Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 30, 1990 TAG: 9003300101
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By SCOTT BLANCHARD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Track coach Russ Whitenack said he wants Tech to build an outdoor-sized track but put it under a "bubble" of weatherproof fabric - even if that means waiting a bit longer for the longed-for facility. If a track is 400 meters, it's a regulation outdoor track whether or not it is open-air.
"I don't know if we could get great competition without something like that," said Whitenack, adding that fickle spring weather might scratch true outdoor meets in Blacksburg more often than not. "We've waited a long time, and to wait another year wouldn't hurt us."
The problem is money. The track, one of the capital projects included in Tech's $17 million athletic fund drive, already has a $1.2 million price tag. Athletic director Dave Braine, though he said he supports Whitenack's idea, said a covered facility probably would cost at least $500,000 more, which Tech would need to raise privately.
"That's kind of out of the realm of our scope financially," Braine said. "But we're looking into it."
Other possibilities, Braine said, include building the track adjacent to Rector Field House across from Lane Stadium and extending the roof of the field house over the track, or building the track around the field house and extending the roof. Whitenack said one benefit of a separate and enclosed outdoor track is that the Hokies' track team could train and hold indoor and outdoor meets there, thus freeing the field house for use by other sports programs at Tech.
In any case, the track is at least a year away from being built. Whitenack said he has been told that Tech has about half the money needed to build the facility. But the money for the proposed tennis facility already is in hand, and assistant athletic director Don Perry said it would take "a miracle" for the tennis complex to be ready before next spring.
Whitenack, who has coached at Tech for 17 years, has been without an outdoor track since 1985, when then-athletic director Bill Dooley removed it to make room for the new baseball field. He has said Tech's program needs an outdoor track to prosper, but he's not mentioning a new facility in his recruiting pitch just yet.
"I've been burned before," Whitenack said, noting that there's been talk of a new outdoor track at Tech for years. "I'm not going to promise anything until I see it."
There's another coach at Tech who could use an outdoor track as a recruiting tool: football coach Frank Beamer. Several current Hokies football players ran indoor track last season.
"Anytime you're dealing with speed kids, some of them enjoy running track," Beamer said. "I'd like for them to get in there and get involved with track if they want to."
\ Tech assistant athletic director Steve Horton said the NCAA has asked for more information concerning knee surgery last fall on tight end Ken Barefoot before deciding whether to allow Barefoot to play next year for Tech.
Under NCAA rules, college athletes have five years in which to use four years of eligibility. Barefoot was a fifth-year senior when he suffered the injury early last season. Horton said Barefoot likely will be granted medical hardship status by the Metro Conference, but the NCAA must extend Barefoot's five-year clock in order for Barefoot to play for the Hokies next year.
In other Tech football news, trainer Eddie Ferrell said redshirt freshman fullback Billy Jackson (sprained ankle) and junior receiver Michael Sturdivant (pulled hamstring) each will miss a week to 10 days of spring drills. Also, Ferrell and Tech quarterbacks coach Rickey Bustle said it is likely that quarterback Rodd Wooten will have arthroscopic surgery to correct a damaged rotator cuff. Bustle said if Wooten has the surgery on his right (throwing) shoulder, he will miss the rest of spring practice.
\ Part of Tech's new strategy to increase lagging football season-ticket sales will include offering two three-game packages in addition to the entire six-game package.
Business manager Jeff Bourne said one three-game package will group Bowling Green, North Carolina State and West Virginia, and the other package will include Southern Mississippi, Virginia and South Carolina. Bourne said each package will cost $48 until July, when the price will increase to $52. Tech arranged the packages to include a high-interest game (Virginia or West Virginia) with moderately attractive and not-so-attractive games.
"I think it's going to have a major impact [on season-ticket sales]," Bourne said.
Also, Bourne said, no single-game tickets will be sold until after July 1. That means season-ticket buyers and the three-game package buyers will have first crack at the better games. Bourne said Tech officials hope that will stimulate the purchase of season tickets or the three-game packages.
\ Two Hokies football recruits who have not met Proposition 48 requirements for freshman eligibility are edging closer to qualifying.
E.C. Glass coach Bo Henson said defensive lineman Chip Ferguson had a score of 685 on his last try at the Scholastic Aptitude Test and is taking preparatory classes to help him reach the required 700. Henson said he has talked with Fork Union Military Academy about Ferguson attending prep school there should he not qualify under Prop 48.
Glen Mills (Pa.) School coach Joe Ferrainola said linebacker Mike Tennant had a 670 on his last SAT try, and said Tennant is studying three hours per day with a Glen Mills tutor to help him qualify.
by CNB