Like most mothers, Tracey Flemmings figured she knew best. So when her son, Chris, was mulling a transfer from Division-II Barton College to Division-I UNC-Wilmington, Tracey took it upon herself to drive to UNCW’s campus—just a two-hour trip from the family’s Raleigh, N.C., home—and explore.
She liked the small-town feel and the student calendar packed with weekend activities. And since she was there, she decided to check out the arena. Then she heard the familiar thump of balls bouncing and figured if she was already on campus and in the arena, why not introduce herself to that coach over there, and put in a good word for her son?