Tom Suiter Retires

Rocky Mount native Tom Suiter, who has worked for WRAL-TV since 1971, is retiring from the sports anchor desk on Dec. 19.

Tom's catch phrase was "Let's go to the video tape."

Suiter, who is most famous for the high school football show "Football Friday", will continue that role during football season. He will continue to present his "Extra Effort Award" as well.

One thing that I can say about Capital Broadcasting, the parent company of WRAL, once you start work for them, you can stay for life.

Charlie Gaddy, who did the 6 p.m. news for so many years, still does the Town Hall meetings about once a month for Channel 5. Gaddy is a native of Montgomery County, ironically, so is Rocky Mount head football coach B.W. Holt.

Mark Roberts, who was the "trafficologist" (the Traffic guy) on the morning news, still does the "Brain Game" show on Saturdays.

They don't let the good ones stray far from home.

You could see it coming, but the Carolina Hurricanes let a good coach go in Peter Laviolette. He helped orchestrate the Stanley Cup to Raleigh in 2006.

A small franchise like the Carolina Hurricanes, especially in this year's economy, needs to make the playoffs and get some extra home games to boost the cash flow. So far this year, the Hurricanes have been up and down and it was to risky to wait to make a change later in the season.

I really like to watch hockey and when ESPN started covering Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers back in the 80s I got hooked on it.

The Hurricanes are bringing back a retread Paul Maurice who Laviolette replaced in 2003. I bet if things work out, Ron Francis will be coach the next time a coaches change is made.

The weather forecast for Friday night is clear and cold. The daytime high will only make it to 48 degrees, so by kickoff it will be nearing 40.

This is too important a game to stay home because of the weather. It could be the last game of the season, but for sure it is the last home game where the Gryphons have managed to win 24 straight.
They have not lost at home since the Eastern finals in 2005 to Western Alamance, which will be three years ago this Friday.

This has been a good week of practice. L'Var Silver and Hiawatha Bunn will start and Zack Williams will be a game time decision.

You know one of the good things about winning by 31 points every week is you don't have to go too deep in the playbook. Other coaches look at our film and all they see is the jet package running wide and the belly series.

The entire arsenal is ready if needed.

I don't know what the record attendance at a Rocky Mount football game has been, but I bet this one could break the record.

Anytime you get a big crowd the visitors must show up in force and you can count on it this Friday.

Today is the last day of the pre-sale of tickets in the main office at RMHS. $7 going, going, gone at 4.00 p.m., then they will be eight bucks at the gate.

Our air time is 6.45 on AM 1390. B.W. Holt will be with us around 7 p.m.

Get plenty of rest tonight and bring your hollering voice, cow bells and anything else to show your support.

GO GRYPHONS!!!