SPORTS Technique • Friday, February 2, 2001 • 31 TV changes college game; who makes the decisions? Do television broadcasts, specifically those of ESPN, give the broadcaster power over the team and its fans?

By Joe Dana Of course,” said Brett Pyne, The Daily Universe Director of Sports Informa- tion. (U-WIRE) Brigham Young It is also a national popu- University—It would be too larity contest between colleges many seconds wasted on [BYU to win over recruits and more mascot] Cosmo the Cougar. fans. BYU’s lovable smile with long “BYU has determined they legs was supposed to be in- want to be one of the prelim- troduced before the team’s inary programs in the coun- starting five. Before? The man try and they were willing to crouched in a van outside of make some sacrifices,” Mi- the Marriott Center said that nor said. would be unacceptable. But some believe the con- “I don’t want the mascot trol of television is disrupt- to be introduced first. We need ing the college sports the team to come first with community’s original inten- the music,” said ESPN pro- tions. ducer Jeff Kibler, dressed in Fifty-five year-old Salt Lake black and a headset. City resident Jay Benson, who Kibler sat in front of more usually attends the game with than 20 televisions with his his daughter Brenda, came crew, shuttled from San Fran- to Monday’s game alone. cisco over the weekend. They “She’s got school tomor- were covering Big Monday, row,” Benson said. “It’s about which featured the basketball money, I know that. But I rivalry between BYU and don’t know who stays up late Utah. enough to watch it on TV They are part of The En- By Kristi Odom / STUDENT PUBLICATIONS anyway. I would rather be tertainment Sports Network, ESPN’s Big Monday Game has been compared to the NFL’s . Is the business here with my family.” holder of a seven-year con- of College Hoops making too much of an impact on the team, the student and the fan? Who’s really in charge? Pyne admits there are tract with BYU and the Moun- drawbacks to television’s clout. tain West Conference, and screen than the faithful fan. also seems to represent the rights have since been dis- Minor. “The students probably they dictate many details of “College sports is largely growing influence of televi- tributed to the individual con- Officials of the Mountain benefit more than the fami- the BYU football and men’s driven by television now,” said sion in college sports. The ferences of the NCAA. West Conference believe in lies of the community,” Pyne basketball games, including Mikel Minor, Executive Pro- schools once made all the de- Last year, The Mountain the long run it is a worth- said. game schedules, play times, ducer for Sports West, a divi- cisions about when and where West Conference signed a con- while trade-off. But the interest in gain- and the staging strategies. sion of KSL broadcasting. their games would be played tract with ESPN that gives “ESPN’s power is simple. ing from BYU’s Nielsen po- “We need the starters near- For the second time in two without the pressure of tele- the network the ability to It’s the ability to put the tential is not all bad, Minor est to the half court in the weeks, students and families vision contracts. broadcast any game with a said. It is also a sign of im- order they are introduced,” cheered for BYU well into “Television really got its 12-day notice, said Minor. in living rooms across the provement for the program. Kibler said, the clock reading the midnight hour. While thrust in college athletics with During the football season, country,” Burda said. “You “BYU is one of the jewels 22 minutes until game time. many fans left their kids for the anti-trust lawsuit in the ESPN announced the time try to convey that to the fans of the conference as far as Or show time, depending on the babysitter and others 1970’s. Since then it has gained of three home games just eight and hope they understand.” ESPN is concerned,” Minor who you ask. stayed home, most didn’t seem more and more influence,” days before game day. Burda said the contract is said. For the past 20 years, some to mind the late game. said Bob Burda, assistant com- “They can target and pick worth upwards of $50 mil- believe collegiate sports has Big Monday is ESPN’s missioner of the Mountain games that have impact in lion for the conference. That I regret that I ran U-WIRE. I in many ways become more college basketball version of West Conference. the conference and also key money trickles down to BYU. have been a big slacker when it tailored for the television Monday Night Football. It Broadcast negotiating games that have value,” said “There is money involved. comes to the paper. I’m sorry.

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I’m filling these for Chris 32 • Friday, February 2, 2001 • Technique SPORTS

BBall from page 36

(14.1). While the Terps can put the points on the board, they aren’t old-school NBA on defense. They have the fifth highest average point differen- tial in basketball, and while that is largely due to their offense, their defense has been more than ade- quate. The Terps game is winnable; but the Jackets will again need to play a near flawless game to have a chance. Despite the loss to Duke in which they led by 10 points with under a minute remaining, the Terrapins have been playing some of the best basketball on the Atlantic Coast in the last month.

