ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, August 19, 1996 TAG: 9608190156
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: VMI NOTES
DATELINE: LEXINGTON
SOURCE: DANIEL UTHMAN STAFF WRITER
A year after three schools bought television time to showcase their football teams on VMI's home field, the Keydets again have received little respect from their peers.
Five Southern Conference coaches voted VMI last (ninth place) in the 1996 preseason poll. This is despite the fact the Keydets return 15 starters from a team that finished sixth in 1995. Last season VMI won its most league games (three) since winning three and tying one in 1981.
``It does not matter what we do,'' junior quarterback Al Lester said Sunday at the Keydets' media day. ``If we win the conference, next year I don't think we'll be picked in the top three.''
Lester said he went to a convenience store this summer with some friends to buy a preseason college football annual. He told his friends VMI would be picked last, but this particular magazine had the Keydets sixth. "I was shocked at that," he said.
EDWARDS OUT: The career of senior Mike Edwards, a Franklin County High School graduate and Penhook native, could be over. Edwards, switched from linebacker to free safety in VMI's new 4-3 defensive set, suffered a severely separated shoulder in the spring and last week was told he would miss the upcoming season.
Although Keydets coach Bill Stewart said he wasn't sure of Edwards intentions, Edwards can apply for a medical redshirt year.
Another Keydet with a history of shoulder problems, two-time Roanoke Times All-State guard Brian Gliba, has seen his career come to an end with a year of eligibility remaining. He is assisting as an offensive line coach and acting as a much-needed sports psychologist for VMI's freshmen. He will pursue a graduate degree in sports psychology at Springfield (Mass.) College after graduating from VMI in December.
OTHER DEFECTIONS: Two valuable reserves will not return to the team this fall. Fullback Darrell Summerville and defensive tackle Scott Wilson, both juniors, are not registered for fall classes.
Summerville was noted for his blocking ability and opened many holes for Division I-AA All-America tailback Thomas Haskins. Haskins said of Summerville's absence, ``That really hurt me.''
To fill the void left by Summerville, the Keydets have moved sophomore guard Charles Houk to fullback.
Three freshmen have left camp after three days of full preseason workouts: 6-foot-4, 270-pound defensive tackle Brian Hensley; Dawande Gay, a good prospect at running back; and wide receiver Kenny Crawford, rated among the state's top 100 prospects by the Roanoke Times as a senior at Hampton High School.
STAFF SET: The final two of VMI's five new assistant coaches are in place. Chip Garber steps in as the new defensive coordinator and Terry Lantz is coaching the Keydets' defensive backs.
Garber, a Winchester native who played at Maryland, comes to Lexington from Minnesota, where he coached defensive backs. Lantz, son of UVa defensive coordinator Rick Lantz, is a 1991 Louisville graduate who coached Massachusetts' secondary the past two seasons.
Former wide receiver Marlon Anderson, third on the team in receptions in 1995, is working with VMI's receivers as a graduate assistant.
Asked his thoughts about the staff he has assembled, Stewart said, ``I look up at the master coach and say, `Thank you, dear lord.'''
KEY NOTES: The starting time for the Keydets' opener at Ole Miss on Sept. 7 has been moved from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. ... The team will hold two scrimmages this week at Alumni Memorial Field. The first is Wednesday at 9 a.m. and the second is Saturday at 2 p.m. ... Four of VMI's 10 coaches live on post. Quarterbacks coach and Radford native Kevin Sherman may soon join them.
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: headshot of Lesterby CNB