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Show STATESMAN From Page 7 7 and it would help the homesickness. The fact that Utah State's program is new was also something that appealed to Richards. "I like the idea that it's a new program," she said. "We're going to be writing the books for the women's basketball history here. It's cool to be in the path of progress and to be able to see it while I'm here." As much as Richards enjoys playing basketball, she doesn't see herself doing it much after she graduates. "There is a future, I'm sure, with basketball if I wanted to go beyond," she said. "[But] getting a degree and a career with that degree is what I'm going to live off, not basketball, for my whole life." Richards, an elementary education major, has always wanted to be a teacher and work with little kids. She said when she was little and would "play school" she would always want to be the teacher, never the student. She said that as a teacher she feels like she could be someone for the kids to come talk to - a possible outlet for kids who don't get everything they need in their homes. Richards is looking forward to the rest of the season with her new team. One of the Aggies' main strengths is their team focus, she said. Something Richards likes. "We're very team-oriented," Richards said. "We all know its only going to work if we work together. The team comes first for everyone. "Everyone's personality is awesome, so many different girls. There's no one on this team that I don't enjoy their company." ~aedmunds@cc.usu.edu "SANTA-SIZE" her Christmas gift It doesn't have to cost a lot to do something special for Christmas. We have silver gifts starting at less than $50 and we have many things for under $ 100 - from pearls to diamonds, rubies to sapphires, Stephanies Diamonds helps Christmas sparkle like no other! &FINE WEDNESDAY, DEC. 8,2004 Urban renewal begins at Florida RICHARDS DIAMONDS SPORTS BY MARK LONG The Associated Press GAINESVILLE, Fla. Urban Meyer s eyes widened as he looked around Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. He saw references to the school's six Southeastern Conference titles, two Heisman Trophy winners and the 1996 national championship. It wasn't his first trip to The Swamp, but it sure felt different. This was home now. "This is a place you can put your feet down hopefully for a long time " Meyer said. The former Utah coach toured the Florida campus Tuesday and met his new team for the first time since agreeing to a seven-year, $14 million contract last week. He also was normally introduced as the Gators' next coach. And he said all the right things. He talked about exceeding expectations, praised coach Steve Phil Sandlin/The Associated Press Spurrier, said he has no aspirations to coach in the FLORIDA'S NEW HEAD football coach Urban Meyer speaks to the media NFL and even took shots Tuesday in Gainesville, Fla. He is replacing Ron Zook. at rivals Florida State and Tennessee. photo of Meyer on both Meyer said. "I didn't tell the scoreboards wearing an recruits that, but it is a heck "In this profession, this is orange and blue Gators jack- of a place." the premier job in the counet. try," he said. "You have a He knew plenty about chance to win right away, It wasn't his first trip to Florida even before then you play in a great conferGainesville. That came in the because he watched the ence, you have all the late 1990s, when he was Spurrier-coached Gators resources you need and you working as receivers coach at every chance he got. have the top recruits in your Notre Dame. "I fell in love with the way backyard." He had been charged with they played, the way they recruiting Florida and was walked, the way they talked, Although Meyer will driving north to Lake City to the way they took the field, coach the fifth-ranked Utes visit a player when he decid- the way they came off the against No. 19 Pittsburgh in ed to stop by the university. field, the way they scored the Fiesta Bowl, he already He wanted to see the school points," Meyer said. "Coaches has started working for the several big-time recruits would be lying if they said Gators. He called recruits were choosing over the Irish. they watched the University over the weekend and started what will be a difficult What was supposed to be of Florida play under coach Spurrier and didn't get excitmonth of transitionfromone an hour diversion turned ed. If I saw them coming program to the other. into two. across TV, I made sure I sat "I think I still have the He spent the weekend celdown and watched them play parking ticket," he said. "I'm ebrating his team's Bowl because of their swagger. glad I know the president I Championship Series berth, had dinner with Florida ath- might be able to get it taken "It's a lot like when the care of." letic director Jeremy Foley Yankees take the field. on Monday and flew to People stop what they're He walked through camGainesville on a private jet doing when the Yankees take pus, making his way to the with his wife and three chilthe field. When coach stadium, and was surprised dren Tuesday morning. Spurrier had this thing to find he could walk right cranked up, everyone in. So he quickly made his Then he got a complete stopped what they were way to the 50-yard line. tour, capped by his visit to "I called my wife and said, doing and watched Florida the recently renovated stadiplay" um that displayed an altered 'Now I can understand,'" UNIVERSITY OF WRESTLING From Page 7 7 type program," he said. "However, we also offer an opportunity for recreation to anyone interested in wrestling." The team will compete against teams like Weber State, who also has a new wrestling team, Utah, and some Division II or Junior College teams, Ripplinger said. The team will have three matches between January and March and their home matches will be in the Spectrum, Ripplinger said. After those matches their will be a Regional Qualifying Tournament in California, where the top three wrestlers in each weight class will move on to Nationals, Ripplinger said. JEWELRY 575 East 1400 North, Suite #130 • Logan • 753-3050 University Village Shopping Center, next to Lee's Marketplace Ripplinger said because it is a club team, the members are responsible for a lot of their own funding. While no fundraising events are planned, Ripplinger said he is hopeful of getting plenty of local sponsorships. Ripplinger said Utah, per capita, is a great wrestling state and it is important that those with talent that didn't want to leave the state continue wrestling. For more information on the wrestling team or to have any questions answered contact Brandon Ripplinger at aggiewrestling@yahoo.com. -krn@cc.usu.edu Student Specials! ' I P1 Winter $39.95 Maintenance Special Reg. • Battery Service $59.95 • Flush cooling system set to "Fast, antifreeze -40° Friendly • Starter Check Service" •Belts • Hoses • Wiper Blades • Defrost • Sen/ice Battery • Tire Pressure • Drive Axles & C.V. Boots • Headlights/Clearance lights With coupon. 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