Wilson/Barton Partnership Sets Example for NCAA DII Program

(WILSON, N.C.) The support that the Wilson community continually offers Barton College athletics has not only gained regional but national attention.

Wilson has not only benefited from a recent NCAA DII media blitz, but the Wilson/Barton College partnership is being highlighted as a prime example of a family-friendly community supportive of high level athletic competition. And, this is an important message that DII is spending upwardly of a million dollars to share – the importance of college-community partnerships across the nation and how that raises the level of support and encouragement for educating student-athletes in a healthy and balanced environment.

The recent meeting of the NCAA Division II Editorial Board in Charlotte emphasized Division II Athletics’ thriving sense of mission and purpose and focused on the distinguishing characteristics and attributes related to the program.

Norval Kneten, president of Barton College and vice president of Conference Carolinas, was invited to be a spokesperson at this most recent of several editorial board tours scheduled across the country including Denver and Charlotte, among others.

“I was pleased with the media’s receptivity to understanding the new ways in which Division II Athletics is being defined,” said Dr. Kneten. “I am excited to represent both Barton and Wilson in these discussions, and I want to express my gratitude to the Wilson community for making it possible for us to be a part of this major NCAA initiative. I think it’s absolutely terrific that Wilson, along with us, is being recognized in national forums as a result of how this community has embraced its partnership with Barton. Wilson certainly deserves the recognition.

“I am participating in this initiative because the sports media needs to know that DII is not a second choice but is, increasingly, a first choice for some of our best and brightest student-athletes,” continued Dr. Kneten. “This effort is national in scope and one that will become increasingly visible in the coming months. During this media conference, we met with executives and staff at the Charlotte Observer, the Sports Business Journal, and ESPN-U, to help them understand the reality of DII competition, regionally and nationally.”

Division II athletics has changed significantly in recent years, and there are plenty of reasons for the public to take notice.

Student athletes, who are highly competitive, are changing DII Athletics, and here is the reason: in DII athletics, students have the opportunity to participate in extremely challenging athletic competition and, because of the balance they experience with their academic pursuits, they also have the opportunity to support volunteer efforts that include community service projects and mentoring programs, just to name a few.

Dr. Kneten also shared that student-athletes involved in DII programs not only have the opportunity to participate in high-level athletic competition at DII institutions, but they are able to pursue degree programs, like biology and athletic training, that would be inaccessible to them in other more restrictive athletic environments. “We are focused on the overall development of the student-athlete, as we are for all of our students,” he said. “As a result, many highly qualified student-athletes are now choosing to attend DII schools like Barton College. In fact, the brand platform for DII is ‘I chose DII.’

Almost 75,000 student-athletes compete at Division II schools each year. They are part of a burgeoning athletics division that emphasizes six defining traits: balance, learning passion, resourcefulness, service and sportsmanship. The emphasis on these traits is an attempt to carry out the Division II student-athlete credo, which emphasizes a comprehensive program of learning and development in a personal setting. This approach provides growth opportunities through academic achievement, learning in high-level athletic competition and development of positive societal attitudes in service to community. Balance and integration are key components of this philosophy of preparing students for their futures.

Fiscal responsibility in DII Athletics is another reason to take notice. A 2005 study by Jonathan and Peter Orszag demonstrated that the average net cost incurred by a school moving from Division II to Division I is approximately $3.2 million each year. This study has been confirmed by subsequent financial studies, including one by researchers at Purdue University in 2006. More recent work indicates that schools moving to Division I status experience average annual net losses in their athletic programs of about $2.5M. Division II schools, in keeping with the overall Division II philosophy, maintain that the real value in higher education is provided through fiscally responsible decisions. Keeping athletics expenses manageable and ensuring that the program is fully integrated into the overall collegiate culture are key components.

The platform of Division II is not based on size. (DII schools vary in size from those with an enrollment of a few hundred to some with nearly 30,000.) Rather, Division II athletics emphasizes the student-athlete experience that provides a comprehensive program of learning and development in a personal setting — goals which Barton College proudly affirms. Additionally, because Division II is committed to regional competition, student athletes spend more time on campus and in classes. This commitment to regional competition combined with the DII philosophy of academic achievement and community service is likely the reason that Division II student-athlete graduation rate is consistently 10 to 15 percentage points higher than that of the total student body.

What happened at Barton College and in the Wilson community this past year is an excellent example of what the Editorial Board is highlighting. Barton’s men’s basketball national championship brought excitement and pride to this growing community.

