of fluff Additionally the The wounds were Done almost with a laser They were seared closed. There was no bleeding at all People asked about devil worshipers. They do blood. They have a lot of blood and I there was none on the ground I've seen the photos. There's none on the ground. There were

no tire tracks There were no footprints and it'd be really hard for people to go in and kill 14 cows and not upset them Not have them tear up the ground. There was none of that just parts removed Now other people have said to me Well, maybe the government's doing some sort of testing But if the government wanted to do this they could go out in the middle of nowhere on their own property By as many cows as they want and do anything they want to them. I don't think they come looking for private people's cattle or sheep or pigs or whatever we have a really Interesting one that happened in Sparta. A couple was driving down their driveway about a mile long they had their two small children in the car and they saw a An object over the field. They were able to describe it to us The time of day was around sunset Just prior to sunset, maybe half hour reforced sunset in April

your last year When she was describing it to me and telling me about it She said that she thought they watched it. They stopped their car. They watched it. Maybe 15 minutes 20 minutes When I asked her What happened? Did it did it leave? it go up? Did it move? was triangular in shape It was that triangular in shape and she said well, no, we just suddenly it wasn't there. I Just really don't remember that and I asked her what she did next and she said well, we went home and went to bed In a year she had not thought about it, but I asked her then You went home and went to bed at 430 in the afternoon and she said well, no, it was dark and She had not realized that the time -lapse had to

be more than that Now there's obviously something she's not remembering. None of them are remembering We also have people that are trained to regress and can help people remember if they need to some don't want to That's fine. You don't have to remember if you don't want to What would you want the average person in middle Tennessee to know whether they had a sighting or not? Whether they believed or not, what do you want them to know about this local discussion group? gosh Something I haven't said Okay Well, I think what I'd like them to know is that everyone's welcome that we're not judgmental and That we're not a bunch of wackos. I haven't seen one person that I would put in that category at all everyone seems very sincere very interested and What we'd like to do is just gather information. That's our job to gather in Sometimes we can be it can be a lot of help just because there's somebody that you can talk to who'll listen to you Not think you're crazy

not tell you know, you didn't see that when you know you did If that can be very helpful to people to get it out of their system and not to be laughed at and Again, we do need some trained field investigators. I Obviously cannot be everywhere at once and since we had at last meeting we had four counties Represented we had people who had come in from White County Jackson Putnam and Overton counties at the meetings So I can't be everywhere at once and so I need some help out there So I'd like to get some volunteers. They will be trained by the way The local chapter of Mufon meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p .m. At the Cookville show knees on Jefferson Any new sightings they've taken place people who have stories to tell can come There are some people who come who have nothing to tell but are just real

interested the next meeting will be Tuesday December 6th To volunteer or learn more about Mufon call area code 615 372 7070 or 1 -800 -327 -5444 The national Danish gymnastics team is currently on an international tour their only Tennessee performance will be in Cookville on December 13th It is an opportunity brought about by friendship on a trip to Denmark touring with the local clogging team Cookvillian Bill Masters met Hans Rose guard of Denmark who is currently living in Berea, Kentucky on a cultural exchange program Bill had the chance to see the team in action this fall They came in October and we went up saw their show and it was really fabulous

better so I think than than the Olympics or Just about any gymnast group you've ever seen it's really really a good show so hands call me all a week or two ago and ask Do I think that we could bring the team to Cookville and I said well, I really don't know but I saw a Good friend of mine Bob Hargis, and he's letting us use the gym at the junior high school on December the 13th the group will get here on the 12th and My church the Stephen Street Baptist Church and brother Jimmy arms and the Teenagers the group that in the church is is helping me provide homes places for them to stay and we'll feed them and then the shows at seven o 'clock on Tuesday December the 13th at the junior high school and You'll probably have to ask me anything else the tickets are are Five dollars at the door three dollars in advance, and

