Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 7, 1991 TAG: 9103070029
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
The show starts today at the Dedmon Center, and Radford is ready.
"Basically, we've been hitting it hard all year," said university marketing director Don Bowman of the university's promotional efforts.
Radford outbid other conference schools - particularly Coastal Carolina and Campbell - for the right to host the tournament for the next three years.
"We're excited about having it because of the priority we place on the women's [athletic] program but particularly on women's basketball," Radford athletic director Chuck Taylor said.
University officials don't know what sort of crowd to expect at the 5,000-seat Dedmon Center. Ticket sales figures were incomplete early this week. Officials were optimistic.
"We're hoping to get 1,000 people in here," said Greig Denny, athletic coordinator. "We feel that would be a good start for the women's tournament. That would give a good basis on which to build for the future."
Radford is a veteran at playing tournament host. It held the event in 1987 - the first Big South tournament - and 1989. This year, the headquarters will be at the Radford Best Western.
The Best Western will host today's pre-tournament banquet. All 104 of its rooms are booked for the tournament weekend - 50 for teams and officials and most of the rest by fans.
As of Monday, three of the five motels around Radford were booked for the weekend.
By hosting the tournament, Radford University gets to play in the late game each night. The Lady Highlanders open play at 8 p.m. tonight; if they win, they will play in Friday's 8 p.m. semifinals. The finals are at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
"Right now, I feel very positive," said first-year Radford coach Lubomyr Lichonczak. "It gives us a chance to peak at the right time. We're rested. So we can give it our best shot."
Tickets are $4 for adults and $1 for students each night. For information, call 831-5228. Here are the pairings and team records:\
Today
\ 4 p.m. UNC-Ashville (No. 4 seed, 6-6 in Big South, 8-18 overall) vs. Coastal Carolina (No. 5, 6-6, 8-18).
\ 6 p.m. Augusta (No. 3, 8-4, 10-17) vs. Winthrop (No. 6, 2-10, 3-22).
\ 8 p.m. Radford (No. 2, 8-4, 10-17) vs. Charleston Southern (No. 7, 0-12, 0-27).\
Friday
\ 6 p.m. Campbell (No. 1, 12-0, 21-6) vs. winner of game 1.
\ 8 p.m. Winner of game 2 vs. winner of game 3.\
Saturday
\ 7:30 p.m. Winner of game 4 vs. winner of game 5 for championship.
by CNB