Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 17, 1995 TAG: 9501170154
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MILWAUKEE LENGTH: Medium
``My reaction to what happened was not much of anything,'' said Foster on Monday, when asked to respond to the Metro's plans to drop Tech and Virginia Commonwealth for 1995-96.
``Hey, I've been going through this for nine months now. Right now, I'm just concentrating on coaching this team. Virginia Tech will land on its feet. Virginia Tech will end up in a good scenario somewhere.''
Foster, a backer of the Hokies' probable move to the Atlantic 10 Conference, admitted he was surprised with the Metro's method of divorcing Tech and VCU.
``I didn't think it would unwind this way,'' he said. ``But I never really knew what direction this would go. We haven't known where we're at for a while.
``At Tech, we have sort of a unique situation. We have high-profile football now that it's where it wants to be [the Big East Conference], so that took us out of staying with the others [Metro] schools in the new [12-team all-sports] league. If our football was at where it was four or five years ago, I think Tech would be right on the bottom floor of the new league with everybody else.''
HOT TICKET: After tonight's game with Marquette, the Hokies will turn their attention to Saturday's clash at the Greensboro Coliseum with No.3-ranked North Carolina.
Foster said the Tech ticket office has sold close to 2,500 tickets.
Nevertheless, the Hokies will be badly outnumbered in the 23,000-plus-seat arena.
``I heard they've already sold 22,000 tickets for the game,'' Foster said. "Needless to say, most of 'em will be wearing blue.''
TECH TIDBITS: Foster said Roanoke native Troy Manns should be able to practice with the club soon. Manns, the ex-Patrick Henry star who is sitting out this season after transferring from George Mason, had his tonsils removed on Jan.2. ``Troy has had a heck of a time,'' Foster said. ``His stitches ruptured, making it tough for him to come back. We need him. We need anybody we can find for practice.'' ... Tech (12-3) was 19th Monday in the latest RPI ratings, the computer rankings used by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee. ... The Metro, which is 64-16 against outside competition, is currently fourth among all conferences in the RPI ratings. The Big Eight, ACC and Big East are 1-2-3.
by CNB