The Minaret | April 10, 2009
19
Sports
Tampa Native Freshman Feels at Home Behind the Plate By Olivia Glynn Asst. Sports Editor
Becky Vyzas protects home plate.
Photo by Abby Sanford
As the softball team sits comfortably on top of the conference standings, they have only three opponents left to battle in the regular season. The Spartans are doing their best to keep a positive attitude and continue their hard work. “The energy level is definitely high in the dugout,” freshman Becky Vyzas said. Vyzas, a freshman catcher and Tampa native, is contributing to the Spartan’s winning ways. She hit the walk-off double to score teammate Michelle Horan and win the game 1-0 for the Spartans in the 15-inning battle against Florida Tech at the end of March. Vyzas started out playing baseball when she was 4 years old, but made the switch to the sport she now excels at when she was 13. She came to the University of Tampa after setting school records for homeruns and batting average at the Academy of the
Holy Names in Tampa. Wasting no time, Vyzas went three for three in her first game as a Spartan, hitting a homerun and driving in three runs. As far as success goes, she has had her fair share, but Vyzas believes that just playing at this level is a great accomplishment. “Coming here was a pretty good achievement, playing college softball,” she said. Her decision to attend UT came down to what most students look for in a school, but also a strong sports program. “Academics and softball,” Vyzas said, “just basically the whole thing.” As the season heads towards the final stretch, Vyzas is confident in her team and their abilities. The SSC leaders are on track for an excellent season and good run in the post season. “I know we’re good enough to win,” Vyzas explained. “We just need to stay focused and work as a team, which we do really well.” Olivia Glynn can be reached at oglynn@ut.edu.
Former All-Star Has Trouble ‘Backing’ Up Talk in By Sam Gerb Sports Blogger
Will the real Allen Iverson please sit down? Please sit down. Please sit down. And while you’re sitting at the end of the bench keep your mouth shut for once. At least when your teammate Rasheed Wallace runs his mouth to the media he backs it up the next game. Allen Iverson’s stat line after the Cleveland game was 11 points and two assists in 18 minutes played.
After that game he wasn’t happy that he was spending so much time on the bench, so he opened his yapper to the media. Allen Iverson’s stat line after complaining to the media: four points, four assists, 1-8 from the field and only in 17 minutes of play. Wow Allen, those are some pretty impressive numbers if you ask me. Michael Curry must be nuts not playing you for at least 40 minutes per game. Now, after this horrendous follow up
performance, he releases another statement to the media. This time he made the excuse that he is “still not playing at 100%.” You could’ve fooled me, Allen. Don’t complain about not getting enough playing time and then blame your poor performance on a lingering back injury. If you’re so injured then you should be riding the bench more than you are now. I think Iverson should start back from square one with his rusty game and go prac-
tice. Yeah, I’m talking about practice Allen. Something that would probably do you some good right now; along with maybe a time machine that could take about eight to nine years off you. Iverson will never go back to the MVP caliber player he once was. I don’t think he has realized this yet. See the rest of this post at www.theminaretonline.com/overtime. Sam Gerb can be reached at sgerb@ ut.edu.
Little Differences Lead to Big Friendship Between Teammates
Rudy Jean and Javon Edwards may look different but dreams remain the same By Ryan Burkett Sports Writer
It is a tale of two young men. Both are college sophomores. One is a Bay Area native, the other is from the Caribbean island of Trinidad. One stands at 5 feet 7-inches while the other towers at 6 feet 9 inches.” They both play for University of Tampa men’s basketball team. The two are guard Rudy Jean and forward Javon Edwards, to be exact. Although at first glance they seem like opposites, they share a few commonalities. For instance, they share a common goal for their team during their tenure at UT. “As a team, we want to be number one
and win a national championship,” Edwards said. “We want to win an NCAA championship, definitely,” Jean concurred. Each man also has his own reason for choosing UT over other potential schools. “I came here because of the Jean combination of high academics and the ability to play basketball,” Edwards explained. “[UT] is close to my house. I also came to play basketball and for academics,” Jean
stated. The similarities do not stop there, as they both major in finance-related fields. Jean majors in Accounting while Edwards is studying Economics. Both stated that they, like most other NCAA athletes, plan to go pro in something other than sports. In fact, Edwards has already set the bar high in his ambitions. “I want to graduate with honors in Economics and get my MBA. My goal is to go back home and use the knowledge I have acquired to help my country any way I can,” said Edwards. He didn’t stop there. “Ultimately, my goal is to get into politics and one day become the Prime
Minister of Trinidad.” As for Jean, his ambitions are a bit more modest, at least so far. “I want to become an accountant…I hope to get an internship my senior year.” This David and Goliath comparison cannot be complete, however, without one last note of irony. Edwards Jean wears the uniform number 22, exactly half of Edwards’ jersey number, 44. Ryan Burkett can be reached at rburkett@ut.edu.
Division One Talent Decides to Play for Longtime Coach, Friend Incoming High School Standout Recruited by Richard Schmidt at a Young Age
By Kyle Bennett Online Sports Editor
The Spartans will welcome one blooming bull to the court next year. Callum Townsend, from Bloomingdale High School, will fill a void left by three Tampa men’s basketball seniors. Townsend stands tall, at 6 feet 6 inches 215 pounds, but it is his shooting game that he is most fond of. “I’m a shooter,” Townsend said. “I need to improve on my ball handling and overall athleticism.” UT basketball coach Richard Schmidt has always been a part of Townsend’s life, even at a young age. “I know coach Schmidt through family,” Townsend said. “He has
been working with me since I was eight or nine years old.” The incoming freshman blew his knee out, not once, but twice. Coming off a junior season in which Townsend led the state in scoring, with 27 points per game, he tore his ACL one month after the season ended. Returning for his senior season Townsend was on his way to lead his team to another outstanding season. With a 13-1 record, averaging 25 ppg and 12 rpg, he tore his ACL again. “I’m still recovering,” he said. The injury could have very well been what kept Townsend out of Division I basketball. “I had big DI offers, but UT has always been in the picture,” he added.
“It is a great school with a great coach. is a great fit with an outstanding coach,” With or without the injury, UT was in the Townsend said. “I am excited to get there picture.” and better the program.” To w n s e n d feels he brings another aspect to UT’s repertoire. “UT is a very well rounded team,” he said. “I feel I am another piece of the puzzle.” To w n s e n d was also a four year varsity starter in high school. “It [UT] Townsend poses with Duke cheerleaders. Photo courtesy of Callum Townsend