The Editorial Board is seeking to advance the message of the changes to Division II athletics. The Board believes that the athletic programs of Division II schools can be a boost to their communities because they provide high-level, passionate athletic competition in an intimate, affordable, family friendly environment.

END

Questions? Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.

Writers Who Play

(WILSON, NC) Beckoning weary writers, the fourth annual Writers Who Play showcase on January 31, 2008, offers a night of music and relaxation at this year’s Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) conference in New York City.

Writers Who Play began in 2005, started by “Alaska’s Fiddling Poet” Ken Waldman and by Barton writer in residence and Elizabeth H. Jordan professor of Southern literature Dr. Jim Clark. The duo created the showcase “for writers who come to the conference who are also musicians,” said Clark.

“Both of us had just been kind of noticing more and more and meeting more and more writers who were also musicians of one kind or another,” Clark explained. “And so, you know, we thought it would be kind of nice to have an opportunity for the writers who were attending the conference who were also musicians to play whatever kind of music they play.”

According to Clark, “though it is not officially affiliated with AWP, it has become a popular and much anticipated adjunct to the conference. … The showcase’s audience and popularity has increased every year. Attendance at the 2007 AWP conference in Atlanta was 5,200. We estimate our 2007 Writers Who Play showcase attracted between 200 and 300 people.”

Recounting the history of Writers Who Play, Clark said: “The first Writers Who Play showcase was at the 2005 AWP conference in Vancouver, B.C. (the first time the conference was held outside the U.S.). It took place at Crush Champagne Lounge, down the street from the conference hotel. Notable performers that year included poet and novelist Kim Addonizio and former member of The Velvet Underground Doug Yule.

“In 2006 Writers Who Play expanded to two nights of performances at The Ritz Theater on 6th Street, the legendary ‘party street’ of Austin, Texas, where the conference took place.

“In 2007 we again featured two nights of performances at the Hilton Downtown in Atlanta, Georgia, the first at Trader Vic’s Polynesian restaurant in the hotel, and the second in Casablanca, the hotel lobby bar.

“Plans are finalized for the 2008 Writers Who Play showcase in New York City. It will take place at Don’t Tell Mama, a well-known cabaret a few blocks from the Hilton conference hotel in Manhattan. This year Writers Who Play has gone ‘above ground’ just a bit, in that we have signed on (with Barton College) as an official sponsor of the 2008 conference, and we are also advertising the showcase in the conference program. My Elizabeth H. Jordan Endowed Chair stipend allowed for this,” said Clark.

Writers Who Play will perform on Thursday, January 31, from 8:15 p.m. until 1 a.m. The show is free; however, the venue imposes a two-drink minimum. The Don’t Tell Mama cabaret is located at 343 W. 46th St. in New York City and may be reached by phone at 212-757-0788.

Honors Competition Offers Students $10,000

(WILSON, N.C.) Barton College’s two-day Honors Competition kicks off on February 8, 2008, offering prospective students the chance to win a $10,000 scholarship and the opportunity to join Barton’s Honors Program.

The Honors Competition, the first step into the exclusive Honors Program, awards five $10,000 Trustee Scholarships and four $1000 Travel Scholarships. In addition, participating students receive a $500 tuition credit simply for taking part in the event.

To qualify to participate, a student must have a minimum GPA of 3.25, have a SAT score of 1100 or higher, and be admitted to Barton by February 1, 2008.

The weekend competition begins with a reception for all invited students on the evening of February 8. The following day, all competing students and their families are invited for a unique opportunity to have breakfast with President and Mrs. Kneten at the Barton-Graves House.

After breakfast, students will participate in an essay-writing exercise and small group discussions to introduce the participants to Barton’s Engaged Learning concept. Faculty will use these exercises to help them choose the winners of the scholarships. The competition concludes with lunch and a brief program for all participants and their families.

During planned events, participants will get to meet current Honors students, like Kay Vines, who will share their personal experiences in the Honors Program and explain what makes Barton unique.

Vines, a 2007 Travel Scholarship recipient and a Nursing and Spanish double major, found the recognition afforded by the program to be a rewarding part of her experience. “You are called upon because of your effort,” she said.

Vines “enjoyed the one-on-one with the upper classmen… as well as the professors,” but she most enjoyed “the opportunity to do more.”

