THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Saturday, October 14, 1995             TAG: 9510140432
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: C5   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY DOUG DOUGHTY, LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE 
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                    LENGTH: Short :   42 lines

U.VA.'S NOLAN REINSTATED TO BASKETBALL TEAM BY NCAA

After much concern that he would sit out the first semester for academic reasons, Virginia forward Norman Nolan has been reinstated to the team by the NCAA.

Nolan qualified for one of several exceptions to the NCAA's so-called ``75-25'' rule, which requires that a student-athlete earn at least 75 percent of his required credit hours during the regular term.

The sophomore would have had difficulty winning his appeal without the support of the dean's office, which considered his summer-school performance.

``I think my parents played a major role in getting me focused,'' said Nolan. ``I spent 2 1/2 weeks there (after school) and talked. It was like a 360-degree turnaround.''

Nolan put forth the necessary effort at summer school and was rewarded Sept. 29, when the NCAA restored his eligibility. He is the odds-on choice to start for the Cavaliers at power forward.

``I have very, very high expectations for Norman,'' U.Va. coach Jeff Jones said at a news conference Friday, called in conjunction with the start of practice Sunday. ``It may not happen overnight. It may not be this year, but I fully expect Norman to be an outstanding player.''

Nolan averaged 2.6 points and 2.2 rebounds last year as backup to Junior Burrough.

Jones said he doesn't know if Nolan can match the 31.7 minutes Burrough played, but he thinks Nolan could surpass Burrough's rebounding average (8.7).

``In terms of offense, he's clearly our best inside scoring threat,'' Jones said. ILLUSTRATION: Virginia sophomore forward Norman Nolan averaged 2.6 points and

2.2 rebounds last season.

by CNB