The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

October 25, 2009

ESPN shows disregard for prep football

By Mickey Furfari

MORGANTOWN — West Virginia’s football game at South Florida will be the first of three Friday night appearances.

It will be the most ever for the Mountaineers in one season. While they haven’t had to play any of those at home, it’s probably just a matter of time before they will have to do that.

In all, the Big East Conference has eight Friday games this year. And I think that’s showing utter disregard by ESPN for the nation’s high school football programs.

Friday nights traditionally have been for prep games, and television has to hurt their attendance, especially if the weather is bad.

Like colleges, high schools need money to keep their athletic programs in the black. So colleges, in effect, are hurting what’s unofficially their farm system.

Ed Pastilong, WVU’s veteran athletic director, doesn’t like to play Friday nights. But he says the school has no choice when it comes to league scheduling.

Even Michael Tranghese, the recently retired Big East commissioner, said a year ago that he tried to limit the conference’s number of such Friday night games.

Besides next Friday’s game at USF, West Virginia plays at No. 6-ranked Cincinnati on Nov.13 and Pitt at home either Friday afternoon or night, the day after Thanksgiving.   

Other Friday games involving Big East teams this season:

Oct. 2, Pitt at Louisville; Oct. 16, Pitt at Rutgers; Oct. 23, Rutgers at Army; Nov.17, Rutgers at Louisville and Illinois at Cincinnati.

Some people think that it’s time ESPN quit dictating, at least in this matter. But Pastilong points out that the Big East is stronger than ever as far as TV contracts are concerned.

The high schools have to be hurting, though.

n n n

A familiar figure in the WVU athletic department for nearly 40 years is now an ordained Catholic priest.

The Rev. Fr. George Nedeff, SOLT (Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity) lettered as a wrestler in the 1961-62-63 seasons, coached from 1968-1994, then served as the university director of athletics facilities until 1996 before retiring.

His wrestling teams combined for a record of 58-29-3 for seven years.

Father Nedeff is a native of Parkersburg. He made numerous friends during his lengthy stay in Morgantown.

He is now serving as the parochial vicar at St. Anthony’s parish in Robstown, Texas. St. Anthony’s is an American-Mexican parish, the second largest in the diocese of Corpus Christi.

Father Nedeff also has a prison ministry.

Each year the WVU wrestling team gives the “George Nedeff Outstanding Wrestler Award” in his honor.

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