This story was written by Ehsan Sar- sharzadeh but was modified by Assis- Photo Courtesy of Georgia Tech Wrestling Club tant Sports Editor Derek Haynes. The Georgia Tech Wrestling Club is this week’s Club Sports Spotlight. The club has organized several tournaments including the Georgia Tech Open Special thanks to both for their help and the Georgia Tech Team Duals which took place last fall and represents Tech in competitions against both varsity and club teams. For more this week. Please email questions, com- information on joining the team or their schedule visit the website at http://cyberbuzz.gatech.edu/wrestling or keep reading the Technique. ments to [email protected]

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I’m filling these for Chris SPORTS Technique • Friday, February 2, 2001 • 33 Jackets sting Seminoles; Jones has excellent showing By Terence Jones leading scorer on the night. “But he far,” said Jones, who contemplated El hombre grande played a great game and put his entering the NBA after just three team in position to win.” seasons at Tech. “This is like icing Alvin Jones recorded his sixth The Seminoles had a hard time on the cake. I have really enjoyed double-double of the season with trying to contain Jones without the this season.” 26 points, 14 rebounds, and four services of their 6-foot-10, 350 The Seminoles led in the game blocked shots as Georgia Tech beat pound, starting center, Nigel Dix- only once, early on at 4-3, then fell Florida State 77-68 last Saturday on, held from the game for unex- behind by double digits most of the afternoon at Alexander Memorial plained reasons. The Seminoles other way before twice rallying to within Coliseum. The win moved the Yel- a single point, the second time com- low Jackets to 4-4 at the half-way ing with just over 11 minutes to go point in the ACC season for just the in the game. The Seminoles were second time in the last five years. “It’s been a great within striking distance with around Meanwhile, the hapless Seminoles five minutes remaining, trailing 64- remained winless in the ACC, push- career for me so 60, however, the Jackets reeled off ing their league record to 0-7. far...this is like icing on 10 straight points, effectively shat- Jones matched his season high tering the Seminoles hopes and put- in scoring, set in the previous game the cake. I have really ting the game away. against Clemson, shooting 8-of-11 enjoyed this season” “We did fall way behind at the from the floor, and 10-of-15 from start, but our guys showed a lot of the free throw line. His performance Alvin Jones toughness to come back and get in marked the seventh time this sea- Senior Guard the game,” said FSU coach Steve son he has led the Jackets in scoring. Robinson. “We were down by just With Tech shooting just 4-of-19 1 point with 10 minutes left in the from beyond the arc, their worst second half, and I’ll take that posi- outing of the season, Jones’ perfor- two centers, Mike Mathews and tion. We are improving. We just mance kept Tech in the game David Anderson, both fouled out fall short sometimes.” throughout, eventually helping the trying to contest the goliath Jones. The Yellow Jackets improved to Jackets pull away convincingly at Jones has now scored over 20 points 12-7 on the season, 4-4 in the ACC, the end. in three of his last four games. His while the Seminoles dropped to 5- “We said we were not going to recent play has earned him a share 15 on the year, 0-7 in the ACC. By Kristi Odom / STUDENT PUBLICATIONS be beaten by the 3-point shot, and of ACC Player of the Week honors The win over Florida State improves With the help of Alvin Jones the Jackets downed the Seminoles 77-68 in if they went to Alvin, he was going for back-to-back dominating per- the Yellow Jackets record against last Saturday’s contest. After a week off the Jackets head to No. 4 UNC to have to beat us,” said Monte Cum- formances against Clemson and FSU. the Seminoles at Alexander Memo- this Saturday to take on the Tar Heels fresh off their game against Duke. mings, the Seminoles sixth man and “It’s been a great career for me so rial Coliseum to 11-11 all-time. . IT

