18 • Friday, July 11, 2003 • Technique SPORTS Beyond the White and Gold Earleywine named interim coach Bad seats? Too damn bad By Kimberly Rieck Sports Editor By Kimberly Rieck dium simply wasn’t big enough to Sports Editor shift visiting teams’ fans into any- Ehren Earleywine, an assistant thing considered nosebleed seats. coach on the Georgia Tech softball Recently the Atlanta-Journal Although I realize there are oth- team for the past two seasons, has Constitution published two articles er factors to look at as well. Freddy been named the interim head soft- on Georgia and other Southeastern Jones, Georgia’s ticket director, ball coach. Kate Madden resigned Conference schools’ uproar over their mentioned that he was disappoint- after five years as head coach to pur- ticket allotments at rival schools. ed for the elderly fans who are going sue other interests. Madden had com- The schools are crying foul over what to have to climb up stairs. Jones piled a record of 161-143 in five they claim to be unfair seating prac- should make a deal with McClaren seasons and was the ACC coach of tices. to hold aside seats in both stadiums the year in 2002. She was also the My first instinct when I read the for the elderly fans who may not be program’s first full-time assistant June 13 article on Georgia fans be- able to climb up the stairs. Since coach before she became head coach. ing miffed about being given “nose- nothing can be done this year about During the past two years as bleed seats” at Tech was to laugh. At the arrangement, Jones should give Tech’s top assistant, Earleywine last year’s Georgia game, I sat with the 339 seats in the lower deck not helped lead Georgia Tech to its two most of the Tech fans in the very reserved for the Red Coats March- most successful seasons ever. The upper deck of Sanford Stadium. Did ing band to all of the Bulldog Na- past two seasons have seen the Jack- I whine or call the AJC? No because tion’s elderly fans and not the ticket ets make its two first NCAA Tour- I understand Georgia doesn’t want holders who give the most money nament appearances and capture the their team seeing anything but red to the school. school’s first ACC title in softball in and black while they’re on the field. In a separate article in the AJC 2002. The team won 90 games the Sure all but 785 of Georgia’s 8,500 from the Associated Press on July 1, last two years, including 52 wins in tickets are not in the upper deck, ticket arrangement practices at all 2002, a school record. In 2002, the but the upper deck of our newly the SEC schools were detailed. Ba- team came within one game of reach- expanded stadium is a helluva lot sically every team in the SEC is now ing the Women’s College World closer than most visitor’s tickets at sitting in the upper decks, further Series. Photo Courtesy of the Georgia Tech Athletic Association Sanford Stadium. So where was up than ever before. As an assistant coach, he worked After Head Coach Kate Madden resigned to pursue other projects, Ehren Tech’s pity party in the AJC last I’m a big fan of the golden rule with the Jackets’ hitters and infield- Earleywine has been tapped to lead the Jacket’s softball program. year? but I understand though that in the ers and coached first base. After bat- Poor Scott McLaren. He’s made high stakes world of college foot- ting .213 as a team before his arrival, Earleywine’s previous coaching Besides coaching, Earleywine has out to be a villain in the article when ball, the golden rule and southern the team average rose to .263 in his experience includes three seasons as been a standout in major men’s fast- really he’s just doing his job. We hospitality doesn’t always apply. If first year. Individually, shortstop Tara head baseball coach at Westminster pitch softball. He was a member of desperately need a home field ad- you give the visiting teams too much Knudsen tied the ACC season record College, an NCAA Division III pro- the USA men’s fastpitch team in vantage which we haven’t had at power on your own turf, it can be- with 16 home runs. Knudsen lead gram and his alma mater. At West- 1998-99 and 2002-03. He earned a many of our big games. Florida State’s come chaos and the visitors’ cheers the quad with a .374 average and minster, Earleywine had a 65-44 gold medal at the 2002 Pan Am band overpowered our own at last can overpower the home crowd. the ACC in home runs in the spring record. He also spent three years as Qualifier. Earleywine is also a six- year’s football game and the Geor- With millions of dollars and repu- with 13. Additionally, catcher Lind- an assistant coach at Westminister time All-America and was an All- gia fans were louder than Tech’s tations on the line, let’s give our say Wood set a conference mark and one year as an assistant at Texas World selection in 1999 by the fans at the 2001 matchup. Our sta- teams every advantage possible. with 27 doubles. A&M-Corpus Christi. International Softball Congress. SPORTS Technique • Friday, July 11, 2003 • 19 faces inin thethe Expansion from page 20 inin thethe ble conference football champion- that either the NCAA must over- ship game would use this type of turn its rule or the ACC must add a crowd structure. 