April 19, 2001 Name: Robbie Smith Sport: Baseball Position: Second Base Year: Sophomore Recent athletic accomplishr ments: Hit the game-winning home run Saturday against Charleston Southern. Favorite class: Physiology Hardest class: Chemistry Favorite professor: “Vick. Dr. Vick.” Plans after graduation: i’d like to play baseball, but if not HI probably be a personal trainer.” Favorite music group: Outkast Favorite song: B.O.B. Favorite movie: Forrest Gump Favorite TV show: SportsCenter Favorite book: The Mental Sports* Game of Baseball Hobbies: “Eating ... 1 like to dance a little bit.” Favorite sports team: Atlanta Braves Dream vacation destination: Spring Training in Florida Most prized possession: “My autographed Mickey Mantle card.” Person you’d like to meet: Jesus Pre-game rituals: “A quality dance In the locker room. We always have some good ones before games. Page 23 Vick is prize of NFL Draft Photo courtesy of michaelvick.net Michael Vick can outrun defenders or step up and throw the deep ball. Justin Mazzola Sports Editor The NFL Draft takes place this week and everyone is talking about Michael Vick. The fleet- footed lefty quarterback has a powerful arm and jaw-dropping footwork. Tiie San Diego Chargers are poised to snatch the Virginia Tech legend with the first pick in the draft. But will it matter? Do first round quarterbacks always equal success for the team? Since 1990,19 quarterbacks have been selected in the first round. The four quarterbacks cho sen first in their respective draft have all had solid careers, includ ing the Browns’ Tim Couch, who was drafted two years ago. Four first round quarter backs have led their teams to the Super Bowl and only two, Steve McNair and Drew Bledsoe, were with the team that originally drafted them. Neither of them won the big game. McNair’s Tennessee Titans lost to Kurt Warner and the St. Louis Rams. In the 1997 Super Bowl Bledsoe’s Patriots lost to the Green Bay. Green Bay was quarterbacked by MVP Brett Favre. Neither Favre nor Warner was a heralded prospect coming into the league. Favre spent years as a backup while Warner toiled away in the Arena Football League before getting his chance in the NFL. There are many other suc cessful quarterbacks who were passed over in the first round, but there are also many first round quarterbacks who have not lived up to expectations. Heath Shuler, Rick Mirer and Andre Ware lead a crop of disappointing first round quarter backs. Other forgettable picks in clude Jim Druckenmiller (1997) and Ryan Leaf (1998). Druckenmiller is now employed by the XFL while Leaf is being fitted for a straight jacket. It’s obvious Vick is the best offensive player in this year’s draft. Drafting the multi-talented quarterback will bring the Charg ers plenty of excitement and me dia attention. Making Vick the No. 1 selection will not, however, guarantee San Diego a champion. Do-It-Yourself Sports Justin's weekly tip so you can show off for your fiiends. Coming to net is a crucial should be upside down with part of tennis, Pete the handle facing the sky. Sampras, Boris Becker and With your other hand, point John McEnroe all used their net skills to win Grand Slam events. But if you’re going to come to net, you have to know how to handle the lob. The overhead is probably the most fun shot in tennis, but it's also one of the toughest. When the lob is above you, bend your knees slightly and pull your racquet back as If you're scratching the center of your back. Your racquet at the ball to help your eyes follow its flight. You can also use your hand to shield your eyes from the sun. Ultraviolet rays can be a bitch, you know. When the bad is just above your extended hand, swing your right arm up while rotating at the hips. Follow through with your swing and yeti menacingly. Staring down your opponent is also an option. Brou^t to you by your friendly nei^borhood sports editor - Justin IVIbzzola