For a long time, people may have wondered how athletes and coaches manage their social, academic and athletic lives.
How can an athlete who has classes, practices, meetings and games still manage to make it to the club? How can a coach plan, prepare, study film and coach a team – and still have time for his or her family. Find those answers in “The life of a Rattler,” which follows three athletes and one coach, documenting what they do in a week socially, athletically and academically. This week, readers will be introduced to people whose routines will be followed to answer those questions – and much more.
MICHAEL HARPER,
men’s basketball
Harper is a senior sociology student from Alpharetta, Ga. Harper is a versatile athlete who can play both the power forward and the center position. He began his career at the University of North Carolina at Asheville where he averaged 6.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.03 blocks in 27 games. He transferred to FAMU after the 2001-2002 season, and sat out a year.
In 14 games this season, Harper is averaging 6.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. When he’s not playing basketball he is either playing video games – primarily John Madden and NBA Live – or playing cards with teammates or other friends.
REYNAUD “REY” ROBINSON, coach, men’s track and field
Robinson, a 1974 FAMU alumnus, is in his sixth year as head coach of the men’s track team. While his main objective is to maintain and develop the track and field program, he is involved in many other things. He recruits athletes, develops workout and conditioning plans, supervises the team’s budget, and sets meet schedules with coaches.
His goal for this and every season is to win both the indoor and outdoor MEAC championships. Whenever he is not with the team, he enjoys the company of his wife and two girls.
TENÃ MILLER, women’s basketball
Miller is a senior health science/physical education student from Detroit, Mich. This is her fourth season with the Lady Rattlers. She is known for being a tenacious defender that plays with her heart and soul in every play. Also that she is a true floor leader, an unselfish player and knows how to get her teammates involved. She has career averages of 8.5 points and 2.8 rebounds. This season through 13 games, Tenè has been averaging 4.8 points and 4.9 rebounds. When she’s not playing basketball she likes to relax and listen to music.
DANIELLE BROWN, softball
Brown is a junior construction-engineering student from Orange Park. She has been with the softball team for three years and she has made an impact. Last season she had a 19-12 pitching record with an earned run average of 3.23 and striking out 151 batters. She also did damage in the batter’s box as well hitting a team high five home runs with a .309 on base percentage. While she’s not playing softball, she enjoys dancing, “hitting the mall,” and occasionally hitting the club during the off-season.