ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, June 21, 1996 TAG: 9606210041
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
A 1948 GRADUATE says big-time athletics could bring big-time problems.
The University of Virginia's drive to join the national elite in college athletics should not come at the expense of its overall image and that of its academic programs, a board of visitors member warns.
``I have expressed some concerns over the possible trend of the university becoming what is known as a big-time athletic school,'' T. Keister Greer said. ``My own feeling is that the reputation I want to see the university enjoy is of an intellectual powerhouse.''
Greer, a 74-year-old lawyer, banker and 1948 graduate of Virginia's law school, made the comments during a daylong board retreat. He also gave board members copies of university reports drafted from both sides of the issue.
One, prepared in October 1951 by the late Robert Kent Gooch, warns against the university placing an emphasis on competitive athletics.
The other, issued in 1978 by current Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner and former Virginia athletic director Gene Corrigan, maintains that outstanding athletic and academic programs are not mutually exclusive.
University President John T. Casteen III, who last year hired former Cavaliers basketball coach Terry Holland as the school's athletic director, said he appreciates Greer's concern.
When Casteen hired Holland, he told him to lift UVa athletics from one of the top 20 programs in the nation into the top 10.
Casteen and other board members said they don't think Virginia's plan for athletics, which includes raising from $70 million to $100 million to upgrade facilities and programs, is in conflict with Greer's concerns.
Board member William H. Goodwyn Jr., a Richmond business executive, said he was proud of the school. ``It has turned out many fine students in many disciplines.''
In the last year, the school's athletic programs have enjoyed some of their highest highs while also enduring more than their share of lows.
After a football season in which the Cavaliers won nine games, including a historic 33-28 victory against ACC power Florida State and a last-minute victory against Georgia in the Peach Bowl, the winter brought much harsher times.
In December, two basketball players were arrested for shoplifting. In March, basketball recruit Melvin Whitaker was arrested and charged with slashing the face of another student. Whitaker was indicted on April 1 and will be tried later this month for malicious wounding.
Also, Charles Preston, a football player dismissed from the team a month earlier, was arrested and charged with assault and battery of another student. Preston pleaded guilty Wednesday to two misdemeanor charges in Albemarle General District Court and will serve 60 days in jail.
Also in April, star basketball guard Harold Deane was arrested outside a local club and charged with trespassing and resisting arrest. The school later said Deane was taking an indefinite leave of absence from the team.
Rector Hovey S. Dabney referred to the troubles facing the athletic department in an interview earlier this year.
``There's been a lot of publicity in the press, and the board is naturally concerned,'' Dabney said. ``We want to be sure the athletic department is managed properly and make sure these things don't happen.''
Dabney said he has confidence in the department, thinks it helps attract good students and does not need its mission re-evaluated.
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