Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 5, 1994 TAG: 9406050047
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By ANDREA KUHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It started with finding a way to shake the negative stereotypes often pinned on the institute and ended with what Stewart deemed a very promising class.
"The biggest thing we had to do was quit [complaining]," said Stewart, a former assistant coach at the U.S. Air Force Academy, who was hired by VMI in December.
"VMI is a great school. . . . We wanted to sell everything positive about it. The negatives are more hearsay than actual facts anyway. It's like a fish story: What starts out as a foot-long bass somehow turns into Flipper."
The Keydets signed 23 recruits, including 16 from Virginia - the highest total of any of the state's Division I schools. Virginia Tech was second with 10.
Stewart also noted that his staff landed three players who were considering Army, Navy and Air Force - schools that play Division I-A football while the Keydets play in Division I-AA.
"That's pretty doggone good," he said. "It made me feel good that all three chose VMI over our nation's service academies."
Each of VMI's recruits was brought to campus, hosted by a rat (freshman) and stayed overnight in the corps' barracks.
"They were exposed to everything," Stewart said. "We didn't take them downtown and put them in a hotel and feed them. They stayed with the corps and ate their meals on post.
"They came out of here with a real feel for VMI and they thought, `Hey this is not as bad as it sounds.' "
Stewart couldn't hide the fact the Keydets finished 1-10 last season under Jim Shuck. There were so so many holes in the team Stewart inherited that he said he didn't necessarily recruit at specific positions.
"We looked for athletes, guys who can run and guys who felt like they would stay here and not let attrition get them," Stewart said. "You need to have upperclassmen in the program to win."
VMI opens its season Sept. 3 at home against Richmond. Stewart said fans will see a new brand of Keydets football.
"I think we'll be able to run and we'll be able to chase the ball and play with some enthusiasm," he said. "I don't know how many we can win. I'm not worried about that. I'm worried about that first [game] and how we respond to adversity. That's all I want to see."
by CNB