11.9.06
Weatheringon wants to write a winner
November 9, 2006
By Chuck McGill
Charleston Daily Mail
University of Charleston point guard Austin Weatherington has a penchant for writing.
In fact, when he isn't filling up a stat sheet on the hardwood, he is honing his sports writing skills off it.
"Right now, I'm working on a story about our team," said Weatherington, who writes for the school newspaper. "I knew the editor and they were looking for a sports writer, so I did a couple writing samples and I got admitted to write for them."
It isn't easy to strike a balance between athletics and academics, but, staying true to his innate point guard skills, Weatherington knows how to distribute.
Weatherington, 21, took a circuitous route to UC.
He played his high school basketball in suburban Cleveland and signed a letter-of-intent to play at Division I Norfolk State.
He played sparingly in his one season there and made his way to UC to play closer to home and his mother, with whom he has a strong relationship.
"My mother is my rock," Weatherington said. "She has been instrumental in my development, first as a man and second as an athlete. She never missed a game, never missed a practice. She put the ball in my hand."
Weatherington said it was his mother's dream for him to go to college. Now that he is there, he is making the most of it.
In addition to joining the school newspaper staff, the communications major has his sights set on an internship this summer in New York City, where he will work with the American Society for Magazine Editing.
"I want to have my own magazine," he said. "I would like to be an editor or a writer, learning the ropes for a sports magazine.
"Basketball is my love, my passion. That's what interests me."
But before he conquers the world of sports journalism, Weatherington must first lead his team through a rigorous schedule.
UC, which finished 18-11 a year ago, returns three starters, including Weatherington.
Robert Strickland, a 6-foot-6 forward, and Marquis Brooks, a 6-3 shooting guard, are the teams top returning scoring threats. Now juniors, both will be relied upon heavily this season.
"We have a couple of guys that are going to be difficult to replace," UC Coach Greg White said. "That's part of the college process.
"We feel like we loaded up pretty well. We've added some people to help us."
Three of those newcomers are John White (6-4), Warren Wallace (6-3) and Ibrahim Marone (6-6).
Marone tips the scales at 250 pounds and will be counted on immediately for an inside presence alongside senior Dustin Kinney.
It will come down to Strickland and Brooks, with Weatherington getting them the ball.
"They make my job a lot easier," Weatherington said. "Strickland is one of the best post players I've played with. (Brooks) is the best perimeter guard I've played with. He's clutch. When we need a big shot, that's who I give the ball to."
Last season, Strickland averaged 12 points and seven rebounds per game.
Brooks averaged 14 points per game, while hitting 40 percent of his 3-point attempts.
Weatherington started 22 games, averaging three assists per game.
White knows UC's season, which begins on Nov. 15 against Lockhaven, hinges on the trio.
"Our success is determined by juniors and seniors," he said. "If you are going to be in the championship hunt, they need to step their game up."
Weatherington, with a ball in one hand and a pen in the other, has an idea for rewriting history.
"We want to restore some of the tradition (UC) has had before," he said. "My goal is to win a championship. Why not? I'm not playing the game just to play. I'm here to win championships."