Page 8 - CROSSROADS - April, 1977
First In History:
Women’s Tennis Team
For the first time in history,
Belmont Abbey College is ad
ding to its varsity sports
program a women’s tennis
team.
The program began late in
March. Mo Daniels, coach, who
is assisting Mike Reidy with
both the men's and women’s
program, started the program
when senior student Barbara
Sweeney displayed interest in
getting a program under way.
“This is the first year for a
girls’ varsity tennis team. We
play a good schedule for a first-
year program, with Davidson
College J. V.’s on the schedule,
as well as Lenoir-Khyne
College. It is a tough enough
schedule for a first-year team,”
commented Daniels.
“We have four freshmen, one
junior and one senior. The
interest among the girls par
ticipating is high, and that gives
us a broad base to build on. This
is the foundation for a really
great program,” Daniels
continued.
Daniels went on to say that
“Barbara Sweeney is a real,
catalyst. She is one of our co
captains. Barbara Owens is the
other. If it was not for their'
efforts, there would be no
women’s tennis program at the
college.
“We haven’t won a match so
far this year,” said Daniels.
“Even though we haven’t won, I
am very pleased with the way
things have been going. It is a
tough job getting a varsity
tennis program going on the
college level.
“We are getting the program
off the ground,” Daniels con
cluded. “The interest is good.
If there weren’t any interest,
there would not by any team,
build on. This is the foundation
for a really great program,”
Daniels continued.
Team Sees
Rough Start
Belmont Abbey College’s
men’s varsity tennis team is off,
to a very rough start this
season.
Mo Daniels, a student in the
Recreation Department at the
College, has taken over the
coaching duties for Mike Reidy
while Reidy completes his
Doctorate in Recreation.
“We haven’t won any mat-
IN THE SCRUM READY to fight for the ball are
Tony Dittmier (right), organizer of the Abbey
Soccer
'Alnmni vs. today*
Harmon (center).
s rugby team game, and Tom
ches so far,” commented
Daniels. “We have had
unusually bad luck this year.
We lost our two top players. T.
J. Reilly, who was undefeated in
conference play his freshman
and sophomore years, became
academically ineligible in
January. He played number
one seed for us. Ed Perry is not
eligible either. He was number
two. He is still in school and is
practicing daily with us.
“We have had to develop a
new program this year,”
Daniels went on. “We had no
interest in the program in past
years because of the condition
of the facilities. Since they have
resurfaced the courts, we have
the interest. Now we must
concentrate on building the
program.
“Practice sessions are a must
as well as instructional
sessions,” Daniels'continued.
“The players we have are in
terested in the program. We
also have five possible recruits
that are excellent players who
we hope to have out next year.
“We have a good program
going now and I’m pleased with
the progress so far. Spike
Reilly, T. J.’s brother, is un
defeated in NAIA play this year.
John March, a freshman, is 2-2
in NAIA play. A fine feat for a
freshman.
“I’m pleased with the
program so far this season,”
Daniels concluded. “Coach
Reidy and I knew it would be a
tough season; our major goal
was to develop a program and
attract future players. I feel
that we have done both.”
BAC Team
Defeats
Alumni
mi.
TO.W FITTMIER jumps against Abbey captain Bob Delaney in a
line out for possession of the ball.
Belmont Abbey College’s
soccer field was the site of a
recent rugby game between'
alumni of Maryland.
Washington, D. C., Virginia and
North Carolina, versus the
college’s rugby team.
B.A.C. students won the
match, 29-10.
It is hoped the game can
become an annual event, to be
played on Washington’s Bir
thday weekend on the soccer
field at the college. This year’s
event was coordinated by Tony
Dittmeier i'71), now living in
Springfield, Va. In addition to
alumni who regularly play
rugby for home teams, several
inexperienced players par
ticipated in the recent event
here.
According to Dittmeier, in
terest is high among alumni in
the metropolitan Washington
area in rugby. The annual
weekend here would be cen
tered around the Saturday
afternoon rugby game.
For further information about
the annual event, contact
Dittmeier at 7310 Leesville
Road, Springfield, Va. 22151.
■ - I
mi.
LEAVING THE field at half-time are (I. to r.) Phil Coyne, Paul
Wilson, Frank DeLuca, and Tom Harmon.