‘Fatt Catt’ Now Prowls NMSU

Ron Bailey, Publisher

September 16, 2006 – New Mexico State University has another student athlete hailing from the Mid-Atlantic region in its midst. Joining recently committed Jahmar Young – a Baltimore native who plans to enroll in January – is D.C. area point guard, Chris ‘Fatt Catt’ Cole.

Cole is now in Las Cruces, having recently transferred from Hartford University. The change of scenery was entirely his decision. “I just had to get out” of Hartford he said. “This is a better place for me”.

Last year at Hartford, Chris Cole shared "I started almost every game". The throwback point guard plans to lead NMSU's attack next season.

Given the NCAA mandated initial year of no participation in games and travel for transfers, Coles is, to use the old jazz term liberally, shedding. As such, the year away from competition is not daunting to him. I just have to focus on my body and school” he said.

In relation to the physical aspect, Cole, a true lead guard standing 6’1” and weighing 215 lbs, shared he is fit, but needs “to get all the way in shape”. His target weight for next season is 185lbs.

To effectuate that, Chris shared “I’ve been working hard everyday, doing two a days”. This includes “running out in the sun, (running) hills and the stadium (Memorial Stadium). Additionally he is “lifting weights, everyday”.

Though his experience at Hartford eventually proved untenable despite starting almost every game last year – in part due to both the school’s and its conference’s (America East) methodical style of play – Cole has no reservations about NMSU’s brand of ball, locale, or coach. “It’s more up and down (the floor)”, said Chris about his new home’s offensive philosophy. “And you know us guards from the area have to get up and down.

“I love it here. It’s a perfect basketball area. The school is a basketball school, and the state is a basketball state. They give us a lot of love”.

Though he is a proud D.C. area product, Chris Cole is very enthusiastic about NMSU, Las Cruces, and New Mexico.

He also holds Aggie head coach Reggie Theus in high regard, expecting him to be “the best player’s coach I ever had”.

One of Cole’s assistant coaches in high school, Mann Curry, thinks very highly of his former floor general. “He’s one of the few traditional pass first point guards” said Curry, who worked with Chris at National Christian Academy (Oxon Hill, MD). He’s a very coachable kid, a natural leader”.

That should be good news to NMSU faithful. Not only is the program getting an unselfish, team oriented player, but the young man is also capable of being an extension of Theus on the court.

The Western Athletic Conference should beware, ‘Fatt Catt’ will begin hunting in 2007.