I'll have to set up a Maybe the banks can help me or something or selling tickets I haven't got in touch with them We hope to go to all the schools in the Cookville area to put a promo show on on Tuesday morning around 10 o 'clock So we can the kids get some idea of just how good these people are hands. Tell us about this Danish gymnastics team Yeah, lots of that's part of my life been part of my life for 25 years. They represent the Danish gymnastics and sports association Which is one of the associations in Denmark that? Well, Denmark has got five fun two million members or people living there, and we've got 1 .6 million members Out of which gymnastics is the biggest one. It's 460 ,000 and For many years since 1926 until 1989 it's been a tradition that the Danish national gymnastics group were touring the world always including the United States That traditions ended in 1989. We formed our new association,

which was based on two old associations that dated back to 1844 We funded that and we agreed that we should start it up again because We feel that the gymnastics group that's representing Denmark and the cultural exchange so we had a Started it last year where we had a young group going to Far East to Singapore and Thailand Philippines To see what it worked out and it worked out fine And so we had applications to be on a world tour for a 94 95 we had 200 applying for that and out of those we have picked those 30 15 girls and 15 boys who will be coming to cook well and With sound the world to an hour well one of the reasons are the basic thing for them to be At this team is that they work on the local basis in the local club Associations we call it that they themselves

paid 3500 to be on this tour and it's for one year tour where they've taken off from their jobs or quit their jobs Be non sabbatical and then the other commitment is that they will have to Well do a hard work. It is a hard work all of it. So for them, it's really something special How special is this bill to have this team make its only appearance in Cookville? Becky, I think it's just really great because this thing I've got in my hand They're going to be in Spain and they've been in Minnesota North Dakota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Kentucky. They're in Costa Rica and Guatemala now and going on to Louisiana, Texas Mexico and Cuba, California, Fiji in the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, Denmark and then finally back to Spain To get them here in Cookville, Tennessee is just a great and wonderful thing and and I can't stress Well, I'll give you for instance. I was watching television the other night down at SeaWorld in Florida and

they had a group Putting on a show and they there's no comparison. This group here is so much better than them I mean, it'll take your breath away just how really good and great these young people are and Have them here in Cookville and we want them to Visit and see the places that we've gotten Cookville and and we want the people certainly to come out and see them because They're here as friends to visit Americans and see our American culture and to show us what they can do and they can do it What kind of a show do they put on hands? What they put on is really a mix show of two hours Where they work to get all of them is the mix and many Americans has asked me what kind of gymnastics is this? Do they compete in the Olympics? I said no, they don't they could but this is team gymnastics and when we talk about gymnastics it they Prefer in Kentucky anyhow to call it dance. That's movements to dance But they also do tumbling and jumping clown acts. They

have a big clown act thing. They are doing folk dance real big thing also our folk dance wearing the national costumes copies of that and and Well, it's very specific and what I say what what I think the big difference is between Olympic Things and and this what they are doing is that they are together There's a group. They are the best ones I've ever seen and they are having fun. I Think that's basically Denmark and what we do in Denmark is we like to have everybody Participate in community activities So no one's too good. No one's too bad Everybody can be there. So in Denmark. It's a tradition to be active in sports 75 % of our Our population are actively involved in sports and when you do sports, you don't have the time to hang out do drugs and beers and crime everything So it's really a community thing in Denmark and that's one of the reasons why we are in Brewer,

Kentucky if we Can put out a little of our ideas of the ways to do it and I know Your people will like it because they are really lively there. That's that's unique. It is That's that's a great message. Isn't it Bill? I think it is They will put on a show at the junior high school gymnasium at from 7 to 8 30 on Tuesday December the 13th If you want advanced tickets call me and I'll mail them to you be happy to do that. Otherwise, I'll try to set up a place for the banks it will be on Your program here and radio and newspapers and We're just looking for a good turnout. I'm not so proud of having them here because I've seen a lot of gymnastics groups in the years You know, this is a group That's come together. They started the 1st of August. That was the first time they met and what they put on a show now That's the world really really something they they all of them

are bright young People from 19 to 29 and you can really feel the mood about it You they've got the eye contacts with the audience They they make you feel good and they make only make you feel that you could do the same thing and you can if you want to Everybody can they are no specials. are amateurs They've just had a good time in doing this and everybody could participate in that So I really feel that after a show like that, even I've seen it many times now. I still find new things and I still find Also encouraging things that's that's is how we can do all of us if we want to to change some of this world The National Danish Gymnastics team will make their only

