Latest news with #AppalachianStateUniversity
Otago Daily Times
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Stalwarts of bluegrass to treat town
A band hailing from the Blue Ridge Mountains, where bluegrass is firmly rooted, is coming to give Gore an authentic taste of Americana. In his slow, southern drawl, Randy Gambill said three out of the four members of his band Sassafras come from the Blue Ridge Mountain area of North Carolina. The band have been to New Zealand two times before, but not to Gore and he was always in awe of the friendships and connections he made with people through music. He spoke of playing at the Niagara Falls Bluegrass & Roots Festival on one of his visits, saying that he felt he could relate to the "really neat" locals. "These are our people, you know, they're country people, and that's what we are, you know," he said. "So we fell right in there with them." On top of bluegrass, he said the band play a mix of old country classics, like Johnny Cash, a few originals and some Western swing mixed in too, just to keep it interesting. "We go to have fun and make sure we emanate that from the stage and let everybody else have a good experience." He said where he grew up, near the mountains, was a "hotbed" for country music, where the influential Carter Family originated in the 1920s. Earl Scruggs, who originated the three-fingered way of playing a banjo which bluegrass music is based on, also grew up in North Carolina. "I was steeped in it from the start, I didn't have much of a choice, that's what was around," he said. Gambill said in their live show, between songs, the four-piece try to give a bit of background to bluegrass, how it formed and its context. "We like to give a little background on the history of the music, so they feel more connected to it," he said. He found New Zealanders were an "attentive", music loving audience, that was very keen on live music, compared to the watching-TV-at-the-same-time types that they sometimes experienced in the United States. Mr Gambill plays guitar while Ken Dowell is on banjo, Billy Gee on bass, Wes Tuttle switches from mandolin to fiddle and the group all contribute vocals. They try to give bluegrass a little twist and the odd one out, Gee, who comes from Maryland, only got hooked on playing country and bluegrass when he attended Appalachian State University in North Carolina, Gambill said. Originally a rock and roll player, Mr Gee brings a different angle to Sassafras's music, Gambill said. "I guess you could say Americana is really what we do," he said. When the guitar player spoke to The Ensign , the group were in Kaikoura and about to visit a seal colony. Gambill said when he was playing a solo gig in New Zealand around 18 months ago, a local came up and started jamming with him. This jammer became a friend, who coincidentally owned a whale watching business in Kaikoura, which the group were going to enjoy during their stay. "So, again, if it hadn't been for music, you know, I would have never met my buddy," he said. "There's music again, connecting. "Isn't it awesome?" • The band will be playing at the Bayleys Tussock Country music festival this Saturday at The Little Theatre. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $25 on iTicket.
The Star
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Sprinter Azeem makes statement of intent to go faster this season
PETALING JAYA: National sprinter Mohd Azeem Fahmi (pic) continues to show that he is a different breed of athlete. Just days after a challenging outing at the Southeastern Conference Championships, the 21-year-old returned to make strong statement by winning at the Appalachian State University Track and Field Championships on Sunday.
New Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Sprinter Azeem scorches Appalachian track
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's fastest man, Azeem Fahmi, was on fire at the Appalachian State University Track and Field Championships on Sunday. Azeem ran a blistering 10.01 seconds in the men's 100m heats in Boone, North Carolina. The time was actually faster than Azeem's own national record of 10.09s, but it was not recognised because of a tailwind (plus 4.7). The 10.01 came close to the 10.00 qualifying mark for the World Championships in Tokyo in September. Azeem, representing Auburn University, won his heat, and two hours later, won the final with 10.09s (tailwind plus 3.7). Deonte Hardy of Coastal Carolina was second (10.41) and Armonte Ferguson was third (10.43). Malaysia Athletics technical director John Ballard said: "Azeem ran fantastic times, but unfortunately they cannot be recognised as national records because of tailwinds. "Azeem has shown tremendous progress under coach Ken Harnden. He has a very good chance of qualifying for the NCAA grand final next month in North Carolina. "All his hard work in training is paying off and he has improved on his body strength. After clocking 10.01, he definitely will move up the world rankings.
The Star
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Azeem wins 100m race at Appalachian State Championships
PETALING JAYA: National sprinter Mohd Azeem Fahmi has won the 100m race at the Appalachian State University Track and Field Championships, equalling his national record time in Boone, North Carolina on Sunday (May 18). The 21-year-old, who competed in the Southeastern Conference on Saturday, drove six hours with his coach, Ken Harnden, to the meet, and it proved worthwhile. Azeem finished first in the final, clocking 10.09s. Coastal Carolina's Deonte Hardy was second with a time of 10.41s, while App State's Armonte Ferguson came third with 10.43s. Azeem holds the national 100m record of 10.09s, set at the 2022 World Junior Championships in Cali, Colombia. Azeem was hoping to improve his rankings to compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Regionals.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eric Hollifield Announces Nationwide Scholarship for Student-Athletes Championing Academic and Athletic Excellence
Winder, Georgia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 12, 2025) - The Eric Hollifield Scholarship for Student-Athletes is now accepting applications nationwide, offering a prestigious one-time award to undergraduate student-athletes who exemplify exceptional dedication to both academic achievement and athletic performance. Founded by Eric Hollifield, a former collegiate athlete and respected sports leader, this scholarship represents his commitment to nurturing well-rounded student-athletes who excel both in classrooms and competitive arenas. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: The scholarship is open to current undergraduate students actively participating in collegiate or organized sports programs across the United States. Applicants must demonstrate strong academic credentials alongside athletic involvement and submit a thoughtful essay addressing: "How has being a student-athlete shaped your character, work ethic, and leadership skills? Share a personal experience that highlights your perseverance and dedication in both academics and athletics." "Throughout my journey from high school athletics in North Carolina to competitive powerlifting at Appalachian State University, I've witnessed firsthand how sports participation develops character traits essential for lifelong success," says Eric Hollifield . "This scholarship aims to recognize and support students who embody that special combination of academic discipline and athletic perseverance." Eric Hollifield's extensive background includes significant contributions to sports leadership, including service on the Appalachian State Athletic Foundation Board, where he has held positions as President and President Emeritus. His personal experience balancing academic responsibilities with athletic commitments informs his understanding of the unique challenges faced by today's student-athletes. The scholarship welcomes applications from qualified students across all U.S. states and territories, regardless of geographic location or specific sport involvement. The selection process will prioritize candidates who demonstrate resilience, teamwork, integrity, and personal growth through their athletic and academic experiences. Key Application Details: Eligibility: Current undergraduate students actively participating in collegiate or organized sports Requirements: Academic excellence, athletic involvement, and 500-750 word essay Submission: Email to apply@ in PDF or Word format Deadline: November 15, 2025 Award Announcement: December 15, 2025 Through this initiative, Eric Hollifield aims to create meaningful opportunities for deserving student-athletes who might otherwise face financial barriers to completing their education while maintaining athletic commitments. "We're searching for tomorrow's leaders who understand that the disciplines learned through sports-perseverance, teamwork, time management, and goal-setting-translate directly to academic and professional success," Eric Hollifield adds. For complete scholarship details, eligibility requirements, and application guidelines, interested students should visit the official website: About Eric Hollifield: Eric Hollifield is a former collegiate athlete and respected sports leader whose experience spans from high school sports in Marion, North Carolina to national recognition in powerlifting at Appalachian State University. His dedication to mentorship and belief in the transformative power of athletics continues to inspire his philanthropic efforts. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Eric HollifieldOrganization: Eric Hollifield ScholarshipWebsite: Email: apply@ To view the source version of this press release, please visit
