ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, July 4, 1996 TAG: 9607050024
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: HOLIDAY
TYPE: IN THE REGION
SOURCE: STAFF REPORTS
Northside's Dave Tibbs has been hired as the new head football coach at R.E. Lee-Staunton.
Tibbs had been one of the chief assistants under Northside head coach Jim Hickam, serving as offensive coordinator and coaching the defensive line. He also was the Vikings' baseball coach, though he had resigned that position before getting the Lee-Staunton position.
John Curia originally was expected to take the job at Lee-Staunton, but apparently he changed his mind. Tibbs applied at Lee-Staunton when he was asked to give a recommendation for another coach, who hoped to get a job at Lee-Staunton as one of the assistants.
Tibbs formerly was a head coach at Patrick County in Timesland.
In other sports news in the region:
* Salem athletic director Sandy Hadaway has been named the state recepient for the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association State Award of Merit.
Each of the 50 states selects one winner based on their leadership and long-term contributions to interscholastic athletics at the local and state levels. There will be one national winner announced later this year.
Hadaway, an assistant principal as well as her school's athletic director, has been at Salem since 1981. She is also the student activities director.
Hadaway is treasurer of the Virginia Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and has served on various other committees for the state body. She has directed 13 Blue Ridge District, 11 Region III and two Virginia High School League tournaments. She is also a local official in women's college sports.
* The 1996 VMI football season will get underway earlier than originally scheduled. The kickoff for the Keydets' Sept.7 season opener at Ole Miss in Jackson, Miss., has been moved up to 1 p.m., EDT.
The game had previously been scheduled for a 5 p.m. EDT start, but a change was made at the request of the Mississipi athletic department.
* Scot Thomas, Virginia Tech's head softball coach during the team's inaugural season this spring, was given the job on a full-time basis.
As interim coach, Thomas compiled a 16-32 record and guided the Hokies to a seventh-place finish in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Former Florida State standout Rebecca Aase will remain as assistant coach.
* As part of today's Independence Day celebration, New River Valley Speedway will have its first ever outdoor monster truck show and fireworks display.
Fans who come early can take advantage of free monster truck rides from 3:30-5:30 p.m. The driver also will be on hand to sign autographs and meet the fans from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Also on tap is a 100-lap or one-hour Enduro race with a $1000 purse and a 25-lap Mini Cup car race. ``Flying'' Robbie Dawson will bring his motorcycle stunt-jumping show to the track as well.
Gates open a 3 p.m. with the races to begin at 6:30. Admission is $12 for adults, $5 for kids ages 3-12 and kids under two get in free. Advance tickets are for sale ($10 for adults and $4 for kids ages 3-12) at any Shepherd's Auto Supply or JOCO Marts in Christiansburg and Dublin.
LENGTH: Medium: 65 linesby CNB