ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 14, 1996 TAG: 9603140044
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DANIEL UTHMAN STAFF WRITER
THE PROFS ENJOY what has become an annual visit for them.
Rowan College is beginning to put up a strong argument for non-stop air traffic between Roanoke and Glassboro, N.J. Or maybe a ``smart'' road would be a better idea.
Since 1993, the Profs have sent four athletic teams to compete for NCAA championships in the Roanoke Valley - football in 1993 and '95, softball in '94 and men's basketball this week. Although it hasn't had much success in terms of victories, Rowan has relished every one of its 71/2-hour trips to Salem.
``It's always fun to go back,'' said Joy Reighn, Rowan's athletic director. ``It's like coming home. Any time you get into a national championship is great, but the fact that we're coming back to Salem is a special feeling.''
Reighn actually was back three weeks ago as the speaker at the Old Dominion Athletic Conference women's basketball banquet. She counts visits to Mac & Bob's and spending time with Billy and Linda Miles and Terry and Kathy Murphy among her favorite things to do in Salem.
``Everybody's so friendly and fun-loving,'' Reighn said. ``They make our kids feel special.''
If all goes well, Reighn and the Profs could be back here before summertime. The Division III softball tournament returns to the Moyer Complex on May 16-19.
``I told my husband we're going to buy a condo down there and have a vacation in May,'' she said. ``Who knows? Maybe we'll be back for softball.''
It could happen. The Profs are No.3 in the Mid-Atlantic Region preseason poll.
LENGTH: Short : 39 linesby CNB