By John Antonik for MSNsportsNET.com
July 15, 2004
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Here is this week’s notebook:
West Virginia University deputy director of athletics Mike Parsons indicated last week that the Mountaineers have passed the 24,000 mark in season ticket sales and are about 3,000 ahead of last year’s pace. Also, single-game sales for Maryland and the season opener against East Carolina are going strong. It wouldn’t surprise me if WVU announced the Maryland game a sellout by the end of this month.
To order single-game or season tickets, you can call the Mountaineer Ticket Office toll-free at 1-800-WVU GAME or by logging onto WVUGAME.com.
According to ESPN.com’s Ivan Maisel, the new BCS formula announced earlier today relies less on computers and more on voters. It’s being called the 33-33-33 plan meaning one third AP poll, one third Coaches Poll and one third computers.
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A benefit golf tournament for Walter Easley is being planned for Saturday, Sept. 4, prior to the home opener against East Carolina. (WVU Sports Communications photo) |
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Word has arrived that former Mountaineer quarterback Oliver Luck and other teammates are planning a golf outing on Saturday, Sept. 4, prior to the East Carolina game in an effort to raise money for Walter Easley, who is in need of a kidney transplant. The fullback’s last season at WVU was in 1980 before spending a brief two-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers in 1981-82. Among those planning to play in the golf outing are former WVU teammates Jeff Hostetler, Darryl Talley and Oliver Luck as well as Danny Buggs, Major Harris and Coach Don Nehlen.
Former football players interested in helping with the event or wishing to play can call Dave Sarkus at (724) 379-6439. Those wishing to make a contribution can do so by making a personal check out to: Walter Easley Kidney Foundation, Po Box 137, Donora, PA, 15033.
Drew Schifino recently announced his intentions of transferring to Middle Tennessee State. Previously, Tyler Relph picked St. Bonaventure and Jerrah Young selected Toledo.
West Virginia will welcome St. Bonaventure transfer Mike Gansey this season and Penn State transfer Robert Summers for next season. Meanwhile, both Darris Nichols and Luke Bonner are on campus enrolled for the second semester of summer school though they won’t be able to travel with the team to Europe in August.
I managed to watch a little of Nichols in a pickup game at the Coliseum last week and it’s easy to see why the Mountaineer coaching staff is so excited about getting him into the fold. As for Bonner, he appears to be at least an inch taller than 6-foot-11 D’or Fischer.
ESPN Insider NBA basketball columnist Chad Ford gave an early sneak peak of his top prospects for the 2005 NBA draft and I’m surprised to see that D’or Fischer didn’t rate mention. I think Fischer may have something to say about that by the end of next season if he can stay healthy.
WVU Director of Communications Michael Fragale has informed me that the 2003-04 men’s basketball highlight video is finished and will be available soon for purchase by calling the Mountaineer Ticket Office toll-free at 1-800-WVU GAME or by logging onto ShopWVU.com. The price for the DVD is $19.95.
West Virginia University sophomore baseball standout Stan Posluszny told the Morgantown Dominion Post last week that he plans on returning to Morgantown for his junior season instead of signing with the Anaheim Angels. Posluszny was drafted in the 21st round. That’s good news for veteran coach Greg Van Zant, who will probably move the slugger to first base for 2005.
He is currently playing for the Wilmington Sharks of the Coastal Plain Summer League where he is batting .231 with a home run, six doubles and eight RBI through 28 games.
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Mountaineer soccer players Rusty Girton, Aaron Pitchkolan and Devon McTavish are playing for the Boulder Rapid Reserve of the Premier Development League this summer. Pitchkolan has appeared in 14 contests and shows two goals and two assists. McTavish has played in seven matches and has one goal. Girton has also appeared in seven matches. The Boulder Rapids Reserve have a 12-3-1 record and is in second place in the Heartland Division. The team has two regular season matches remaining Friday and Sunday.
The PDL was established five years ago as an opportunity for college players to compete in a professional atmosphere without forfeiting their collegiate eligibility or amateur status. The Boulder Rapids Reserve won the 2002 Central Conference championship and were national finalists.
Former Mountaineer fullback Corey McIntyre recently signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns.
Early best wishes to veteran Fairmont Times-West Virginian sports editor Cliff Nichols, who turns 50 on Tuesday, July 20th.
The census bureau recently designated Morgantown the state’s fastest growing city. Morgantown is currently fifth in population behind Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg and Wheeling. It is interesting to see what type of affect the city’s growth will have on the WVU athletic department and attendance at future athletic events? I’ve lived in Morgantown for the past 18 years and it is mind boggling the transformation this city has made since 1986. We are fortunate to have a lot of forward thinking people living in our community.
Charleston Daily Mail’s Jack Bogaczyk recently made an interesting comparison between the 2002 and 2003 Continental Tire Bowls. In 2002 when West Virginia took on Virginia, the game drew 73,000-plus fans. Last year the same Virginia team took on Pitt before a crowd of just 51,236. That alone is proof enough that Mountaineer football is alive and well.
A good number of Mountaineer assistant coaches have been enjoying vacations this month before getting back down to business next Monday. West Virginia begins preseason practice on Monday, August 9, in preparation for East Carolina in the 2004 opener at Mountaineer Field on Saturday, Sept. 4.
Former Mountaineer wide receiver and current Clemson coach Tommy Bowden made his annual trek to Morgantown last week and took part in Morgantown High’s Alumni golf outing at the Pines Country Club. Whenever he’s in town, Bowden also manages to get in an early morning run with Mountaineer coach Rich Rodriguez.
Bowden recently signed a contract extension with the Tigers through 2010.
I have received many touching notes from former WVU track athletes following the passing of long-time track and cross country coach Stan Romanoski. Among those forwarding their memories of “Coach Romo” was one-time Morgantown Dominion Post writer Joe Koch, now based in Fresno, Calif., and working for the Fresno Falcons professional hockey team.
To all of those who took the time to share you memories: thanks. I enjoyed your stories as much as I did researching Coach Romanoski’s life.
A total of seven West Virginia football recruits will be playing in Saturday’s Big 33 game in Hershey, Pa. Serving as assistant coach for the Pennsylvania team is former WVU standout linebacker Chris Haering, now head coach Mount Lebanon High School.
On a personal note, I’m proud to write that my older brother David Antonik, a WVU alumnus, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel earlier this month. Lt. Col. Antonik has had the privilege of spending this summer in Iraq serving his country in the Marine Corps like so many other Mountain State natives. My father, a Marine Corps corporal at the time of his honorable discharge, says he’s the only enlisted man David must still salute.
Knowing my brother, he will gladly oblige.
Have a great weekend!
