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Volleyball takes one more loss with coach’s unexpected bow-out m_■ m, m .jsl---■ i CHARLIE DAVENPORT/THE GAMECOCK Volleyball coach Kim Hudson huddles with her team during a match this season. Hudson coached the Gamecocks for 12 seasons. By MIQUELJACOBS STAFF WRITER Former USC football coach Lou Holtz is not the only coach out of the door as the Carolina community accepted another resignation from a first-class head coach. Kim Hudson, mentor of the volleyball team, announced her resignation Thursday afternoon in an unexpected twist to conclude the season. After 12 years guiding the Gamecocks, Hudson departs as the school’s all-time winningest coach with 226 victories. The decision to resign was not one that was foreshadowed or expected. As last season’s team had no seniors on the roster, there was plenty of optimism regarding the state of the team. However, that opportunity will be dealt to another coach, one whose first action as coach will be to check the morale of the players. Team captain Sarah Morgan, a junior outside hitter, responded to the resignation as caught off guard by the decision. Speaking for herself, she did not believe that any players knew of the upcoming decision. “I was surprised. I don’t think that anyone had any idea,” Morgan said. Following successful stints at West Texas State, Northern Arizona, and Carolina, Hudson commented that while she enjoyed coaching and being around players, it was time to tend to the goals that she had been neglecting while coaching. She thanks the administration, the fans, and USC athletics director Mike McGee for their continued support throughout her time at Carolina. “I cannot say enough good things about the University of South Carolina,” Hudson said. “Coaching here has been a terrific experience. I could not have asked for better support from the administration and fans. I have other goals that have been neglected over the years and it is time to focus on achieving those goals and challenges. It truly has been a great ride at Carolina. It’s been a great place to work.” Carolina sports information reported in late November the dismissal of players Katelyn Panzau and Caitlin Withers after an unspecified violation of team rules. Morgan reaffirmed Hudson’s remarks and ruled out team problems as having an affect on the decision. “Her decision to leave was entirely based on personal reasons. There were things that she wanted to do and we support her. The team new why (the players were dismissed) and it was a decision that we understood.” The South Carolina volleyball program flourished under the guidance of Hudson, a former SEC Coach of the Year. Taking over in 1993, she guided the Gamecocks to six NCAA Tournament appearances. Carolina only had one appearance before then. “Kim Hudson has done a terrific job as our volleyball coach,” USC Athletic Director Mike McGee said. “She took over a program that was down and brought it to a high level of respectability not only in the SEC, but . nationally, as well. On behalf of Gamecock athletics, I’d like to thank her for a job well done and we wish her all the best.” Next season’s team returns three seniors, four juniors, and three sophomores, a core group of players with intentions to regain the elite status established by Hudson. Despite being surprised by the loss of the coach, Morgan hopes that the team takes the positive experiences learned from Hudson and relays them into success next season. “I don’t anticipate anyone leaving,” Morgan said, noting that the team hasn’t met since the decision has been made. “(Coach Hudson) was a great teacher, not only on the court but off the court. She was a mentor and a great person to be around. It’s (upsetting) that Nicole Miller and I won’t be able to play our last years with her because of who she was. We’re going to miss her.” Comments on this story ? E-mail gamecocksports@gwm.sc. edu MLB revamps policies By BOB BAUM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — With some of its biggest stars under suspicion and lawmakers demanding action, Major League Baseball adopted a tougher steroid-testing program that will suspend first-time offenders for 10 days and randomly testi players year-round. The agreement was hailed by baseball management and its union Thursday as a huge step forward but was criticized by some as not going far enough because the penalties are less harsh than those in Olympic sports and amphetamines were not banned. “I’ve been saying for some time that my goal for this industry is zero tolerance regarding steroids,” commissioner Bud Selig said. A first positive test