THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 1, 1994 TAG: 9409010716
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 99 lines
Jim Ward, who left Norfolk State in 1991 to pursue the dream of building a winning Division I-AA football program, returns to Virginia on Saturday still in search of that goal.
Ward, the Spartans' offensive coordinator for four seasons, went to the University of Buffalo as offensive coordinator in 1991. He was named head coach of the Division III Bulls in 1992 and went 4-5 in his first season. Last year the Bulls made the jump from non-scholarship football to Division I-AA and promptly went 1-10.
``It's been tough,'' said Ward, whose Bulls travel to James Madison on Saturday to face a team that returns 18 of 22 starters. ``I knew when I went there that we were going to move up. But we jumped from Division III, and we were not even a very good Division III program at that time. To bypass Division II is tough.''
Even tougher when you play I-AA powers such as Maine, Youngstown State and Boston University, and nationally ranked Division II members New Haven and Edinboro.
Ward is encouraged that most of the losses came by narrow margins, including a 30-27 defeat to Maine in the Bulls' home opener.
``We had 16,000 for that game,'' Ward said. ``I was pleased with our attendance.''
Average attendance rose from 800 per game to 8,500 in one year. The school has built a 17,000-seat stadium. And the Bulls, long buried in the back of the sports section in a town that's crazy over the Bills, are now on the front page.
``The program is building,'' Ward said. ``We've got more talent. We'll be better this season.''
Ward says he's glad to hear Norfolk State is moving into I-AA in 1997. ``Norfolk State has a I-AA following,'' he said. ``They'll be successful at that level.
``I have a lot of fond memories of Norfolk. Not a day goes by that I don't think about that place and (former NSU coach) Willard Bailey.
``When they go I-AA, I'd love to play them. I'd really love to.''
KNIGHT SNUBBED: One name was conspicuous by its absence from the two major preseason I-AA All-America teams - William and Mary quarterback Shawn Knight.
The senior from Norfolk set a I-AA passing efficiency record last season by completing 138 of 190 passes for 2,235 yards and 22 touchdowns. He threw just four interceptions.
However, in both the Don Hansen Football Gazette and The Sports Network preseason teams, Knight wasn't mentioned.
``That's hard for me to understand,'' Tribe coach Jimmye Laycock said. ``Given the numbers he put up last year and the fact that he's coming back, that's just hard to figure.''
The only W&M player to garner All-American notice was linebacker Greg Applewhite, a third-team choice by Hansen.
Applewhite said he can only assume voters for the two teams thought Knight had opted to play professional baseball instead of football. Knight played pro baseball this summer but has returned.
``That's the only thing I can figure,'' Applewhite said. ``Because otherwise, they're absolutely crazy.''
TRIBE VS. PIRATES? Hampton University moves into I-AA next season and would appear to be a natural rival for William and Mary. The schools are located about 30 miles apart, and a contest between the two would surely fill Zable Stadium.
But for now, no game has been scheduled, and given limits on William and Mary's schedule, the two Peninsula schools will play rarely in future years, if at all.
The Tribe is locked into eight Yankee Conference games, and there is an effort in the league to increase that number to nine. W&M also plays Virginia Military Institute and another I-AA school each year. I-AA schools are limited to 11 regular-season games.
``Right now we've got one game open for a I-AA school, and we want to move it around, to play different schools in different areas,'' Laycock said. ``Whether they can fit into that down the line, I don't know. We're not in favor of the Yankee going to nine games. But if they do, our schedule is basically locked in. We want to play VMI. It's such a traditional rivalry.''
Laycock said he'd like to play the Pirates.
``(Hampton coach) Joe Taylor does a great job,'' Laycock said. ``I think it would draw, and that would be a consideration. But whether it will work out or not, I don't know.''
LABOR DAY: Football isn't all that's on the mind of first-year VMI coach Bill Stewart. Stewart's wife, Linda, is due with her first child on Labor Day, two days after the Keydets open at home against Richmond.
QB CONTROVERSIES: Richmond and VMI enter Saturday's opener not sure who will start at quarterback.
Stewart must choose between senior Spike Johnson, the returning starter, and freshman Al Lester. It appears Lester will get the nod, though Stewart had not announced a decision on Wednesday.
``If a senior is battling with an underclassman for a position and they're even, we're going to go with the youngest player,'' Stewart said.
Richmond is attempting to replace Greg Lilly, whose 6,703 passing yards rank second in school history, with junior Jason Gabrels or sophomore Joe Elrod. Gabrels probably will get the nod. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Former Norfolk State offensive coordinator Jim Ward is in his third
year as Buffalo's head coach.
by CNB