The NCAA News - Briefly in the News

May 6, 1996

• Getting locals into lacrosse
• Coach recovering
• Hitting the books
• A batty idea
• Looking back

Getting locals into lacrosse

Nancy Bilger is trying to sell women's lacrosse to the citizens of Snyder County, Pennsylvania. In the process, she is meeting a number of goals.

Bilger is the first-year coach at Susquehanna University and would like to bring the excitement she enjoyed as a standout player at Old Dominion University to the Susquehanna Valley in coming years.

She has taken her players into area schools and even a local homeless shelter to introduce youngsters to a relatively unknown game in the area.

"The idea behind this program is to familiarize people in this area with the game of lacrosse," she said. "Many of the people around here have never seen lacrosse, or if they have, it was just men's lacrosse on TV. I think it's just as important to be exposed to the women's game.

"In addition to it being a good community-awareness program, I also think it's good for young people to see some women role models. I think it's also valuable for elementary students to see women playing and enjoying a sport like lacrosse, and know that it's something they can play."

Coach recovering

University of Wisconsin, Madison, women's basketball coach Jane Albright-Dieterle is recovering from a subarachnoid hemorrhage, or bleeding over the surface of the brain.

Albright-Dieterle, suffering from a severe headache, was hospitalized after her team's annual awards banquet April 13.

"I am feeling better and better, and have been resting very well," Albright-Dieterle said soon after being hospitalized. "I would like to express my deepest thanks for everyone's continued care, support, prayers and remembrances."

Albright-Dieterle's condition improved after her hospitalization and the coach was released from St. Mary's Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, April 21.

Hitting the books

A group of Montclair State University student-athletes found that "hitting the books" could be hot and sweaty work.

Some 30,000 volumes in the university's main library were moved to a temporary facility March 29 to make room for a major renovation project. Eleven student-athletes participated in "Books on Parade," in which the student-athletes boxed thousands of books and hauled them into 50 vehicles lined up outside the library.

"It's fun helping out with something like this, to be part of what is a huge endeavor," said Dan Garrett, a senior cocaptain on the football team. "When we're done, it looks like my workout for today will be finished."

Rose Cali, a university board member and chair of its "Volunteers for the Library" committee, said the feat would not have been as easily accomplished without the efforts of the student-athletes.

"We may have been there for five or six more hours if it weren't for these great students," Cali said. "What a great help they were."

A batty idea

The high-pitched 'ting' of aluminum bats is a familiar ingredient at college baseball games. But West Texas A&M University and Lubbock Christian University agreed to change the tune for their game April 23 -- they brought some wood.

Both teams used wooden bats exclusively during the game.

"We, as a team, decided to take Lubbock Christian up on its offer to use wooden bats for the game," West Texas A&M coach Todd Howey said before the game. "I have never been involved in a game where both teams use exclusively wooden bats. The game doesn't have an impact on the conference race, yet it will present a challenge. However, it will not be all that new because most of our (student-athletes) are using wooden bats in batting practice."

In the end, Lubbock Christian got more good wood on the ball, winning, 12-3.

-- Compiled by Ronald D. Mott

Looking back

5 years ago: Officers of the NCAA Presidents Commission determine during hearings May 9, 1991, in Dallas that there is general support in the NCAA membership for strengthening academic requirements for athletics eligibility. The Commission officers hear comments from representatives of 10 constituent organizations, including faculty athletics representatives, athletics administrators, conference commissioners and coaches. The officers ask the NCAA Academic Requirements Committee to review refinements, modifications and additional reforms suggested during the hearings and present final recommendations to the Commission in June 1991. (The NCAA News, May 15, 1991)

10 years ago: The NCAA Executive Committee approves a protocol May 5-6, 1986, for the Association's new drug-testing program for individuals and teams competing in NCAA championships. The committee also approves additions to a list of banned substances and approves guidelines for distribution to member institutions considering implementation of on-campus drug-testing programs. (The NCAA News, May 7, 1986)

20 years ago: The NCAA reports that only one Association rule (relating to the eligibility of foreign student-athletes) has been challenged successfully in more than 30 completed court cases from 1971 to 1976. Litigation during that period cost the NCAA a total of $647,313 in legal fees and court costs. (NCAA News, May 15, 1976)

25 years ago: William R. Reed, commissioner of the Big Ten Conference, dies in May 1971, after a long illness. Reed organized the first central office of the NCAA in 1946, served as an executive assistant to NCAA officers and was the first paid employee of the Association. (NCAA News, May 15, 1971)