DATE: Thursday, February 27, 1997           TAG: 9702270672

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C5   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH                        LENGTH:   41 lines

VMI'S HASKINS WINS HONOR AT PORTSMOUTH CLUB'S 51ST JAMBOREE

VMI running back Thomas Haskins, a two-time All-American who became the nation's all-time leading Division I-AA rusher last season, was honored as the 1996 male college athlete of the year by the Portsmouth Sports Club at its 51st annual Jamboree Wednesday night at the Holiday Inn-Waterfront.

Haskins, a three-time Southern Conference rushing leader, finished with 5,349 yards, surpassing Nevada's Frank Haskins' 5,333 from 1977-80. Haskins also set school career marks for points (308) and touchdowns (326).

``It's an honor to be chosen ahead of (Virginia's) Tiki Barber, (Virginia Tech's) Jim Druckenmiller and all the great players at Virginia Tech and also Virginia,'' Haskins said.

Old Dominion Univeristy point guard Ticha Penecheiro, who earlier in the day earned her second straight Colonial Athletic Association player of the year award, made a brief appearance to receive the sports club's female athlete of the year.

``Now I have to go take care of business,'' Penecheiro said before heading off to Richmond, where the Lady Monarchs begin defense of the CAA tournament title today.

Also honored were William and Mary football coach Jimmye Laycock as college coach of the year, Norcom football coach Joe Langston as high school coach of the year, Walter Jernigan as member of the year and Jim Short as sportsperson of the year.

Short has been active in youth athletics locally since 1969 and was instrumental in attracting the Virginia State Little League Baseball tournament to the Olive Branch area last year.

Foundation scholarships were awarded to Nathan Peszko, a three-sport star at Churchland, and Darin Satterwhite, an All-Eastern District receiver at Norcom.

Desiree Maxwell, a team captain in softball, basketball and volleyball at Alliance in addition to being her class' valedictorian and homecoming queen, received the Bill Lewis scholarship.

Approximately 240 people turned out for the Jamboree. Sonny Smith, head basketball coach at VCU, was the featured speaker.

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu