Nov. 29, 2007

PHOTO GALLERY

DES MOINES, IOWA - What began as just another plane ride for the North Carolina Central University men's basketball team, turned in to a day the Eagles will never forget.

As the squad entered the United airplane in Chicago heading to Iowa, a buzz began circulating when they noticed that they were among greatness. Seated in row 11 was boxing legend Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns.

When the plane unloaded in Des Moines, Iowa, where NCCU will participate in the Iowa Realty Invitational at Drake University on Friday and Saturday (Nov. 30-Dec. 1), Hearns and his long-time friend and boxing promoter Harley Brown were gracious enough to chat with the Eagles and take pictures.

Then, as the Eagles turned the corner heading to baggage claim, there was another boxing legend, Sugar Ray Leonard, to greet Thomas Hearns. The two were in town for a special event. Although none of the NCCU student-athletes were alive when the duo first met in the ring, the Eagles still stood in awe at the sight of two of the greatest boxers of all time.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU THOMAS HEARNS AND SUGAR RAY LEONARD FOR TAKING THE TIME TO MAKE A MEMORY OF A LIFETIME FOR THE EAGLES !!!