The NCAA News - Briefly in the News

November 23, 1997

The legendary "Voice of the Vols" is hanging up his microphone.

John Ward, who has broadcast football games at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, since 1968 and men's basketball since 1965, announced at the beginning of the football season that this would be his final year on the Vol Radio-TV Network.

It will be the final year for color analyst Bill Anderson as well.

"The most important thing to both Anderson and me is to thank Vol Network listeners for their comments, criticism and courtesy throughout the years," Ward said.

Ward has appeared on weekly coaches television shows since 1965, and he also has broadcast Tennessee baseball, track, swimming and tennis events on radio and television. He also did the first network radio broadcasts of Lady Vol basketball games.

The Vol Radio-TV Network is broadcast regionally as well as nationally on 1-800 Teamline USA and through the Internet.

Ward also has covered sports events for ABC, ESPN and other national networks.

"You've heard of people who are legends in their own time, but no one has become more of a beloved legend in his own time than John Ward," said Douglas A. Dickey, Tennessee's director of athletics.

During his broadcasts, Ward is easily recognizable to fans at the games by his now-famous blue towel wrapped around his neck.

The towel is a tradition that began in 1967 during a basketball game with Mississippi State. Ward's broadcasting perch was up in the rafters of Mississippi State's old gym, and there was an open window emitting icy gusts of air.

The game, however, was a real barnburner, and Ward began to lose his voice. A towel was brought up from the Tennessee bench, Ward's voice held out, and the Vols won in triple overtime. Since then it's been a tradition.

Ward did have to opt for a blue towel over the original orange one, though, since his towel kept disappearing. It seems fans thought the orange towels made good souvenirs.

Ward also has created a distinctive style, with phrases that have evolved over the years. His most famous are: "Give him six!" when Tennessee scores a touchdown, and "It's football time in Tennessee!" right before kickoff.

Ward recently received the 1997-98 Lindsey Nelson Award, given to the outstanding collegiate sports announcer in the United States.

Broadcasting Tennessee sports has basically been a hobby for Ward, who is president of his own advertising agency and television production company, Award Productions, in Knoxville.

In 1994, Ward and his wife made the largest financial gift in history to the Tennessee athletics department. The $2 million endowment was earmarked for football and basketball scholarships.

"In many ways, John Ward is the University of Tennessee," said Tennessee President Joseph E. Johnson.

"He's our connection to a whole lot of people every football Saturday and during basketball season. He does a remarkable job."

Squeaker ends streak

After more than five years and 129 consecutive losses, the Coppin State College volleyball team won a match, downing the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, 15-8, 8-15, 8-15, 16-14, 23-21.

Playing recently in their regular-season finale in front of a raucous crowd on senior night, the Lady Eagles notched the program's first victory since October 13, 1993, when it defeated Wilson College.

Freshman Candis Johnson and junior co-captain Sharine Ward led the team. Johnson had a game-high 16 kills, while Ward added 12 kills and 15 assists.

Ward had six kills in game four as the Lady Eagles won a 16-14 decision, sending the match to game five -- uncharted territory for any of the members of the current Coppin State volleyball team.

Coppin had six match points in a wild game five, surviving two Maryland-Eastern Shore match points before sealing the 23-21 win.

"We've been waiting a long time for this, and it feels great to get a win," said first-year head coach Stephanie Ready. "Now we have to work even harder and turn that into some more wins next year."

Coach suffers spinal injury

Don Parker, who had just begun his 22nd season as the wrestling coach at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, suffered a severe spinal injury in a fall from a tree stand last month.

Parker spent 25 days in the hospital, undergoing two surgeries to repair and stabilize the damage that occurred in the area of his No. 4, 5 and 6 vertebrae. He will likely spend the next eight weeks at the Sister Kenney Institute, a rehabilitation center in the Twin Cities area.

Parker's colleagues point to his tireless efforts over the years to encourage young men and young women to believe in themselves and overcome obstacles.

Now that he is in need of some help overcoming an obstacle of his own, Parker's friends and co-workers have established a benefit fund to raise money for his transportation and living accommodations once he returns home.

If you would like to contribute, make your check payable to the Don Parker Benefit Fund and send it to the Royal Credit Union, Don Parker Benefit Fund, 1049 West Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701.

--Compiled by Kay Hawes

Number crunching

The following are some of the players who have broken or are closing in on records during the 1998 football season. All Divisions II and III players are finished statistically for the season (playoffs do not count in statistics).

Division I-A

RECEIVING YARDS

Player, Team -- Yards -- Year

Alex Van Dyke, Nevada -- 1,845 -- 1995

Troy Edwards,

Louisiana Tech -- 1,829 -- 1998

RECEIVING TOUCHDOWNS

Player, Team -- TDs -- Year

Troy Edwards, Louisiana Tech -- 27 -- 1998

Randy Moss, Marshall -- 25 -- 1997

Division I-AA

RUSHING YARDS

Player, Team -- Yards -- Year

Charles Roberts,

Cal St. Sacramento -- 2,260 -- 1998

Arnold Mickens, Butler -- 2,255 -- 1994

Jerry Azumah,

New Hampshire -- 2,195 -- 1998

RECEIVING YARDS

Player, Team -- Yards -- Year

Jerry Rice, Mississippi Val. -- 1,682 -- 1984

Eddie Conti, Delaware -- 1,602 -- 1998

Division II

RUSHING YARDS

Player, Team -- Yards -- Year

Brian Shay, Emporia St. -- 2,265 -- 1998

Anthony Gray,

Western N. M. -- 2,220 -- 1997

RECEIVING YARDS

Player, Team -- Yards -- Year

Chris George, Glenville St. -- 1,876 -- 1993

Barry Wagner,

Alabama A &M -- 1,812 -- 1989

Chris Perry, Adams St. -- 1,719 -- 1995

Kevin Ingram,

West Chester -- 1,673 -- 1998

Division III

PASSING YARDS

Player, Team -- Yards -- Year

Justin Peery,

Westminster (Mo.) -- 4,501 -- 1998

Kirk Baumgartner,

Wis.-Stevens Point -- 3,828 -- 1988

RECEIVING YARDS

Player, Team -- Yards -- Year

Scott Pingel,

Westminster (Mo.) -- 2,157 -- 1998

Scott Hvistendahl,

Augsburg -- 1,860 -- 1998

Sean Munroe,

Mass.-Boston -- 1,693 -- 1992