ECSU student wins CIAA regional talent contest
Kesha Williams
February 13, 2006 Marcus Cox, a junior majoring in graphic design, is headed to Charlotte, North Carolina to compete in an audition for the national TV show, "Live at the Apollo." The March 2 competition is one of many events held during the (Central IntraCIAA basketball tournament in Charlotte. Cox earned hotel accommodations on February 5 when he won a regional competition among fellow students from four CIAA universities. The 28 acts at that competition included singers, dancers, musicians and rappers. Cox’s rendition of John Legend’s song, "So High" won the votes of the judges in Petersburg, Virginia. When the power went out on the microphone, Cox continued to sing and now looks forward to singing in the next round. "I like to perform in front of large audiences and I’ve wanted to put my name out there. This (competition) could help me do it. I’ve always liked singing I just wanted to get my degree first," Cox said. Cox is happy that he saw the promotional posters hanging on campus bulletin boards. With the help of Mr. Anzell Harrell, director of Recreational Services at ECSU, Cox traveled to the February 5 competition in Petersburg and returned to campus a winner. For years, Cox has enjoyed watching "Live at the Apollo" but he had not planned to appear as a contestant. Now that the CIAA has conveniently scheduled this competition during the basketball tournament, Cox wouldn’t mind a trip to the famous New York theater.