Razors on a Plane

Back in October of 2003, Guilford student Nathan Heatwole made a valid point: Two years after 9/11, security measures remained lax at the nation's largest airports, getting items such as box cutters, bleach, matches and clay past TSA on six different occasions at Raleigh-Durham International and Baltimore-Washington International airports.

I remember the headlines blaring, "North Carolina college student fools TSA, gets dangerous items on planes." Honestly, the very first thought that came to my mind was, "that kid has to be a Guilford student." And he was. It was meant to expose holes in the system, with Heatwole saying it was "an act of civil disobedience with the aim of improving public safety for the air-traveling public.''

Feelings were mixed among the Guilford College community, with English department chair, Jeff Jeske saying:  

(*) "He's a very principled young man, and it's a shock to the system...I suspect it was to prove a point...I think there's ambivalence toward it, because on the one hand, Nat seems to epitomize one type of Guilford student, which is activist, antiwar pacifist. He pointed out how porous our defense against terrorism might be. But on the other hand, some might be concerned about his methods.''

(* Source: New York Times.)

Facing felony charges and a possible 10 year sentence, Heatwole ultimately received probation, a fine, 100 hours of community service, and some amount of lasting fame by exposing lapses in security protocol of the U.S. transportation network. It's not an endorsement of an illegal act but I give him props for risking significant jail time to not only act on his beliefs but also notify the authorities of the act. He may have embarrassed the TSA (and to some extent the College and his family) yet his act perhaps helped to bring about change and tighter security measures, which truly benefit all. This is the kind of social awareness and conviction that defines a Guilfordian. 


***UPDATE: 

Nat is now a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Southern California's Center for...(wait for it)...Homeland Security.
 

The Shot Seen Around the World

Guilford has a long, storied and sucessful athletic tradition but rarely makes the highlight reels of major sports outlets. In general, teams of the NCAA's Divsion III get short shrift in the media, with scant coverage. But back in January of 2005, Captain of the basketball team Jordan Snipes and his squad were on a constant loop of ESPN' s highlight reels.

Guilford and conference rival Randolph-Macon were tied up 88-88 with 0.6 seconds left in overtime (hence the "3" in the period space of the scoreboard). A Randolph-Macon player sinks a foul shot, seemingly winning the game, but misses the second shot. Jordan Snipes rebounds the ball and hurls it the entire length of the court, swishing the shot and giving Guilford College an improbable 91-89 victory and ample coverage on local, state and national news.
And ESPN. And Sports Illustrated. "The Shot" is widely considered one of the greatest in NCAA history, and the greatest in school history - by a long shot. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

(* The original poster of the video says, "a guy from the purple team" makes the winning basket; however, these Guilford uniforms are alternate, darker versions of their usual, lighter crimson and gray.)

Video of the "buzzer beater" has almost 11 million views on YouTube and continues to receive hits eight years later. Guilford AD and basketball coach Tom Palombo said of the winning Hail Mary heave, "It kind of put us on the map."  

Interestingly, the feat proved to be no fluke. A few nights later, Snipes repeated the shot on WFMY News 2 in Greensboro, N.C. from the same spot, around 90 feet from the basket. Snipes became a bit of a campus and Greensboro celebrity. He credits the play with securing a part-time job soon after, as the manager of the business was aware of him and the play. There are numerous searchable articles and mentions of "The Shot" on the web. 

Snipes was named first team all-conference, graduating in 2007, and briefly played pro ball in Germany before returning to North Carolina. He's currently an active alumni and family man living in Greensboro, and is a territory sales manager for Reynolds America.  

Class on the Quad?

A typical scene at Guilford College. 

Ah...some of the sweetest words heard to any student matriculating through Guilford College. Class on the Quad is a very old tradition at the school, welcomed and promoted by student and professor alike. If it's a nice fall or spring day, chances are your professor - whom you call by his or her first name - will conduct class under the tree canopy of the Quad. 

