Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 4, 1994 TAG: 9411040065
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV11 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Perhaps sensitive to charges that the program is out of step with the rest of the school (a situation by no means exclusive to Christiansburg), Blue Demons coach Mike Cole and a former assistant coach, Chris Robinson, earlier this year cooked up a scheme in which faculty members could volunteer to serve for the week of a home game as what would be called an ``honorary coach.''
Cole didn't have in mind turning over his headphones and clipboard to the home economics teacher while he sat in the stands and ate popcorn. But the notion was that selected teachers might help run a few drills, pass out an encouraging word or two, and basically soak up the fragrant atmosphere of the football sidelines and dressing quarters.
``They get to see us coaches in a different light and we and the players can see them in a different light,'' Cole said.
For a while, the question was, what would they do if they threw a volunteer coach program and nobody came?
The response both surprised and touched them.
Conscripts came from the library; they came from the biology lab; they came from seminars on bicameral legislature. In all, seven teachers have served a tour of duty and three more, Kim Rogers, Molly Prillaman and Lisa Holland - special education teachers all - will be on the sidelines tonight when the Blue Demons entertain Northside.
The others who have already taken a turn are Meg Peterson (librarian), Gail Graham (history and government), Rhonda Reynolds (business), Donna Rush (history and government), Carl Pauli (biology), Jon Osterholm (science) and Regina Meredith (English).
Some arrived with a preconceived notion or two and left with different ideas.
``I think that athletics are overemphasized and I still do,'' Pauli said. ``But I was very impressed by how organized the coaches are - they have schedules that go down to the minute - and how very hard they work. The stipends they earn aren't enough.''
Others made strong impressions. Meredith, a diminutive 5-footer, caused a sensation by making successful catches of every pass thrown to her as she warmed up the quarterbacks in throwing drills.
``I guess growing up with three brothers, you learn all kinds of rough sports,'' she said.
At least one of the rookie coaches renewed old acquaintances.
``I taught Mike Cole at Blacksburg High - he was a very good student in my freshman Spanish class - and I wanted to see how he worked as a coach,'' Peterson said.
The volunteers worked with the team Wednesday and Thursday the week of the game and then spent Friday afternoon with the players at the pregame meal and other activities leading up to the game itself. That night, there they were, resplendent in their blue and gold T-shirts emblazoned with ``Honorary Coach,'' stalking the sidelines.
Nice idea, and a novel one. Looks like it's going to be a long-term hit, too.
``I'd like to do it again next year,'' said Pauli, who never coaches or even played in team sports before.
Why let it stop there? Perhaps this is a idea whose time has come everywhere and it can work both ways. Send those coaches out as visiting lecturers.
Some suggestions:
Now that we know that Cole has some foreign language expertise, he could make Spanish class appearances. Conjugating verbs wouldn't be a problem, but he might have to go easy on the chewing tobacco when it came to reading the text.
You might have Blacksburg basketball coach Bob Trear holding forth to a philosophy class. Those who have ever heard his postgame remarks know that deep thoughts beyond the grasp of ordinary men come as naturally to him as lay-up drills.
Or Joel Hicks, the Pulaski County football boss, could lecture on military history. He'd have to concentrate on the infantry, though. Based on football evidence gathered over many years, air power holds small allure for him.
Giles football coach Steve Ragsdale could engage a public speaking class. He'll have to be careful, though. The taxpayers may object if students inflamed by the famous Ragsdale oratory exited the classroom by running through the wall.
Finally, Norman Lineburg at Radford could try his hand with a drafting class. Anybody known to have drawn up football plays on a church bulletin, as Lineburg has, would be a natural.
Ray Cox is a Roanoke Times & World-News sportswriter.
by CNB