Sunday, March 02, 2008

Special day for J.C. Smith and Dr. Yancy

You just knew this CIAA Tournament was going to be special.
Not just the parties and reunions. Those always hold a special place in our hearts til we meet again.

I'm talking about on the court, the venue that gave birth to this extravaganza 63 years ago.

From Virginia State's 30-foot bank-shot buzzer-beater against St. Paul's to Shaw University's first tournament win in six years.
Something was in the air.

Then both Johnson C. Smith's teams made the finals - and the men won the crown, a grand send-off for University President Dorothy Cowser Yancy, who's stepping down after 13 years.

Yancy, her alma mater's first female president, played a huge role in bringing the CIAA to Charlotte. She's also the school's biggest hoops fan.

If you haven't seen her run onto the court to congratulate or console her players at each tournament, you've missed something really special.

Congrats, Dr. Yancy.
And we'll see you next year.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Though I live in San Francisco, one of the greatest joys I've had this year is watching the Golden Bulls play (and win) in this year's tourney on ESPN. My parents met at JCSU, so along with my upbringing in Charlotte, JCSU has always had a special place in my heart. And to watch one of my mother's alumni friends, Dr. Yancy, enjoy this year's games was a delight as well. Congratulations Dr. Yancy and JCSU on your win, and congrats to the CIAA and Charlotte on building such a successful event.

Anonymous said...

Good rittens boogies...

Anonymous said...

Congrats to the home team. Hope everyone has a safe trip back home. See ya'll next year.

One Thing. Please tip your servers and bartenders. If you want to continue being welcomed in our restaurants and bars you have to learn to tip. As the years go by, our servers & Bartenders have become more dismayed when the CIAA comes to town. Being a mangager of a restaurant downtown, it has become increasingly difficult for me to staff the restaurant during CIAA week. I can't blame them for hating to work during this week. I hear the name calling and the run around the CIAA customers give to their servers. But since i am a manager i have to side with the customer. If you would at least tip, maybe my bartenders and servers can over look the fact that you called them a racist.

As for me, I appreciate your business. We had record sales for the week. I look foward to next year. Thank you CIAA.

Anonymous said...

Dr. Yancy has been by far the most dynamic and successful president JCSU has had. I was right there with her cheering for our alma mater for the past 13 years and I'll be right there with her for many years to come. We'll definitely miss seeing her on a regular basis, but I'm pretty sure she'll make an appearance for CI CI.....double A!!!

Anonymous said...

The whole experience had a special feeling before it even happened this year. Having worked with the JCSU basketball program and attending JCSU for a year, there was a great feeling as I rode down I-85 from the Hampton Roads area, I am happy beyond belief for the team, the school and Coach Joyner as a Coach and Athletic Director. When I went into the locker room Friday to greet and wish my luck to the Golden Bulls there was a great sense of confidence that I hadn't seen in a long time, each and every person was focused on the task at hand and they not only handled business Friday, but came right back for an encore on Saturday, and if anyone remembers the 2006 Final, we let a lead go in the last 3:45, but in 2008 Saturday was great!!

Dr. Yancy deserved to go out with a bang and that's what really made this tournament special. I had the time of my life and will never miss another CIAA tournament (missed last year) whether its in Charlotte, Atlanta or wherever.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Anonymous Restuarant Manager,

I really question if "True" CIAA fans were these so-called non-tippers. I personally am an excellent tipper provided the service is the same.

I think you're mistaken to insinuate that the "ACC & NCAA folks" yet to arrive will better serve your employees. I've dined with many "ACC & NCAA" folks and mybe to your surprise, they can and do leave lousy tips too.


I went to the same restuarant on three occassions during the tournament. When I was in a suit I got much better service compared to when I was wearing my school colors & jean the next day, and rightfully so the server got about 22% (I always round up) on suit day compared to just 10% the other.

Bottomline is it if your servers expect no tip then obviously their quality of service dictates such.
You should let your server know not to prejudge a "fan" by the they look...good service is rewarded and all money is green.

I wonder if your servers would treat an "ACC & NCAA" fan in jeans & tees the same if they were wearing a suit. Maybe it's wrong to call yours or any servers racists but many are prejudiced in prejudging customers...you can do your part and teach your employees not to prejudge the "fans" of any sporting event.

By the way, I am happy that you achieved record sales...at least some your servers must be good at what they do.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Mgr...I live and tip(over 15% for quality service AND food) here in the QC and I have problems getting waited on and maybbe you should help out by:

1.hiring minorities and retain and promote them(seem we ain't good enough for even kitchen staff-look around)
2.Educate your employees to expect the best not the worst. Get with the CIAA and get some eduaction on our cultural differences(and no jive talk to grown educated human beiongs)
3.Partner with the CIAA and CCC to do some "mystery shopping" and role playing(using teams of white and non-white customers with the same customer profiles)
4.Smile--you made a lot of money...share it as an incentive bonuses with your staff..and please tell your uptown business associates not to scam and overpprice themselves out of CIAA business!! Yeah, it happened..from hotels to food to drinks to parking...there were alot of true non-market rip-offs. Don't get so greedy. You cannot make ALL the money.

5.Tell me how to get a taxi to stop for me downtown. That'll really be progress!

Peace and success

Anonymous said...

Comments to the Manager are UnFounded! Let the man express his personal experiences during CIAA week. NO ONE can negate that it happened. And I'm sure he has no reason to lie.

There was an article or a blog written about this last year. Both comments to the mgr state how "I tip". Why take it personally?! He doesn't know you to say YOU dont tip! Good for you if you tip 15% or more. OBVIOUSLY he was not writing about YOU!

But he was writing about some! I'm Black and I've dined with some other Blacks that DID NOT KNOW they should leave at least 15% tip. They felt that was "too much money"! It's sad but true BLACK people on a whole DO NOT TIP WELL! Don't be offended ... accept the fact! And it's NOT just CIAA. It's EVERYWHERE!

http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-insider26mar26,0,762247.column

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1329241

... 63 percent of blacks and 30 percent of whites didn't understand that the standard restaurant tip ...

12 Ways Servers Can Increase Tips
by Dr. Michael Lynn, Cornell School of Hotel Administration
1. Introduce yourself by name.
2. Personalize your appearance -- wear a funny tie, hat or flower to make you stand out.
3. Kneel down next to tables.
4. Recommend appetizers, wine and other extra items to increase your sales -- and resulting tips.
5. Smile.
6. Tell a joke or play a game with customers.(Kids maybe)
7. Touch customers. (I don't recommend this AT ALL)
8. Thank customers.
9. Draw a picture on the check.
10. Use credit-card tip trays.
11. Call customers by name.
12. Give customers after-dinner candy.

For more information, please check: http://www.tipping.org/.