- June 13th, 2006, 11:25 am
#17975
It's sad to see what's going on over at BSC now...according to this article, they're worried about having enough players to field some teams next year because of the mass transfers that are sure to come (and even if they do, how competitive will they be?) ...
http://www.al.com/sports/birminghamnews ... xml&coll=2
BSC baseball players begin shifting allegiance elsewhere
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
MIKE PERRIN
News staff writer
An expected exodus of Birmingham-Southern College baseball players has started, even before Brian Shoop left the school after 17 years to become head coach at UAB on Monday.
Outfielder Billy Froehlich of Westlake, Ohio, has signed with Big South Conference rival Winthrop, according to BSC officials. Froehlich was the conference freshman of the year two seasons ago and was a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American.
Some Panthers could join Shoop on the Southside, Shoop said Monday at his introductory press conference at Bartow Arena.
"I hope so because we've got some scholarship money available and some needs," Shoop said. "I think we'll know pretty quickly whether that will come to pass or not.
"That's a big decision for them. We won't mandate anything. We've laid some groundwork and we'll see what happens the next week to 10 days."
All BSC athletes were released to transfer without penalty when the school's board of trustees voted to leave NCAA Division I for non-scholarship Division III. Southern Athletics Director Joe Dean Jr. said Monday he is concerned about having enough athletes to field teams in volleyball, men's basketball and baseball.
"I expect a lot of baseball players will look at other schools," he said. "One of the volleyball players, in particular, has already signed with a Division I school, but I can't confirm that. In men's basketball, baseball and volleyball, it looks like we will lose a number of players.
"We did get a waiver from the NCAA today that if we do not field the minimum number of teams - 14 - we will still be allowed to compete for Division I championships in 2006-07. I don't know what that means right now, but we're looking at all our options."
Volleyball practice opens in about seven weeks.
BSC President David Pollick, who was out of his office Monday afternoon, said he had not heard anything official from Shoop. "I'm sure he'll do very well over there," he said. "He's done well here. I'm sure he'll have success at UAB just as he has here. We really do wish him well."
Outfielder/catcher Brint Hardy of Homewood said he had been thinking of transferring to Samford, but now that Shoop has landed at UAB, the Blazers have the upper hand.
"That makes my decision a lot easier," Hardy said after learning of Shoop's official hiring. "I was kind of thinking about Samford a little bit, waiting to see what Coach Shoop and the rest of the coaches and the rest of players are going to do.
"I have decided not to stay at Birmingham-Southern," said the sophomore-to-be. "It just wouldn't be very competitive (at BSC) and none of my players are going to be there with me."
Hardy said he had spoken to Samford as well as UAB coaches before Larry Giangrosso, Shoop's predecessor, retired.
UAB third baseman Zac Ward, who will be a senior next season, said he hopes some Birmingham-Southern players will transfer.
"I've heard (Shoop) will bring some players, which is great," he said. "You know, the more the better. We're looking to bring them in with open arms so we can all be a team."
Bailey Pratt, a three-year letterman pitcher from Signal Mountain, Tenn., said he is still weighing his options as a senior-to-be at BSC.
"I really don't want to go back to Birmingham-Southern," he said. "I'm in a tough spot as a senior, trying to graduate on time. I don't know what I'm going to do at this point."
Also on Monday, Samford University announced that Leslie Claybrook had been hired as associate director of athletics for compliance from BSC. Claybrook served as associate director of athletics for compliance and senior women's administrator at Birmingham-Southern since 1999.
At Samford, Claybrook will also be involved in sport oversight and management. News staff writer Steve Irvine contributed to this report. mperrin@bhamnews.com
http://www.al.com/sports/birminghamnews ... xml&coll=2
BSC baseball players begin shifting allegiance elsewhere
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
MIKE PERRIN
News staff writer
An expected exodus of Birmingham-Southern College baseball players has started, even before Brian Shoop left the school after 17 years to become head coach at UAB on Monday.
Outfielder Billy Froehlich of Westlake, Ohio, has signed with Big South Conference rival Winthrop, according to BSC officials. Froehlich was the conference freshman of the year two seasons ago and was a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American.
Some Panthers could join Shoop on the Southside, Shoop said Monday at his introductory press conference at Bartow Arena.
"I hope so because we've got some scholarship money available and some needs," Shoop said. "I think we'll know pretty quickly whether that will come to pass or not.
"That's a big decision for them. We won't mandate anything. We've laid some groundwork and we'll see what happens the next week to 10 days."
All BSC athletes were released to transfer without penalty when the school's board of trustees voted to leave NCAA Division I for non-scholarship Division III. Southern Athletics Director Joe Dean Jr. said Monday he is concerned about having enough athletes to field teams in volleyball, men's basketball and baseball.
"I expect a lot of baseball players will look at other schools," he said. "One of the volleyball players, in particular, has already signed with a Division I school, but I can't confirm that. In men's basketball, baseball and volleyball, it looks like we will lose a number of players.
"We did get a waiver from the NCAA today that if we do not field the minimum number of teams - 14 - we will still be allowed to compete for Division I championships in 2006-07. I don't know what that means right now, but we're looking at all our options."
Volleyball practice opens in about seven weeks.
BSC President David Pollick, who was out of his office Monday afternoon, said he had not heard anything official from Shoop. "I'm sure he'll do very well over there," he said. "He's done well here. I'm sure he'll have success at UAB just as he has here. We really do wish him well."
Outfielder/catcher Brint Hardy of Homewood said he had been thinking of transferring to Samford, but now that Shoop has landed at UAB, the Blazers have the upper hand.
"That makes my decision a lot easier," Hardy said after learning of Shoop's official hiring. "I was kind of thinking about Samford a little bit, waiting to see what Coach Shoop and the rest of the coaches and the rest of players are going to do.
"I have decided not to stay at Birmingham-Southern," said the sophomore-to-be. "It just wouldn't be very competitive (at BSC) and none of my players are going to be there with me."
Hardy said he had spoken to Samford as well as UAB coaches before Larry Giangrosso, Shoop's predecessor, retired.
UAB third baseman Zac Ward, who will be a senior next season, said he hopes some Birmingham-Southern players will transfer.
"I've heard (Shoop) will bring some players, which is great," he said. "You know, the more the better. We're looking to bring them in with open arms so we can all be a team."
Bailey Pratt, a three-year letterman pitcher from Signal Mountain, Tenn., said he is still weighing his options as a senior-to-be at BSC.
"I really don't want to go back to Birmingham-Southern," he said. "I'm in a tough spot as a senior, trying to graduate on time. I don't know what I'm going to do at this point."
Also on Monday, Samford University announced that Leslie Claybrook had been hired as associate director of athletics for compliance from BSC. Claybrook served as associate director of athletics for compliance and senior women's administrator at Birmingham-Southern since 1999.
At Samford, Claybrook will also be involved in sport oversight and management. News staff writer Steve Irvine contributed to this report. mperrin@bhamnews.com
If you lived in VA I would have to check my desk chair before I sat down to make sure you were not sitting in it! Ok, I will never try to break any news again (I knew I was a couple of weeks late anyway Medic 
) 
- By olldflame