would result in a penalty of 10 days, a second positive test in a 30-day ban, a third positive in a 60 day penalty, and a fourth positive test in a one-year ban — all without pay. A player who tests positive a fifth time would be subject to discipline determined by the commissioner. “It’s more for our protection than anything else,” Boston pitcher Tim Wakefield said. Under the previous agreement, a first positive test resulted only in treatment, and a second positive test was subject to a 15-day suspension. Only with a fifth positive test would a player subject to a one-year ban. No player was suspended for steroid use in 2004, the first season of testing with penalties. “We’re acting today to help restore the confidence of our fans,” Selig said. Since the old agreement was reached in 2002, baseball has come under increased scrutiny about steroids. Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield testified before a federal grand jury investigating the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative known as BALCO. President Bush mentioned the steroid problem in last year’s State of the Union address. “1 will be surprised if over time this doesn’t take care of the problem virtually completely,” union head Donald Fehr said, speaking by telephone from Los Angeles. “I just hope it’s the Cadillac of all policies because that’s what major league baseball needs. There’s no doubt we have a problem,” St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. The old deal wasn’t due to expire until December 2006, but the union took the rare step of renegotiating a major section of its labor contract. The new rules run until December 2008. “It appears to be a significant breakthrough,” Sen. John McCain said in Washington. McCain, who had threatened baseball with legislation, said that is no longer necessary, though he would have preferred a 10- to 15-game suspension for a first offense and a permanent ban for multiple positive tests. “I would have liked to see amphetamines added to this list,” McCain said. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson commended players and owners. “Not only is this good for the game and for the sport in general, but professional athletes are role models to millions of youth and aspiring athletes across the country,” Thompson said, “and this step shows that the long-term health consequences do not outweigh any short-term gain.” Still, it wasn’t good enough for World Anti-Doping Agency chairman Dick Pound, a member of the International Olympic Committee since 1978. “Basically, instead of havirjg to hold up the liquor store five times before you get a one-year suspension, you only have to hold it up four times,” he said. “But at least there’s some penalty incurred the first time that you’re tested, and that’s a step forward.” In addition to one mandatory test each season, players will be randomly selected for additional tests, with no limit on the number, and for the first time will be subject to random tests during the offseason. In addition, diuretics and many steroid precursors were added to the banned list. However, WADA’s Dr. Gary Wadler called the new policy “somewhat disingenuous” and “a Band-Aid.” As in the previous deal, a player who tests positive will be targeted for more tests along with those who within the previous 12 months give a joint management-union panel reason to determine there is “reasonable cause.” Wadler specifically criticized the failure to address amphetamines, which many in baseball consider to be a far greater problem than steroids. “Amphetamines, better known as 'greenies,’ have a long tradition in baseball,” Wadler said. “For them not to ban it raises questions.” The issue of amphetamines came up during the talks between owners and players, said Rob Manfred, management’s chief labor negotiator. “Our focus, as Don said, was really performance-enhancing substances in terms of muscle building,” Manfred said. “Stimulants are a complicated area. Are they performance enhancing? How should they be regulated? That’s something that we’ve put to the health policy advisory committee to look at because we weren’t prepared to deal with it.” Human growth hormone was added to a longer list of banned substances, buf it will be found only when science determines a way to detect it in urine samples. Currently, it can be found only in blood tests, which will not be conducted in baseball. “We had a problem and we-dealt with the problem,” Selig said. “I regarded this as not only a health issue, but certainly you could say it was an integrity issue in this sport.” The agreement was approved by owners Thursday but still must be voted on by players. 