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NCAA pushes Pugh to St. Leo's sideline
By STEVE LEE SAINT LEO -- Jackie Pugh cannot play for the Saint Leo women's basketball team -- for now. Is she done for the season? Maybe. Maybe not. "There's a remote possibility," coach Dave Wilson said of Pugh joining the Lions, "but I don't want to get my hopes up." The former Pasco High star -- and arguably the greatest player ever in Pasco County -- earned a scholarship to Auburn. But Pugh left the Division I school after playing sparingly for two seasons and being redshirted last season. Pugh, who has had academic difficulties, transferred to Saint Leo in August. But last week, an NCAA committee ruled she lacks enough graduation requirements to play this season. Mike Magadan, Saint Leo's compliance officer and men's basketball coach, said Pugh's appeal to play for the Division II school was based on the past academic year (August 2000 to August 2001). The school may consider filing another appeal based on Pugh's first semester, which ends Dec. 14. "We feel we might be able to strengthen her case," Magadan said. "It's a wait-and-see." In the meantime, Pugh, a 6-foot-1 forward, practices with the Lions and sits on the bench to offer advice. "It's almost like having a student-assistant with you, because she's played at such a high level," Wilson said, adding that the Lions benefit from practicing with Pugh. "It can only make them better," the coach said. "Anybody in our conference, after you've gone against Jackie, everybody is going to be a walk in the park." Added co-captain Tenley Schofield, "It helps our big girls to have another big body underneath. "Our coach actually calls her "Coach Jackie,"' Schofield said. "She's another person who has eyes for Coach. "(The players will) listen to her. She has their respect." For all the practice time, Wilson said the players "look forward to actually getting to see her playing in a game." The 1997 Times All-Suncoast Player of the Year holds Pasco County career records for points (1,869) and rebounds (1,101). Additionally, Pugh, a three-time all-state pick, was named the Times All-North Suncoast Player of the Year and Sunshine Athletic Conference Player of the Year three times each. Pugh led the Pirates to an 80-19 record and 56 consecutive SAC victories in four varsity seasons. That included three district titles and two regional final appearances. Though he "was afraid to tell" Pugh that she could not play, Wilson said, "She was ready for a decision either way." With or without Pugh, Wilson's task is to help the Lions improve on last season's 6-21 record. "If we only get her for one year, that's better than no years," Wilson said. Pugh, a business major, is "not going to miss any classes because of games," Wilson said. "She has her priorities. I'm real impressed with her, and not for only what she can do on the court."
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