Virginia Tech

Coach: Seth Greenberg, third season at school (31-28), 16th overall (244-198) 2004-05 record: 16-14, 8-8 (tied for fourth in ACC; NIT second round) Returning starters: Junior F Coleman Collins, junior G Zabian Dowdell, junior G Jamon Gordon, sophomore G-F Deron Washington Sun prediction: Losing record Why it will happen: Although the Hokies' depth in the frontcourt might have improved, several of the players there are untested. Two freshmen, a sophomore and a walk-on will be looked to for contributions.

"A danger to self or others." I first heard the phrase 28 years ago, after a disturbed young man was shot and killed by police at Baltimore's old Trailways station. He had gotten off a bus with his belongings, including a long package containing a bow and arrow. After he was not allowed to cash a check, he began shooting arrows at the building and frightening people. Perhaps he was only pretending to endanger others, crying out for attention. Perhaps he was instigating what some call an indirect "suicide by police."

This column reflects on what some would consider "old" news - the shootings at Virginia Tech - and I offer this observation: Reporters, editors and readers needed breathing room after this horrific event to achieve some kind of perspective on what happened there. The coverage of the worst mass shooting in American history has raised interesting questions about the direction and velocity of modern American journalism. Some readers and television viewers felt assaulted by the in-your-face presentation of the bad news - very large headlines and photos, including menacing close-ups of the shooter brandishing handguns.

BLACKSBURG, Va. -- In the tunnel, their excitement was eerily marked by complete silence. While Virginia Tech's football players waited, just a few feet away, in the stadium's giant bowl, more than 66,000 fans locked their eyes on a moving video tribute playing on the scoreboard. When the video finished, the opening riffs of Metallica's "Enter Sandman" started playing, and the players burst onto the field. Then a football game was played, which I guess isn't too surprising since that's what everyone came to see. But it had been billed as much more.

BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Sue Logsden scored 17 and Dayna Sonivick and Lisa Griffith each had 15 to lead Virginia Tech past Towson State, 92-61, in the first round of the Diamond Club Classic last night.It was the first victory in seven starts for Virginia Tech, which will meet George Mason in today's championship at 4 p.m. George Mason defeated Morehead State, 75-68, in the other first-round game. Towson State plays Morehead State in the consolation game at 2 p.m.Danielle Barry led the Tigers (3-6)

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Toni Green scored 14 and Ida Burke added 13 to lead West Virginia Tech to a 69-61 victory over Coppin State in the consolation game of the Lady Herd Classic yesterday.COPPIN STATE (2-4) -- Scott 8; Hobbs 8; Russell 4; Hatch 15; McCallum 15; Doctor 1; Medley 12. Totals: 21 18-25 61.WEST VIRGINIA TECH -- Ida Burke 13; Marcum 12; Toni Green 14; Lee 2; Washington 9; Woodruff 3. Totals: 22 19-29 69.Halftime: Coppin St., 32-25. Three-pointers: Coppin (McCallum 1); WVT (Burke 1, Marcum 3, Lee 2.)

Man-made and natural disasters dominated the list of the public's top news stories in 2007, Pew Research Center surveys show. Nearly half of Americans tracked news about the shootings of 33 students at Virginia Tech University very closely, while nearly as many paid very close attention to reports on the Minneapolis bridge collapse and the California wildfires. As was the case in 2006, however, the rising price of gasoline attracted the largest audience of any news story. In May, 52% of Americans said they tracked rising prices at the pump very closely.

COLLEGE PARK -- It's a new year for the Maryland women's basketball team, but some of the same problems that plagued it last year returned in last night's 68-53 season-opening loss to Virginia Tech at Cole Field House in the inaugural Women's Preseason National Invitation Tournament.Defensive lapses along the front line and extended scoring droughts, bugaboos in last season's 15-13 campaign, combined with the inexperience on the current squad, particularly up front, contributed to Maryland's demise.

Patterson quarterback Willie McGirt verbally committed on Tuesday night to accept a full football scholarship to play at Virginia Tech, Patterson coach Roger Wrenn said yesterday.McGirt, a second-team All-Metro and a second-team All-State pick, will sign a national letter of intent on Feb. 1, the first day of the NCAA's seven-day early signing period for fall athletes.Others known to have verbally committed to signing on Feb. 1 are quarterback Bobby Sabelhaus (Florida) and defensive back Dwayne Stukes (Virginia)

Matthew G. Gwaltney Gwaltney, 24, was on the brink of finishing his graduate degree and was planning to return to his hometown for a new job and to be near his parents. He was a master's student in civil and environmental engineering and was attending Virginia Tech on a fellowship, his father, Greg Gwaltney, said yesterday from his home in Chester, Va., near Richmond. Gwaltney had been the high school school newspaper's sports editor and named "Best guy to take home to your parents," said his principal, Robert Stansberry.