Falcons’ Men’s Basketball Team Honored by Gov. Perdue and Mayor Meeker

Falcons’ Men’s Basketball Team Honored by Gov. Perdue and Mayor Meeker

April 22, 2010
 
RALEIGH, N.C. – The Saint Augustine’s College men’s basketball team received recognition from North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue and Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker this week for winning the 2010 CIAA championship.
 
The Falcons visited Gov. Perdue at the state capitol Tuesday where she took a photo with the team. The Governor also congratulated Head Coach Lonnie Blow, Jr., and Saint Augustine’s College President Dr. Dianne Boardley Suber on a successful season which included a modern school-record 27 wins, a NCAA Tournament berth for the first time in 13 years and the CIAA highest grade point average award in men’s basketball.
 
“I am proud of the Saint Aug’s team,” Gov. Perdue said. “Under the leadership of Coach Blow and President Suber, these guys won the CIAA and won the academic award, too. They are great athletes but they are also great scholars. It is a privilege for me to be here with them.”
 
Earlier in the day, the Falcons were treated to lunch at city hall before receiving a proclamation from Mayor Meeker declaring Tuesday as Saint Augustine’s College Day. Team captain Brandon Hickson and Dr. Suber thanked the mayor on behalf of the team.
 
“This is a wonderful day for the team and Saint Augustine’s College,” Dr. Suber said after the ceremonies. “Coach Blow has done an exceptional job not just in building a winning basketball team but certainly in strengthening the concept of academics. This day re-affirms that we are doing it right.”
 
Since arriving in May of 2008, Blow has guided the men’s basketball program in the right direction. The Falcons defeated Elizabeth City State University 63-59 on Feb. 27, 2010 in Charlotte, N.C., for their second CIAA title in school history. Earlier that week, the Falcons earned the CIAA men’s basketball academic award.
 
Blow says the Falcons are still enjoying the fruits of their labor even though the tournament ended almost two months ago. Senior guard Chris Jordan, the CIAA Tournament most valuable player, says Tuesday will go down as one of the most memorable days of his life.
 
“I am glad we are here today to experience this and I will always remember it,” Jordan said. “Having the Governor acknowledge what we did is very well. It was also good for the city council to feed us pizza and acknowledge us in front of a large crowd.”