DATE: Tuesday, November 25, 1997            TAG: 9711250774

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C5   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE:    - FRANK VEHORN

                                            LENGTH:   71 lines

U. VA. REPORT

Tailback Womack

faces assault charge

but gets OK to play

CHARLOTTESVILLE - Virginia tailback Antwoine Womack, arrested last week on an assault and battery charge, will be allowed to play against Virginia Tech on Saturday.

Coach George Welsh said Monday at his weekly media conference that Womack would play if he does not reinjure a knee that has kept him out of several games this season. Welsh did not comment on Womack's arrest.

According to a Charlottesville police report, Womack allegedly struck another student, Nefertiti Leach, during a fraternity house party on Nov. 9. The report said Leach sustained no serious physical injury from the alleged assault.

Womack faces a Dec. 12 hearing in General District Court.

Medical update

Quarterback Aaron Brooks is almost completely recovered from the ankle injury that knocked him out of the N.C. State game two weeks ago, but safety Anthony Poindexter is still ailing.

Poindexter has been in and out of the lineup the second half of the season with injuries to both ankles and his right knee. He also had the flu over the weekend. ``We will have to see how he (Poindexter) practices,'' Welsh said, ``but I think he will be all right.''

Welsh said Brooks worked at full speed in practice Sunday. Brooks says he still feels some pain in the ankle.

Poindexter ponders '98

Poindexter sounds like he's leaning toward returning for his final season of eligibility next year, but he won't make a decision until after the season.

Some agents have told Poindexter he could go as high as the second round in next year's NFL draft. Poindexter said he would seek advice from Welsh and former Virginia players in the NFL.

``I will ask coach Welsh for his advice and I think he will give me an honest answer,'' Poindexter said. ``I owe him and this program every consideration and I'll give him that.''

Long season irks Welsh

Welsh is among those who believe the Cavaliers' season is too long and he's asking U.Va. officials not to stretch it out again next year. The Virginia Tech game originally was scheduled for last Saturday, but was delayed a week for television.

Welsh said it puts extra stress on players who do not get a Thanksgiving break like other students and have to turn their attention immediately to final exams after the last game.

Welsh said student-athletes should be given more consideration. ``That (academics) is what we are all about, isn't it?'' he said. ``Not for TV games to make money.''

Phelan wins Tatum Award

Virginia defensive back Stephen Phelan is this year's recipient of the Jim Tatum Award in the Atlantic Coast Conference given to the football player believed to best represent the student-athlete.

Phelan was named the award winner Monday. He started 20 of the past 21 games, making seven interceptions during the period.

A dean's list student and member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll in each of the last three years, Phelan posted a 3.69 grade-point average during his undergraduate career and is now a student at the U.Va. law school.

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