You'll love it. And it's not distracting at all. In fact, getting out of a boxy classroom allows expansion of your thoughts and promotes class discussion.

A little blurry but you get the idea. 

(All photos courtesy of GuilfordCollege.)

Outside class in the late 1940s.

Bonfires at Guilford

“Quakers Defeat A&M [NC A&T] in Close and Exciting Game. Great Improvement of Team Arouses Students’ Enthusiasm---Bonfire Celebration.”

(The Quaker, 1916, pg. 142.)

“Beat Elon 14-0! Big Thanksgiving dinner and a bonfire on Hobbs Field.” 
(The Quaker, 1927, pg. 33.)

Guilfordians love a good bonfire. Always have. In fact, an old dairy barn on the campus once became a bonfire following a basketball tournament semifinal win. It seems removal of the dilapidated "ol' barn" was already planned but following the victory and berth in the title game, joyous students took matters into their own hands by torching the structure, removing it ahead of schedule! I guess it was their ode: a funeral pyre for a timeworn relic of the campus landscape. Well that, and like most Guilford students past and present...they favored bonfires.

From the 1949 edition of The Quaker :

"Guilford went into the North State tourney and upset all the dope-buckets by beating the stuffing out of top-seeded Catawba...Mann and Ralls were high scorers as everybody in Chatham Gym was hollering for the Quakers...Coach Lentz and Hank were carried off the floor...
down went the barn in a burst of long awaited glory."

 

Guilford College dairy barn goes up in flames following the Guilford men's basketball team upset of top-seeded Catawba College in the semifinals of the North State Tournament, Feb. 24, 1949. 
(Source: The Quaker.)

Only a year prior, there was this entry in 1948's The Quaker noting the campus response to a football loss at an away game:  

October 25—Up at 5:00 a.m. to welcome the returning football team, 
built a bonfire and cheered.

(Let that sink in for a minute...most of the student body awoke before dawn and built a bonfire to greet the team, returning from a loss on a field at least 4 hours away!)

The Guilford College bonfire tradition goes back decades and generations. As I recall, we didn't need much of an excuse to torch a few old stumps or dead trees near the lake. Homecoming? Always. Weekends? Usually. Serendipity? Of course. A random Tuesday night during mid-term exams? Sure, why not. There is nothing quite like carousing around a big, raging fire in tribal fashion with several hundred of your fellow students. Back then, we didn't need to notify administration or apply for a "burn permit" from the city fire department days in advance; we just had them whenever. As long as it was on the lake shore and things didn't get too out of hand, the administration, campus security and the fire department let us be. Things were "consumed" but folks made it back to their rooms safe and sound, the fire was snuffed out at a (reasonably) decent hour, and we always left the beach tidy. (Of course, back then, burn permits weren't needed, droughts were less frequent and "public safety officers" were more akin to night watchmen - just a few students in "Security" shirts with flashlights, walking around campus.) Bonfires facilitated campus unity and were a fun, cheap diversion from the bars and nightspots of neighboring Quaker Village.

However, in recent years, our love of bonfires has created a bit of a schism on campus, pitting students against the administration over the location and intensity of the impromptu blazes. It seems the students had migrated their preference for the burns from the lakefront to deep in the Guilford College woods.

This upset the admins due to the implications should things get out of control and a venerable, historic forest (that predates all of us) become one massive bonfire! Students rebelled, admins pushed back. Neighbors of the campus woods, including some alums and professors, weren't crazy about the raucous late-night burns and resulting litter so close to their abodes. Student safety was of paramount concern for the school, the woods being too remote to monitor, as was the possibility of liability and litigation should injury occur. The students felt the bonfires brought differing campus groups and cliques together, thus building community, and that the school was being heavy-handed. There was talk of compromise, with the admins suggesting a return to the lakefront (with appropriate permits); the students felt that would negate the offhand nature of the burns. Both sides had legitimate points and concerns.

"The Mosaic" bonfire pit (and its frequent litter). At one point, there was an adjacent "Bar Pit," with an actual bar made from a plank of the old rock climbing wall. 

