Tuesday, March 20, 2012

NSU Spartans should benefit from NCAA exposure

OMAHA, Nebraska -- First came the winning, then the attention. For Norfolk State, the goal now is to capitalize on the national exposure that the school received when its basketball team became just one of six No. 15 seeds to win at the NCAA tournament.

"There are many benefits from that — like increased enrollment, increased positive image and a higher profile," said NSU's president, Dr. Tony Atwater. "I think all those things were positive returns from the season."



For a school that has lived in the shadow of nearby Old Dominion, and, to a lesser extent, MEAC rival Hampton, it's an opportunity for the Spartans to forge their own identity. NSU has competed in Division I men's basketball for only the past 15 years, having moved out of the CIAA, which it dominated, to try to find its way in the MEAC.

Recruiting has been hard for the school, which has a roster stocked with transfers and players from the New York City area. Coach Anthony Evans hopes he'll be able to lure more home-grown talent.

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