ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 15, 1996 TAG: 9612160121
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE
TYPE: UVA NOTES
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
Florida Tech, a Division II program with limited athletic offerings, will have itself a Division I-A football team starting Tuesday.
It's probably not a good idea for the school and the football team to become too attached, however.
Virginia coach George Welsh said the Cavaliers will spend four days in Melbourne, Fla., using Florida Tech's facilities, in preparation for a Dec.27 meeting with Miami in the Carquest Bowl.
The team will bus to Fort Lauderdale, the Carquest headquarters, Friday afternoon.
Virginia prepared for the Peach Bowl in a similar fashion last year, when it spent several days at Furman University in Greenville, S.C.
``Other teams have trained [at Florida Tech] in the past,'' Welsh said. ``You get better weather. You don't know what you're going to get here.
``We've had 50- and 60-degree days here [in Charlottesville] in some years. Then, we've had some years when we were chipping ice off the Astroturf.
``I think it's worth the investment. I think it affords them a better chance to win. Plus, you have 'em all under one roof. You don't have to worry about their cars breaking down on the way to practice.''
OTHER AIDES TALKING: Welsh, who probably knew that offensive coordinator Tom O'Brien had been selected by Boston College, said Friday afternoon that he would not be surprised to see schools come after defensive coordinator Rick Lantz.
Lantz and UVa recruiting coordinator Danny Wilmer have spoken to SMU athletic director Jim Copeland about the Mustangs' opening, but it is believed that both are out of the running. Lantz said he wasn't sure if his age, 59, was an issue.
``Wouldn't that be nice if someone told you, `We would have hired you, except you're too old,''' said Lantz, who might sue if that were the case. ``Then, I'd get my money and wouldn't even have to coach. I'd go fishing and take flying lessons.
``Who knows why they don't consider you? They don't tell you. I've been in the business 34 years and never been offered any other jobs, other than back-ups.''
HEISMAN LONG SHOT: Virginia tailback Tiki Barber, who has received an assortment of awards since the end of the season, was only mildly disappointed when he wasn't one of the Heisman Trophy contenders invited to New York for the presentation Saturday.
``I kind of expected it,'' said Barber, named ACC and state player of the year. ``At first, I had high hopes. Everybody did. Then, after awhile, I just wanted to go, just to be there. But, I wasn't putting up the numbers that some of these other guys were doing.''
SHARPER GETS RECORD: Lantz, after reviewing tape of the Cavaliers' 26-9 loss to Virginia Tech, credited All-ACC linebacker Jamie Sharper with six solo tackles and eight assists. That gave him 123 for the season and 434 for his career - two more than the previous UVa record of 432 set by Charles McDaniel between 1982-85.
Sophomore safety Anthony Poindexter was credited with 19 tackles (five solos, 14 assists) against Tech, which was the high by a Virginia player this season and a career high for Poindexter, who had 16 against Wake Forest last year, when he played linebacker.
INJURIES: Welsh said he is concerned that starting cornerback Joe Rowe has not made significant progress from an injury suffered Nov.16 against North Carolina. It's a high-ankle sprain, similar to the injury that sidelined tight end Bobby Neely for six weeks last season.
Linebacker James Farrior has been nursing a knee injury suffered in the regular-season finale against Virginia Tech. Farrior has started 35 of UVa's past 36 games, missing only the 1994 Independence Bowl, when he played but did not start because of an ankle injury.
RECRUITING: All-Washington Metro offensive tackle Josh Lawson from Gar-Field High School will visit Virginia this weekend, but says he has not made an oral commitment as some on-line services have reported. Also on UVa's visit list are two All-Group AAA selections, running back Antoine Womack from Phoebus and wide receiver Ahmad Hawkins from Hampton.
LENGTH: Medium: 78 linesby CNB