THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 11, 1997 TAG: 9702110466
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DOUG DOUGHTY, LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
LENGTH: 42 lines
Antoine Womack, the all-time rusher in the state's largest classification, said Monday that he was prepared to sign with Virginia until complications arose.
``I was real close to signing,'' said Womack, rated the No. 1 prospect in the state by The Roanoke Times. ``That was until people starting using scare tactics on me.''
Womack, a running back from Phoebus High School in Hampton, said fear that U.Va. would be accused of a recruiting violation kept him from signing with the Cavs.
``It's still a battle,'' said Womack, whose other choice is Penn State, the school to whom he originally committed Jan. 17. ``It's like there's a tug of war and I'm in the middle.''
Womack said he was told by unnamed people that the Cavaliers would be reported to the NCAA if he signed with them.
At least one point of contention was the contact Virginia had with a minister who is a friend of Womack's family. Also, the internet is rampant with rumors that Womack received a car or that his mother was offered a job.
``That's what they're saying, but it's not true,'' Womack said. ``They're saying Virginia contacted somebody, but there was not any (illegal) contact that I knew about.
``When I decide where I'm going, it's not going to be anything materialistic. It's going to be a decision from the heart, and me and my heart are having a talk right now.''
Womack, who set a Group AAA record by rushing for 5,570 yards in his career, barely had committed to Penn State when he reportedly asked Virginia to continue to recruit him.
``I did change my mind,'' Womack admitted. ``I went to visit Penn State and, socially, something wasn't right. Socially, Virginia is the greatest, not that I'm going to school for the social life.
``I'm going to school for the football and academics. Everybody knows about Penn State football, but whatever you can do at Penn State, you can do other places.''