County Thanks Coach

UNCW Seahawks coach Jerry Wainwright said New Hanover County has been a good home to his team, which continues to enjoy national attention after playing two rounds in the NCAA Tournament.

The team has a sense of responsibility to Wilmington and the county, Mr. Wainwright said to the County Commissioners, who presented him with a proclamation congratulating the team on its winning season.

“They don’t feel like they’re away from home,” he said. “They feel like they ‘re home. It’s been a great place to play.”

Mr. Wainwright said the Seahawks have become America’s team.

The Seahawks’ successful year – which included a first-round upset of the University of Southern California in the NCAA Tournament – prompted speculation that that their coach might soon take a job at DePaul University in Chicago. Mr. Wainwright, who is a candidate for the coach’s job at DePaul, said he was recently approached by a fan who asked him if he plans to leave the Seahawks.

He said he told the fan he would not discuss the matter.

Rally to address N.C. finances

The John Locke Foundation, a conservative think tank in Raleigh, and the state chapter of Citizens for a Sound Economy, a national organization, will hold a rally at 5 p.m. today at City Hall in Wilmington.

The groups plan to discuss the state’s budget deficit, how legislators could manage it without raising taxes, and other tax-related issues.

The groups plan to take their messages to 25 cities this |month. Wilmington is the fourth city on the tour.