DATE: Sunday, August 17, 1997               TAG: 9708170174

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C11  EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   70 lines

BEAMER TOPS THE PARADE OF INDUCTEES TO HOKIE HALL

Virginia Tech will introduce it's Sports Hall of Fame class of 1997 at halftime of the Nov. 8 Miami game, but one of them will not be there.

That's because Hokies coach Frank Beamer will be in the locker room with his football team. Beamer will become the first active Tech coach enshrined in the school's Hall of Fame.

Beamer's association with Virginia Tech dates back to his youth, when an uncle used to take him to Hokie games at the old Miles Stadium.

``For an old guy from Fancy Gap, Va., that was a special day when you could come to a Virginia Tech football game,'' Beamer said Friday.

Before long, Beamer was playing for Tech in the late 1960s in the new Lane Stadium. Beamer, a defensive back, played on the 1966 and '68 Liberty Bowl teams, and was a captain his senior season.

He is entering his 11th season as the head coach at his alma mater and has taken the Hokies to bowl games four consecutive years. He is 61-51-2 and needs four wins to surpass Bill Dooley as Tech's career victory leader.

Tech is 20-4 the past two seasons, which have concluded in the Sugar and Orange bowls. Beamer has won back-to-back Big East coach of the year honors.

``I think this is as high of an award for a person who been involved with athletics at Virginia Tech as you can get,'' Beamer said of his Hall election. ``To me, this is as good as it gets.

``All these things, coach of year in Big East, bowl games and this are all special in their own way. A lot of good things been happening here in the last few years.'' LAWRENCE, RAZZANO AMONG OTHER HOKIES TO HALL

Five other former Tech athletes will join Beamer in the Sports Hall of Fame, bringing the total number enshrined to 84. The other most prominent members of the class are Cyrus Lawrence, a Franklin native who lives in Chesapeake, and Rick Razzano.

Lawrence is Tech's career rushing leader with 3,767 yards gained during his career, which ended in 1982. Razzano, a linebacker, holds the Hokies' game (30), season (177) and career (634) tackling records. He played from 1974-77.

Other members of the class are women's basketball player Renee Dennis, baseball player Jim Stewart and Sterling Wingo, who starred in football, baseball and track. BEAMER EYES FRESHMEN FOR PLENTY OF PLAYING TIME

Beamer said five to seven freshmen may play this season. All freshman who do not figure to receive significant playing time will be redshirted. Beamer has been particularly impressed during two-a-days with tight ends Derek Carter and James Lomax, wide receivers Adrien Pressey and Andre Davis and defensive linemen David Pugh and Chad Beasley.

``I think this is one heck of a freshman class overall,'' Beamer said. ``Whether it's this year or down road, I think this freshman class will really make a mark.'' PITCH-AND-CATCH COMBO

Beamer said junior quarterback Al Clark, who will get his first start Aug. 30 in Tech's opener at Rutgers, has been throwing the ball well and running the offense effectively.

``We haven't got to the games yet, but he's given every indication he's ready for the challenge,'' Beamer said.

Beamer also said flanker Angelo Harrison has been making up for lost time. Harrison was suspended for the final four games last season and the Orange Bowl after he was indicted for attempted malicious wounding, a charge that was dismissed in court.

``He's made some great catches,'' Beamer said. ILLUSTRATION: Photos

Frank Beamer

cyrus Lawrence

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