Word Of God Academy Making Name For Itself On Hardwood

WRALSportsFan

Word Of God Academy Making Name For Itself On Hardwood

Jan 16, 2008

comments

Raleigh's Word of God Academy is making a name for itself on the basketball court. The Holy Rams are undefeated and nationally ranked this season after winning the GlaxoSmithKline Holiday Invitational Tournament this past December.

"Word of God has always had good a really good basketball program," head coach Levi Beckwith says. "I think right now, with the addition of the players we have, I think we're just going to a different level."

But a year ago, Word of God made national headlines for a much different reason - the NCAA put them on a list of schools from which it would not accept transcripts.

Citing a paperwork issue, Word of God challenged the NCAA's ruling, and two months after their initial decision, the NCAA removed Word of God from their list of banned schools.

"We circulated letters to all of our associated schools, and people that we're affiliated with statewide, locally also, and let them know we've been cleared completely," says school founder Frank Summerfield." We had a three-day site visit from the NCAA. They were with us three days, and found everything to be sound."

So now, Word of God is back to making headlines on the court.

Their not so secret weapons are two division-one caliber recruits, junior point guard John Wall, currently out with an injured hand, and sophomore forward CJ Leslie.

Wall's recruiting options are still wide open, but Leslie has already committed to his longtime favorite NC State.

Reporter: Ken Medlin
Web Editor: Ryan Craig

Most Recent Comments

GO WOGCA!!! My daughter attended this school when she was in elementary school. I could not have asked for anything much better in the way of academics. She received such a solid foundation from teachers thta were really interested in seeing her succeed. Thank you - Ms. Johnson, Ms. Ellis, and Ms. Smith - it was years ago but you guys were great!

Since this is a private school and can 'recruit' players and have their tuition paid, then they ought to be able to get the most talented basketball players. If that is their premier goal.

I'm wondering how the school name is abbreviated on the jerseys. I hope it's not the first initial of each of the words that make up the school name, as that is a highly offensive racist insult in Britain.

Of course, seeing the word "GOD" thundering down the court might give some pause, too. (:

"Wall's recruiting options are still wide open, but Leslie has already committed to his longtime favorite NC State."

One of the State fans mentioned Wall being recruited by State the other day. Maybe the fact that he has a teammate heading there will push him in the Pack's direction. There seem to be soooo many negative posts on here about State, exacerbated by WRAL I feel. Was there any need for the missed plane article? Its called salt in the wound people! But I digress, I just thought a positive post of ANY SORT might be the order of the day!

Now having said that, lets go Heels!

WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan