ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, June 14, 1996 TAG: 9606140046
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: IN THE REGION
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS
Richfood Inc. has dropped its sponsorship of the Colonial Athletic Association men's basketball tournament after seven years, leaving league commissioner Tom Yeager scrambling to find a new sponsor.
``It's the main point of focus right now,'' Yeager said of his search.
Yeager said Thursday that league officials had spoken with representatives of several companies who had expressed an interest in becoming sponsors. The CAA also has talked with current sponsors about increasing their commitments to the tournament, he said.
Richfood contributed about $200,000 per year to the tournament, Yeager said, allowing the league to fund postgraduate scholarships, help teams pay their expenses and supplement the league's 18 other championships.
``Obviously, it has a major impact on the total tournament,'' Yeager said, ``but it means very little to the average fan sitting in the seats.''
Officials at Richfood were unavailable for comment Thursday on why they discontinued their financial support of the tournament.
During Richfood's sponsorship, the CAA held its marquee event at the Richmond Coliseum each year. After years spent bouncing around campus sites, that stability is something Yeager would like to retain.
``I think the Richmond community is interested in keeping the tournament in Richmond,'' he said. ``The general consensus among the nine schools is that Richmond is the best locale for the basketball championship.''
In other college sports in the region:
* Shannan Wilkey, a former Radford University star, has joined the women's basketball coaching staff at West Florida.
Wilkey, who became the No.3 scorer in Highlanders history before completing her career in 1995, spent the past season as an assistant at North Carolina-Asheville. She joins the staff at the Pensacola, Fla., school as an assistant to Megan Henry.
ETC. LaCroix leads
N.C. junior golf event
Brandon LaCroix of Roanoke shot a 2-under-par 70 to grab the first-round lead in his division of the North State Junior Golf Championship in Raleigh, N.C.
Lacroix, playing in the 15- to 18-year-old division, had two birdies and no bogeys to take a one-stroke lead on the 6,700-yard Hedingham Golf Club course.
Andrew Gregory, also from Roanoke, shot an 80. The tournament concludes with 18 holes today.
* A track-record Late Model Stock field is expected for the Star City Auto Parts 300 on Saturday night at Franklin County Speedway.
There will be a $1,000 first prize for the Any Car winner, and rain checks from June 8 will be honored at the Callaway track. Racing begins at 7 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for students and free for children 10 and younger.
LENGTH: Medium: 62 linesby CNB