THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 23, 1994 TAG: 9411230589
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C01 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
Outside Dayton, in the suburb of Centerville, Ohio, Oliver Purnell and his family recently moved into a new home.
When Purnell left Old Dominion last spring with the intent of reviving another college basketball program, he and his family bid a painful farewell to their big, blue house, located a short outlet pass from the Chesapeake Bay.
``We've got a little stream in the back of our home now,'' Purnell said the other day, speaking long-distance from the heartland. ``It's not quite the same.''
Dayton is not quite the same as South Hampton Roads. For starters, the people there are certifiably loony over basketball. Only on the court does the Dayton situation resemble what Purnell found when he took over at ODU.
``Selling the guys on your system,'' he said. ``Having kids understand your sense of discipline. That hasn't changed.
``They're good kids and they're listening. It reminds me of my first year at Old Dominion. They had been losing. Their eyes and ears were wide open.''
As Purnell anticipates his Dayton debut Saturday against Howard University, his eyes are open to the possibilities and potential pitfalls of coaching in a town where parents will Flyers' tickets to their children.
``They're hungry,'' he said of the fans. ``They take their basketball seriously and they want to win.''
Some of them can even remember when Dayton did win. It's been awhile. Over the last two seasons, the Flyers have won only 10 games.
This kind of abject failure helps hold down hope for an instant resurgence. Still, expectations abound.
``It's very different here,'' Purnell said. ``The feel. How basketball is so important here. It's the big game in town. It's the activity in town.''
Basketball in Dayton is family. It is an important part of the fabric of the community. It links generations.
Purnell's education in Flyer fanaticism is provided by former players and their families who he runs into around town. He's met the brothers of the greatest Flyer of them all, Dayton native and former All-American Donnie May.
``Nowhere else in the country . . . could you draw 10,000 fans for a losing team,'' Purnell said. ``You're talking about people who have had season tickets for 25 years.''
Considering that atmosphere, it's anybody's guess how long the honeymoon will last for Purnell and assistant Pete Strickland, who came with Purnell from ODU.
For now, they need time: ``To be candid, we're not real strong talent-wise,'' Purnell said. ``But we're going to get after people.''
Dayton presses all over the court. Purnell's teams always do. But the Flyers may start three freshmen. Sounds like a recipe for frustration.
``It's not an easy thing psychologically, knowing what's ahead of you for a little while,'' Purnell said. ``But I've conditioned myself to handle it. It's part of the process.''
Complicating the process is the unraveling of the Great Midwest Conference. Marquette, Saint Louis, Alabama-Birmingham, Cincinnati and Memphis have agreed to become part of a new still-unnamed league next season. DePaul, invited to join, is undecided.
Dayton, the seventh member of the itself-young Great Midwest, was not asked to join.
``Is it hurting recruiting? Sure it is,'' Purnell said. ``Just the uncertainty of it.''
Dayton's best hope is to be absorbed by the Atlantic 10, the conference of Temple, Massachusetts, West Virginia and George Washington. DePaul, too, is considering the Atlantic 10.
``I feel a sense of urgency,'' Purnell said. ``It's critical for our program. I've got a commitment that we're going to do everything we can to build a national power. There's a lot of tradition here.''
But, for now, the uncertainty of conference politics makes rebuilding Dayton a riskier proposition than Purnell first supposed.
It's an uncertainty that did not exist at ODU, where league affiliation is set, tradition less daunting.
Dayton is not quite the same as ODU. And, for Purnell, not quite as secure. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by DAYTON DAILY NEWS
Former Old Domion coach Oliver Purnell makes a point to Dayton's
Chris Daniels during an exhibition on Monday.
by CNB