Who ever developed the term, “Underdog,” probably had Shaw University’s Head Coach Cleo Hill Jr., in mind. The one time assistant coach for the 2002 CIAA champions will now be expected to live up to the same high expectations and deliver another championship winning team.
This time around he faces the challenge of reinventing and molding a brand new team with a new look and a new perception of reality. At the beginning of the 2008-2009 season the bears held a record of 3 wins and 7 loses. A record like this could have easily been discouraging to some people but so far, Hill and his crew have turned the tables with a current record of 12 wins and 14 loses. Around campus students and staff members are wondering where he gets this momentum. Hill says, “I have the best assistant coaches in the world so it’s somewhat unfair to the other schools that we have to compete against, and my guys aren’t afraid of going up against these schools.”
With less than a week to go until the 2009 CIAA Basketball Tournament, the Shaw University Bears are taking on the challenge head on. Returning player Will Graham said, “The coach (Hill) is really good with working the team. We have a lot of talent on the court and we are focused on winning the championship this year.”
Mean while the fans are prepared to support Hill and the Shaw Bears, win or lose. “That’s my team and I am proud of the work Coach Hill has done regardless, and besides, we are just getting started,” said student Xania Steele, junior.