THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 17, 1996 TAG: 9604160116
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: Lee Tolliver
LENGTH: Medium: 98 lines
EACH OF THE LAST three years, the Virginia Wesleyan College men's soccer team has advanced to the NCAA tournament. But because of a lack of a first-class facility, they've always had to travel.
That's been tough on the team and its chances.
It's also about to change.
Wesleyan broke ground two weeks ago for its new soccer/lacrosse facility that is scheduled to open in the fall of 1997. Half of the half million dollars needed to build the complex has been raised.
``The facility will enable us to house NCAA events and that's important,'' sports information director Andy Sachs said. ``It should be one of the better Division III facilities.''
The new location will include a fenced-in, natural grass field, bleachers, scoreboard, press box, locker rooms and offices and is the first major physical enhancement to the school's athletic program since the construction of the gym in 1976 and the tennis center the following year.
Any organizations interested in helping with the facility can call athletic director Don Forsyth at 455-3302.
NEVER TOO OLD: The Tidewater Masters Softball League for players 50 and over gets into the swing of spring softball May 6 with action at Princess Anne Park beginning at 3 p.m. on fields 1 and 3.
Teams will play doubleheaders each Sunday with the league championship held during the Tidewater Championships later this summer.
``We thought it was really nice of them to let us be a part of thatand play during the event,'' league president Stoney Jackson said.
Even though league play doesn't start for a few more weeks, the organization got off to a good start this weekend when the 50-and-over select team came in second in a tournament held in Richmond.
While the more than 100 men seem eager to let folks know they can still play, area women have yet to jump on the band wagon despite extensive efforts by Jackson.
``We have to find a way to reach the women,'' he said. ``We had one woman show up to our meetings and we need to have more to let them play. We even had a women's team from North Carolina that was interested in coming up to play us, but . . .''
Anyone interested in getting involved with the league can call Jackson at 340-7671 or Don Keener at 420-2009.
COACHES WANTED: The Virginia Fast Start Track Club has a host of athletes aged 5-18 wanting to compete in area track meets, but needs coaches to run the show.
The team competes in AAU meets and has been quite successful despite a lack of coaches.
Three years ago the team won 10 gold medals, and followed with 18 more in 1994 and 35 last year.
The team will attempt to showcase its talents once again when it travels to Richmond May 18 for the first AAU qualifying meet of the season.
``We really need more coaches and sponsors to help keep things going,'' spokesman Anthony Webb said.
The team will hold a couple more registrations today and April 19 from 5-7 p.m. at Salem High.
If you're interested in helping, call Webb at 486-3522.
HELPING HAND: The Virginia Beach Tennis Patrons Association recently gave $100 to each of the Beach District's 10 varsity tennis programs to help support tennis activities at each school.
``We had talked to one of the coaches who had told us that because of the shortfall in cash because of the budget crisis, that they weren't able to carry on their normal activities,'' VBTPA president Allen Lewis said. ``We've done different things in the past to help promote tennis in the area and we just thought it would help.''
Funds came from dues paid by the organization's 450 members and from different leagues and tournaments put on by the group.
TENNIS ANYONE: Rackets should be in full swing at the Owl Creek Tennis Center now that warm weather is approaching. The center will host a variety of tournaments.
And, as usual, head pro Jose Benjumea and assistant Doug Spurling will teach clinics and lessons and hold workshops for all ages and skill levels.
Call 437-4804.
MORE RACQUET: Ted Castro went undefeated (4-0) to win the Adult Flex League racquetball tournament last month at the Princess Anne Community Recreation Center. Castro beat Bobby Avats, 15-9, 8-15, 11-6, to take the title after the seven-week, seven-match regular-season.
Stu Hilowitz and Pete Rash finished 1-2 during the regular season. MEMO: Correspondent Gary Edwards contributed to their story.
ILLUSTRATION: Illustration shows the design for Virginia Wesleyan's new soccer
and lacrosse stadium.
Stoney Jackson
by CNB