Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Sept. 8, 1983, edition 1 / Page 16
Part of Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
" - ' I "Vt ' '' 'V ; 1 . VIZ A I f (V ' ' , H: ' i - ' v i . 0 -Sj " - 'l Lavette to lead Jackets against tough schedule Georgia Tech's junior back Robert Lavette sneaks by a defender. Lavette ap pears to be a strong candidate for ACC rushing honors. NEED A Home for Put an ad in our rides riders section By MICHAEL PERSINGER Staff Writer Georgia Tech finished the 1982 campaign 6-5, the Yellow Jackets first winning record since 1978. But that was accomplished against one of the mildest schedules Tech has had in years. This season, the Jacket schedule is murder ous, and that doesn't make the chances for a repeat of the 1982 performance very good. Tech, while making progress, has still not reached the point it can compete with the na tion's better teams. Five of the six teams the Yellow Jackets beat a year ago ended the sea son with losing records. Georgia Tech coach Bill Curry, in his fourth year at the helm of the Yellow Jackets, said one of the problems with his program in recent years has been a lack of booster support. But, he said, all that is changing. Last year, Tech built the $7 million Edge Athletic Center, with all of the funds coming from Tech boosters. The facility is evidence of growing recruiting competitiveness for the Yellow Jackets. "When I came here, our practice field was a pasture," Curry said. "We had two sprinkler heads and a hose. I was desperately concerned with the conditions when I came here." But Curry knew what he was getting into when came. Curry was an All-American at Tech in the early '60s and an assistant with the Yellow Jackets in 1966, so he knew of the con ditions when he took the job. But instead of accepting the conditions, Curry has done his part to change them. Tech has 40 Yellow Jacket clubs across the country now. The increased support and the money that comes with it has put the Jackets back on the recruiting map. "When we came here, we did a survey of the "freshmen," Curry said. "Something like 92 percent said they came to Tech because they couldn't get a scholarship anywhere else. That was scary." Now the Yellow Jackets can recruit not only with the ACC but also with such Southeastern Conference powers as the University of Geor gia. Tailback Robert Lavette is a prime ex amplehe is a Georgia product swiped from the Bulldogs' grasp. Another problem at Tech has been the cur riculum. Georgia Tech is one of the finest en gineering schools in the nation, and there is no such thing as a liberal arts major at the school. The freshmen are given a break on admis sions, but after that, they take the same courses as other students right down the line. Georgia Tech may not be ready to challenge for the national championship, but Tech's program is on the road to respectability. Lavette, without question, is the key for Tech. He topped the 100-yard mark seven times last season, and the Yellow Jackets won six of those games. He ranked tenth in the na tion in both rushing (280 carries, 1,208 yards, 109.8 yards per game) and all-purpose running (1,570 yards, 142.7 per game), and he was sec ond in the nation in scoring (10.4 points per game). He is now one of the nation's top backs. Junior Keith Glanton returns at fullback, but quarterback Jim Bob Taylor must be re placed. Stu Rogers and Ken Escoe are the leading candidates for Taylor's spot. Center Dean Waters and guard Derek Gwinn are the only returning starters on the offensive line, and seniors Stan Sparks, Mark Morgan, Vince Garcia and Peter Blazek will be counted on to fill the holes. The strength in the Tech defense will be the linebacking corps. Senior Rob Horton returns after a 100-tackle season in 1982. Robert Jaracz and Dante Jones both made more than 80 tackles last season. Bobby Hodge and Donnie Chisholm will anchor the defensive line while Mike Travis and Daryl Wise anchor the secondary. For the first time since joining the confer ence, Tech will be eligible for the league crown this season. The Jackets were 2-2 against league foes a year ago, and while Georgia Tech may not challenge for ihe conference crown this season, the Yellow Jackets are looking to be a team of the future. 0th "Sandwich Shop' Sub Station II Has A Variety of Over 23 Sandwiches To Choose From. on any whole sandwich with this coupon offer good through Sept. 12, 1983 Sub Station II 929-SUBS 6 The Daily Tar Heel Football 83-84 fad J iw? ' ws (mew ijaBfce gag as I I W I i setoff j I ??CALADA5H, I J . N.C. 170 mi.' j ... Ai Vt flift1 J Landlubbers I Chap Hill -8S7-M27 iPfJpM? ( V 2MI. . Dinntrs 5-9, 7 Cays A Wttfc univ. j UhkH 11:30-2K Mw.-fri. . 1 Motel r Tney Offer A "Complete Meal On A Bun" and Are Open 7 Days A Week For Ynur nnnvpnienr.ft v 400 W. Franklin St. Across From Bus Station
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Sept. 8, 1983, edition 1
16
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75