Tennessee performance in Cookville on Tuesday December 13th at 7 p .m. In the Cookville junior high gym tickets are $3 in advance and $5 at the door For more information or ticket reservations call bill or Virginia Masters at 615 -526 -5491 The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles are hoping that a talented group of newcomers will add speed and athleticism To head basketball coach Frank Carroll's customary running game Half of the team had never played in a tech uniform before this season We met the new team members and talked with the veterans during practice a few days before the season started We got a lot of depth like the most depth. I think we've we've had I don't know for the most talented team It's is 90 -91 was pretty talented, but looks looks real good right now Does that depth sometimes? Create a problem. It seems like there's so many people and so many egos You have to satisfy as far as getting into the game as a time. I think it creates a problem for coach arrow I don't know if it does to the team it makes

in practice It makes everybody better because everybody's competing against some a guy that's is equally or a little bit better than The self so it probably doesn't from the coaching standpoint. Now you're a senior this year. What what are you expecting from yourself? Just to come out and give it a hundred and ten percent a hundred percent Have a good have a good time. I mean last year was I Tried to keep I tried to keep everybody up by clapping and stuff But we were getting we're getting beat night in night out, but this year I just want to finish up my career and have a have fun. I mean, this is it for me So what are your plans after you graduate? I got another hopefully after I graduate another semester and pursue a coaching career So and just all in the family My Now you've lost a lot of weight this in the off -season. you tell us about that? well, I was I've been running all summer and working out and I was in pretty good shape and then I we started conditioning and I just started

feeling real bad and I was losing weight and for a while I just thought I'll still out of shape, but you know really I knew I wasn't and Coach will talk to you about a couple times and We decided we was going to go to get a blood test and I Beaties had run in my family. So after you I might have something like that But I come up and I had a thyroid and it was elevated And I've been I've got it tested three or four times and each time it's a little bit worse than they thought it was so I don't know what they're going to do, but I'm on medication and It's a it's a long ordeal. I really I've got two years to It's going to be at least two years before I feel better or for I I'm completely over it. That's if they if the medication works or Fat to remove it. now how is this going to affect your playing? know you won't be able to play as long at a stretch as you know Well, you know, I said he said that there's nothing about it. It's physically damaging It's just I'm not going to have much stamina, you know, that's and that's basketball So, mean it affects me in that way, but it's not

it's nothing. I can't doctor didn't say you can't play I mean I can play but It's just it's hard for me to play. Yeah Talk about this year's team. Do you expect great things from them? I know the league picked you eight. Well, I Don't we uh We've got a whole new team and we've got a bunch of new players and we've got a few veterans back and You know, I guess you got to be optimistic, but we've got a long way to go and I think there's a little bit on the team of That we're already there and we're we're not near there I mean, I and that's just I guess me being a senior. I know we're not there and I think You know, it's we got about we play Tennessee Vanderbilt right off bat And I think that's you know, I don't want to be negative I think one of them might put us in our place and then by the time the OVC comes Maybe we'll realize that we've

got got a ways to go and put it together But on the other hand, I do think we could have a team I think we can compete in the OVC really well if we get everybody's mindset right when you talk With the basketball players and you in particular You know during shoot around or when you're not practicing or when you're not playing you Everybody on the team is great personality nice guy, but out there on the floor. It's just completely different What what is it that you do to to turn turn that basketball face on to make yourself so intense? Well that whole day pretty much you're just thinking about the game and getting kind of intense about it and knowing what you have to do and Really when you step out on the floor, you don't have any friends. You're just out there to do what you got to do Just and then when does that go away? Is it hard to get out of that mode? You know, it's a whole lot easier if you win get out of it But if you lose it's a little bit harder, but you'll soon snap out of it What do you think about the schedule this year a pretty tough

road ahead? Well, it's not gonna be near as tough as last year, but it's still gonna be tough I think if we take these games and try to make them make us better. I think it'll help us out a lot well, I speak we do better this year in the conference and I Better record over 500, you know with the new guys coming in We should be a better team Now you and Lorenzo are the only sinners people who are listed at center on the team But actually a lot of different guys move in and out of that position, you know throughout the game. Yes, we have an ass and Kenny Smith also Distributed time of that position. So, you know, we got power forward and centers usually run the same You know play the same role, Everybody's called what most of the guys call for us, but they're considered Senate Senate offense Now what what are you looking for personally for yourself to do this year? Just to play better with more confidence and Don't let myself get down like I did last year and just Stay

