Wednesday, August 10, 2011

49ers basketball players gather for reunion

More than 35 players showed up recently for basketball coach Alan Major's second annual reunion. It's something Major started last August before his first season coaching the 49ers.

The turnout was excellent: Players like Cedric Maxwell, Kevin King, Diego Guevara and Byron Dinkins attended. It's a way, Major has said, to bring some continuity to the program and foster a lot of fellowship among the players. That and swap old stories amongst each other.

"You never have to ask to come home," Major told the players. "And this is your home."

A few other 49ers notes:

-- Charlotte's men's soccer team, which returns 10 starters from last season's Atlantic 10 regular-season championship team, has been picked to win the league this year. The 49ers have five preseason all-conference players: defender Charles Rodriguez, midfielder Tyler Gibson, forward Evan James, midfielder Donnie Smith and defender Isaac Cowles. Freshman forward Guiseppe Gentile (Ardrey Kell High) made the preseason all-rookie team.

-- The women's soccer team has started preseason practice. The 49ers, who won last season's Atlantic 10 regular-season title, open the season Aug. 19 at North Florida. The home opener is Aug. 26 against Florida Gulf Coast.

-- Charlotte's volleyball team has been picked fifth in the Atlantic 10's preseason poll. The 49ers (16-15 last season) open with a tournament Aug. 26-27 at Appalachian State, then open their home season Sept. 9-10 the following weekend with the Hilton University 49er Invitational, hosting Campbell, Morgan State and Furman.

-- According to a Twitter post by 49ers guard Luca Voncina, former Charlotte basketball player Gokhan Sirin has signed with pro club Anadolu Efes in his hometown of Istanbul, Turkey.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why is this a blog. You have got to be kidding me. Who were the other players. Why is this not in print. This newspaper is so ridiculous. I get to read about Vince Carters walkway and I can't read about an event that occurred up the street. My Lord!

Anonymous said...

What about Rodney White? Oh wait...

Anonymous said...

I like the way Major is trying to establish a sense of tradition with the program. I just hope he can restore the program to regular NCAA appearances. GO NINERS!!!!!

Anonymous said...

The whole program is a JOKE.

Anonymous said...

Idiots taking meaningless potshots are a JOKE.

Anonymous said...

David, you were so close to going a WHOLE MONTH without anything posted on the blog. There has been plenty on the school website to copy and paste since July 12th, quit being lazy.

Observer Sports said...

Anon 1:23
I've been on vacation and covering NASCAR most of July ... back at it now.
David S.

Anonymous said...

oooooh! so maybe you should stop talking S***! Wahhhh! Observer no like us Wahhh! Me need pacifier!

Anonymous said...

No one outside of the 35 Niner alumni dorks care about Charlotte Athletics. Why would the Observer want to waste print space on a commuter school with below average teams? It's not personal. Get better. Or relevant.

Anonymous said...

Better would be good. Relevant would be outstanding.

Anonymous said...

U last 3 posters are completely clueless losers......get life and a clue while you're at it......4:02, you're an especially $tupid a$$.

Anonymous said...

10:56
Aww...are you embarrassed that I called you out? I'm sorry Niner-Dork! Your cute little excuse for an athletic program has come a long way from... from...
GOOD JOB!

LOL

Anonymous said...

Anon: 4:02

Below average teams..? LOL. You humor me. You need to do some research. With the exception of basketball, all of our other teams sports either won our conference or placed in the top 5. Better than your school I bet...if you have a school.

Anonymous said...

12:18

Yes! Track and field champions! I heard A10 baseball was really good...