Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 19, 1994 TAG: 9410190066
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: CHAPEL HILL, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
As if the rivalry between No.15 North Carolina and No.25 Virginia isn't heated enough, the Cavaliers (5-1, 3-1 ACC) probably wish they hadn't printed a media guide with a cover drawing of a Virginia player tackling a North Carolina player.
Copies of the brochure found their way into the Tar Heel locker room this week, prompting laughter from some North Carolina players preparing for this weekend's Atlantic Coast Conference showdown with the Cavaliers.
``You could take it as a slap, but then again you can take it as a sign of respect too,'' North Carolina linebacker Mike Morton said Tuesday. ``If [Virginia] thinks that much of us to put us on their cover, then that's a compliment.''
The Virginia media brochure cover is laced with symbolism.
First, the North Carolina player being tackled is wearing No.13. The Tar Heels (5-1, 2-1) certainly have been unlucky at Virginia, losing the last six in Charlottesville.
Secondly, the player named on the jersey is a fictitious one named Lowe. Last year's 17-10 loss to the Cavaliers cost North Carolina a major bowl bid and is described by many Tar Heel players as the team's low point of 1993.
``I don't think it is a negative,'' said North Carolina coach Mack Brown, referring to the cover. ``I think [Virginia coach] George Welsh is one of the nicest people in this business. He's obviously one of the best football coaches, and I like him. I don't like him beating us every year. I sure would not think George Welsh would have done something that he thought would have excited our football team.
Welsh said at his Monday news conference that he didn't approve of the cover, but it was too late to make a change when he saw it for the first time.
by CNB