ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, December 20, 1995 TAG: 9512200085
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
Virginia Tech officially presented men's basketball coach Bill Foster with an early Christmas gift Tuesday.
In a deal that was consummated four months ago but never released publicly by the school, Tech announced Tuesday that it has granted Foster a five-year contract extension through the 1999-2000 season.
Foster, who in his four-plus seasons in Blacksburg has revived the Hokies' once-floundering program, received a salary increase of $17,250 starting this season, boosting his annual take to $132,722. Under terms of the new contract, yearly raises will boost Foster's annual salary to $171,927 by the 1999-2000 season.
Furthermore, Foster will receive an additional $49,000 annually, or 12 percent of the proceeds from his radio-television shows, whichever sum is greater.
The new contract also includes an annual bonus should Tech make the NCAA Tournament. Under that provision, Foster and each of his full-time assistant coaches will receive added compensation that amounts to one month's pay of each individual's base salary.
Dave Braine, Tech athletic director, said the new contract is Tech's way of rewarding Foster for a job well done.
``Bill Foster has given Virginia Tech a nationally ranked program, and he has done it with integrity and class,'' Braine said.
The 59-year-old Foster, currently in his 29th season as a college coach, has turned around Tech's program. After his first two teams went 10-18, Foster's 1993-94 club went 18-10. Last season, in perhaps Foster's best coaching job ever, Tech won a school-record 25 games en route to the school's second National Invitation Tournament title.
This season, Foster's 22nd-ranked team is 4-1 and one of the favorites to capture the Atlantic 10 Conference title.
Foster confessed Tuesday that when he came to Tech in 1991 he didn't figure to coach past his original four-year contract.
``I kind of saw myself giving it four good years, getting everything squared away, and then kind of seeing where I was and where the program was,'' Foster said.
"But a lot of things change how you feel about what you're doing. It's been a good run and it's been a lot of fun.
"You never know ... I think one day you find out it's time to do something different. But right now, I'm still enjoying what I'm doing, I'm enjoying the kids, and things appear to be going in the right direction.''
Foster, whose Tech record is 67-57 and 498-304 overall, counting stints at Shorter College, UNC Charlotte, Clemson and Miami, said the new contract was Braine's idea.
"I think Dave will tell you I've never been concerned about contract, length of time, and all that stuff,'' Foster said.
"It's basically something Dave initiated. I've always said to him, `When the day I think it's time to walk, I'm out, or the day comes when he thinks I ought to walk.'''
There was speculation last season that Foster may retire as early as after this season. Foster had to temporarily leave the bench at least three times during games last season due to a nervous stomach disorder.
"I feel pretty good now,'' Foster said. "I still have that sensitive stomach. It comes from the fact it's just basketball season. It's the result of pressure you put on yourself more than anything else.
"I don't know if that thing, as you get older, gets worse or what. That would kind of be a determining factor with me if it got to be a real problem.''
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