Athletics - June 29, 2004
MT Media Relations

WOMEN'S HOOPS TO PLAY IN PRESEASON WNIT: The Middle Tennessee women's basketball program has been invited to play in the Preseason WNIT. The tournament consists of 16 teams, and the Lady Raiders are waiting to see if they will draw a home game in the first round. Head Coach Stephany Smith said to expect a completed schedule for the 2004-05 season to be released in the next couple of weeks. There is no resting on their laurels, as the entire Lady Raider squad will report to campus on July 12th. Freshmen, transfers and returning players will all be attending summer school and participating in summer workouts.

FOOTBALL PRESEASON INFORMATION: The Sporting News Preseason Football issue is out and three Blue Raiders were named to the All-Sun Belt Conference team. WR Kerry Wright, OL Germayle Franklin and Julius Gant and LB Dennis Burke all made the list. Junior Lee Baker was tabbed by the magazine as the Preseason Newcomer of the Year on offense. The Athlon preseason magazine called the Blue Raider receiving corps "the best unit in the Sun Belt."

SEARCH FOR NEW SOFTBALL COACH ON-GOING: Associate Athletic Director Diane Turnham has begun the search for a new Head Softball Coach. The job search will close on Wednesday and the committee will begin reviewing resumes on Friday. Turnham said interviews will be held in mid-July and the department would like to have someone in place by the end of July. Former Head Coach Cindy Connelley resigned in early June.

VOLLEYBALL VETERANS WORKING OUT: Six members of the Blue Raider volleyball team is on campus participating in summer workouts. Middle Tennessee returns six letterwinners from last season and five starters. The Blue Raiders will also welcome six newcomers. The 2004 season begins on September 3 when the Blue Raiders will face Fresno State at the SMS Tournament.

KNOX RE-SIGNS WITH SPORTS: Former Oakland High School product Jerry Knox has re-signed with the Shreveport (LA) Sports in the independent Central Baseball League. Knox played for the Sports last season, compiling a 1-5 record with one save in 17 appearances, six starts, posting a 3.88 ERA in 51 innings of work. During the offseason Knox was traded to the Brockton (MA) Rox in the Northeast Professional League, where he went 0-0 with a 1.93 ERA in four appearances before being released. Knox rejoined the Sports late last week, as the team won the first half title in the Central League.

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