Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 27, 1994 TAG: 9401270206
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Eager enough that coach Bill Foster is worried that word will get out that the Hokies' basketball game against Louisville has sold out - and then won't sell out, because people will stay home figuring no tickets are available.
Wednesday afternoon, Tech officials said they expected to have about 700 tickets available today for the Metro Conference game between the Hokies (13-2) and No. 12 Louisville (14-2). Tip-off is 7:38 p.m. at the 9,971-seat arena in Blacksburg.
The Hokies' last sellout was March 3, 1990, against Memphis State for Bimbo Coles' last home game. Sandy Smith, Tech's assistant ticket manager, said that also was the last time the students gobbled up their full allotment of 5,000 tickets, as Smith expects will happen today.
"I think it's important for our program and our team," said Foster, who hasn't coached a game at a full Cassell in two-plus seasons at Tech. "It's a lot of electricity; I know that."
It helps that the opponent is Louisville. Seven of the Cardinals' 14 games at Cassell have sold out. Tech's largest home crowds in Foster's first two years have watched the Cardinals.
Tech won Coles' last home game, but it was the 13th and final victory for the Hokies in their all-time leading scorer's final season. Foster's third Tech team can surpass that victory total tonight.
by CNB