Generations meet at Academic Achievement Banquet

Shown above: Softball outfielder Cary Bruno, Retta and Rev. James Poole, Lady Demon sprinter Deidra Truss

It’s always inspiring to attend the annual Academic Achievement Banquet hosted by Kent Gresham at The Landing Restaurant downtown. Student-athletes who made the Dean’s List in the last academic year are invited to a wonderful dinner alongside many of those who have donated endowed academic scholarships benefiting athletics.

Any given semester, says academic coordinator Julie Lessiter, at least a third of NSU’s athletes make the Dean’s List. There were more than 130 eligible to attend last night’s event – some missed because of class conflicts.

Seated together were two track sprinters from different eras. The Rev. James Poole and his wife, Retta, sat with the recipient of the James Poole Track Scholarship, Lady Demon 400 meter standout Deidra Truss. It was during casual conversation that Rev. Poole, who competed for the Demons in the late 1940s, and Deidra realized they each were quartermilers, just from different generations. It was fascinating to listen to them comparing notes on track surfaces and competitions.

“I get faster every year,’ said Rev. Poole.

Also at our table was softball outfielder Cary Bruno, recipient of the Retta Strickland Poole Athletic Scholarship. She’s trying to fill the fleet shoes of All-SLC outfielder and career stolen base leader Sarina Noack, and she was all ears listening to the sprinter talk.

Deidra told us that NSU is going to compete next spring at the Drake Relays, which is especially tremendous news. Six-time Demon All-American Brian Brown, a two-time national high jump champion while at NSU, is the Drake Relays executive director.