DATE: Tuesday, September 9, 1997            TAG: 9709090405

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   94 lines

GETTING HER HANDS DIRTY VA. TECH'S INTERIM AD PUTS NO LIMITS ON DUTIES

Sharon McCloskey likes to say she's worked her way from the ground up at Virginia Tech - literally.

As a student, she was on the grounds crew that re-sodded Lane Stadium. She also served as a manager on the women's basketball team. Bill Dooley hired McCloskey full-time as a football receptionist in 1984. She has progressed through the ranks, serving as football recruiting secretary, recruiting coordinator, football travel coordinator, assistant athletic director and then senior associate athletic director.

When Dave Braine left for Georgia Tech in June, McCloskey completed the climb from the ground to the top rung within the Hokies' athletic department - temporarily at least - when she was named interim athletic director. There is widespread sentiment at Tech that the ``interim'' label should be removed from her title.

``It's amazing she would have as much support as she does after having been here as long as she has,'' Tech football coach Frank Beamer said. ``Usually you make a few enemies along the way. But she has the support of most of the head coaches and of the other people in the building here. I think it says a lot that all of these people she's known and worked with think a lot of her.''

McCloskey doesn't think too much of herself to snub the menial chores that would be below most high-ranking administrators. That is part of her appeal.

The Hokies were short on managers for their opener at Rutgers and needed someone to tote the headset cord for graduate assistant coach Daniel Ferrell. Guess who did it? McCloskey laughed when asked before the game how many

Division I-A athletic directors spend their football Saturday's trailing along behind an assistant coach to make sure his cord doesn't get tangled up or trip someone along the sideline.

``Probably not a lot, you probably shouldn't print this,'' McCloskey said. ``But if they need a hand, I'm going to do it.''

Two years ago when the Cassell Coliseum roof was leaking, a volleyball court had to be set up for a match at the indoor tennis complex. But the grounds crew was short-staffed with three people out sick. Guess who filled the void?

``Sometimes it's nice to get out of the office and do something physical,'' McCloskey said. ``It keeps you in touch with the whole situation.

``When you work your way up through the system, then you have an appreciation for each person at each level in the organization and what they do and what kind of problems they have.''

McCloskey, 41, wasn't sure initially she wanted to be Braine's successor. She felt overwhelmed the first few weeks in the AD's chair.

The 1979 Tech graduate said she was on an emotional roller-coaster as she weighed her chances. But she has become more comfortable in the position, and has formally applied for it.

``I felt if I didn't go for this, I'd regret it the rest of my life,'' McCloskey said.

If she gets it, she will join a select group of just six other women who are athletic directors at the 112 Division I-A schools. According to Jennifer Alley, the executive director of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators, the other six I-A athletic departments run by women are Maryland, Washington, Tulane, Tulsa, Ball State and Northern Illinois.

All the Tech head coaches signed a letter addressed to the university president trumpeting McCloskey. A Roanoke Times columnist has written that the search for Tech's next AD need not search any further than down the hall. Even some athletes have gotten behind McCloskey.

``I just feel like it's a no-brainer,'' said Hokies' center Todd Washington, who told McCloskey he hoped she gets the job. ``There's no need to have a big discussion or meeting about it. She has been there, she has done many jobs and done them all very well. She should be the next AD.

``She tells you like it is. She's straight-forward. That's what we need. I feel like she can do a great job. I know a lot of people don't want a female AD. But they've got to overlook that and look at how well she performs. She has performed very well, so they should give it to her - just give it to her.''

That's not the way it's going to work. President Paul Torgersen appointed a search committee when Braine left, and he expects interviews to begin within the next month.

A decision is at least a couple of months away, Torgersen said, adding there is no hurry because McCloskey is in control.

``It's fair to her that we look at other candidates and look at her in comparison to others to determine if she's the right person,'' Torgersen said.

Although McCloskey doesn't have the experience other candidates may, Beamer said that should not be a hindrance.

``I always go back to Paul Torgersen didn't have experience, he was an interim president,'' Beamer said. ``Now that Dr. Torgersen has been president of the university, I don't think anybody would have any second thoughts about whether or not he should be president. To me it's the same way with Sharon. She hasn't had actual experience, but she'll attack it at full speed.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]

ALAN KIM

Sharon McCloskey carried the headset cord for graduate assistant

coach Daniel Ferrell Saturday. Would many - or any - other Division

I athletic directors do the same? ``Probably not a lot, you

probably shouldn't print this. But if they need a hand, I'm going to

do it.''

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