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Christina is weird 34 • Friday, February 2, 2001 • Technique SPORTS Lady Jackets down Charleston Southern; Stewart sets mark By Derek Haynes after shooting at a 50 percent clip in What is that? the first stanza. The Bucs turned it over 24 times, and the Tech defense Alex Stewart figured six years was forced numerous shot-clock viola- enough. tions. Jackets sophomore center Stewart recorded the second tri- Sonja Mallory, who had 21 points ple-double in school history Tues- and 15 rebounds, and freshman for- day evening as the Jackets ended ward Fallon Stokes dominated their four-game losing skid by de- Southern inside as they limited feating Charleston Southern 94-65. Southern’s front court starters to Stewart, a 5-5 sophomore guard, just 7 points. had 11 points, 11 assists, and 10 Guard Milli Martinez and Stokes, rebounds, as she became the first getting her first career start, joined lady Jacket to complete the rare feat Mallory and Stewart in the double- since Kisha Ford’s effort on Febru- digit point column with 14 and 11, ary 13, 1995. respectively. “It was just unbelievable. I didn’t Scoring points has not been a know I had it until Coach Berenato problem for the Jackets and that told me in a timeout I needed one trend continued against Southern. more point,” said Stewart. The 94 point output was the sec- What’s next for Stewart? ond highest of the season, trailing “I’ll dunk in a year and a half,” only a 102-90 win over Mount St. joked Stewart, the smallest player Mary’s in the Atlanta Marriott on the Ramblin Wreck. Northwest Classic. The Jackets shot Tech was unable to pull away 51 percent from the field in the from the overmatched Buccaneers game. (11-8) in the first half, but a strong The Jackets kicked off the sec- second period defensive effort was ond half of the season last night By Daniel Uhlig / STUDENT PUBLICATIONS to much for Southern. against North Carolina and then Alex Stewart (left) accomplished the second only triple double in Tech Women’s Basketball history this past The Bucs shot only 30 percent head to Florida State on Monday in Tuesday night. Stewart had 11 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in the Jacket’s 94-65 win over Charleston from the floor in the second half a battle with the Seminoles. Southern. The Lady Jackets played North Carolina last night and head to Florida State on Monday. JoinSportsStaff

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I’m filling these for Chris SPORTS Technique • Friday, February 2, 2001 • 35

Recruiting from page 36

been recruited to play a certain po- ning on signing as many recruits at no guarantees, non-binding verbal sition only to find themselves at a those positions as they can possibly commitments are just that, non- different position by the time they get their hands on. binding. graduate. Some examples on the Tech Filling out the Tech positional Therefore, to find out who may squad this year are Nick Rogers, a recruits are three safeties, one cor- be the next Joe Hamilton, stay tuned defensive end originally recruited nerback, one running back, and one this coming Wednesday as the Yel- as a running back, and Gary Johnson, tight end. low Jackets look to reload with tal- a defensive lineman originally re- With the current amount of schol- ent from around the nation, all the cruited as a fullback. arships available due to departing way from California to Minnesota Perhaps the most notable exam- seniors, transfers, and academic ca- and back down to Florida. ple of this trend in recent years was sualties, Tech looks to be able to It is certainly an exciting time to that of Peter Warrick at Florida State. sign around 27 to 28 players this be a college football fan in the midst Originally recruited as a quarter- coming Wednesday. That means of an off-season, and an especially back, Warrick ended his career at that two or three slots still remain exciting time to be a Yellow Jacket FSU as one of the most prolific open, which may well be decided fan in the midst of another great wide receivers in the history of col- upon as soon as today or as late as recruiting year by George O’Leary lege football. signing day. and his hard working staff. Even though Tech has an ample Such is the intrigue that surrounds The Athletic Association is un- number of players returning at quar- national signing day. Who will sign? able to comment on recruiting be- terback and linebacker, those two Where will they sign? When will fore signing day. Coach O’Leary positions usually yield some of the they sign? And until each players will host a 3:00p.m. chat this best athletes on a high school team, signs his official letter of intent (LOI) Wednesday, signing day, online at therefore, the Tech coaches are plan- to play for a certain school, there are http://www.ramblinwreck.com

2001 GEORGIA TECH FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Aug. 26 Syracuse, Kickoff Classic, East Ruther- ford, N.J. (ABC), 2 p.m. Sept. 1 THE CITADEL Sept. 8 at Navy Sept. 15 at Florida State Sept. 29 CLEMSON Oct. 6 at Duke Oct. 13 MARYLAND Oct. 20 NC STATE, Homecoming Nov. 1 NORTH CAROLINA (ESPN), 8 p.m. Nov. 10 at Virginia By Daniel Uhlig (top) and Kristi Odom (bottom) / STUDENT PUBLICATIONS Nick Rodgers was recruited to Tech as a running back but was converted Nov. 17 at Wake Forest to defensive end when he arrived in ‘97. It is common for players in offensive positions like quarterback or running back to change positions Nov. 24 GEORGIA and thrive simply because they are great athletes. jointhe‘nique blueprint northavenuereview t-book erato