12th team. The $10 million in profits As for basketball, the ACC does that would accrue from this match not plan on splitting into divisions would provide more than half the Damarius Bilbo any time soon. The traditional home- amount needed to ensure that this and-away format will be reformed, 11-team setup will be as profitable RS Sophomore as not all teams in the conference as the former 9-team setup. Quarterback will face-off However, the twice a year. ACC has no Nicknamed D-Bo, he displayed his big-play ability and strong arm on This means that plans at the mo- more than one occasion on the field. At the Wake Forest game, he some match-ups ment to add an- connected with Kerry Watkins for a 69-yard touchdown pass. This season will retain the “The ACC is stronger other team. he’s competing for the starting spot. previous two- today than yesterday “We're not in In high school, Bilbo was the Dick Butkus High School Player of the game format any rush at this Year. He was the Mississippi Player of the Year by USA Today and while others will and may well be at its point. We think Gatorade after leading his team to the state title. In addition, he was an all- play just once. strongest point in its we have got two state baseball player who was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers as a ACC teams may great new mem- pitcher. also be able to history” bers and we need schedule confer- John Swofford a little time to ence opponents ACC Commissioner bring them into Nina Barlin in games consid- the fold and get Senior ered non-confer- going with our ence – another two new mem- Point Guard nuance from Big 10 scheduling. bers before we jump to any other Named one of Atlanta’s “50 Most Beautiful People” by Jezebel Maga- An expansion to 11 teams will conclusions,” said Wayne Clough, zine, Barlin has made her mark at point guard. During her career, she has also add two play-in games to the Institute President, at the press con- been sidelined with injuries but despite that, she has had many memorable conference tournament, upping the ference. starts for the Jackets. She has frequently led the team in assists. Barlin even number to three. It will be the On the scheduling front, the new earned All-ACC honors in 2002 even though she had missed 12 games bottom four (instead of the bottom conference intends to model its for- with a knee injury at the end of the year. two) playing it out on Thursday mat on the Big 10, where each team A native of Sweden, Barlin is just the second internationally-born night of the tournament to decide annually plays one rival and seven women’s basketball player for the Jackets. She has been a member of the who plays the top-seed on Friday. rotated opponents. This will fit nice- Swedish National Team and the all-star team at the European World It is uncertain whether the new align- ly, since Miami and VT already have Championships. At Tech, she majors in international affairs. ment will have any impact on the annual ACC rivals in Florida State ACC tournament sites, since they and Virginia. have been chosen through the 2011 Nonetheless, everyone seems to Nick Thompson season. be excited at the prospect of a new One of the initial perks and draw- ACC. The leaders of each of the Sophomore ing points of expansion was having existing and incoming schools ex- Golf a conference title game every year in pressed their excitement, as did Geor- football. But since it resulted in an gia Tech football coach Chan Gailey. At this year’s NCAA Championship, Nicholas Thompson closed out 11 teams, it will now take a little “We have added two very strong the season in great fashion by playing the final 36 holes in 2-under-par and extra to get that coveted match. The football schools, and when you do finishing in a tie for 12th place. He earned All-America honors for the NCAA has a rule that allows a cham- that, you make it a stronger football second straight year for his performance. In addition, he was also named to pionship game for leagues with 