Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Area notebook

Williams museum's future uncertain

By DAWN REISS
Published April 15, 2005

Ever since Ted Williams ' death in July of 2002, drawing professional athletes and fans to the Ted Williams Museum has become increasingly difficult.

Museum executive director Dave McCarthy said as far back as last July that the museum has financial problems and hopes to build a satellite museum in Boston despite rumors of the Williams museum closing.

Almost a year later, the museum opened a Ted Williams exhibit in The Skywalk Observatory on the 50th floor in Boston's Prudential Building. The exhibit faces Fenway Park. McCarthy said he will meet with the Red Sox next week to continue discussions about building a permanent satellite museum in Boston.

McCarthy said a decision has not been made about the future of the Citrus County museum. He intends to approach the museum's nine-member board in May or June for an answer.

"Do we keep both locations? I don't know," McCarthy said. "There's no rush to get out of Citrus County, no matter what we do. We plan to keep a presence in Citrus County no matter what. The museum will at least be here for another year."

McCarthy said a third private location, likely in the Boston area, is another possibility for "saving Ted's legacy." McCarthy said the non-profit museum would like to expand its scholarship program - something that can not be done in its current situation.

"We have a charity here that we are trying to keep for generations to come," McCarthy said. "We don't have to make a profit. We just have to pay our bills. Our location is not giving us enough customers. I'm running around like a lunatic all over the country trying to fund raise to keep the museum open."

One example McCarthy cites is a recent appearance by five-time National League All-Star George Foster , Cy Young award winner Ferguson Jenkins

and Hall of Famer Monte Irvin . It drew 71 visitors to the museum. "There just aren't enough people coming in the doors to keep it going," McCarthy said. "Mostly, it's people who are coming down for the winter or going back north that plan to make a stop along the way. We're just not getting a steady flow of people because we're not in a baseball venue."

WRIGHT TO SIGN: Lecanto senior Tiffany Wright will sign a volleyball scholarship with Lake-Sumter Community College in the high school library at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The 5-foot-7 outside hitter said she wanted to sign with LSCC because it's close to home and she knows the coach.

"It's exciting," said Wright, a multisport standout. "It's good to know that I have somewhere to go."

For the past year, Wright has played travel volleyball with Lake County Juniors, an 18-and-under squad.

SEVEN RIVERS HIRES COACH: Seven Rivers Christian has hired longtime coach and physical education teacher Tim Bowman to lead its volleyball program.

He replaces athletic director Jamie Richard , who guided the Warriors (14-13) to a region berth this season. Richard is relinquishing all athletic responsibilities to work as a pastoral intern at Seven Rivers.

Bowman, 34, began coaching at the school in 1997 as an assistant for boys and girls varsity basketball. He has been a varsity assistant and head junior varsity coach in volleyball the past three years. Bowman worked as the head tennis and soccer coach, helping capture the 1999 and 2000 district soccer titles. This year, he served as the coordinator for the middle school intramural program.

Bowman said he's wanted to lead the volleyball team for years.

"He's fantastic with young kids," Richard said. "He will provide some continuity to the program."

[Last modified April 15, 2005, 00:49:17]