
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 8, 1991                   TAG: 9103080184
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: From The Associated Press and Landmark News Service
DATELINE: NORFOLK                                LENGTH: Short

MONARCHS DISMISS YOUNG

Old Dominion basketball coach Tom Young, suspended during the season for an altercation with an opposing player, was fired Thursday after a six-year stay.

"The bottom line is you've got to win . . . we didn't win enough games and that's why what's happening today is happening," said Young, whose record with the Monarchs was 90-87.

Neither Young nor athletic director Jim Jarrett mentioned the suspension.

Young was suspended for two games and six days of practice because he was bumped by a Western Kentucky player and followed him into the locker room. No blows were exchanged, but ODU suspended Young, saying it was unprofessional conduct.

Jarrett said ODU will immediately begin a search for a replacement. Reports out of Norfolk mentioned former Monarch All-American Dave Twardzik as the early favorite for the job, and there has been speculation that Radford University coach Oliver Purnell, another former ODU player, might be interested.

The only confirmed candidate is Maury High School coach Jack Baker, an ODU alumnus.

Purnell could not reached for comment, but Twardzik said he would be willing to discuss the job with Jarrett.

"Any time you have a chance to go back where you played, it's appealing," said Twardzik, director of scouting for the Charlotte Hornets.

The Monarchs were 14-18 this season, but advanced to the championship game of the Sun Belt Conference tournament before losing to South Alabama 86-81.

by CNB