
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, October 22, 1993                   TAG: 9310220034
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

RADFORD DONS DUDS OF UVA

Radford University's men's soccer players would have given the shirts off their backs Wednesday to have beaten seventh-ranked Virginia. The Highlanders lost the match 2-0 but still had to give their shirts back to the two-time defending NCAA champions.

After Radford arrived in Charlottesville without its uniforms, Virginia coach Bruce Arena quickly made arrangements for the Highlanders to wear some unused Cavaliers road gear, all the way down to their bright orange socks.

The Highlanders, who are experiencing their worst season in Don Staley's seven years as coach, responded by playing one of their best matches of the season.

"The way we played [Wednesday], I'm going to ask Bruce if we can buy those uniforms," Staley said. "At the very least, I want to borrow those orange socks for the rest of the season."

The game's result was a happy ending to a terrible trip for Staley. Problems began when one of Radford's two team vans broke down on Interstate 81 near Christiansburg, less than 10 miles from Radford.

Staley sent for another van, but in the haste to switch vehicles, the uniforms were left behind. The oversight wasn't noticed until the team arrived in Charlottesville.

"It was the most embarrassing moment in my nine years of college coaching," Staley said. "We go to play the classiest program in the country and we have to tell 'em we don't have any uniforms."

Staley offered to forfeit the match or come back to play on a later date, but Arena supplied Radford with blue tops, white shorts and the orange socks.

"[Staley] was upset," Arena said. "He explained the situation and said if he had to forfeit, he'd forfeit . . . We said, `These things happen.'

"We were happy to be able to work it out and play the game. They played well and were able to leave town with pride."

Virginia, which shared the NCAA title in 1989 and won it outright in 1991 and 1992, improved its record to 13-2 with the victory. Radford is 2-12-2.

"I told our guys, `Wearing these uniforms is the closest you'll ever get to winning a national championship,'" Staley said.

by CNB