THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 19, 1995 TAG: 9508190210
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
The ghost of Thomas Jefferson may have flinched a bit Friday when coach George Welsh grumbled that ``academics are starting to get in the way of football at Virginia.''
Welsh was smiling when he made the statement to writers on the ACC media tour, but it hardly was a joking matter.
Several football players were still in summer school when Virginia began preseason training two weeks ago for next Saturday's opener at Michigan, and a few needed certain grades to remain eligible.
``I'm still waiting to hear on a couple,'' Welsh said.
``All are eligible by NCAA standards, but some had problems with university requirements.''
Welsh said he had to give some of the players time off from practice to prepare for final exams.
That compounded things, with players nursing minor injuries and missing workouts.
Wide receiver Patrick Jeffers pulled a hamstring, linebacker Skeet Jones strained a knee, and tailback Kevin Brooks missed time because a groin injury.
Welsh said all, including wide receiver Derick Byrd, who had knee surgery three weeks ago, would play against Michigan.
``This has been a tough summer,'' Welsh said.
HOT TICKETS: Three of Virginia's home games already are sold out and season ticket sales are about 500 over last year's total 23,363.
Single game tickets for the Florida State, Virginia Tech and Duke games no longer are available.
Tickets remain for the William and Mary, Georgia Tech and Wake Forest games.
TALENTED FROSH: Welsh said several true freshmen, including wide receiver LaShawn Jones of Virginia Beach, could get playing time this season.
``He is third on the depth chart, but we are going to need guys who can run to help us on special team, and to be ready if someone gets hurt,'' Welsh said.
The most pressing need is at linebacker.
Freshmen Wali Ranier and Andreas Kareilis both are expected to play vs. Michigan. by CNB