1 don t believe it s appropriate to search anybody_— either his home, or his garage, or his trunk, or his bladder or his bloodstream —_without getting a court order showing probable cause,” former union head Marvin Miller said. First-time offenders are suspended for at least four games in the NFL and for five games in the NBA. WADA’s code, which has been adopted by most Olympic sports, says the “norm” is two year bans for a first positive test and a lifetime ban for a second, unless there are mitigating circumstances. Selig would not address what action baseball would take, if any, against players who had been found to be using steroids in the past. Baseball officials have said repeatedly that they didn’t plan to penalize players for admissions of use prior to September 2002, when the initial agreement took effect. “I have consistently said we’re not going to engage in any conjecture,” Selig said. “There has been a lot of conjecture but there have been no players that have been convicted of anything.” Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocksports@gwm.sc. edu Briefs Carolina goalkeeper to go professional Goalkeeper Brad Guzan has decided to forgo his final two years of eligibility at USC and will turn pro. Guzan has signed an MLS contract and will become part of a group of developmental players entering the league. Developmental players do not count against a team’s roster or salary cap. The 6-foot-4-inch standout was in California on Jan. 8-11 for the MLS Player Combine. Guzan was named to College Soccer News’ All-Freshman team last season after starting every game and posting eight shutouts. As a sophomore, Guzan was named second-team All-American and was one of 15 semifinalists for the Hermann Trophy, given to the nation’s top college soccer player. MLS holds its SuperDraft today at noon. It will be broadcast live on Fox Sports World. ■ BASEBALL Continued from page 10 of the majors with second round pick Kurt Suzuki from Cal State Fullerton. Melillo and Powell are set to play for the Stockton Ports (High A) but look for them to end their season with the AA Midland (TX) Rockhounds. Don’t miss parts two and three of this series to find out where the rest of the draft classes of 2004, 2003 and 2002 have ended up. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocksports@gwm.sc. edu Many more Destinations available worttiwldel Fares are roundortp. Taxes addltionsl. Restrictions apply; fares subject to ct I Study Abroad airfare Deals and Spring Break on sale...save NOW1II n travel curs 1-800-592-CUTS (2887) See the world your way Call or book online! GAMECOCK CHALLENGE THE CHALLENGE: Every week Jonathan Stephen Alex Miquel Zachery Dan The Gamecock's readers and Hil|yard Fastenau Riley Jacobs Scott D’elia staff test their sports knowledge Sports Asst. Sports Staff Staff Special Reader of with game predictions. editor editor writer ' writer 8uest the week S P (0-0) (0-0) (0-0) (0-0) (0-0) (0-0) 3 UNC at 4 Wake Forest UNC UNCUNC Wake UNC UNC 9 Kentucky at GeorgiaKentucky Kentucky Kentucky Kentucky Kentucky Kentucky 7 Syracuse vs. Providence Providence Syracuse Syracuse Syracuse Syracuse Syracuse Arkansas at 11 Miss. State Miss. State Arkansas Miss. State Miss. State Miss. State Arkansas 5 Duke vs. VirginiaDukeDukeDuke DukeDukeDuke 8 Georgia Tech vs. NC State GTGTGTGTGTGT Florida at VanderbiltFlorida Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Florida Vanderbilt Ohio State at LSULSUOSUOSU OSU LSULSU Clemson vs. Virginia Tech Clemson Clemson Va.Tech Clemson Clemson Va. Tech Tennessee at USC USC UT USC USC USC USC 65-60 72-66 74-63 68-60 70-55 67-60 WANT TO BE READER OF THE WEEK? E-MAIL SELECTIONS FOR NEXT WEEK’S GAMES TO GAMECOCKSPORTS@GWM.SC.EDU. LAST WEEK’S RESULTS: Copy desk chief Steven Van Haren came away victorious in the football version of The Gamecock Challenge in 2004. New Year! New Attitude! New Calendar! N i I Points 75o Natural Light * $1.50 Bud Light * $2.00 Corona Every Night of the Week! TWO-For-TUESDAYS No Cover to All 21+ 2 for 1 Drink Specials ALL Night Long! SATURDAYS The Best Saturday Night Dance Party in Columbia! Don't believe us? See it for yourself! « $3 THURSDAY COLLEGE NIGHT $3 brink Specials ALL NIGHT! NO Cover, NO Techno!! Attn: USC Greek Organizations book your parties here! Killer Thursday rates! Sunday, January 16 Martin Luther King Day Party! a NO Cover to all ladies 18+ before midnight No Cover to ALL Ladies Jk w/ USC ID! ** ™ *V Corner of Harden ft Devine St Five Points 803-256-2741 If you are under the age of 21, it is against the law to buy alcoholic beverages. All ABC regulations enforced. y y