Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 30, 1993 TAG: 9309300057
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Tech coach Frank Beamer said he spent 15 to 20 minutes with McComas on Wednesday afternoon and presented him with a Hokies jersey bearing McComas' name on the back.
"We wanted him to know we were thinking about him," Beamer said.
Beamer and Tech's athletic director, Dave Braine, expressed sadness that McComas had to step down.
"Personally, I hurt for Dr. McComas and his wife," Braine said. "Our heart goes out to him."
Braine praised McComas' opposition to $46.7 million of state budget cuts in 1989 and 1990. McComas took over at Tech in '88.
"[He is] a man who I think had a great deal of courage and integrity, both, during very tough times," Braine said. "He came here thinking he was going to be in a great situation . . . and six months after he took the job, he finds out, `This is not what I thought.' He's been fighting for his life ever since."
McComas, who was president at Mississippi State from 1975-86, brought a Division I-A athletics background to Tech.
"He knows more about college athletics than any president I've ever worked with," said Braine, whose resume includes stops at Georgia Tech, Virginia, Fresno State and Marshall. "We will miss him. He knows what it takes to be successful and he has a great deal of patience and understanding."
Tech's administration backed Beamer last year when there were rumors he might not be retained after a 2-8-1 record in his sixth season. Now, Tech is 3-1 for the first time since Beamer arrived in 1987.
"He understood all the good things that were happening [and indicated], `Just hang in there and the wins will come,' " Beamer said.
Beamer said several times each season McComas wrote him "encouraging" letters that "meant a lot." Apparently, Tech football means something to McComas, too.
"He's just looking forward to seeing some more games down the road," Beamer said. "It was all very encouraging. He wanted me to save him some tickets."
by CNB