Track coach leaves USF for 'Noles

Bob Braman, also the Bulls cross-country coach, says FSU offers a chance to win a national title.

By ROGER MILLS

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 16, 2000

TAMPA -- Bob Braman is moving on after 15 years as head of the South Florida track and cross country programs..

Braman, 42, will become the men's and women's cross country coach at Florida State. His last day will be June 30.

"It was a very hard decision to make, but I'm trying to climb a higher mountain," said Braman, who recently returned from New Orleans, where USF women's track team finished third in the Conference USA outdoor championships.

"This is a great opportunity. At FSU, you can compete for a national championship. They have proved it in other sports. I've seen the budget, and I know what's involved. There's no kid in the country who's not going to answer the phone when you say FSU. I want to have the opportunity to win at that level."

Braman, who has been at USF since the program's beginning years, said the limited number of full scholarships for men's track and field also influenced his decision to leave. He said the men's program is limited to seven scholarships (the rest of the team is made up of partials and walk-ons) and would not be able to field a team good enough to compete in C-USA. The team finished last (10th) in last weekend's tournament.

"The big governor for the men's side is that we can't have the numbers," said Braman, who was an assistant for two years before taking over the program in 1985. "We can only carry 20 guys and that counts 12 cross country (runners). That leaves you eight track and field specialists to cover (15 events). You're not going to be successful under that formula. Knowing that we're not going to be competitive for a long period of time was part of (the decision to leave)."

EYLWARD INJURED: Two days before beginning play in the C-USA baseball tournament at Florida Power Park in St. Petersburg, the Bulls got disturbing news about third baseman Mike Eylward, who leads the Bulls with 62 RBI.

Eylward developed inflammation of the bursar sack in his right knee diving for a ball Saturday. He did not start Sunday and the knee was drained by team doctors Monday.

Coach Eddie Cardieri said Eylward's status would be a game-day decision.

"It's a big loss because he's our most productive run producer and has been tremendously consistent," Cardieri said.

Right-handed pitcher John Vigue said Eylward's importance goes beyond what he does at the plate.

"If he can't play Wednesday it's a loss for the offense but more so it's a loss of one of our most vocal leaders," Vigue said.

Cardieri said if Eylward can't play he will be replaced by fifth-year senior Tim Crosby at third base, and Daniel Boyd will bat cleanup.

BASKETBALL SIGNEES: Robinson standout Terrance Leathers, a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 24.8 points and 9.6 rebounds, signed a letter of intent Monday to play for the Bulls. In a release, Bulls coach Seth Greenberg described Leathers as a player who has "a very good feel for the game, has great hands and is a terrific passer."

The Bulls were awaiting a letter of intent late Monday from point guard Deon Green out of Los Angeles City College. Green, a 6-3, 195-pounder, is expected to fill the spot vacated by junior Marlon Dawson, who left the team last week.

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