12 conference… We should do well in the Golf Coaches Association of America All-America teams. members or more. The ACC will recruiting because of it, we should In high school, Thompson was a member of the U.S. Izzo Cup team look to appeal this rule as soon as [do] well at the gate because of it, we and the East Canon Cup Team. He has reached the semifinals of the AJGA possible. And as for now, commis- should do well in the television rat- Polo Golf Junior Classic and qualified for the U.S. Amateur at Pebble sioner Swofford says that the league ings because of it, and we should Beach. Hailing from Coral Springs, Florida, Thompson majors in man- would be divided in football only if have a stronger program overall be- agement at Tech. a title match exists. This implies cause of it,” said Gailey. Freshman Issue coming August 22 20 • Friday, July 11, 2003 • Technique pageSPORTS 20 Sampling Dante’s Earleywine steps in The Nique checks out Atlanta’s Kate Madden has left the softball SPORTS well-known Dante’s Down the team. Now Ehren Earleywine has Hatch. Check out thoughts on the been chosen to step in and lead the Technique • Friday, July 11, 2003 Buckhead eatery. Page 13. team. Page 18. It’s Official: Miami and Virginia Tech are in By John Scaduto proposal discouraged many through- from its league. In a counteroffer Contributing Writer out the ACC, since it also meant led by Syracuse and Boston Col- splitting revenues among the 13 lege, the conference tried to per- The Atlantic Coast Conference teams. Another plan was developed suade Miami to stay by guaranteeing grew to 11 teams on Monday, June that called for the addition of only $45 million over five years, in addi- 30, as the University of Miami fol- Miami, seemingly a compromise after tion to a travel supplement. lowed Virginia Tech in accepting the Big East retaliated with a law- In the end, analysts argue the an invitation to leave the Big East. suit. This was short-lived as an offer Hurricanes chose a stable future in The two programs will athletically was quickly extended to and accepted the ACC over temporary financial join the ACC after paying a $1 mil- appeasement. But the legal struggle lion Big East exit fee and a $2 mil- will continue, as Big East members lion entrance fee, possibly as soon are contending that they have spent as 2004. millions on their respective football “The ACC is stronger today than “The two programs programs based upon presumed loy- yesterday and may well be at its alty from the two schools. strongest point in its history,” said will athletically join While the Big East scrambles to ACC Commissioner John Swofford the ACC after paying stabilize, the ACC will undergo many at the press conference where he adjustments in the coming months along with all the ACC school pres- a $1 million Big East that will shake the athletic land- idents announced the expansion plan. exit fee and a $2 scape of the entire conference. The The original plan called for the most-notable change will be in sched- additions of Syracuse and Boston million entrance fee...” uling, where growing from 9 to 11 College along with Miami, but this teams will create a unique situation. did not produce the seven ACC Fortunately, the Big 10 Confer- votes necessary for expansion. Duke by VT – in place of Syracuse and ence (which has 11 teams) has been and North Carolina developed a BC. running this type of scheduling for general opposition to expansion and The initial lawsuit filed by sever- several years, as Swofford says the the University of Virginia received al Big East members cited the nega- plan will be to use that format as a in-state political pressure to veto any tive impact of expansion and accused “jumping off place.” The idea of plan snubbing Virginia Tech. the ACC of conspiracy. Even when splitting the ACC into two divi- Image courtesy of the Atlantic Coast Conference Several alternatives arose, includ- it became clear that expansion would sions is also on the table, as a proba- With the addition of Miami and Virginia Tech, the new ACC logo now has ing the addition VT to the group of occur, the Big East still remained eleven teams represented and retains its original shape. The two schools Miami, Syracuse, and BC. This adamant in curbing the subtractions See Expansion, page 19 will most likely not play in conference games until the 2004-05 season. by Hewitt signs on for 5 more years sports By Clark Nelson shorts the Contributing Writer Bosh inks deal The Georgia Tech Athletic De- numbers partment has announced that men’s with Raptors head basketball coach Paul Hewitt has received a new five-year