Her Honors English class, for example, “used the whole class to cover the Whirligig Festival.” Rather than simply studying English in the classroom, the students engaged themselves with the community, applying their English skills to document Wilson’s annual art celebration.

Students who excel in academics, enjoy challenges, and value the chance to grow beyond their expectations are perfect candidates for Barton College’s Honors Program. With the privilege of participating in the Honors Program and the opportunity to win a $10,000 scholarship, Barton’s Honors Competition is not to be missed. To learn more, contact the Office of Admissions at 1-800-345-4973 or email: enroll@barton.edu.

Sneed – Baseball Diamond to News Desk

The signs were there early for Brandon Sneed, maybe just not in bold print.

When he was a youngster, the Barton College junior used to create a family “newspaper” chronicling some of the happenings among his parents, Will and Karen, and his younger siblings: Kramer (an 18-year-old freshman on the Barton baseball team), Kara (16), Logan (15) and Heidi (13). He had a good time doing it, and the family enjoyed his shenanigans as well.

Years later, Sneed has returned to his earlier yearnings. He came to Barton because he was offered a non-scholarship spot on the baseball team from head coach Todd Wilkinson. His passion was baseball, and he knew the school had a solid mass communications program, so becoming a Bulldog was an easy choice. He was a catcher when he arrived in Wilson. Now, he is a catcher and pitcher.

After two years of baseball, Sneed has not attained his diamond goals, but he has found another niche: sports writing. He has been working for “The Collegiate,” the Barton College student newspaper, since last year and currently serves as the managing editor. His affinity for journalism has also led him to a job as sports editor for the weekly “Kenly News”, which is owned by Rick Stewart, a Barton professor in the Department of Communication and Performing Arts.

Sneed is currently juggling his studies, playing baseball and working for the “Kenly News”…and loves it.

“I have realized that God has plans for me – no matter what,” said Sneed, who attended Greenville Christian Academy (less than 40 minutes from Wilson) and played for his father. “Baseball hasn’t gone like I thought it would. Basically, I realized I was a nerd; I like to write. When I would create our family newspaper, I would just type stuff up. It was goofy, but it was fun, and we got a kick out of it. “

Sneed, a Dean’s List student with a 3.7 GPA, says he knows sports “the best,” but also has aspirations of covering other events. He could see himself writing about religion since he attended a Christian school — and since his parents operate a non-profit organization called the All Jesus Ministries. Just last week, he had a free-lance job that took him to Dunn, where he did an article on the Christian Action League.

“I am just continuing to learn (the journalism business) and not worrying about the future too much,” Sneed said. “That has made my life more relaxing and peaceful.”

As fate would have it, Sneed was taking batting practice at the Triple Crown Training Center in Greenville a few years ago when a friend of Coach Wilkinson’s spotted him and put the two in touch with each other. After enrolling at Barton, Sneed, whose mass communications concentration is print and electronic journalism, was all about baseball in the beginning, which left him little time for any journalism activities outside regular classes.

“I wanted to ease into [journalism],” he said. “The second year, I jumped right into it as ‘The Collegiate’ sports editor. By my senior year, I should be editor-in-chief of the paper.”

“The Collegiate” is published about every two weeks, or six times a semester. The staff includes three to four in management positions and a writing staff of some 12 students.

“Working for ‘The Collegiate’ has been a good way for me to learn without too much pressure,” he said. “Working in Kenly has helped me learn about my style of interviewing people. It’s just an incredible opportunity. God has really blessed me, and Mr. Stewart has helped me out a lot by giving me all these opportunities.”

Sneed writes articles, takes pictures and does some layout in Kenly, where he is responsible for producing two sports pages per week. Ironically, years later, he may again be writing more stories about family since he and Kramer both play for the Bulldogs.

“Barton is a good school,” the oldest of five Sneed children said. “I couldn’t see myself anywhere else. This is the right place for me. At a Division II school, you play sports because you love to play… You work hard in practice, conditioning, and games. You get four years to play and then you are moving on with the rest of your life. With the right breaks, you can make it to the pros, like Dennis Blackmon,” said Sneed, referring to the former Barton catcher/infielder whose contract was just bought by the Boston Red Sox.

“I would like to do the same thing, but…the first two years I was here, I think I overworked [in baseball] and put too much pressure on myself. Then, this job came along and put everything in perspective.”

Sneed’s hope is that his newfound contentment will lead to success both on the baseball diamond and as a news man. Then, he can be a “headliner” as a player and a writer/editor.