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Is EPSN the new NCAA? Lady Jackets end slump Have the sports network’s broadcasts of The Women’s Basketball team ended their SPORTS games taken control away from the team, four-game losing streak last Tuesday against the students and the fan? Page 31 Charleston Southern. Page 34 Technique • Friday, February 2, 2001 Jackets to start season with Syracuse By Derek Haynes ever, Tech has only played two of number of years, but I have a lot of establish more nationwide recogni- “The matchup is a very good Vine, Vi, Conquisté those. Last season’s BCA Bowl game friends up there. . . I think,” said tion. The final reason: practice with and exciting one for us because both against Virginia Tech was cancelled O’Leary. “It really didn’t concern a purpose heading into the season. programs are strong,” says Athletic Preseason games are becoming a due to inclement weather. me who the opponent was, but just “I’ve always been in favor of play- Director Dave Braine. “It is an op- tradition at Georgia Tech, coach O’Leary will be facing a team to have the chance to play in the ing a preseason game,” said Tech portunity to play on national tele- George O’Leary hopes canceling that Tech has never played, howev- game is what’s important.” head coach George O’Leary. “I think vision and gives our program them doesn’t become another one. er he has close ties to the Orange- The game is beneficial to Geor- it sets the barometer for your foot- excellent exposure.” The Jackets have again tacked a men. gia Tech for a number of reasons. ball team during the off-season and Syracuse has a string of 14 con- preseason game onto their schedule The 2000 Bobby Dodd and ACC The Jackets have a weak non-con- gives you a sense of urgency in your secutive winning seasons and fin- facing the Syracuse Orangemen on Coach of the year began his career ference schedule that will pull Tech’s workouts.” ished 6-5 last season. August 26 at Giants in the at Syracuse in 1980 as a defensive strength-of-schedule rating down in The Jackets, returning 36 of their This is the 14th annual Kickoff Kickoff Classic. line coach and assistant head coach. the BCS Rankings (used to deter- top 44 players including quarter- Classic and the second featuring the The game, played in East Ruth- He served that position until 1987 mine the top-tier bowl matchups). back George Godsey and defensive Yellow Jackets. The first was a 1991 erford, N.J., will be televised by ABC. when he came to Tech to assume The game also will be played in end Greg Gathers, will face an al- 34-22 loss to Penn State. The game This will be Tech’s third sched- the defensive coordinator position. an area of the country where Tech most guaranteed quality opponent will be televised by ABC-TV at uled preseason game in a row. How- “I haven’t been at Syracuse for a rarely gets recruits, so it will help in the Orangemen. 2:00p.m. on Sunday, August 26.