con- First-round draft pick Chris Bosh 20 tract, keeping him at Tech through has signed a three-year contract with the 2007-2008 season. the Toronto Raptors. Bosh will make Total number of collegians on the $2.91 million a year under the terms USA Baseball National Team. Geor- Coach Hewitt has coached three season in the Thrillerdome while of the NBA’s rookie scale agreement. gia Tech has the most number of Bosh left Tech after his freshman honorees on this year’s team. Only compiling a record of 48-44 (.527). In Hewitt’s first season, the Jackets year. Last year the 6-10 forward led four other schools had more than the Jackets to a quarterfinal appear- one honoree on the team. reached the NCAA Tournament and Hewitt was named the ACC Coach ance in the NIT. of the Year. He was also named District 5 Coach of the Year by the 3 National Association of Basketball Baseball players Length of Chris Bosh’s contract with Coaches (NABC). In addition, he selected to USA the Toronto Raptors. Bosh will earn was a finalist for the Naismith Col- lege Coach of the Year Award by $2.91 million a year. By Scott Meuleners / STUDENT PUBLICATIONS the Atlanta Tipoff Club. Last sea- team son Tech reached the quarterfinals At a game last season, Paul Hewitt gives guard Jarret Jack a few words Four Tech players have been se- of the National Invitation Tourna- of advice. Hewitt has inked a new contract after three successful seasons lected to the 2003 USA Baseball 5 ment with no seniors in the playing on the Flats. Hewitt’s new deal will keep him at Tech until at least 2008. National Team. Catcher Mike Nick- rotation. one of his recruits, was recently a Dr. Clough have done,” Hewitt said. eas, second baseman Eric Patter- Length of Paul Hewitt’s new con- “I look forward to continuing to top five pick in the NBA draft and “I want to be here for a long time. son, shortstop Tyler Greene and tract. Hewitt’s contract extends un- build the program. We’re proud of the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2003. Where we live is very important to pitcher/first baseman Micah Ow- til the 2007-2008 season. The new what we’ve accomplished so far, but Ed Nelson, another Hewitt recruit, me and my family. Atlanta is an ings are among the 20 collegians on contract included a $75,000 raise there’s so much was the 2002 ideal place for us to be at.” the team. The Jackets have the most in base salary for the 2001 ACC more to do,” said ACC Rookie of The new contract means that number of players on the team, while Coach of the Year. Hewitt. the Year. Addi- Hewitt will make $225,000 in sala- Arizona State, Mississippi and Stan- So far he has “Paul Hewitt is the tionally, B.J. El- ry; up from his current contract of ford each had two players make the had at least one perfect fit for Georgia der and Marvin $150,000. national team. player earn first- Lewis have been Hewitt’s six year record as a head 4 or second-team Tech. He understands on the league’s coach is 114-71 (.616). He spent all-ACC honors what it takes to be All-Freshman the first three years of his head coach- Hinsdale named Total number of Olympic gold med- each year. Alvin team. ing career at Siena, located in up- allists Grover Hindsdale has coached Jones was on the successful here...” While state New York, before succeeding to Ferris State Hall in his career. Hindsdale has also ACC first team Dave Braine Hewitt’s name Bobby Cremins in 2000 to become of Fame coached three World Champions, in 2001, Tony Director of Athletics has been tossed the twelth head basketball coach in seven USA Track and Field Cham- Akins was a sec- around recent- Georgia Tech history. Grover Hinsdale, the men’s track pions, four Goodwill Games med- ond-team all- ly for vacant “Paul Hewitt is the perfect fit for and field head coach, is among nine allists, 13 NCAA champions, 65 ACC player in coaching jobs Georgia Tech,” said Director of athletes and coaches that will be All-Americans, 69 ACC Champi- 2002, and freshman Chris Bosh made such as the Illinois spot, Hewitt has Athletics Dave Braine. “He under- inducted into the Ferris State Uni- ons and 114 All-ACC honorees. He the second team last season. made it clear he wants to stay in stands what it takes to be successful versity Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame was the 2002 ACC Coach of the In his short time here, he has had Atlanta and Tech. “I’m very appre- here, and we are all very excited this fall. Hindsdale was a decathlete Year. two excellent recruiting classes. Bosh, ciative for what Dave Braine and about the future of the program.” and assistant coach at Ferris.