One of the most surprising facts to our campus community is A-B Tech had a basketball team. We were the Atomics and we had one most excellent season.
In the 1970-71 school year, an intercollegiate sports effort was launched with the organization of a basketball team. The team, newly selected cheerleaders, a supportive student government association, and interested faculty and staff members combined to give the entire student body more opportunities for participation as well as a sense of school spirit.
During 1973-74, the Asheville-Buncombe Technical Institute basketball team had a very successful season, posting a 22-5 record. The team took first place in the Western Technical School Tournament and ended the season ranked sixth nationally in the National Little College Athletic Association.
The team averaged 92.5 points per game that season playing against Isothermal, Southwestern, Tri-County, Haywood Tech, Wilkes, Catawba, Bristol, Montreat, Warren Wilson, and even UNC Charlotte.
A-B Tech kept its team and cheerleaders, often participating in the Asheville Christmas parade, until 1986 when funding needs outgrew college income.
Clockwise from left, starting with player number 31 are Doug Fisher, Davis Jones, Tim Templeton, Martha Scott, Mike Bowlin, Eva Buckner, Benny Moore, Brenda Moody, Darrell Boone, Bobby Smith, Debbie Kizziah, Rick Ellinburg, Ken Driver, Carolyn Pointer, David Winfrey, Jim Rhea, Center: Jan Calloway, Mike Bailey, Debbie Seastrunk.