Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / Aug. 22, 2003, edition 1 / Page 19
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The Pendulum Sports Friday, August 22, 2003 •Page 19 Elon faces tough Southern Conference football schedule Nick Palatiello Sports Editor Academic standards are not the only bar that has been raised since Elon became a university. Elon sports teams have been fac ing stiffer competition, as well. The Phoenix have been wel comed into the Southern Conference, but the warm wel come will end Aug. 30 when football season officially begins. This year is Elon’s inaugural sports season in the new confer ence and the Phoenix will be fac ing some of the premier football teams in Division I-AA football competition. Elon will be up against five Top 25-ranked football teams this season, including Georgia Southern University, Furman University, Wofford College and Appalachian State University. Georgia Southern, the No. 2 squad this season, has been ranked in every Division I-AA poll since September 1997 and has won or tied for the last six Southern Conference titles. Though it does seem that Elon is at a disadvantage, the Phoenix has breaks in the schedule despite the tough competition ahead. In the first home game of the season, the Phoenix will take on the Pioneers of Tusculum College. The Pioneers finished the 2002 season with a 7-4 mark in Division II competition. The Phoenix have an opportunity to get a solid victory in front of the home stands with this match up. If head coach A1 Seagraves has one major advantage in this game it is playing at Rhodes Stadium. The team plays better in ft-ont of its home crowd than compared to the road. Last season Elon was 3-2 at home, including an impressive fourth quarter victory over Florida International University, which was the first home contest of the season. The Phoenix take on the Wofford College Terriers on Oct. 11 at Gibbs Stadium for the 27th meeting between the two teams since 1921. Last season the Phoenix were defeated by Wofford 32-9 to close out the 2002 season at Rhodes Stadium. Elon could set itself up with a major upset over the Terriers in this match-up. Gibbs Stadium, which sports natural turf, has the same intimate feel as Rhodes Stadium, seating 13,000 fans . If the players can pretend they are playing a home game they can improve their chance of a victory and mark a great upset, which would increase their morale during the middle of the season. Elon will also have an oppor tunity to get a third win on the road against Towson University on Oct. 25. The Phoenix must overcome two major challenges which have plagued the team every time they take on the Tigers. First, the team must get past the fact that the game is at the Johnny Unitas Stadium. The Phoenix is not a' strong road team. Last season the Phoenix Colin Donohue / Photographer Phoenix kicker Anthony Turowski practices his form in practice Tuesday. did not take any games on the road. The second hurdle the team must jump is adjusting to the dif ferent turf. The team may have a hard time putting a good foot down on the unfamiliar ground. The Phoenix does, however, have a harder schedule going into the match up, which may be one of the biggest advantages Seagraves can have. These three games have the most potential for solid victories, but as Elon fans have seen in the past the squad could put up a good fight with many of the teams on the schedule. Elon has faced Hofstra, Furman and Wofford the last four years and competed against East Tennessee State (Family Weekend) last season. Since the Phoenix were defeated by all four of these teams last season they will be motivated to redeem them selves this year. With an anticipated sell-out at Rhodes Stadium for three football games this season (Homecoming against Appalachian State University Nov. 8, East Tennessee State Sept. 20 and North Carolina A&T State University Sept. 27) and with Elon’s performances in front of packed home crowds, this inaugural season in the Southern Conference may be intimidating to many fans, but it offers the Phoenix a chance to have a breakout season. Contact Nick Palatiello at pendu- lum@elon.edu or 278-7247. Elon athletics: More than varsity sports Adam Sherland Reporter If you are looking for an opportunity to meet new people and compete in a variety of sports, then the Campus Recreation intramurals pro gram is for you. Intramurals are competitive and fun activi ties where you and a group of friends can team up to chal lenge other groups across cam pus. No matter what sport you enjoy, Campus Rec probably offers something for you. If you were a baseball star in your hometown or just want to run the bases, sign up for intramu ral softball during the spring season. Or, if you want to try something completely new, such as volleyball or tennis, Campus Rec offers an environ ment for both beginners and pros. To get involved in intramu- rals, you must first figure out what activity best suits you. In the fall Campus Rec offers flag football, 4-on-4 basketball, soc cer, volleyball, walleyball (a cross of volley ball and racquetball) and team tennis. They also offer a rac quetball tournament, Sports Fest and the annual 3K Turkey Trot. Still haven’t found anything of interest? Don’t worry, an entirely different array of options are offered during the winter and spring. In the spring, intramurals offers 4-on- 4 flag football, indoor soccer, sand volleyball, 5-on-5 basket ball, softball, and a Ping-Pong and Frisbee Golf tournament. With so many different options, intramurals can become an important aspect in many stu dents’ lives. The culmina tion of the intra mural season is a competition to determine which team can claim the title of intra mural champion. But champion or not, intramurals provide an opportunity for Elon students to compete in sports and meet new people in a safe and fun environment. If you would like to join or create your own team, head to Campus Rec, located in Koury Center, to get more informa tion. Form teams with your friends, suitemates or organiza tion members and compete against other students from all over campus. The games are real, the competition is fierce, and it is fun for all participants win or lose. Contact Adam Sherland at pen- dulum@elon.edu or 278-7247. Best Value CLEANERS Welcome Back Students and Faculty! Bring this ad in for 0^ semcT 1 FREE item with every 5 cleaned. EVERYDAY LOW PRICE Most Dry-Cleanable Garmtnts $1.99+tax Laundered Shirts $1.40+tax Dresses $2.50+tax Starched Pants & Shorts $3.49+tax Coats, Choir Robes ^Pleated Skirts $3.58+tax Comforters, Bedspreads, Blankets & Quilts $8/$10+tax Our low price concept requires payment in advance ALL DRY CLEANING AND LAUNDERED SHIRTS ARE DONE ON THE PREMISES 3398-B S. Church St. (Across from West End Cinemas, Behind Wright Brothers) Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 7am-5pm
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