(Photo Credit: Meg Stern; The Guilfordian)

True to Quaker fashion, the debate raged on and the two sides hashed it out to ultimately achieve consensus. The seniors of the class of 2012 decided to bestow as their class gift, a beautiful, safe, sturdy "bonfire pit" on the shore of the lake, where hundreds of bonfires were built over the years.

Bonfire pit donated by the Class of 2012. 

(Photo by: Guilford College.)

Is everyone happy now? Can we all get along? I hope so, because the Guilford bonfire tradition needs to be upheld. Note to the administration: this is essentially a large fire pit, similar to backyard pits everywhere. It's safe, and it looks like you've supplied ample trash/recycling bins. So, tell "P-Safe" to back off and let the kids party a little. Note to students: pretty good compromise. Now, how about actually using the trash bins?

(The debate and related stories, courtesy of The Guilfordian here: 
http://www.guilfordian.com/news/2012/03/23/flames-of-battle-the-bonfire-debate-rages-on/)

(* Photo of Guilford College Woods sign from personal collection.)

Gate City Soup Bowl

The annual Gate City Soup Bowl pits the Guilford College Quakers against cross-town rival, the Greensboro College Pride and is the non-conference season opener for both teams. Since 1997, students of the dual G.C.'s have competed in a canned food drive to benefit Second Harvest and Greensboro Urban Ministries with helping those in need. Additionally, teams within each school's athletic departments compete amongst themselves to see which squad has the highest participation rate. The school with the most donations receives bragging rights and the "Cup Award" and the winning team gets to keep the actual "Soup Bowl Trophy" for a year. (Winning the game Trophy is icing on the cake for the school that wins the Cup Award.) Fans and students bringing at least two nonperishable food items receive free admission to the event.

The Gate City Soup Bowl Trophy. 
Photo courtesy of Guilford College Athletics.

guilfordquakers.com

The game's location rotates yearly between Appenzeller Field at Armfield Athletic Center on the Guilford College campus, and Jamieson Stadium, the 10,000 seat facility at Grimsley High School and "home" field of the Greensboro College Pride.

(* Ironically, the Quakers played major home contests at Jamieson before Armfield Athletic Center was built in 1961 to replace Hobbs Field, a dusty, informal practice and game field on Guilford's campus.)

(* Excerpted from Guilford College: On the Strength of 150 Years, Stoesen, 1987.)

* The Soup Bowl was the idea of former Greensboro College President Dr. Craven Williams, who also instituted the Greensboro College football team in 1997. It was known for a time as the "Souper Bowl," but was changed back to Soup Bowl to avoid copyright infringement by the NFL.

(* Excerpted from The Guilfordian.)

Photo: Guilford College Athletic Department.

The two schools have long competed in other sports but the football rivalry is somewhat new. Guilford's football program was established in 1892. Greensboro College began play over a hundred years later, in 1997. However, the student donation challenge, combined with the game and close proximity of the schools (roughly 6 miles apart) equals an interesting, anticipated event for both colleges. The tournament game is usually close and competitive, as the teams seemingly trade-off victories. There have been a few streaks by each team, but as the overall record indicates, the winner has statistically alternated. Currently, Guilford College holds the Soup Bowl Trophy, leading the series11-8, and has retained the Cup Award (donations leader) for the last four seasons.

