ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, June 25, 1996 TAG: 9606250062
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
Once again, Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer has been rewarded for a job well done.
Beamer, riding the wave of the Hokies' best season ever in 1995, was awarded a new contract Monday that extends through the 2000 season.
Beamer, whose club capped a 10-2 season by beating Texas 28-10 in the Sugar Bowl, signed a sweetened version of the contract he agreed to last April. The new deal goes runs through 2000 instead of 1999 and hikes Beamer's base salary from $141,445 to $148,517. Beamer, who will enter his 10th season at Tech this fall, will be entitled to a 5-percent pay increase each year of the contract.
Also, Beamer is guaranteed $113,400 in 1996 for his participation in television and radio shows. That sum also will increase by 5 percent each year of the contract.
Beamer, 49, was out of town on vacation Monday and unavailable for comment. He said in a prepared statement released by the school, ``I appreciate the confidence the administration has shown in me. As well as possible in college athletics, this contract assures stability for our program. When you take a look at the top programs in the country, you always find stability.''
Beamer, whose career record at Tech is 51-49-2, has led the Hokies to 27 victories and an unprecedented three consecutive bowl games the past three seasons.
The new contract includes a rollover clause under which Beamer's tenure would be extended by one year after each season. Should the university elect not to extend the contract, Beamer would be paid for the additional time remaining on his deal.
Also, the new contract includes an annuity that the school will establish and which by the year 2005 will total at least $1 million. On July 1 of that year, if Beamer still is the Tech coach, he would have the option to receive all or any part of the fund, not to exceed $1 million.
In the event Beamer leaves Tech before the contract expires, he would forfeit all rights to the fund and its accruals. Should he not receive contract extensions through the year 2005, he can withdraw all funds which have accrued in the annuity up to the time he is released.
LENGTH: Short : 50 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Beamer (headshot)by CNB