ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, May 19, 1996 TAG: 9605210008
SECTION: DISCOVER PAGE: 46 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHAD WILLIS STAFF WRITER
In an era when the growing salaries of professional athletes are driving ticket prices through the roof, more and more people have been searching for more affordable alternatives to quench their sporting appetites. For residents of the New River Valley, the opportunities to do just that are plentiful.
Tour DuPont, a fast-paced bicycling blitz that has top racers from around the world biking from Delaware to Georgia, zips through the New River Valley in early May.
One of the middle stages of the two-week race generally starts in the Roanoke Valley, heads slowly up the mountians of Craig and Giles counties and finishes in Blacksburg. Often, riders climb up mountains steeper than those of the Tour de France.
While spectators see just a flash of colorful biking jerseys along most of the race route, the Salt Pond Mountain ascent to Mountain Lake is an ideal area to watch the slow, exhausting climb. At the finish line on Virginia Tech's mall, spectators can watch the entire race from a huge television screen called "Big Mo."
Another spectator event is the Greater Blacksburg Open, an annual golf tournament held in June at the Blacksburg Country Club, in conjunction with the Blacksburg Jaycees. The tournament, which features local pros like David Tolley, a participant in many mini-tours, and Jim Williams, a former local country club pro, is open to the public and admission to the tournament is free.
"The Greater Blacksburg Open is a great golf tournament and the competition is always good," said Tim Cundiff, general manager of the country club. "Anyone that wants to compete in the tournament just needs to contact our pro shop. There's always a good turnout and some great players participate."
Cundiff added that carts are available and can be rented if spectators wish to follow the action around the course.
For fans of collegiate sports, the New River Valley offers a number of possibilities, courtesy of Radford University and Virginia Tech. A favorite with area sports fans is Highlander and Hokie baseball games - a particular value, as well, with free admission.
Radford, a member of the Big South Conference, plays its home schedule at Dedmon Center Park, while Tech, in the Atlantic 10 Conference, occupies English Field. Top-notch competition and beautiful ballparks offer baseball fans a chance to get outside and enjoy a spring day in the valley.
"I love coming out to the games," said Tech senior Mark Wolff. "I'm not the world's biggest baseball fan, but who wouldn't enjoy being outside on a day like today watching the game?"
Other Radford and Tech sports offering free admission are lacrosse, soccer, softball and tennis.
Another popular option for New River Valley residents is high school sports.
Normally costing no more than a couple of dollars to attend, area high schools provide fans with high-spirited action.
Pulaski County High School football games in particular, have become a major institution in the area. As the NRV's only Group AAA high school, the level of competition at Pulaski County is a step up from the rest of the region. Tailgate picnics and pep rallies are commonplace outside of the Cougars' home games.
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ALAN KIM/Staff. The Virginia Tech Hokie Bird entertainsby CNBthe crowd waiting at the finish line for Stage 6 of the Tour
DuPont.