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News Nuggets, 12.11.03
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Berry takes offensive portfolio to UL-Monroe

MONROE, LA — Todd Berry, a prominent former East Carolina assistant coach who was dismissed as head coach at Army in October, has been named offensive coordinator at Louisiana-Monroe.

He will replace Tommy Condell, who was let go one day after Louisiana-Monroe finished a 1-11 season. Berry will work under Charlie Weatherbie, who coached Navy from 1995-01 and was fired after the Middies started the 2001 season 0-7.

During his stint at East Carolina from 1992-95 as then-coach Steve Logan's offensive coordinator, Berry oversaw a West Coast-oriented offense that produced points and victories in big bunches and helped the Pirates to two Liberty Bowl berths.

He went on to spend a stretch as head coach at Illinois State, resurrecting the Redbirds' long-sagging football fortunes and ultimately leading the team on a run at the Division I-AA championship.

Berry was named head coach at Army before the 2000 season, but he was fired in midseason this year after the Black Knights got off to an 0-6 start. Army was 5-35 during his three-plus seasons in charge of the program.

UMass panel favors staying put in I-AA

AMHERST — The University of Massachusetts football program should remain at the Division I-AA level, a school committee recommended Wednesday.

A Board of Trustees committee has been studying whether the Minutemen should move up to Division I-A, but decided the program would be better suited to stay at its current status - for now.

"There is a strong and eager constituency for Division I-A football, but we should not take this step until we have all the ingredients needed to make the move an unqualified and enduring success," said Robert Meers, co-chair of the trustees' Ad Hoc Committee on Athletics.

Authors of the study, conducted by Chicago-based Grenzebach Glier & Associates, said a successful Division I-A team could boost student and faculty recruitment, energize alumni and generate more financial support for UMass.

But a difficult economy makes this a bad time to raise the money needed for a Division I-A program, the study said.

Before the team could upgrade, the committee recommended that Chancellor John Lombardi develop a plan to draw more attention and money to football and other sports at the Amherst campus.

Garcia leads U of L over Seton Hall despite family slaying

LOUISVILLE — Louisville sophomore Francisco Garcia, playing the day after learning his brother had been killed in a shooting, matched his career-high with 24 points in an 80-71 victory over Seton Hall on Wednesday night.

Garcia stood before the game with his head bowed and eyes closed as the capacity crowd at Freedom Hall honored his brother with a moment of silence. He learned Tuesday that his brother, Hector Lopez, had been fatally shot the previous night in the Bronx, N.Y., where Garcia's family moved six years ago from the Dominican Republic.

Garcia played with red sneakers that had ``R.I.P. Hector'' written on the sides in black marker, and he raised his arms and applauded the fans as the game's final seconds ticked away. Seton Hall point guard Andre Barrett embraced Garcia after the final buzzer sounded.

Garcia was unavailable for comment after the game, but his coach was obviously inspired by the display of perseverance in the face of immense adversity. ``I don't know how he put on a uniform tonight,'' Cardinals coach Rick Pitino said. ``For him to play was just incredible.''

Police responded to a call of a male shot in the lobby of an apartment building at 11:12 p.m. EST on Monday. Officers discovered a man unconscious with gunshot wounds to his chest and neck, police said. He was taken to Lincoln Hospital, where he died at 11:27 p.m.

The man was identified as Lopez on Tuesday. Police have made no arrests.

Despite the tragedy, Garcia told Pitino he wanted to play on Wednesday. Garcia, Louisville's leading scorer, was one of the first players on the court for pre-game warmups.

Following the moment of silence, Louisville sophomore Taquan Dean, Garcia's best friend on the team, embraced him and whispered in his ear.

Louisville sports information director Kenny Klein said Garcia planned to travel to New York City on Thursday. Klein said Garcia wanted to return in time to play in the Cardinals' home
game against No. 1 Florida on Saturday.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically from staff, ECU, Conference USA and its member schools, and from Associated Press and other reports. Copyright 2003 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Page Updated: 02/23/2007