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Show !MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 1999 UNIVERSITY JOURNAL SPORTS PAGE 17 I First game canceled due to NCAA rule BY JASEN ASAY • JOURNAL SPORTS EDITOR Gregory said that he felt worse for the families of the players who were traveling a. long distance to see the game. They couldn't be notified that the game was canceled since they were traveling by plane. They didn't find out until it was too late, and they were already here. Even though the team says their disappointed that they didn't get to play, they say their glad that they are still clean in the eyes of the NCAA Now the team is trying to schedule an 11th game for the season. Gregory says that an 11th game is important because :1 with out it, all of the team's \ statistics will be for one less game than other teams. He said that the problem with getting a game scheduled so late is that teams may not be willing to travel here So, SUU will have ~ to go there, which would cost z g; more money. SUU has two open dates to try u:: and schedule another game for, J: ~ Oct. 30 and Nov. 20. ~ The team says that they are trying they've to find the good out of the ._____________________._____.L..-1 hand been dealt. 30, when both teams had a bye week. But, WMC would not agree to the date. "By canceling the game we are in full compliance with NCAA regulations and are still eligible for playoff consideration," Bishop said. "We are very disappointed for our fans and our players, but feel this It was a disappointing weekend for the SUU football team and its fans as Friday afternoon word spread around campus that the opening game set for the next night against Western Montana was canceled. SUU Athletic Director Jack Bishop said he was notified Thursday afternoon that if the . game went on as scheduled , SUU would be violating an NCAA rule. The 18-month-old NCAA rule 17.10.3 states that NCAA Division I and II schools can't play a regular season game before the Thursday preceding Labor Day. The only exceptions are the games considered preseason classics, which this was not. According to Bishop, the previous rule said that the first game could be played the weekend before Labor Day weekend, which would have been when the game was to have taken place. Bishop said that someone read about the game on the Internet This was the sight at Eccles Coliseum on what was to be opening day, 1999. "We'll survive," said Gregory. and called the NCAA, who also made a few phone calls to find out "We'll play next week, and the what was going on. is the right decision to maintain the integrity of the week after. We still have more games.· "We didn't foresee that it would be a problem,• said He also added , "We'll hope for the rest of the program. I think we have a great football team this Bishop. "I feel I'm the responsible party and I take full season there's no more cancelations." year and this decision was made with their interests blame.· at heart." Madsen says that this set back might even help the Bishop says that as soon as he heard about the team, and keep squad members ready to play well. Western Montana is a member of the NAIA, not the problem, he worked non-stop to try to remedy it, even NCAA, so it would not have been affected. "We're pretty anxious to hit another team. We're asking the NCAA to let the game go on. tired of knocking each other," he said. "I'm disappointed that we didn't get to play,· said But, he said he was told that SUU would be Head Coach C. Ray Gregory. "The players worked With everything already done, team members say penalized by being allowed to play only 1O games real hard to get ready for the game.· they know that they have to put this behind them, and next year, and possibly other penalties involving · "It's been something that we've been looking move on. Ft. Lewis is coming to town on Saturday scholarships, recruiting and post season play. forward to since February," said fullback Brook "It's like a bad episode of [the TV show} 'Coach,'" SUU officials tried rescheduling the game for Oct. Madsen. said Gregory. "But we'll roll with it." .. 3 f Adams is named Softballers ready to swing GTE All-American Southern Utah University's played most of the season at Sarah Adams has been named designated player and was to this year's GTE Academic elected to the squad at that All-America Women's Softball position. In addition to leading team. the team in hitting , Adams was Adams, a senior from Tempe, first on the squad in RBI (20), Ariz., was voted to slugging (.404), ·total the second team in bases (64) and onballoting conducted base percentage by a panel of (. 376) and was members of the second in doubles College Sports (six) and triples Information (three). Directors of "We're very proud America. She to have Sarah on carried a the squad," SUU cumulative grade Associate Director point average of of Athletics Kathryn 3.657 in physical Berg said. "Any time education. you have someone named to an AllAdams was the SUU's leading American team, Sarah Adams hitter this season your school can be with a .329 average while proud, particularly when it is as play.ing designated player, prestigious a team as the GTE shortstop and catcher. Adams Academic All-America team.· The softball team at SUU might look a little different this year. That's because there are only three players returning from last year's team. With 10 players graduating , and a few others not playing again this year, the team will be facing some major changes. "We have a very new team, but not necessarily an inexperienced team," said Head Coach Laurel Simmons. She said that the team has four transfers from junior colleges, and four freshmen that she said she expects to make a difference in the team for four years. Last year, the team had a · disappointing season in regard to its record , but • Simmons looks back on the positive. "Besides getting knocked around like a pinball , we wanted to get an idea where the team stood ," said Simmons. Since it was the first vear for the former University of Utah star as coach, she said she didn't know that much about the players she was coaching. She said that by playing top 20 teams, she was able to see what "The primary goal for this team this year is team unity , and to help them learn our strategy and philosophy," said Simmons. The players will also face the challenge of playing tough teams Simmons said that this season they will play a · heavy schedule against top teams. Simmons said she doesn't think it will be intimidating for her players, since many of them have been teammates with players at top schools. This fall, the team will play in some round robin tournaments. On Sept. 18 and 19, the Lady 'Birds will be .in Ft. Collins, Colo., playing • against Colorado State, BYU and University of Utah. An all-Utah tournament is set for Sept. 25 in Salt Lal<e Laurel Simmons City, where University of situation the team was in, and Utah, BYU , Utah State, and what help was needed . SUU w ill play one another. With an almost new team, The team is having open the players will have to adjust try-outs today to fill the roster to one other. at 3 o.m. at the softball fields. \ I. |