Date	Site	Result
09/07/13	Jamieson Stadium	Quakers 31 Pride 28
09/01/12	Armfield Ath. Center	Pride 14 Quakers 13
09/03/11	Jamieson Stadium	Quakers 27 Pride 7
09/04/10	Armfield Ath. Center	Pride 17 Quakers 15
09/05/09	Jamieson Stadium	Pride 12 Quakers 7
09/29/08	Armfield Ath. Center	Quakers 22 Pride 12
09/29/07	Jamieson Stadium	Quakers 41 Pride 35
09/30/06	Armfield Ath. Center	Quakers 36 Pride 30 (2 OT)
10/01/05	Jamieson Stadium	Quakers 36 Pride 35
10/02/04	Armfield Ath. Center	Pride 28 Quakers 7
10/04/03	Jamieson Stadium	Pride 13 Quakers 7
10/05/02	Armfield Ath. Center	Quakers 21 Pride 7
09/29/01	Jamieson Stadium	Pride 15 Quakers 14
11/11/00	Armfield Ath. Center	Pride 35 Quakers 20
11/13/99	Jamieson Stadium	Quakers 15 Pride 14
11/07/98	Armfield Ath. Center	Pride 27 Quakers 7
11/08/97	Jamieson Stadium	Quakers 46 Pride 7

• To date, 71,307 nonperishable food items have been collected and donated to Greensboro Urban Ministry and Second Harvest. 

                    (Source: Greensboro College Sports website; greensborocollegesports.com)

The Gate City Soup Bowl greatly benefits all involved: the students providing community service, the charity recipients, and city residents and fans enjoying the friendly cross-town rivalry.



* UPDATE *

Guilford keeps both trophies for two years running, again winning the "Cup Award," and the "Soup Bowl Trophy" last fall. The final score of the 2014 contest saw the Quakers winning 52-0.

The 2015 contest last week had the Quakers winning again (big!),
77-13, the third-highest scoring total in Guilford football history. Guilford students collected a whopping 5,086 cans of food, retaining the "Cup Award," and keeping the "Soup Bowl Trophy" with the big win in the game. Greensboro College students collected a hefty 2,347 cans of food. All 7,433 cans will benefit the Greensboro Urban Ministry. Kudos to the students of both schools for donating so much time and effort to a truly good cause!

Photo: Guilford College Athletic Department.

(* Helmet drawings at top of post courtesy of The Helmet Project @ nationalchamps.net)

Evolution: The Guilford College "G"

The "Guilford College G" has gone through many iterations over the years. According to college marketing chief Ty Buckner, until quite recently (about 10 years ago), there really wasn't an "official G." Quaker athletic teams usually designed their own, leading to a plethora of "G's" in every sport...which led to confusion...which led to the need for change and standardization, hence the current design.

As I find this subject particularly interesting, and delve deeper into the photos and written records of the school (The Quaker, The Guilfordian, etc.), this blog post will expand quite a bit. Please check back often if, like me, you're curious about the evolution of our beloved "G."

Guilford Football team of 1899. A few sewn-on G's...and a few that appear to be drawn on the shirts in white paint...or chalk. 
Typical of early football teams was the general lack of a "uniform."
(Photo: Guilford College.)

Football team, 1900. Nary a "G" in the crowd but quite typical for early football teams, with thick sweaters and crude padding being more important than a cohesive "uniform." Grid men of this era sometimes wore varsity letter sweaters on the field but more often away from the field. 
(Photo: Guilford College.) 

Women's basketball team, circa 1890s. A classy, dainty "G," 

but these ladies played tough! 

(Photo: Guilford College.)

Women's tennis team, early 1900s. 

(Photo courtesy of Guilford College.)

Not a "G" in sight here...but I'm digging the old-school pennant! 

(Photo by Guilford College.)

Baseball team, 1911. Photo by Guilford College. 

A few "Gothic G's" are in the midst, a tradition that would 

continue throughout the years, primarily on baseball jerseys. 

I remember the baseball team wearing it during my 

time at Guilford in the 90s. 

(Team photo: Guilford College.)

The Gothic G is also seen capping the gemstone on a large number of alumni class rings, such as this one worn by Chip Cummings, Jr. '70.

(I took the slightly blurry photo...) 

Men's tennis team, 1911. Notice the differing "G" design of the player on the right - a "G" enclosed in a diamond pattern.
(Picture courtesy of Guilford College.)

1911 Basketball team, with uniforms that are...uniform! 

(Picture by Guilford College.)

