THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 15, 1994 TAG: 9407150694
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ABE GOLDBLATT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
What's the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, which has become one of the most successful operations in NCAA's Division III, missing?
``A Virginia Wesleyan football team,'' commissioner Dan Wooldridge said.
However, Virginia Wesleyan president William T. Greer Jr. doesn't see a football team at his school anytime in the near future.
Only six schools in the 13-member ODAC field football teams: Randolph-Macon, Emory & Henry, Bridgewater, Hampden-Sydney, Washington & Lee and Guilford.
``I've always said and I say it again, Virginia Wesleyan would be a wonderful addition to our football program,'' said Wooldridge. ``A little while back I thought they showed some interest in a football team.''
Greer, who has been president of Virginia Wesleyan for three years, says he has been approached about a football team on numerous occasions.
``I don't close the door to anything,'' said Greer, who has been the college president three years. ``But football is way down the list for us. We're still growing. There are numerous things we need in academics.
``The football question is not a new one. There are mighty good schools playing football in the ODAC. There are many schools in the country that play football and maintain high academic standards.''
In reply to a question that football boosts enrollments, Greer said Virginia Wesleyan has no problem attracting students: ``We have a waiting list.''
Greer said he strongly favors athletics: ``Athletics give students something else to rally around. It adds a lot of spirit on campus.''
Wooldridge said he plans to visit Virginia Wesleyan this summer to talk about sports in general. Meanwhile, he's gloating about the progress of the 18-year-old conference.
``We're the second largest conference in NCAA Division III,'' noted Wooldridge, the only commissioner in ODAC has had. ``And we're way ahead of most in the gender equity. The ODAC has 12 women's sports, two more than the men. Indoor and outdoor track have been added to the women's program.''
The ODAC, once a one-man operation, now has a staff of eight. Brad Bankston has been hired as the conference's first full-time sports information director. He'll also serve has an assistant to the commissioner.
Wooldridge, who says he may step down as commissioner in two years, said the conference will host the Division III football playoff and its final, the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, again next season in Salem, Va. The national softball playoff, held in Salem this year, may return in 1996. And the ODAC is bidding for the Division III basketball playoffs in 1996 and 1997.
The Stagg Bowl, Wooldridge said, ``was a sellout for the first time despite poor weather. Also, it was the first time that the NCAA made money from the game. They were very pleased with the way Salem promoted the game.''
The conference baseball tournament will again be played in Lynchburg next season, and the golf tournament in Richmond. Other tournaments, Wooldridge said, will be played at the site of the top seeds. by CNB