February 25, 2000
SPORTS
15
Lady Tornadoes sweep Milligan in opener
*x
i
Photo by Michelle Crabtree
NCAA hoops in hot
water over Grad rates
BY MATT ODETTE
Daily Californian (U. Califomia-Ber-
keley)
(U-WIRE) BERKELEY, Calif. -
- As the conversation begins to wan
der toward his favorite subject, Ben
Braun's eyes light up.
The Cal men's basketball coach
glances quickly around his office, but
unsuccessful in his search, he settles
to paraphrase what college hoops
mean to him.
"I just finished (North Carolina
coaching legend) Dean Smith's book,
and do you know what's at the end
of it?" Braun inquires. "He lists all his
former players and what they're do
ing, whether they're in business some-
where, or coaching. He knows where
every one of his former players is.
To me, that's a program."
Sadly, that sort of concern for
rfe after basketball is currently on the
J'ane in the NCAA. Graduation rates
^ve remained low over the last de-
just as the visibility and popu-
of the sport have burgeoned.
The national four-year average
graduation rates in men's basket
BY GINGER PALMER
The softball team is looking for
ward to a very competitive season this
spring. Coach White feels that the
team will have a very successful sea
son with at least a 500 record. With
the addition of a brand new home
field, some team depth, and the re
turning most valuable player from the
last season, fans will not be disap
pointed.
The most exciting aspect of this
season is the home field. The soft
ball team in its previous 2 seasons has
practiced on an elementary
school field and played all
away games. Not this sea
son. Brevard’s fans will have
the option of seeing the girls
play home games.
On Sunday February
20, President Bertrand com- ^
menced the dedication of the
field and introduced Betty
Taylor. Taylor, a trustee of
the college, threw out the first
pitch, and Ernie Mills said
the blessing. White said,
“That to the girls getting to
play home games is the highlight of
the season.” This highlight was not
taken lightly as Brevard swept
Milligan in their double-header home
opening. Lady Tornado, Katie
Newman, scored the first run.
Another important aspect that
will attribute to the team’s success is
the amount of growth the team has
seen. Rather than having just fresh
man and sophomore athletes,
Brevard’s team now has upper class
leadership and depth. This depth be
gins with senior Karamie Hartman
and returning juniors: Stacey
Dodenhoff and Jenny Simpson. Car
rie Butler, Holly Dula, Barbara Davis
and Jackie Speers will be the return
ing sophomores. New arrivals to the
team are freshman Maggie Singleton,
Photo by Michelle Crabtree
Kim Pate, Katie Newman and Anne
Ridge. Finally, two transfer students
junior Karen Filmon and sophomore
Autumn McCarver will bring experi
ence from their previous colleges.
ball stands at 43 percent, well below
those of other collegiate sports.
Cal has fared even worse. The
incoming freshman classes of 1989
through 1992 - the latest relevant
data available - graduated at a rate
of 25 percent, less than one-third of
the student body average of 81 per
cent.
These numbers, along with ris
ing fan concern for the future of the
sport, have caused the NCAA to con
sider major changes to address the
problem. It appears even that bureau
cratic body may take action that could
alter the relationship between aca
demics and athletics in Division I bas
ketball.
SHOWCASE, THEN NO-SHOW
The NCAA's reaction to drop
ping graduation rates has come as
much as a result of a number of high-
profile cases as the numbers them-
selves.
Just last year, Duke coach Mike
Krzyzewski watched for the first time
in his 20-year tenure a number of ms
players left school early for the NBA.
D.D. Bullwinkel’s
General Store & Gift Gallery
Uncommon Finds
Unexpected Treasures
Ask About Our Monthly Specials
Sweaters
Naot Shoes
Outdoor Gear
Unique Jewelry
Great Winter Fleece
Men’s & Women’s Clothing
Have Lunch at our Grill & Soda Shop
Best Burgers & Shakes in Town!
Downtown Brevard ~ Open Daily!
Open Sundays! ~ 862-4700