By John Armstrong – [email protected] – Staff Writer | Nov. 12, 2014 |
In an effort to demonstrate the Asheville community’s support for its local college athletics, Mark Sternal, co-owner of Daugherty’s American Kitchen and Drink located in south Asheville, invited the athletic association and the men’s basketball team and staff to his restaurant last Monday.
Sternal said that part of the mission of the restaurant is to support college athletics, especially since one of the founders, Brad Daugherty, played for UNC-Chapel Hill.
“We just wanted to give back to the university and let them know that south Asheville is here for them,” Sternal said.
Janet Cone, director of athletics at UNC Asheville, said the athletes try to be more involved the community.
“We do these kinds of events occasionally at different places around town, but this is our first time in south Asheville,” Cone said.
Cone also said this is one of the steps taken toward getting more community involvement and members of the community will extend offers to help out because of their engagement.
Photo by John Armstrong
“We’re really engaged with the community and we meet a bunch of people and the owners extended the invitation to us,” Cone said
Nick McDevitt, head coach for the men’s basketball team, spoke on behalf of the hard work the team put forth toward the season.
McDevitt also said the team needs to work hard for the seniors, as their last opportunity for a championship title approaches.
He said he wanted to let the community know where their investment goes when it comes to supporting the program.
“It’s important to know what you’re investing in – your time, your efforts and your money. It’s going to a program and to these young men in the right ways,” McDevitt said.
In addition to thanking the supporters, McDevitt also spoke on behalf the students on scholarships and what is expected of them for it.
“They understand the privilege of being a student athlete and being on scholarships and they do a lot of great work that everyone doesn’t know about,” McDevitt said.
Bruce Goforth, chairman of the Board for Bulldog Athletic Association, has been working the past four years to provide these scholarships to the students.
Goforth said one of the biggest fundraisers for the scholarships is the annual Bulldog Athletic Association golf tournament, which set a new record with more than $100,000 raised for the student-athlete scholarship fund.
“I’ve been a supporter of scholarships for the last four years at UNCA, and I’m excited for what UNCA can be and all these things are important for our community,” Goforth said.
