Greetings!
Like you, we at Chowan University are extremely proud of our 300 student-athletes, our very professional and experienced coaching staff, our medical personnel and of course the rest of the staff who help to create and maintain an athletics program that is so valued by the university and its alumni. But we would be remiss if we didn’t welcome those of you that have taken the time to visit our site on the World Wide Web. This web presence allows us to keep you informed of our teams’ successes and shortcomings regardless of the restrictions of time or distance. Whether near or far, your Hawks are always available at the click of a button.
The 2008-2009 sports season is history. Season statistics were entered and those statistics have now become a permanent part of the history of Chowan University Athletics. And now that the 2008-2009 events are history, the quest for greatness in the classroom and on the playing surface begins anew. The return of all our student-athletes is in process. Registration for new students began on August 22. And your student-athletes played a major role in the welcoming of a new class to Chowan. The football team, men’s soccer team, women’s soccer team, volleyball team and cheerleaders lugged luggage for the new students. They did it with a smile and a lot of sweat or glistening. Parents of the incoming class proudly bragged on those teams whenever they could. You should be proud of these young men and women.
Three new head coaches (tennis, men’s soccer and bowling) start their history at Chowan this fall. Affiliation with the Central Intercollegiate Athletics Association in all sports except for the two soccer programs of football has already brought Chowan University exposure to and interest from media markets that seemed only a short time ago unavailable. In addition, the two soccer programs secured a home when it was announced that each would participate in the National Christian College Athletic Association regional playoffs in early November. Should either soccer team win the regional tournament, it is on to the national Championship. WOW!
But, the big question, as we start the 2009 academic year, is “What next?” The next is very simple: Chowan wants to win its first CIAA championship; wants to win an NCCAA regional championship; wants to win its first NCCAA national championship; wants to earn its first NCAA post season participant; wants to set the standard for academic excellence; wants to graduate higher percentages than the student body as a whole. Yes, big dreams, but student-athletes at Chowan University need to learn how to dream big.
Please let me leave you with this thought on dreaming from “My Utmost for His Highest,” The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers. “Daydreaming about something in order to do it properly is right, but daydreaming about it when we should be doing it is wrong. John 14:31 reads “Arise, let us go from here.” Oswald Chambers tell us, “Jesus never allowed idle daydreaming. When our purpose is to seek God and to discover His will for us, daydreaming is right and acceptable. But when our inclination is to spend time daydreaming over what we have already been told to do, it is unacceptable and God’s blessing is never on it.” One might say that His message is quite simple, “Don’t sit or stand there, just go!” Maybe that is where Nike got its instruction of “Just do it!”
Please come join the Chowan student-athletes as they continue their quest for greatness. The talking and strutting must cease and be replaced by actions. Your student-athletes are ready but could certainly use your assistance and prayers. God Bless!
Dennis