THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 12, 1995 TAG: 9511100202
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
UNTIL A STADIUM is built at the new Norcom High School, the Greyhounds would like to play their home football games at the old Cradock field.
Joe Langston, Norcom's coach and athletic director, has asked Norcom principal Dr. Dewayne Jeter if he will seek permission for the Greyhounds to play at Cradock next season.
Since Frank D. Lawrence Stadium was demolished earlier this year, the Churchland Stadium has been utilized as the home field for all three city schools.
``Right now we feel like we are playing 10 games on the road,'' said Langston. ``Games at Cradock would be more convenient for both our students and our fans in general.''
Although it might be only for a single season, Langston feels the Cradock site could be made playable at a minimum expense.
The Greyhounds have played a few games as the home team at Cradock in past years when playing dates conflicted with Wilson for the use of Lawrence Stadium.
Langston pointed out crowds were much larger when the Greyhounds played at Cradock than the attendance has been at Churchland. ``We had a home atmosphere at Cradock,'' he said. ``We don't have that at Churchland.''
Athletic directors of Portsmouth and Norfolk high schools met Tuesday at The Max to begin preparations for the new Eastern District alignment next year.
Another meeting is scheduled on Tuesday at the Diamond Club.
Wilson, Norcom and Churchland will join Maury, Granby, Lake Taylor, Booker T. Washington and Norview in the new eight-team Eastern in the 1996-97 school year.
Lake Taylor athletic director Bert Harrell chaired the initial meeting of the athletic directors and called the session ``really cordial.''
``We set up the various sports for principals and athletic directors to be in charge of and discussed some of the differences in policies in our present districts,'' said Harrell. ``I think there is a feeling that we can live with some of the differences.''
Harrell pointed out there are some eligibility requirements that are different in the two cities. ``Portsmouth will be requiring a higher grade point average for athletes,'' he said. ``But that already is the case now with Portsmouth and Chesapeake in the Southeastern District.
``Too, I believe Norfolk schools have more stringent attendance rules.''
Another glitch to be worked out is the differences in sports. Norfolk schools have swimming, girls field hockey and boys volleyball. Portsmouth schools do not.
``I don't see that as any problem,'' said Langston. ``Chesapeake schools have boys volleyball and we do not. Scheduling simply will be done with schools that field teams in those sports.''
Harrell was chosen to handle the boys and girls basketball program in the new Eastern. Langston was named chairman in football.
Harrell will be leaving his position at Lake Taylor on Dec. 1 to assume a new job as VHSL director of athletics in Norfolk schools. His successor at Lake Taylor then will assume the district basketball chairmanship.
Jimmy Williford, a physical education specialist and a former junior varsity coach at Manor High School, is serving as Portsmouth's director of athletics. He's the liaison between the schools' athletic directors and the school superintendent.
Tentative football schedules have been drawn up for most of the schools.
Churchland athletic director Bill Strickland said it is hoped that the first four weeks of the football season will be used for three non-conference games. The seven district games will be played in the final seven weeks. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Joe Langston
Norcom's coach and athletic director
Bill Strickland
Churchland athletic director
by CNB