ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, July 6, 1996 TAG: 9607080029
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: IN THE REGION
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS
Former Virginia Tech punter Robbie Colley has signed a free-agent contract with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Colley, who had a tryout last summer with the San Francisco 49ers, spent the 1995 season with the Roanoke Rush of National Minor League Football. Colley averaged 45.7 yards per kick for the Rush, keeping his skills sharp.
``It meant I could keep my dream alive,'' said Colley, who completed his Tech career in 1994. ``The Rush was there for me when there was nothing else.''
Now, the Tazewell native is taking his dream to Tampa, Fla.
``It will be up to me. If I don't perform the way I should, then things won't be what I wish,'' Colley said. ``But if I perform well, I will be on the very top of a dream.''
He will travel to Tampa for the start of preseason workouts Monday.
In other sports news in the region:
* Tommy Allie will be seeking his eighth consecutive Pure Stock victory tonight in the Dooley Printing/Haynes 200 at New River Valley Speedway. Allie has won nine of 11 races this season at the Radford track.
Clay Highberger is coming off his first victory of the year in the Late Model Stocks, a division dominated by points leader Jeff Agnew. Second-place Tony McGuire trails Agnew by 96 points.
All classes will be running, with the gates opening at 1:30 p.m., practice beginning at 3:30 and racing starting at 8. Free Winston Simulator rides will be given from 2 p.m. until racing begins, and fans are reminded to bring Winston/R.J. Reynolds wrappers to redeem for Winston merchandise.
LENGTH: Short : 38 linesby CNB