O’Leary chats about recruits Tech heads to UNC Visit ramblinwreck.com this Wednesday to talk with George O’Leary about this year’s new returns home for Terps recruits. Questions may be sub- By Derek Haynes paltry 37.8 percent from the floor mitted immediately and the chat Assistant Sports Editor against the Carolina Blue. begins at 3:00 p.m. In their first meeting in Atlanta, the It’s not where Jackets head coach Heels pounced on Tech in the sec- Jones and Lewis earn Paul Hewitt wants to be four years ond stanza to win 84-70 after trail- down the road, but there won’t be ing 44-32 at the half. Carolina limited ACC honors anyone complaining if Tech is in the Jackets to just 7 for 30 from the Alvin Jones shared the ACC the same position four weeks from field in the second half and turned Player of the Week award and now. the ball over just twice against Tech’s Marvin Lewis captured ACC Georgia Tech entered the sea- full court press. Rookie of the Week after their son as one of the favorites – for the “We cannot afford to give up any performances in Tech’s wins over cellar – in the ACC, but halfway easy baskets like we did in the sec- Clemson and Florida State. This through the season the Jackets are ond half,” commented Hewitt. is the second time in his career in fourth place and knocking on the Tech will need more than a little that Jones has won the award. door of the Top 25. luck to beat the Heels. UNC is play- Every year several teams surprise ing their best basketball of the sea- the college basketball world, and son, but will be coming off their No. 11 Vanderbilt this year Tech is one of those teams. biggest game of the year on Thurs- trips Lady Jackets With a cupboard deemed bear by day. The Jackets will need to have a college basketball analysts, Hewitt hot shooting night or sweet-shoot- The 30th ranked Lady Jacket has proceeded to interject confidence ing Joseph Forte (20.7 ppg, 5.3 re- tennis squad lost 6-1 to a strong in a team left for dead after the bounds per-game) and the Heels Commodore team last Sunday. departure of legendary coach Bob- will sweep the season series. The lone win came in the No. 6 by Cremins. Tuesday the schedule gets easier singles slot by Bobbi Guthrie. After a midseason break, Hewitt’s – now Tech plays only the 9th ranked The Lady’s first home match squad will travel on Tobacco Road team in the country. comes February 9 against Geor- to face the fourth ranked North Maryland, coming off a loss gia State. Carolina Tar Heels. Wednesday to Virginia, would have One team that is not looking ahead the highest scoring offense in the Swimming & Diving to Georgia Tech is North Carolina. ACC if it wasn’t for the Blue Dev- The Tar Heels had one focus head- ils. dominates in trip to ing into the week: the school a cou- Luckily for Tech, the Terps aren’t Atlanta neighbor ple miles down the road called Duke. at home, where they have a 47-6 As of Wednesday, UNC was on a record in the last four seasons. Mary- Tech defeated Emory Uni- 14-game winning streak, tops in the land is led by Juan Dixon, a sweet versity 136-91 this past week- country with number one ranked shooting guard who has made 57 of end and captured first place Stanford. While fellow ACC leader his last 58 free throw attempts, and finishes in 10 events. This im- Duke wins with offense, Carolina forward Terence Morris, who leads proves their overall record to 10- wins with defense. The Heels are the team in blocks (2.4) and re- 3 and 73-4 all time against Emory. By Kristi Odom / STUDENT PUBLICATIONS second in the country and first in bounds (7.2) and is third in scoring Center Alvin Jones shot 74 percent from the field and 71 percent from the the ACC in opponent field goal Men’s Tennis double- line in the Jacket’s wins over Clemson and Florida State last week. percentage, as teams are shooting a See BBall, page 32 header vs. UNC Charlotte and Mercer O’Leary and staff await signing day to reload Tech Tennis hosts a double- By Terence Jones both on the field and in the class- 25 non-binding verbal commit- one transfer, and the linebacker po- header this Saturday starting with Que onda? room. ments. sition, with 4 non-binding verbal UNC Charlotte at 9:30 a.m. and Over the past few years, George Looking to fill the gaps left by commitments. Mercer at 2:00 p.m. The Jackets Just five days remain until the O’Leary and his staff have done an departing offensive guard Brent Key Not in very serious need of ei- are coming off a sub-par perfor- single most important day of the exceptional job of recruiting rich and offensive tackle Chris Brown, ther position with the players that mance in the ACC Indoor. college football offseason, national young talent to play on the Flats, as the Yellow Jackets have been re- are returning, it is a good possibility signing day, Wednesday, February evidenced by four consecutive win- cruiting heavily along both the of- that some of these recruits may well 7. It is a day that all coaches look ning seasons coupled with four fensive and defensive lines. develop into players at different po- Track & Field heads forward to in hopes of reaping the straight bowl appearances by the So far the Jackets have received sitions. to Gator Country fruits of their labor. A day that highly Yellow Jackets. non-binding verbal commitments Coach O’Leary has always been touted high school seniors make the And so far this year looks to be from six offensive lineman and five fond of recruiting “tall, rangy, ath- The Tech Track and Field difficult decision of where to con- no different; Coach O’Leary and defensive lineman/ends, which letic kids who can run” and seems team will make a trip to Gaines- tinue their football and scholastic his staff have been receiving verbal amounts to nearly half of the 25 to be focusing on that strategy even ville for the Florida Invitational careers. commitments from across the na- commitments received thus far. more so this year. this weekend. The Jackets have Coaches work diligently almost tion. Other positions the Jackets have Many players in the past, at Tech already demonstrated their abil- year round to recruit these young According to various published been recruiting heavily are the quar- and several other programs, have ity at this year’s Kroger and Ikon men into institutions where they reports, as of Wednesday, January terback position, with 3 non-bind- Invitationals. will receive the opportunity to excel 31, the Yellow Jackets have received ing verbal commitments, along with See Recruiting, page 35