BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

A resolution spearheaded by Sen. Rusty Crowe, R-Johnson City, supporting the reinstatement of East Tennessee State University’s football program was passed unanimously by the Tennessee House of Representatives Monday.

"This keeps the discussion alive," said state Rep. Jason Mumpower, R-Bristol. "That’s the most important thing."

The resolution was previously approved in a unanimous vote in the Senate on Feb. 11.

According to Mumpower, the resolution will now be forwarded to Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen for his signature.

The House’s unanimous vote now joins previous declarations by the Senate and officials with Sullivan and Washington counties expressing support for the return of Buc football.

"A lot of people were asking from a common-sense perspective why [ETSU doesn’t have football anymore] and how to get more traction," Mumpower said. "Hopefully this will spur some action."

The Bucs’ 83-year relationship with the sport came to a sudden end following the conclusion of the 2003 season, when ETSU dropped the sport because of budget constraints.

Last April, a student ballot referendum to gradually increase student athletic fees and effectively kick start the return of football failed when 3,229 students – 27 percent of ETSU’s student body – voted down the proposal.

COLLEGE SOFTBALL

State Line Classic set for April 22

The annual State Line Classic is set to begin April 22 at Whitetop Creek Park in Bristol, Tenn.

Games will begin at 2 p.m. as King College will face Virginia Intermont and Milligan will face Emory & Henry.

A triple-header is set for 4 p.m., highlighted by Tennessee High against Virginia High. East Tennessee State will face Virginia Tech at 6:30.

Tusculum 7, Va. Intermont 2 (Game 1)

Tusclum 5, Va. Intermont 1 (Game 2)

Virginia Intermont was swept by NCAA Division II Tusculum in a non-conference doubleheader.

In the opener, Lindsey Smith went 3-for-4 with two RBIs for VI. Leadoff hitter Sheena Malone added two hits in the loss.

In the second game, designated hitter Haley Odle led the Cobras (7-23) with two hits and Heather Odle drove in VI’s lone run.

ETSU 4, Stetson 3 (Game 1)

Stetson 5, ETSU 0 (Game 2)

Katie Henderson hit a two-run home run, and Marissa Hardy struck out 14 as ETSU downed Stetson in the first game before being shut out in an Atlantic Sun softball split.

Jessie Hackworth had an RBI single for the Bucs and scored on a wild pitch before Henderson’s shot scored Hardy to put ETSU up 4-0.

Andrea Migliori hit a two-run homer to draw Stetson within 4-3 before Hardy ended the threat.

Stetson scored three runs in the third inning of Game 2 en route to the shutout.

COLLEGE BASEBALL

Tusculum 11, King 7

King College catcher Matt Morris went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, but it wasn’t enough as the Tornado was topped by non-conference rival Tusculum.

King (26-11) trailed 7-0 after two innings and never recovered. Teon Richburg and Joe Craven also had two hits for King, while Mike Torrence tallied two RBIs.

Georgia 9, ETSU 8

Georgia rallied from an 8-1 deficit to earn a non-conference win over the Bucs.

Derek Trent hit a three-run home run in the first inning for ETSU (9-26, 7-14). Anthony Russell added a two-run homer to lift the Bucs to a 7-1 lead in the fourth.

Georgia rallied with eight unanswered before tying the game on a Matt Olson single in the eighth. Gordon Beckham scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth to win the game for Georgia.

WOMEN’S GOLF

ETSU up front at A-Sun

East Tennessee State increased its lead to 28 strokes over second-place Campbell on Tuesday in the second round of the Atlantic Sun Conference Championships at The Ridges Golf and Country Club in Jonesborough.

Natalia Giraldo and Maria Ringdahl led the way for the Bucs, each shooting 1-over-par 73. Sinead O’Sullivan shot a 74. Giraldo, Ringdahl and O’Sullivan now sit in second, third and fourth on the leaderboard behind Belmont’s Lorie Warren. ETSU’s Laura Jansone, who shot a school-record 67 on Monday, is tied for second.

The final round of the tournament begins today at 8 a.m.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

East’s Snapp signs with Emory & Henry

Sullivan East star Isaac Snapp has signed a letter of intent to play at Emory & Henry, the school announced Tuesday.

Snapp, a 5-foot-11, 155-pound guard, averaged 18 points per game at East. Snapp was the Bristol Herald Courier’s Northeast Tennessee player of the year this season. He also was the Big Nine Conference player of the year.

McDavid bound for E&H

Rye Cove’s Shelli McDavid will play college basketball at Emory & Henry, the school has announced.

McDavid was an all-Cumberland District pick and a second-team all-Region D selection for the Eagles.

The 5-foot-8 McDavid averaged 7.8 points per game, 7.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists at Rye Cove.

AUTO RACING

Street Fights to go retro

Bristol Motor Speedway will offer $1 off admission to those dressed in 1980 garb on April 17 during the "80s Night" promotion at BMS’ Street Fights. BMS staff members will also search the grandstands for the spectator with the most authentic ‘80s look.

April 19 will be "Billy Jack’s Tattoo Night" at BMS. Those who show their tattoos will get $1 off admission, and a tattoo contest will be held.