ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, April 11, 1997                 TAG: 9704110062
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: B-5  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

HAMPTON'S CURRY MAY HAVE BROKEN RULE TWO-SPORT STAR USED COACH'S LEASED CAR

Ronald Curry's future high school and college athletic eligibility may be at risk.

Officials at Hampton High School are investigating an arrangement under which two-sport star Ronald Curry drove a car leased by one of the school's assistant football coaches, a newspaper reported.

Curry, a junior, drove the car for about two weeks before school officials realized he might be violating VHSL and NCAA rules, the Richmond Times-Dispatch said.

Mike Smith, Hampton's head football coach, said Curry no longer has the car.

Curry, a three-time all-state quarterback in football and one of the nation's top point guards in basketball, could not be reached Wednesday night for comment. He led Hampton to state titles in both sports this year and was named Group AAA player of the year in both.

The car Curry drove is leased to Lanny Franklin, an assistant football coach who owns a roofing business, said Patricia Mitchell, the school's athletic director.

Franklin, who does not teach at the school, said his company uses about 30 vehicles, and it's not unusual for employees to take them home. He said Curry works part-time for his company.

Ken Tilley, executive director of the VHSL, would not comment about the Curry matter specifically. But Tilley said an athlete who had full-time use of a car leased or owned by someone not in his family might forfeit his amateur status and be ineligible for league sports.

If Curry lost his amateur status as a high school student, that could affect his NCAA eligibility. But Smith said he was confident that wouldn't happen.

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