up Carlos you were the newcomer of the year in the OVC last year. Do you feel a lot of pressure to perform this year? You I don't really feel any pressure. mean just got to go out there and play I can't worry about what the media says and how they portray tech and me as a player Do you expect a lot from yourself? I mean, I expect I know what I'm capable of doing and what I'm not and I'll just go out there and try to do everything That I can to make the team better Now, what will we see from you this year that we didn't see last year, maybe I Probably I'm a lot more passing I've been over the summer worked on my passing and that was a part of my game that I need to improve in my jump shot and Just going out there trying to be a better player than I was last year Some people say we got more talented than had in the past and which I think we do too So that's a curse a long way. got depth on the bench and everything So we shouldn't miss a beat when we something a player in for someone. What type of player are you? Well, I

play small forward to guard I mean I I've been known to go down low sometimes and post up and I can shoot outside to the outside range shot And pretty much, you know first shot I can shoot it. I can go down low rebound a little bit everything I've also been told that you can jump out of the gym. No No, I mean when the occasion comes I try to rise to it What's your favorite part of playing here at Tennessee Tech so far? Absolutely one of the things I like Is how the coach gives you the freedom to shoot he lets you create things I mean if you have the shot you can take it, but if you create a shot for someone else That's also good too. So I like how he creates stuff for yourself. Okay, and any predictions for this year? Well, they got his rank. I think eight out of nine. I think we'd be a lot better than that We've been at top five. I think a lot of people underestimate this but when the time comes this show Ricky is a newcomer to this team Have you found it hard to fit in? No, it hasn't been too hard to fit in. It's all the guys

I get along with all the guys pretty well But the system is a lot different from the one I came from and the one I had in high school That's been the most difficult part. What have you had to change about your game as a point guard to adjust? well This is a more I guess it would be a loose system We're we have freedom to do a lot more things and we had a junior to my junior college That's been the most difficult thing as well as the quickness of the game. It's more fat a little more fast -paced What do you think about this team? A lot of good at a lot of good athletes and Everybody works hard. Everybody works really hard. I think we should have a pretty good a pretty decent year Now you read shirted last year Was that tough sitting out? Yeah, it was real tough to sit out a year because I mean I've never had to sit out, but You know, I'm glad I'm kind of glad I did because now I have an extra year had an extra year to practice to get a little stronger It was pretty good for me. I'm just glad the season's here now, and I'm Of course sitting out. guess I saw

you practice, you know all year long And the only thing you had to sit out of I guess was the games that makes it Yeah, I was I had to practice a lot last year and There's lot of garden Rob West great player. He helped me a lot. think What do you feel you bring to this team obviously everybody expects you to have a great shooting touch, right? I kind of think that I you know bring a lot of Try to make people have a little bit open shots I try to penetrate get people open at the same time people are expecting me to shoot chat You sat out last year as a red shirt How do you feel about that looking back on it now? I kind of like my decision because I had a chance to get stronger and get quicker Is it tough being a point guard on this team? Yeah, kind of but the other the two guard and the three guard do so well We got so many good guards that it really takes some pressure off the point guard. Mm -hmm

And I guess the competition and practices is Hard every day. Yes, there's about four point guards out a real close together and we all work hard every day What do you look back on last last year and tell us your thoughts about last year's season I Thought we could have been a better team than we were at times. We look very well We just had a tough schedule on we weren't supposed to win some of them games anyway, and what about this year? What are you expecting from this? I think we're going really surprised in teams I think we got a lot of talent on this team as long as we work together a lot of people have great Expectations for you this year to after as you blocked 85 shots I believe last year and and nobody else on the team even had double figures and blocks Do you feel the kind of pressure to perform better this year? Yeah, I did You know I've seen like my names in those books and but then I started playing, you know I gradually got old, you know, I gotta live with my ex my own expectations rather than other people, you know So just try to feel my own shoes like I feel to shoot to somebody else's I wish it out for me And there was a lot of talk about in the offseason how you

