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News Nuggets, 09.21.04
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

USM turns to former stars to fill athletics positions

Southern Mississippi has called once more on a pair of one-time Golden Eagle athletes to play a role in the schools' quest for athletics success.

USM Director of Athletics Richard Giannini announced the employment of former All-American quarterback and Heisman Trophy semifinalist Reggie Collier as the Coordinator of Athletic Development and Community Relations and former standout pitcher Charlie Rogers as the Coordinator of Marketing and Ticket Sales.

"In the landscape of collegiate athletics today, generating revenue is imperative," said Giannini in a statement. " We believe that the addition of Reggie Collier and Charlie Rogers will greatly assist us in our fundraising and ticket sales efforts. We are also delighted to have the opportunity to hire two of our former student-athletes."

Collier will work closely with the Pine Belt community to strengthen the relationship between the university, athletics department and the community, noted the announcement, which indicated he will also be involved in fund-raising and the sales of suites and club level seating.

Rogers will work on increasing ticket sales for all Southern Miss sports and assist in the department's marketing efforts.

Collier, who finished his bachelor's degree in sport management in August 2003, stared for the Golden Eagles from 1979-82. He was the first quarterback in NCAA history to rush for 1,000 yards and pass for 1,000 yards in the same season, a feat he accomplished in 1981, when he was named a third-team Associated Press All-American and finished 9th in the Heisman voting.

He was named to Southern Miss' Cellular One Team of the Century and was inducted into the Southern Miss Hall of Fame in 2000.

"Southern Miss has always had a special place in my heart," Collier said. "Being back at Southern Miss as a member of the athletics department makes it even more special. I'm looking forward to doing everything I can to not only help the University but to help increase the awareness of Southern Miss in the Hattiesburg community."

Rogers, who finished his master's degree in sport management this past August, was a graduate assistant in the Southern Miss Department of Athletics this past year. He was a four-year starter (1999-02) for the Golden Eagle baseball program. As a senior in 2002, he finished with a 5-2 record, including top wins over nationally-ranked Nebraska and Texas Christian.

"I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to work here at Southern Miss," Rogers said. "Having played in front of the wonderful fans that we have, I am excited and look forward to the future as we continue to build on our existing fan base."

Giannini also announced that Leigh Ann Warner, Director of Development for the Southern Miss Athletic Foundation, will assume the role of Special Assistant to the Director of Athletics, so she can spend more time with her family. Warner will assist the athletics department with various fundraising projects on a part-time basis.

Compiled from a Southern Mississippi Athletics report.

Tigers take two of league's weekly awards

Conference USA announced Monday that Stephen Gostkowski and Wesley Smith of Memphis were its special teams and defensive players of the week, while Houston's Anthony Evans picked up the offensive honor.

DEFENSE

Wesley Smith, FS, Memphis: Smith registered a career-high 17 tackles (10 solo) in the Tigers' win at Arkansas State on Saturday night. Two of his stops were for losses and both of those tackles led to turnovers on the subsequent plays.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Stephen Gostkowski, K, Memphis: Gostkowski booted a career-high four field goals and added five extra points for a 17-point night at Arkansas State, the second-highest point total by a kicker in school history. He connected on field goals of 19, 41, 24 and 30 yards, while extending his streak of consecutive PATs made to 65.

OFFENSE

Anthony Evans, RB, Houston: Evans carried 34 times for 282 yards and two touchdowns in Houston's 35-21 win over Army. The 282 rushing yards tied for the third-highest total in Conference USA history and second-highest mark in UH annals. Evans' rushing total was third among all Division I players this week.

Compiled from a Memphis Athletics report.

UH students get more ducats for ESPN game

Due to high interest by students, University of Houston Director of Athletics Dave Maggard announced Monday the school will release an additional 1,000 tickets to UH students for Thursday's game against No. 2 Miami at Reliant Stadium.

The tickets are free for all UH students who present a current Cougar One card at the UH Athletics Ticket Office in the Athletics/Alumni Center. There is a limit of one ticket per card.

In addition to the student tickets, other tickets are still available for Thursday's game at Reliant Stadium, according to the announcement. Ticket prices are $40 for lower level, $30 for club level, $25 for lower end zone and $17 for club end zone.

Less than a week after opening the Conference USA season with a 35-14 win over Army, the Cougars play host to the Hurricanes on Thursday, with kickoff slated for 6:30 p.m.

Thursday's game marks the season's second for the Cougars against a Top Four team. Earlier this month, UH traveled north to meet No. 2 Oklahoma.

The game will be nationally televised on ESPN with Mike Tirico, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit calling the action.

Compiled from a Houston Athletics report.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically from staff, ECU, Conference USA and its member schools, and from Associated Press and other reports. Copyright 2004 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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