Southwestern College Collegian

Issue date: 2/22/07 Section: Web Exclusive

Media Credit: Ashley Holloway Members of the men's basketball team show off the Southside Fade. Tim Moore, forward, Trey Merrifield, forward, Prince Ezeala, forward, Cedrick Riley, forward, Chase Brisco, guard, Kevin Kelley, center, Justin Diggles, guard, Rodney Jackson, forward, Sheldon Brown, guard, and Jason Jeschke, guard, cut their hair to help build team unity in the postseason.

Kansas Wesleyan University's Mohawk may have given them Mr. T appeal, but the men's basketball team has a new look thats got heads turning.

"It grows on you," said Sarah Abu Hisara, business senior.

"At least they're doing something as a team," said Nique Wallace, education senior.

Bald on three sides with a small faded patch of hair in the front, it's called the Southside fade.

It started when Sheldon Brown, guard, gave Tim Moore, forward, a haircut in his Wallingford bathroom. The rest is history.

"It was T-Mo's idea. First, he thought we should get Mohawks then he suggested the Southside. I agreed as long as he actually did it," said Prince Ezeala, forward.

Excluding four people and red shirt guard, Mike Sanchez, Brown gave the entire team haircuts, even cutting his own.

Brown said, "I like it because most of our boys are from Texas and it's a Texas haircut. I've been cutting hair for a while, so it wasn't a hard to do".

Ezeala said, ""T-Mo was first then me, Rodney, and David."

In preparation for nationals the team hopes the cut will be representative of team unity.

Dawn Pleas Bailey, vice president of student life, said "It shows real commitment to the cause."

"I think it represents a new beginning, or clean slate," said Chase Brisco, guard.

"Before I felt like we were a strong team, but now we're much stronger," said Rodney Jackson, forward.

Even the coaches have agreed to try the new style.

Moore said, "The bet is if Kyle and Jesse cut their hair then Coach Hall and Collins will cut theirs. Kyle and Jesse are going to cut their hair once we are guaranteed to go to nationals."

The team will need to win the conference tournament in order to return to nationals, a task their captain feels they are very capable of doing.

Ezeala said, "I'm confident. We are a team that doesn't back down or give up so we're going to go far."

The cut could be the key to winning it all.

Jason Jeschke, guard, said, "It's giving us something physical and visible to attach a feeling of team unity to. I believe that it's something that helps us believe the guy on the left and right of us is going in the same direction."

Ashley Holloway is a sophomore majoring in journalism. You may e-mail her at ashley.holloway@sckans.edu.

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