The Atlanta Constitution from Atlanta, Georgia • D8

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17, 2003 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 6 COLLEGES Atlantic Sun Conference to add ETSU ASSOCIATED PRESS The Atlantic Sun Conference voted Thursday to add East Tennessee State for the 2005-06 basketball season. The A-Sun will have 11 members for the 2005-06 season, including Georgia State, Mercer, Belmont, Campbell, Central Florida, Florida Atlantic, Gardner-Webb, Jacksonville, Lipscomb and Stetson. Also Virginia forward Jason Clark be allowed to practice or play with the Cavaliers, coach Pete Gillen said. Gillen declined to say why the action was taken or if Clark would return to the team. Jesse Ferlianto and Mark Odgers advanced to Division III doubles final at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Small College Championships in Corpus Christi, Texas.

By KAREN ROSEN Armed with a degree in business administration from Georgia Southern, Tonya Butler was looking into pharmaceutical sales when she got an offer she resist. West Alabama coach Randy Pippin, who had coached her for two years at Middle Georgia College, needed a placekicker. said, you have eligibility left. Are you looking for a free said Butler, 23, of Fayetteville, who made the AAA all- state team while a senior at Riverdale High. said, She went to Livingston, to pursue a in psychology and counseling and made history to boot.

On Sept. 13, Butler became the first woman to kick a field goal in an NCAA game when she made a 27- yarder against Stillman College. even know until a reporter told she said. figured been Butler added a 37-yard field goal against Delta State the next week and is also the extra-point kicker for the Tigers (2-4), who are looking to halt their three-game losing skid Saturday at West Georgia. the most technically sound kicker that ever Pippin said.

absolutely dead-on As the first female to earn a junior- college scholarship, Butler was being recruited by some I-AA schools. However, interest waned when a female kicker won a $2 million judgment against Duke University. was pretty realistic about my said Butler, a 5-5, 140-pound junior. expectations I have for myself Division She added that she never would have sued for the chance to play. have pushed myself on Butler said.

She decided to hang up her helmet and attend Georgia Southern. But she bear to watch the football games. Attending a game with her brother, Tony, a former linebacker for the Eagles, stay two Butler said. left and never went again. My roommate was a cheerleader, but she understood.

I would go see her during basketball Butler said returning to the field was a I had missed was the camaraderie of the team and the importance of fitting into the scheme of she said. what hits you in the face when you have it. I feel very humbled and appreciative that been given a second Butler had stayed in kicking shape. I was mad and needed a stress reliever, kick some balls and be she said. Her range is about 42 yards, but the Tigers, who rank No.

1 in the Gulf South Conference in red zone conversions, have only asked her to make three attempts. Her third try, a 37- yarder, was blocked. Butler admitted she was a little nervous moving to Alabama, where female kickers as prevalent or as accepted as they are in Georgia. I first got there, the sports announcers were like, this another gimmick? Go play with your Then I beat out three guys the what I live IN THE SPOTLIGHT: TONYA BUTLER Pioneer still gets her football kicks KENT D. JOHNSON Staff West Alabama kicker Tonya Butler who began at Riverdale High, returns to Georgia to take on West Georgia.

ALBANY STATE Open date After a 31-20 upset of SIAC preseason favorite Tuskegee last week, the Rams (5-2, 3-1) are displaying a potent offense to go with their already sturdy defensive corps. The Rams lead the conference in averaging 30.9 points a game, and in giving up an SIAC-low 12.3 points. Ronald Simmons was named offensive lineman of the week for grading out at 97 percent, and linebacker James Sentrell is the defensive player of the week with eight tackles and a sack. CLARK ATLANTA Open date After two-point loss to Benedict, the 0-7 Panthers get an extra week to prepare for their Oct. 25 game at Albany State.

Clark Atlanta ranks last in the SIAC in several categories, including scoring and total defense and passing offense. FORT VALLEY STATE Saturday at Benedict, 2 p.m. While running back Derrick Wimbush continues to lead the SIAC in rushing average (127.5 yards) and all-purpose yards (137.7) Fort Valley is searching for some more consistent defense after a 30-13 conference loss to Miles. Duron Croson is fourth in rushing (83.5). GEORGIA SOUTHERN Saturday at Appalachian State, 4 p.m.

(Fox Sports Net) The Eagles (4-2) hit the road after three straight wins at home and are looking for their fifth consecutive win over the Mountaineers. Quarterback Trey Hunter making his second career start last week, scored four touchdowns against Western Carolina. Jer- maine Austin leads the Southern Conference in rushing yards with 807. MOREHOUSE Saturday vs. Tuskegee at Columbus, 1:30 p.m.

Tuskegee has won six of the past seven games in the series, including 19-14 last season. But the three-time defending SIAC champion has fallen on hard times. The Golden Tigers are 2-3 overall, 1-2 SIAC because they run the ball; averaging just 49 yards a game and 1.6 per carry. SAVANNAH STATE Saturday vs. Alabama A in Augusta, 2 p.m.

Interim coach Richard Basil able to stem the tide of another whopping loss in his first game since replacing the fired Ken Pettiford last week. A 56-0 loss to Albany State two weeks ago is the fourth shutout of the season for 0-6 Savannah State, which has scored only six points coming on field goals in separate games. VALDOSTA STATE Saturday vs. Central Arkansas, 1 p.m. Bama Adams was named the Gulf South Conference special- teams player of the week for returning three punts for 82 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown, in a 31-28 win at Arkansas-Monticello.

The No. 2-ranked Blazers were up 24-0 but needed the 17 points they got off turnovers to hold on and tie the GSC regular-season mark of 32 straight wins. WEST GEORGIA Saturday vs. West Alabama, 1 p.m. The poorest defense in the GSC gave up 25 points, second-lowest of the season, but it was in a 25-21 loss to Harding.

The Braves, who led that game 21-10, are surrendering 509.5 total yards. Mike Knobler, Wendy Parker TEAM-BY-TEAM.