Wearers of "G." Guilford letter men (multiple sports) of 1913-14. Future Boston Red Socks and New York Yankees pitcher Ernie "Stretch" Shore (one of the tallest guys on campus at 6'4") towers in the middle of the picture: courtesy of Guilford College.

Baseball team of 1913-14.
(Photo by Guilford College.)

Baseball team of 1919. The "G" worn on their uni's is the
inspiration for our current "G."
(Photo: Guilford College.)

A typical Guilford College varsity letter from the 1930s.
The arrow through the middle represented the Track team.
(Photo from personal collection.)

Cheerleaders, mid 20th century. Future U.S. Congressman,
Howard Coble '53 is front and center.
(Picture courtesy of Guilford College.)

Officers of the "Monogram Club" (varsity athletes who lettered
in several sports) convene to plan their next win, circa 1949.
(Picture by Guilford College.)

This co-ed wears a "beanie," circa 1967, the last year freshmen were required
(by upperclassmen) to wear the dorky, humiliating cap. Here, the "G"
resembles a "refrigerator magnet" alphabet letter.
(Photo by Guilford College.) 

Legendary alumni and coach "Rock" Maynard '43
wears a squiggly, cursive, 70s-era "G."
(Picture courtesy of Guilford College.)

The "copycat G" used during various periods (at least on football helmets) in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Again, not sure why we thought it was perfectly 

O.K. to ape the athletic logo for the Green Bay Packers, 

the University of Georgia, Grambling University, etc. 

Although we used it, it wasn't ours and never would be. 

Glad it was discontinued for good! 

(Drawing by HelmetArchive.) 

Our mascot, Nathan the Quaker, flirting with some co-eds during Serendipity.
Here, Nathan wears a rather generic, "round G."
Date of photo unknown, but I'm guessing late 80s or early 90s.
(Photo courtesy of Guilford College.)

My old key chain from the early 90s.
The "G" on Nathan's sweater was pretty much the "standard G" of that era.
I believe the font is actually called "Guilfoyle."
(Pic is my own.)

The "diamond G" from 1999-2002. Most of the alumni pretty much detested it
(including me) and was discontinued after a short time.
(Drawing courtesy of HelmetArchive.)

The "square G" from 2003-2005, getting closer to the
historical "G" designs of the College's past.
(Drawing courtesy of HelmetArchive.)

The official, current (2014) and standard "G" of Guilford College, probably best described as the "rectangle G." Introduced circa 2005, it's modern yet historic, having roots in the "G" design of our 1919 baseball uniforms. 

Honestly, I wasn't crazy about it at first, tending to prefer the "Gothic G." 

(It just seems more traditionally collegiate.) However, I've really warmed up to this retro design for it's historical symbolism, and sport a number of items bearing this "G" (T-shirts, ball cap, scarf etc.). It's here to stay for the foreseeable future. 

(This logo is owned by Guilford College.)

Biggest Comeback in School History!

The Quaker football team made school history and put on quite a show last Saturday for the final game of the 2013 season, a "stunning" 35-31 win over visiting ODAC conference rival, Emory & Henry College. It was the biggest comeback in school history to post the first winning season since 2007. Guilford finishes the 2013 season ranked 2nd in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. (Randolph-Macon and Hampden-Sydney are tied for 1st.)

Things looked pretty grim and the crowd pretty glum until the pace picked up dramatically in the last ten minutes of the third quarter. The Quakers would eventually march down the field for five consecutive touchdowns, the last in the final 19.7 seconds!

When the Quakers stopped a final scoring drive by the Wasps to end the game, pandemonium reigned for the Quaker faithful while the opposing side looked on, stunned. Props to a fierce Emory & Henry team, who played tough, but the tremendous determination to win shown by a young Quaker team was truly inspiring.

To say it was the best Guilford sports event I've ever witnessed is an understatement. My father attended the game with me and agreed that it was the best college football comeback win he's ever seen, at least in person. A great way to close out a winning season: an improbable and stunning comeback victory! Big kudos to the players and coaching staff; you've made the school proud.

