ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, August 23, 1996 TAG: 9608230047
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK STAFF WRITER
MEN'S BASKETBALL WOES are not significant enough to keep the Cavaliers' AD from discussing proposals for a new arena or an expansion of Scott Stadium.
The off-the-court problems that have plagued the Virginia men's basketball program in the past year haven't diminished the support for coach Jeff Jones' program or the Cavaliers' other athletic teams.
So said UVa athletic director Terry Holland on Thursday. Holland spent 45 minutes answering questions in what became something of a ``state of the program'' session with the touring ``ACC: Operation Football'' media.
Holland spent most of the news conference discussing potential plans for a new basketball facility and expansion of Scott Stadium, but he didn't wait for an interrogation on the basketball woes that have included shoplifting, malicious wounding by prized recruit Melvin Whitaker and trespassing and disorderly conduct convictions for star guard Harold Deane.
The athletic director mentioned the troubles in his opening statement.
``It concerns me,'' Holland said. ``It concerns everyone in the program.''
That said, Holland remarked that the off-court troubles haven't diminished financial contributions to the athletic program. With four months left in the year, the Virginia Student Aid Foundation already has reached its fund-raising goal for 1996. ``It's been a terrific year in that regard,'' he said.
``We have alumni who are concerned'' about the basketball program's image, Holland said. ``But we have not had alumni who are refusing to be supportive. I think everybody looks at this as an aberration. We certainly hope it's an aberration.
``Fortunately, we have people who are willing to look at the long term. Now, all of us get bent out of shape for a day or two - including me, including the coaches, including individual athletes and everyone else.''
Holland said there also was much good to talk about in his first year back on a campus where he was the men's basketball coach, earning made two Final Four trips and accumulated 326 victories as the men's basketball coach from 1974-90. The Cavaliers' scholarship athletes in the fall 1995 semester compiled a UVa record-high 2.82 grade-point average - a figure that was topped (2.86) in the next semester.
He also announced UVa has reached a season-ticket record of 25,168 (through Wednesday) in football, with fewer than than 350 season seats remaining for sale. The record had been 24,154 in 1992.
It is apparent much of Holland's energy since he replaced alumnus Jim Copeland, now the AD at Southern Methodist, has been devoted to dealing with UVa's facilities and trying to locate office space for a program that has grown larger than anyone could have imagined when University Hall opened 31 years ago.
``This building was built for six sports,'' he said. ``We now have 24.''
Holland said some office space for athletic staff members will be cleared in the McCue Center. However, the one-time consideration of major renovations to U-Hall, which is not an air-conditioned building, are history. ``We will make a few minor cosmetic changes,'' Holland said.
He said attempting to expand U-Hall's 8,457-seat basketball capacity isn't feasible. Holland is proposing a new 15,000-seat arena, although there are no formal plans or fund-raising designated for such a project at this time. He also would like to see Scott Stadium's 40,000 permanent seats expanded to a 60,000, with the arena and Scott expansion projects done in tandem.
``I think we have a better chance at getting them done at the same time,'' Holland said. ``Then, it becomes a real challenge. The whole university community gets behind it.''
Holland said the $61 million designated for athletics in the university's current $750 million capital campaign is not tied to any arena or football facility enhancement. He estimates a new arena would cost $45 million to $60 million, and 20,000 more seats for Scott Stadium would cost about $40 million. No state funds may be used for athletics facility construction.
``We need improvements that will allow us to move ahead,'' said Holland, 54, who also is serving this year as the chairman of the NCAA Basketball Committee that selects and seeds the tournament field. ``Most of us [Division I colleges] have tapped the easy revenue sources. We're looking at all revenue streams. If we could expand, it would add 60 to 65 percent to our revenue potential.''
Asked about corporate title sponsorship for an arena or signage inside such a facility, Holland said, ``I think we have to consider every financial option. Some consider signage a problem, although I think it's acceptable to more people today than it once was. If it comes to the point where we have to put a logo on the floor, I think we have to consider that.''
On other subjects:
Holland said the Cavaliers will continue playing NCAA Division I-AA teams from Virginia in football after Richmond visits Scott Stadium next season - although the Cavaliers earlier bought out future dates with VMI and William and Mary. ``There's been a change in climate from the particular time we did that,'' Holland said. ``There was a strong feeling at the time we needed another I-A [team] to qualify for a bowl.''
Holland said it ``makes more sense'' financially to bring in a I-AA state foe than to pay a Mid-American Conference team such as Central Michigan, this year's opening opponent. ``Yes,'' Holland said, ``we will be playing most of the state teams in football'' in future years.
Holland said there is ``no clear choice'' for a successor to former UVa athletic boss Gene Corrigan, who is retiring as ACC commissioner after this school year. ``It's an important selection from a knowledge standpoint and familiarity with the league,'' Holland said.
Asked if he's interested in the job, Holland said, ``It's a job in which almost anyone would be interested. ... But I will not apply for the job. I think it's important they select who they want, rather than having people breaking down the door.''
LENGTH: Long : 106 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Hollandby CNB