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Sports 10 A . ? ?? rtmrr """"" nuiiimmwiiiiwi m wmimmuiiuuiiiiuiua^^ , Wednesday, April 23, 1986 BB ^ ^ai BmHRBb8BR9^\2 Women's trac noticeably ab. The Gamecock published a siory on its heb. 24 trout page about the possibility of forming a USC women's track program soon. As of yet, no movement lias been made in that direction. Of 278 NCAA Division 1 schools, 194 have an outdoor women's track program, 175 have an indoor women's track program and 223 have a female cross country team, according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association's national office, in Kansas. USC is a Division I school and, despite having all three men's track programs, has no "wuitii uatK programs: no outdoor, no indoor and no cross country. Something is definitely wrong here. How can a school with more than 24,000 people and a highly respected athletic department let this sort of tiling continue? The university has been trying to upgrade its image in recent years and to become one of the nation's better schools, and it has accomplished quite a bit. But the larW of a wmn""1' program can only tarnish the desire, as well as deter possible talented athletes from attending this school. A large number of female athletes and runners within the state might want to come to USC and compete. But they look elsewhere because of no women's program to accomodate them, and USC loses. It has been well-documented that there is enough interest in the sport at Carolina, as well as sufficient personnel to coach the women's teams. But Same stude Cocky next By LISA WHITE Staff writer The student who has performed as Cocky this year will return to the position next year, according to USC athletic director Bob Mar cum. The student who plays USC's mascot will graduate in May, but he plans to continue to be Cocky this fall because he will be a graduate student, Marcum said. Cooky's human identity is kept a secret, he said, mainly to preserve a mystique about him. Some people know who Cocky is, such as the cheerleaders and M a r c 11 rri, but e v e n they sometimes forget. "Occasionally he'll have to introduce himself as Focus On runcdtci a> Future Help Prevent / Birth Defects Pep Talk By Jeff Shrewsbury k programs sent at USC there just doesn't seem to be any interest from the people who count the most ? the people that control the checkbook ? the athletic department. The NCAA passed a new qualification for Division I scnoois, requiring them to have eight women's sports programs by 1988. USC has six women's teams. The official word from the athletic department is, "They are discussing it and have not ruled it out." But that doesn't wash. Margaret Simmons, a District Three representative to the NCAA, has said USC could fulfill the new requirements easily and economically by simply adding at least two of the three women's programs. And all three could be added just as easily at no extra cost. The same athletes are used for each sport, so savings could be possible on the amount nf crhnlarchin mAnnw Jllip XUV/llVrJ and funds needed to support the team. No new coaches would be required, as there arc already two who coach men's track programs and could assume the positions. The athletic department refutes that estimate. The bottom line is that a school of USC's size could and should have a program if only the athletic department would consent to shell out the bucks. Whether it is indifference to this nori-revnue sport or just an oversight cnmnltiinn - avi.ivumig should be done to correct it. Jeff Shrewsbury is assistant sports editor of The Gamecock. nt to play semester Cocky before I recognize him," Marcum said. Recently Cocky became the nation's No. 1 mascot in a contest sponsored by Ford Motor Co. Playing the part of the mascot is not an easy job, according to Marcum. Result attpnHino I.IV/Jl ol the major athletic events, Cocky also appears at Gamecock Club meetings and special events around the state. "We get requests for him to appear at events all the time," Marcum said. "He's very popular, especially with children." The student can also receive financial aid for playing Cocky, he said. /V K=~^ 1 1 SmII i ^ (5)1 1 ?ZT~ Players find By CHRIS MOULD Staff writer The USC women's rugby team is open to all comers ? and chances are that if participants live through their first game, they'll be hooked forever. "If you play one game, you'll be back for another one," said team member Stacic Kayscr, a senior in interior design. "Once you start playing, it's like an addiction," said coach Kathy Laterza, known to the team as "La." Rugby is an extremely competitive, fullcontact sport that can get pretty rough at times, but the social aspect of the sport is just as important to the team as the actual game, according to Laterza. -' riiivi nit game, mc nomc team always throws a big party," said team member Anna Hollins' double lil past Golden Eagl From staff reports Dave Hollins' three-run double in the eighth i eighth consecutive win, a 5-3 come-from-b Georgia Southern. The win, Sunday night at Sarge Fryc Field, i overall record to 34-14. The Golden Eagles drt Hollins' game-winning hit also helped relief register the win, improving his record to 3-2. S Rodney Richey, who gave up seven hits and tw third innings of duty. Georgia Southern loaded the bases on walks ii after giving up one run on a single, reliever L< him save or me year by getting the next two bat and a double play. r " ' * jfJ^ELOOi BRAUN, ImJOCENaY C0NC\i$iM6 MtTR phy ^ PmSiqUtTS CLASS, RtKTS A CAE FROM NATIONAL AN [" - INDCPEMDCMT 6TUVV VROJEcr AT kjEA^ MVSOG 8 If you are 18 years or older, you can rent a car from National if you have a valid driver's license, major credit M m card, or I JSC ID card* and cash deposit. i ~ Weekend and weekly rates mJZHDHBRB < ! l available. |BSH 1 purcluise CIH\' .iml return <,ii /<> ( itlumbij M National Car R( 256-7747 937 Assembly Street (Lobby ATTENT1 & I The LOVE i All New 1) | "250.00 Re Speeial Int | No Credit 1 I No Co-signc 1 Speeial Sai I Minimum I I Jan Buy 6 | 1 Tear Afti CALX. FOR AM* We've f> rugby an add White, a senior in personnel management. "Team rivalry is forgotten when the party after the game begins," said Later/a, who is also an exercise physiology graduate student. The players become really good friends during the season. Besides their parties after every game, they practice together twice a week and trnvH ? TU .v/ V/Ul v/l -JUIll ^UIIIO. 1 lit group is close-knit, Laterza said. The team has traveled throughout the Southeast this year. The USC Women's Rugby Football Club, as it is officially called, competed in North Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Virginia this season. Laterza said everyone always has a good time together. She said the team has come a long way since it was first organized in 1980, but has had difficulty recruiting players. Fear of injury or lack of knowledge about ts USC j 4t es, 5-3 j nning lifted (JSC to its ^t|| chind victory against ipped the Gamecocks' jh 5ppcd to 28-19-1. | pitcher Clint Sawyer awycr replaced starter o runs in six and onc11 the ninth inning. But ;e Whatley earned his j pop m ? St?ol belted d-- 0U& RW wiper/w or- rec,inin0 carpeted, i Based on s SIC5 CUS.S WITH A ~ I iD PURSUE* HEV VI I I $799downp ? I $925.58 tota I on approved < I TOLL Fl sntal. hH^H Carolina Inn) BBBBBBHE351 [ON! Graduatin fi A- a xraauaie siaae College Graduate : lovrolet Gars & Trucks bate or No Payment 1* erest Rates Vecessary ?e Needed rings ? SALE PRIJES lown Payment Months Prior To, Or 1 111* Al*e wm ? nuumivii DETAILS 7 y ' /q. 'ot what drives lictive sport the game turn most players away. "I had never even heard of rugby in my a freshman year," said Kayser, who is now an ^ avid player. A lot of girls have the misconception they have to be big and mean to be on the team, but "it takes all different sizes and types of people to play the game," Laterza said. "We need some forwards with size and strength for our scrum, and we also need some smaller girls with good speed to be backs," she said. "I've been playing for about six years, and although I enjoy coaching, I'd much rather be out on the field playing instead of standing on the sidelines," Laterza said. 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