(* Helmet drawings courtesy of mghelmets.com)



(* The stats and play-by-play below, from GuilfordQuakers.com)

Guilford Rallies for Stunning 35-31 ODAC Win Over Emory & Henry

Chad Christopher '16 (John Bell photo, www.touchalifephotography.com)

FINAL	1	2	3	4	T
Emory & Henry (5-5)	10	14	7	0	31
Guilford (6-4)	0	0	15	20	35
Greensboro, NC | Armfield Ath. Center

EMORY & HENRY	GUILFORD
Pa: Kyle Boden - 245 Ru: Joe Vaughn - 48 Rec: Cleo Cooper - 114	Pa: Matt Pawlowski - 358 Ru: Matt Pawlowski - 22 Rec: Hayden Read - 102

TEAM STATISTICS	EMORY & HENRY	GUILFORD
Passing Yards	245	358
Rushing Yards	108	26
Turnovers	1	1
Time of Poss.	30:28	29:32

full stats

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Matt Pawlowski's 42-yard touchdown pass to Adam Smith with 19.7 seconds left gave Guilford College an improbable 35-31 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) football win over visiting Emory & Henry College Saturday. The Quakers (6-4, 5-2 ODAC) scored 35 unanswered second-half points to record the biggest comeback in school history and post their first winning season since 2007.

Emory & Henry (5-5, 2-5 ODAC) went ahead 31-0 on senior quarterback Kyle Boden's third touchdown pass of the game, a five-yard strike to tight end Kenton Williams that capped the second-half's opening drive. Emory & Henry went 75 yards in 13 plays and seemingly had the game in hand with 9:21 left in the third quarter.

However, the Quakers answered with an 11-play, 75-yard drive of their own and got on the scoreboard when Josh Schow plowed into the end zone from one yard out.  The Quakers' Satiir Stevenson picked off a deflected Boden pass near midfield on the ensuing possession. Guilford converted the turnover into points when Pawlowski threw a 10-yard score to Smith, followed by a two-point conversion pass to Trey Dill. With under a minute to play in the third quarter, Guilford was within two touchdowns and momentum was on the Quakers' side.

After the Wasps' first third-quarter drive, Guilford's defense held Emory & Henry without a first down for three straight possessions. The Quakers' offense kept right on clicking and scored touchdowns on its final five possessions.

Pawlowski connected with Nick Mearite from 15 yards out early in the fourth quarter to make it a 31-21 game. The two-point conversion attempt failed, but the offense returned to the field less than two minutes later. Chad Christopher made a finger-tip catch from Pawlowski in the corner of the end zone, capping an eight-play, 48-yard scoring drive, which pulled Guilford to within, 31-28, with 6:33 left.

Emory & Henry finally picked up a first down on the next possession, on a personal foul penalty on Guilford. The Wasps' drive stalled, however, and they punted back to the Quakers, who took over at their own 11 with 2:26 remaining. Pawlowski completed four passes and carried twice for 13 yards before finding an open Smith from 42 yards out with the winning score.

The Wasps took over with 14 seconds left, but stalled on Guilford's 42-yard line with a Boden incompletion under heavy pressure from Jordan Sutton.

Pawlowski completed 37-of-52 passes for 358 yards and four touchdowns to finish with 24 touchdowns and three interceptions in his sophomore campaign. Classmate Hayden Read caught a career-high 12 passes for 102 yards and Smith finished with six grabs for 100 yards and two scores. Schow, Christopher and Nick Mearite all had five catches. Junior Hunter English paced the Quakers' defense with eight tackles in his first game in six weeks due to a hand injury.

Boden threw for 245 yards and three scores on 20-of-31 passing in his final college game. Lucas Kirby caught five passes for 69 yards and a first-quarter touchdown. Cleo Cooper made four grabs for 114 yards, including a 57-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter that gave the guests a 24-0 halftime lead. Emory & Henry linebacker Paul Forney led all players with 15 tackles.