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

DATE: FRIDAY, April 29, 1994                   TAG: 9404290074
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

COPELAND STAYS AT UVA

Jim Copeland announced he was removing his name from consideration for the athletic director's job at Ohio State on Thursday, two days after the Washington Post reported that Maryland athletic director Andy Geiger could have the job if he wanted it.

A Buckeyes official subsequently told the Baltimore Sun that no offer had been made, but on Thursday, Geiger, 55, informed Maryland officials he had accepted the job at Ohio State. The Sun reported this morning he will be introduced at a 4 p.m. news conference today in Columbus, Ohio.

Copeland, athletic director at Virginia since 1987, was interviewed by a selection committee last week.

"While I am flattered to be considered for the position, I feel that the University of Virginia is the place that is best for me and my family," Copeland said in a statement distributed by UVa's sports information office. "We have numerous opportunities in front of us in this athletics program, and I look forward to continuing the work of making this the best athletic and academic experience in America for as many student-athletes as possible."

Another contender was Oregon State athletic director Dutch Baughman, once the athletic director at Virginia Tech. The Columbus native played and coached football at Ohio State under Woody Hayes.

by CNB