Slumping field hockey faces desperation time
(11/07/97 5:00am)
The last few weeks of the regular season didn't go quite like the field hockey team expected. Or anything like it.
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The last few weeks of the regular season didn't go quite like the field hockey team expected. Or anything like it.
For the last few years, the field hockey team has faced a similar question as each season begins: How do the Blue Devils plan to make their offense more multi-dimensional?
Ten days ago, the field hockey team began its most crucial portion of the season looking to steal a win or two from three of the top four teams in the country.
CHAPEL HILL - Over the past two years, the field hockey team has improved enough to overcome three of the four highly-ranked teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference. North Carolina is the one exception, and the Tar Heels have kept it that way since 1981.
Last year, Vanessa Webb used a Grand Slam title at the Riviera All-American as a coming out of sorts, splashing onto the center stage of Division I women's tennis and attaining a subsequent number one ranking in the fall season.
The field hockey team first 14 games set up the season, the final four will determine where it goes.
Two days after a discouraging 13-10 loss to Virginia, Duke coach Fred Goldsmith took a few moments at his weekly press conference to look back at the controversy surrounding Chris Combs' unsportsmanlike penalty before moving ahead to Saturday's home game against Wake Forest.
The field hockey team received more than a little break after wrapping up the first half of its season last Sunday.
With all of the success it's had over the past decade, the poor showing by Duke's women's tennis team at this past weekend's National Clay Courts would have to be categorized as a surprise.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - It's not likely the football team will see an opportunity like it had on Saturday for quite a while. Probably not until next year.
Over the past few decades, the field hockey team has always used its games against North Carolina as a measuring stick for how close to the top it is.
There's a Nike commercial playing across the airwaves right now that describes collegiate field hockey as a sport for those who play not because they hope to appear on a box of Wheaties or in the headlines. As the commercial implies, there is neither a professional field hockey league nor a high level of notoriety. Players compete simply for the love of the game.
When the Division I top-20 field hockey rankings came out this past Tuesday, Duke's two weekend opponents, Temple and Old Dominion, were ranked 16th and first, respectively. Wake Forest, whom the Blue Devils defeated 2-1 on Wednesday, was 11th.
In the field hockey team's Atlantic Coast Conference opener on Wednesday, Duke demonstrated just how far its come in the last few years. The Blue Devils didn't play their best and still toppled Wake Forest.
The field hockey team could've approached Saturday's home opener against Appalachian State in a variety of ways. Coming in, Duke was clearly the better team and had the opportunity to either coast to an easy win or play hard for 70 minutes and work on its game.
For four of the past five seasons, the football team1s season has opened with a familiar refrainDa blowout loss to Florida State.
Thrust in the mix of what players and coaches call an extremely difficult schedule, Saturday1s home-opener against Appalachian St. is a game the field hockey team can ill-afford to lose.
The man most responsible for putting Blue Devil athletics on the map is hanging up his coat and tie. After two decades of unprecedented success, Vice President and Director of Athletics Tom Butters announced Tuesday that he plans to retire by June 30, 1998. Flanked by President Nan Keohane and men1s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, Butters announced the decision at a hastily called press conference in Cameron Indoor Stadium1s Hall of Fame Room. For some time, Butters had made it known that his target date for retirement was the year 2000. But after suffering a heart attack June 1 while playing golf and subsequently undergoing quadruple bypass surgery, he decided to adjust the timetable by two years. Butters said he resisted making the decision immediately following his heart attack in order to gain certainty about his feelings. He returned to work about five weeks ago, but his work days have been limited to one- and two-hour shifts. Ultimately, he decided it was time to retire. 3I1ve never prepared for this moment,2 Butters said. 3I cannot help but tell you that a part of my decision was influenced by the events of this summer. 3The decision to hasten my retirement is not an easy one,2 he continued. 3I have long believed my position at Duke to be among the best that higher education has to offer. During these past many weeks I1ve had a chance to reflect and to plan, and it is from those reflections and plans this decision comes.2 Despite his belief that he remains as knowledgeable and as capable as any other AD in the country, he said, the challenges that will face Duke athletics in the immediate future are challenges that he is not fully capable of meeting. 3All things considered, I feel that it is an appropriate time for me to step aside and let someone new step in and get the job done,2 Butters said. Krzyzewski expressed his deep admiration and friendship for the man who hired him some 18 years ago. 3Sorry if I stand up, but it1s in respect,2 Krzyzewski said as he began his remarks. 3I love Tom. I was lucky that he hired me and even luckier that we spent the last 18 years working together.... I think I speak for all the coaches here when I say that this is a sad occasion for us. From all the other coaches and administrators in the athletic department, we1ve been truly honored to have Tom as our boss. And I hope we can carry on what he1s taught us.2 Keohane indicated that she will charge a committee with the task of conducting a thorough search for Butters1 replacement. 3I am hopeful the early timing of the announcement accommodates smoothly the search process,2 Butters said. 3I shall always be gratified by the support I1ve received from the University administration, from my staff, from the student-athletes and from trustees, alumni and friends the world over.2 Keohane affirmed her appreciation for Butters1 extensive contributions to the university, both athletically and institutionally. 3Tom Butters has done a wonderful job in one of the most challenging positions in intercollegiate athletics,2 Keohane said. 3Duke asks a great deal of our students, coaches and athletic staff, and we require in our athletic director a leader who understands and manifests the values which distinguish intercollegiate athletics on this campus. Tom takes great pride in the accomplishment of our student-athletes on and off the field and has helped everyone at Duke appreciate the important role that athletics can play in the life of a great university.2 After Butter officially leaves his post, she continued, his advice will still be sought on a regular basis to make decisions regarding athletic matters and in other areas of University concern. She also said she expects to request his help in naming his replacement, although Butters himself stated that he believes his role should be minimal. Reaction to Butters1 announcement poured in swiftly from throughout the Atlantic Coast Conference. New ACC Commissioner John Swofford, who kept up extensive contact with Butters while he was the AD at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, praised his former colleague and adversary. 3Tom Butters has been one of the premier athletic directors in college athletics for a long time in the ACC,2 he said. 3I will miss him both personally and professionally. He will leave a legacy of success, class, values and superb leadership. He has been synonymous with Duke athletics and with the integrity and commitment to the proper balance of academics and athletics. 3On a personal note,2 Swofford continued, 3it will seem extremely odd to be in the ACC without Tom Butters because he has been at Duke my entire career in the league.2
Chronicle: How well did you know each other back at Iowa, and what kind of relationship did you two have?
The challenge facing coach Liz Tchou and the field hockey team is no different than the task many teams have faced before. But that doesn't make it any easier.