By their own admission, officials at Lehigh University have great fans who have embraced the idea and spirit of good sportsmanship. But in a classic example of being ahead of the curve, Lehigh recently unveiled a unique campaign to reinforce the importance of being good sports.

As part of the campaign, which is entitled "Our House," posterboard-sized signs have been displayed throughout the campus listing the "house rules." In addition, reminders appear in game programs and flash across scoreboards. Also, one student-athlete representing each winter sport recorded a message that is aired on the public address system during the event.

The campaign was the result of collaboration between the Lehigh athletics marketing and promotions staff and the Student-Athlete Council.

"It was a situation where we didn't have problems with our fans," said Jeff Tourial, sports media relations director at the school. "But we wanted to try to reinforce these positive messages that you're here to have a great time, but also keep things positive and cheer for your team as opposed to against the other team."

Tourial said the campaign, which began around the holidays, has been well-received. The school plans to extend the campaign into other sports seasons and will select student-athlete representatives from each of the spring sports to record messages similar to the ones played during the winter sporting events.

Memphis administrators play 'Name that Room'

In early February, the University of Memphis launched a naming-rights campaign with an unusual twist. Unlike similar campaigns where schools are looking to generate funds to finance building projects, Memphis already has the buildings.

"We were just looking for new revenue streams and we've never done much naming at Memphis and it struck us as something our donors would really enjoy and pay a premium for," said Steve Stroud, assistant director of athletics for annual giving at the school.

University officials have identified more than 130 items from which donors may choose. The selection ranges from individual players' lockers at $5,000 each to $1 million for the atrium of the athletics complex.

Other areas designated by the campaign include roadways on the south campus ($500,000), offices of the head football coach and the athletics director ($100,000 each), an indoor practice facility ($250,000), the baseball press box ($50,000) and the offices of most other head coaches ($25,000).

Although it's still early, Stroud said feedback on the drive has been positive.

"We've already had a few people step forward and make verbal pledges," he said.

The campaign will span several years and the funds will go toward the general athletics fund.

National volleyball group offers educational grants

As the saying goes, big things often come in small packages, and it's something to which Pete Dunn can fully attest.

Dunn is president of the United States Volleyball Educational Foundation (USVEF), an organization that offers grants in support of research and educational initiatives that advance the recognition of volleyball.

Among the foundation's current areas of focus are academic studies, research and vocational training; community-service efforts to introduce volleyball to youth; diversity programs; and training opportunities for coaches, players and officials.

In the past, the USVEF has provided assistance to individuals and organizations engaged in research, provided scholarships for coaching training programs, assisted start-up collegiate teams and helped educational-based publications.

The foundation, guided by 15 trustees, gathers annually in May to determine the projects it will fund.

Dunn, a former volleyball official and the first supervisor of officials for the Big Ten Conference, said the group is privately funded by individual gifts ranging between $25 and $500. He said the organization hopes to attract corporate support in the future.

"Our policy is that 90 percent of the money donated goes to grants. The expenses have been donated by the trustees," Dunn said. "If somebody gives some money to us, you can figure we're going to turn it around and give it all away. We're going to grow 10 percent, but 90 percent is going to go to somebody in need."

For more information on the USVEF or to apply for grant assistance, contact Dunn at 651/486-0018.

-- Compiled by Leilana McKindra

Number crunching

Looking back

10 years ago

Here's what was happening within the Association in March 1994:

The bracket for the Division I Women's Basketball Championship expands from 48 to 64 teams. Of the 16 additional entries, only eight are at-large selections, increasing to 32 the number of teams that the committee must select, in addition to the 32 teams that receive automatic qualification for winning conference births.

Former NCAA President Herbert J. Dorricott dies March 14 at the age of 80 after a long bout with diabetes. Dorricott led the Association from 1959 to 1961. He was the faculty athletics representative from his alma mater Western State College of Colorado when he was elected to the NCAA post. Dorricott chaired the NCAA's first Television Committee and served on the NCAA Council before being elected president.

The Big South Conference sues Campbell University to keep it from leaving the league. The conference takes action because Campbell's departure makes the conference ineligible for automatic qualification to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship.

The NCAA national office announces the creation of a new education services group. The five operating areas contained in the group are education resources, professional development, research, sports sciences and youth programs. Janet M. Justus, formerly NCAA director of eligibility, is named director of the new group.

The NCAA News turns 30 this month. The first issue of the News was published in March 1964.

Kenyon College wins the Division III Women's Swimming and Diving Championships for the 11th consecutive year. The string is the longest compiled by any women's team in any division.