THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 17, 1994 TAG: 9408160145
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: The Editor's Column
SOURCE: Lee Tolliver
LENGTH: Long : 184 lines
AREA SOCCER GURU Karen Knott moved another step up the ladder recently when she was appointed development administrator for the Hampton Roads Soccer Council.
The organization is spearheading the fund-raising and development of the 75-acre, 17-field soccer complex to be built at Princess Anne Park.
Pledges have reached more than $500,000 of the needed $2.5 million, making the need for a full-time administrator a necessity.
``The naming of a development administrator is a significant step in the council's progress toward making the complex a reality,'' said council president Michael Barrett. ``Karen Knott's combination of administrative and financial experience, as well as her love for youth soccer, made her the ideal candidate.''
Once enough funds have been raised to begin construction, Knott will coordinate the project and oversee operations. Until then, she will be in charge of all fund-raising.
Knott, a certified public accountant, most recently was the business manager for the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. She has been the chairman of the Columbus Day Soccer Tournament since 1988 - an event that attracts more than 300 teams each year and pumps more than $2 million into the local economy.
Since 1987, Knott has been the treasurer for the Virginia Beach Travel Soccer Club (Beach FC).
In 1991, she was named the volunteer of the year for the Virginia Youth Soccer Association. She is also on the board of advisers for the Hampton Roads Hurricanes.
The council's first real fund-raising event will take place Aug. 26 at Ocean Lakes High School, when William and Mary takes on Navy in a pre-season exhibition.
William and Mary has a distinct Beach flavor.
On the squad are Colonial Athletic Conference rookie of the year Steve Jolley of Kempsville - a Soccer America freshman All-American. Other Beach alumni playing for the Tribe are Billy Owens of Kempsville, Greg Richards of First Colonial, Josh Quinter of Cox and Brian Reshefsky of Norfolk Academy.
As if that's not enough, the team is joined this year by Kempsville's Dan Zickefoose and Parade All-American Wade Barrett of First Colonial.
Barrett and Jolley have just returned from competition as members of the U-20 national team.
Navy also features Kitch Kennedy of Virginia Beach.
Tickets for the matchup are $5 for adults and $3 for children under 16 and are available at all local soccer stores and at the gate.
The action begins at 7:30 p.m., with gates opening at 6:30 p.m.
Sports pub-licity: Owning a local sports pub was once a popular fad on the local bar scene.
But even though the excitement seems to have tapered off greatly, Russell Corvello has jumped into the business and is hoping to breathe some life into the theme.
Corvello, a 38-year-old graduate of Princess Anne High, opened the Sports Dog January on Indian River Road - near the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake border.
And if attendance at several recent functions are any indication, sports bars are indeed alive and well.
Corvello's main attraction is a satellite dish enabling him to bring in events fans can't get at home.
But beware, Green Bay Packers games will dominate the schedule.
``We're listed in the Packer Report's listing of Packer Pubs,'' Corvello said, after hosting part of last weekend's Amateur Pool Players Association area team tournament. ``But people can call in and vote for what NFL games they want to watch.''
Sunday NFL parties - like NASCAR events - will feature free food and raffles.
Corvello first got the bar itch while working for Franklin Cable. A daily stop at the Hound Dog Cafe in Suffolk turned into a partnership that made a good foundation for opening a pub closer to home.
``I got experience from a partner, but wanted a place of my own that was closer to home,'' Corvello said. ``But I'm still learning.''
The Sports Dog also features two pool tables, fooseball, pinball and blackjack. The menu is varied, with the ribeye steak sandwich the specialty of the house.
But the big attraction is sporting events on television.
For schedules, call the Sports Dog at 424-2415.
Shark attack: The Tidewater Sharks return to action in Virginia Beach with a home game against the Catawba Hornets Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Center for Effective Learning stadium on Witchduck Road.
The Sharks started their AAA semi-pro football organization playing at CEL, but have in the past few years moved to Portsmouth and Norfolk.
But all home games this season will be back at CEL. Home games will be played Aug. 27, Sept. 17 and Oct. 1, 8 and 29.
Season tickets are $25, while single-game general admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students, seniors and active military. Children under 12 are admitted free with a paying adult.
For more information on the frenzy, call 583-5127.
More shark attacks: The Coastal Virginia Shark Attack Volleyball Club - formerly the Western Branch Volleyball Club - will hold tryouts for the 1995 season from 3 to 6 p.m. Aug. 28, at Western Branch Middle School.
The club - the 1994 Junior Olympic girls 16s state champions - is for players 14-18.
