Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 22, 1993 TAG: 9304220064
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Doug Doughty
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Interest in women's basketball developed so suddenly, however, that athletic director Mike Walsh almost couldn't begin the program fast enough.
"It's really taken off in the last three or four years," said Walsh, who Wednesday confirmed that Washington and Lee will add women's basketball for the 1993-94 season and play 22-23 games as a Division III independent.
The Generals will begin Old Dominion Athletic Conference play in 1994-95.
"We're not ready to take on Roanoke College yet, but maybe in a year or two - make that two years - we'll be able to compete," said Walsh, who hopes to have a coach named by June 1.
Walsh credited senior Courtney Smith for her part in forming a club team in 1990-91. The team was coached by history professor Barry Machado, a former basketball and baseball player at Dartmouth, and Earl Edwards of the W&L computer center.
The Generals were 7-5 this season.
"Once people knew the program existed and that people were serious about it, demand grew," Machado said. "It was something I knew I could do for only a short period; [recognition of the program] is a reward in and of itself. Courtney Smith has been the pioneer.
"Having a coach who can get out there and recruit some players will help. Playing exclusively with `walk-ons' is a trial, but in many ways it's the most rewarding of all coaching experiences. If president [John] Wilson would pay me the same salary just to coach, which wouldn't happen, I'd certainly be tempted."
Basketball is the ninth intercollegiate women's sport for W&L, which did not have women students until 1985-86. The Generals have won ODAC women's championships in lacrosse and cross county, reached the NCAA Tournament in women's tennis and finished 25th in Division III women's swimming.
\ MEN'S HOOPS: Old Dominion freshman Odell Hodge from Laurel Park and sophomores Cory Alexander and Junior Burrough from Virginia are among a group of 60 players invited to the 1993 USA Basketball trials May 8-9 in Chicago. At stake are spots on the World University Games and Under-22 teams (nine of the invitees already have turned 22).
University of Richmond signee John Woolley from Elida, Ohio, reportedly has hired a lawyer to determine if his letter-of-intent can be voided. Newly named Spiders' coach Bill Dooley already has lost forward Chad Varga, who announced plans to transfer after redshirting as a freshman this past season.
Louisville point guard Keith Legree, a sophomore who has started 59 of 60 games the past two seasons, has said he feels restricted in the Cardinals' system and may transfer. Legree, who plays professional baseball in the Minnesota Twins' organization, has told friends that Florida State is one of the schools that interests him.
\ RECRUITING: Virginia entertained 6-8, 225-pound Roger Smith from junior college Morristown-Knoxville (Tenn.) last weekend. There is no indication UVa has offered a scholarship to either Smith or 7-foot Marc Bogosh from Bacone (Okla.) Junior College as it pursues a 6-10 prospect in Spain.
Kelly Dierker, a two-year starter for Roanoke Valley District power Cave Spring, has accepted a combination athletic and academic scholarship from Pfeiffer College in Misenheimer, N.C. Dierker, a 5-9 forward, averaged 10 points and eight rebounds the last two seasons.
\ FUTURE HOKIE: Virginia Tech's lone men's basketball signee, 6-9 Brandon Price from Floresville, Texas, played for the U.S. team that won the championship at the Albert Schweitzer Games in Mannheim, West Germany. Price was one of four post players who shared playing time and was used for 15-18 minutes per game, Tech coaches said.
\ WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Former Cave Spring basketball player Lisa Hodges, the Timesland girls' athlete of the year in 1992, played in 13 games for North Carolina State. She had 23 points, twice with a high of six, and 17 rebounds in 89 minutes. . . . Ex-Martinsville High football player Tony Eggleston will be a junior at Northern Illinois next fall after transferring from Cerritos (Calif.) College.
\ FIRST VISIT: A healthy turnout of Wake Forest alumni is expected tonight at Warehouse Row in downtown Roanoke to greet new Deacons' football coach Jim Caldwell. Salem attorney Chris Orndorff said he still is taking late reservations for the affair, which starts with a 6:30 social, followed by dinner and a talk by Caldwell.
by CNB