THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 17, 1996 TAG: 9604170555
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DOUG DOUGHTY, LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
University of Virginia basketball coach Jeff Jones on Tuesday admitted that, following the arrests of three players and a signed recruit since mid-February, ``the perception (and) the image of the U.Va. men's basketball program has been damaged.''
``It's important that everybody associated with the program does everything humanly possible to avoid any more negative attention to our team and program,'' Jones said.
Harold Deane was charged with trespassing and resisting arrest following a disturbance at a private party Friday night. According to the police report, the party was overbooked and Deane was among a group refused admission.
``I'd say (my reaction) was one of frustration because I know how Jeff, in particular, and members of his staff have been conscious of not getting involved in that kind of situation,'' athletic director Terry Holland said.
``I know what Jeff told the team Friday before (the players) left here. Our (coaches) pretty much are on top of things and know when the dangerous times were. The campus is big enough that they know when a big weekend is coming.''
The U.Va. grounds were the setting last week for Spring Fling, an African-American celebration that annually draws large crowds to Charlottesville.
``I don't want to comment on a specific day,'' Jones said, ``but it's not unusual for the coaches and even the players to encourage or caution (their teammates) to behave in a way that doesn't cause problems.''
His reaction: ``Probably the same that it has been any time that one of our young men gets into trouble - surprise, concern and disappointment.''
Jones said he would have more to say in upcoming weeks about Deane and any team-imposed penalties he might incur and about signee Melvin Whitaker, indicted this month on a charge of malicious wounding, a felony.
``Our legal counsel said we can't comment because (Whitaker and his attorney) are in the legal process,'' said Holland, when asked why Virginia has not confirmed that Whitaker will never play for the Cavaliers.
``You know what the answer is. Nobody like that has ever played here. But, I hope we're never so insecure that, with Melvin Whitaker in the (legal) fight of his life, we feel the need to come out and trash the kid.''
U.Va. freshmen Darryl Presley and Scott Johnson pleaded guilty last week to petty-larceny charges resulting from a shoplifting incident, and Jones confirmed Tuesday that Johnson intends to transfer to another school.
Although Presley could face an honor charge, Jones said he expected all seven returning scholarship players to be available for a 10-day trip to France and Belgium starting Aug. 14. That includes ACC All-Freshman choice Courtney Alexander, who has remained a subject of transfer rumors.
``I've met with him and he seems a little bit irritated by the constant rumors,'' Jones said. ``He fully intends to be back next year.
``I will say there was a point in the season when he was unhappy with a lot of things - himself, me, his playing time, Virginia's performance - but that's not unusual for a young player.''
Jones expressed chagrin at a steady tide of rumors, some of them concerning his personal life. Privately, he challenged their veracity.
``I guess it's unfortunate but there's not a whole lot I can do about it,'' said Jones, who is separated from his wife, Lisa. ``It's something, in a lot of ways, that's out of my hands.''
Holland said he has met with Jones on several occasions since the end of the season and is convinced the program is being operated in an upstanding manner.
``My personal observation is that he's probably learned more this year than in any other year,'' Holland said. ``He's a better coach now, in terms of dealing with all situations, than he was two years ago or three years ago. I'm entirely comfortable that he's doing the best job he can. by CNB