For more information, call Bob Arnette at 488-4417 or Beth Lett at 489-2091.
Take the plunge: Several members of Dive Tidewater - formerly the Monarch Dive Club - took top honors at the Junior Olympics.
Out of 12 kids, half took first place.
Carrie Gerloff took first on low board and second on high in the 10-11 girls division; Bobby Thomson was first in boys 9-under; Karry Turner was first in 10-11 novice girls; Brian Wolf was first in boys 12-13; David Harris was first in boys 10-11; and Sue Feakins was first in 14-15 girls novice.
``We've had the club for three years, but this is the first year we've really pumped it up,'' coach Keith Kopecky said. ``The club's new Dive Safe classes are bring in new members. We just ran a class of 12 and had five of those sign up for the club.
``And we've had two former members sign scholarships at the University of Richmond and JMU.''
Dive Tidewater will move its practice site to the Dam Neck Naval Training Center's three meter pool. For more information, call Kopecky at 423-0403.
Hockey news: Despite the fact that they have to practice outdoors, teams playing under the Virginia Beach Storm banner have enjoyed considerable success lately.
The junior and senior teams took golds at the Virginia State Games and each missed golds in the Regional Tournament by one goal. Still, both qualified to advance to the national championships - where several members have enjoyed success in the past.
Playing for the senior (16-over) team are Rob Painter, Jeff Distasio, Rusty Dietz, Jeff Heitkamp, Steve Charboneau, Chris Fisher, Don Chapman, Derek Light, Ethan McAffee, Jeff Simon and Webster Sirmans.
Junior (12-16) team members are Chris Rich, Chris Harrell, David Holloman, Greg Minschke, Ben Belote, Brett Baker, Mark Sweeny, James Hansen, Jason Dodds, Allen Davenport and Sean King.
The club practices on Sundays in the parking lot of the J&B Shopping Center on Holland Road under the guidance of East Coast Skate Connection Jeff Simon.
Anyone interested in joining a team, or just playing some roller hockey on Sunday afternoons, can call Simon at 631-0765.
Way to go: Jolette Salonga - an all-Beach District field hockey keeper - has made the switch from field hockey to lacrosse and done quite well.
She recently earned a letter at George Mason University as a co-captain. But that isn't the accomplishment she's most proud of.
Salonga - a Salem High graduate - has been named a Colonial Athletic Association academic All-American.
More pats on the backs: The Tidewater Seniors Co-Ed Softball team recently took third in the state seniors championships in Richmond. Coached by former Tidewater Virginia Amateur Softball Association commissioner Tom Beck, the team was led by Ernie Spainhour and Bear Kightlinge. Both men hit better than
Pump it up: Virginia Beach bodybuilder Marvin Chappell made it two victories in a row when he won his height and overall classes at the Hard Core Classic near Charlotte, N.C.
``I destroyed them,'' he said. ``I'm going to keep it up until I fall apart.''
The owner of East Coast Gym tries to keep a string going when he competes this weekend in Danville.
Flag football: The Streamline Fitness and Wellness coed sand flag football league is currently taking signups for three more teams.
Action in the league's sixth season begins next month on the beach and registration is $50.
For more information, call Jay DelVecchio at 428-4796.
BOWLING: John Bland of Portsmouth won the ninth annual Masters Championship tenpin tournament of the Mid-Atlantic Scratch Bowlers Association.
Twenty-eight youth bowlers were invited to participate in the season-ending championship event.
In the final Bland defeated Teddy Peterson of Chesapeake, 280-176.
The starting field was trimmed to eight semifinalists via a six-game qualifying round. Marc Daniels of Virginia Beach paced the qualifiers with a 207.2 average. Advancing, in order by pinfall, were Kenny Narron Jr. of Hopewell, Anthony Petrello of Virginia Beach, Peterson, Malcolm Foust of Portsmouth, Bland, Timothy Morgan of Portsmouth and Michael Heath of Portsmouth.
After seven head-to-head matches, the four finalists were determined. Peterson gained the No. 1 seeding. Bland was the No. 2 seed, Daniels No. 3 and Heath No. 4.
In the first step-ladder final Daniels beat Heath, 234-167. Bland then ousted Daniels, 296-249, firing 11 strikes in a row before a 6-hit. Bland bested Peterson in the championship match. Bowling columnist Bill Leffler contributed to this column. MEMO: Got an interesting sports-related story to tell? If so, call The Beacon
at 490-7228 and let us know about it, or write to The Beacon, Sports
Department, 4565 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, Va. 23462. The
fax number is 490-7235.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Karen Knott
Development administrator for soccer council
by CNB