have developed your offensive game quite a bit more Do you feel comfortable with your game so far? Yeah much more so than I did last year. What have you what have you changed? What have you added to your repertoire? Just more shots and confidence a lot of confidence. Mm -hmm. What do you expect from this year's team? Well, you know, we all have dreams of going but really Realistically speaking, you know over 500 and trying to get to the tournament. do you feel about playing for Tennessee Tech? I Think I'm going to enjoy playing for take this season. I mean we have a young team and I look forward to playing Is it tough as a freshman to come in and realize that you're one of six seven new guys that have never set foot on campus before? I mean being one of only seven makes it makes the transition easy How's practice going so far it's going away. I think like everybody like starting to develop their roles and starting to get team chemistry Is it tough though? It's not as tough as I

thought it was gonna be I mean, you know, it's a lot of running but not as much as I thought What about the style of offense how different is this from what you played in high school? It's not at all different. mean we played a up -tempo style in high school. So I mean, I like it Mm -hmm a lot. Is that one thing that attracted you to this program the tempo style play you're playing point guard Were you expected to play point? Did you expect to play point guard when you came here? but What changed what made made you what made you into a point guard? I don't know they they want me to play point so I Play important. you like that position? Yeah What do you bring to this team? What kind of game do you play? I pass the ball a lot. I don't shoot too much One self if you get a ball up a lot And I guess being as tall as you are it's easier to see over defenses. Yeah and get a good look inside. Yes, really

How hard of practice is here at Tennessee Tech? Come on with days you talking about It's a day if we have a game on Friday and we practice Monday Monday's gonna be hard practice Tuesday's gonna be hard practice Every day we see every day part practice. Yeah And what attracted you to Tennessee Tech what made you decide to come here? Yeah, oh the gym. Yeah, what do you like about it? Be the BM OVC. Yeah It is a nice gym amazing. That's for sure. Oh, what do you think about this year's team? What's gonna happen once you get your schedule underway get started? You're much better than last year Got better athletes on the team this year last year. What about the team? How good is this basketball team? They're pretty good, you know It's like a tenders, you know, hey, you had to look over there and see who was out here. Yeah Have you made some friends so far get a whole team whole team. Yeah, it seems that way. So it's like a little family Yeah, when you're part of this you become part of a family Why why do you think that is because you guys

eat and sweat and work together so much pretty much? Fight with each other, you know Our practices is grueling as they look extremely hard Not hard me What are you going to what how do you describe your style of play? Oh Level coach needs me to do hot do it. That's it And you know, I guess a lot of players don't have that attitude. How did you get that attitude my high school coach? Whatever you said you had to do it get it done And what attracted you to Tennessee Tech They were like the second person to recruit me they stayed with me for a while, you know Did you get to come up and visit? what you think about the campus? Well, that's what do you think about the college basketball so far, it's a whole new level, but I'm excited about it It's

different than high school and it's a lot faster pace up down the floor and more physical But I think I'm adjusting pretty well to change and I like it I looked at your stats from high school and you pretty much dominated where you played How hard is it to adjust to this level? it's harder for me because Most of the guys that I played against were around the six four six five Heighten, you know, I get here and everyone's my size are bigger and it's it's a lot harder But that's one of the things that I think I need to I've always been good defensively on the post but scored on the post I'm having to learn more moves inside because you know, of course playing against Lorenzo trying to get it over him But have you had to change your way of thinking as far as thinking like a big man? Do you think now like a forward or? Well, I'm mostly forward in high school because we had a guy my size and I can shoot outside So I played a lot of forward in high school, but it's pretty much here I'm on the post now and I understand that and I'll do whatever it takes to help the team What kind of teams do you have this year? We've got I think seven new players, so We can

have a really good team, but it just depends on how well we mold together and fit together as the season goes on And that's the upper Cumberland camera join us again next week as we'll take a look at President Volpe's Christmas tree is designed by Barbara Griffith and we'll have a look at the Dickens Christmas feast Which takes place at the Scarecrow country Inn until next week. Have a good evening You