Daily Press from Newport News, Virginia • Page 48

SportsSmithfield's Vivian Greene among first to enter Norfolk State Hall of Fame By ALAN HIRSCH Instead of education, which she Sports Writer Vivian Greene stands among the elite. Of all the fabulous athletes produced by Norfolk State University, the Smithfield native is one of just five members of the institution's newly created sports hall of fame. Greene, former pro basketball star Bobby Dandridge, San Diego Charger Leroy Jones, track star Steve Riddick and the late Joseph Echols were formally inducted last week in ceremonies attended by over 700 people who spurned a pro basketball game at nearby Scope. "When things like that come, it's a shock to you," Vivian said from her Omaha, home after flying back. "I'm sure a lot of other people could have been selected and I'm sure it was a difficult task, to come up with the first five candidates." Greene sat at the head table in Echols Arena during the ceremonies which included inspirational words from former Brooklyn Dodger pitcher Joe Black.

"I had that deep, warm feeling of love that was all around me," she said of the affair. "I could feel that from friends, just like you can feel it when someone is afraid of something." Greene was a 5-foot-4 bundle of energy for the Smithfield Packers and graduated in 1974 with a handful of VHSL records for her participation in the Group AA playoffs. The fouryear all-Peanut District selection completed her high school career with top marks for points in one game (41), points in a tournament (78), field goals in a game (16) and tournament (31), and free throws in a game (16) and tournament (16). Tennis lessons offered At Nike, Windsor High Carrollton Nike Park and Windsor High are the sites of beginning tennis lessons given by the Isle of Wight Recreation Department. Classes at Carrollton Nike Park have already begun on a weekday basis and will continue until July 15.

Another class will start again July 18 and run through August 5. Windsor High is also presenting classes daily through July 15 and will start another set of lessons July 18. Three classes a day will be offered at that time and other classes of 50 minutes each will be added as needed. RegiStration fees of $15 with a limit of six students per class can be paid at the recreation department. Steve Frey is the instructor.

(R I had that deep, warm feeling of love that was all around me. I could feel that warmth from friends, just like you can feel it when someone is afraid of something. 99 -Vivian Greene describing how she felt during ceremonies inducting her into NSU Sports Hall of Fame Staff photo by ALAN HIRSCH Greene earned all-state, all-CIAA recognition at Norfolk State After that, she turned the page to a and she made her way to the Washstoried chapter of Norfolk State lore. ington Metros. Three months later, The statistics from her four seasons are incredible.

Her haul of 2,386 points was a 25.1 average over 95 games. Her norm was 25.8 a game as a junior, when she was named National Black College Player of the Year. The season provided her greatest thrill. "In the CIAA tournament, against Shaw, I scored 50 points," she recalled. "It was one of the most memorable things in my collegiate career and my life." In addition, the Spartans were 74- 22 during Vivian's tenure and won a pair of state NCAA Division I titles.

Greene was named all-state four times and CIAA Tournament MVP once. She led the state in scoring three times and was second in assists twice. After graduation in 1978, Greene became a member of the Dayton Rockettes of the then-newly formed Women's Basketball League. Things would not go smoothly. Dayton folded after its first year studied at NSU, Greene became an installer of heating and air conditioning.

Often she makes deliveries for the firm, too. As she puts it, "a little of everything." The famous Nancy Lieberman she of the Old Dominion Monarchs, of the WBL, of television commentating and advisor to tennis star Martina Navratilova formed a tour for top woman basketball players, but Greene was not invited. Still, she keeps in shape. "I play city ball and average 36 points a game," she explained. "And, I play a lot of softball, too, because Omaha is the softball capital of the world.

I'm with one of the top teams in the city." What if pro basketball came knocking again? Would she want to give it another try? "Sure! Basketball is my life. I love it! But, I can do other Among those other things is coaching youngsters. She teaches the sport to seventh and eighth graders. She does it on her own, though, not as a public school teacher. "I am still trying to figure out when I can do my student teaching," Vivian noted of the only step left to earning her college degree.

"I have no plans right now to go back (to Norfolk State) and get my degree. There are other things to do and I don't really want to get into the school system now." Vivian enjoys traveling, too, both for business and pleasure. Among her journeys each year is one to Smithfield. "Once a year, I always come back for a week," she remarked. "My family is in Smithfield.

I want to see my friends, see how things are going and see things changing. "I can't forget the people who helped push me along to where I am today. When I come back to town, I always see those people." In addition to her mother and father, Greene's "pushers" were exPacker coach Rosie Bracey, NSU coaches Doris Mangrum and Ike Moorehead and other relatives which include cousins, nieces and nephews. And, of course, she can't forget the people who helped her win her first honor. No, it wasn't for basketball.

It wasn't even in baseball or football, though she played them all as a youngster. It was in the fourth grade at Hardy Elementary that Vivian was named May Day Queen. 1082. June Wednesday, News, the Metros collapsed and it was on to Milwaukee. "I was with them two months and things were not going real well for me there, either," she said, "so I went to St.

Louis. They released me at the end of the year and I was a free agent. "I signed with the Nebraska Wranglers. It was the last year, of the league and won the title with a 31-10 record." The champions counted on Greene for instant offense, so her 10-point average is explained by the young lady by the fact she averaged fewer than 15 minutes a game. "That was my primary role," she said of the quick-point assignments.

"I was used to starting and playing more time, but I learned to adjust." With the folding of the WBL in 1981, Greene leaped into the "outside" world. "I stayed in Omaha when the league folded and found a job out of my major. I got into sheet Newport TIMES-HERALD, THE pue PRESS ATIVa Page.