BCS TWEAKS, A FULMER OFFER AND BOSTON BOYS

Publication: THE CHARLESTON GAZETTE
Published: 10/07/2005
Page: 1B
Headline: BCS TWEAKS, A FULMER OFFER AND BOSTON BOYS
Byline: MITCH VINGLE

Nitro High's one-two football punch of Josh Culbertson and Chris Fulmer has racked up big numbers. The pair has racked up records. What they haven't racked up is scholarship offers.

On Thursday, though, Nitro coach Scott Tinsley said Fulmer, once believed to be a major-college prospect, received an offer Wednesday from Eastern Kentucky. Even though the school is in the Division I-AA Ohio Valley Conference, it does play Big East member Cincinnati in 2006 and Kentucky in 2007.

s You may have noticed the New York Jets aren't exactly titillating the Big Apple. The team is 1-3, last in the American Conference's East Division, and is starting 41-year-old QB Vinny Testaverde this Sunday against Tampa Bay.

One of the many Jets problems is the offensive line, which isn't providing room for Curtis Martin to run. Some in the know say part of the reason is the loss of ex-WVU player Anthony Becht, a good blocking tight end who helped Martin to the rushing title last season.

The Jets are said to be missing Becht and tackle Kareem McKenzie, who both left via free agency.

s WVU recruiting coordinator Herb Hand landed a little ammo for his efforts via Street & Smith magazine. In a special publication, the Mountaineers are featured as one of the 50 greatest college football programs of all time.

West Virginia is No. 44. In case you're wondering, the top five are Notre Dame, USC, Oklahoma, Alabama and Nebraska.

s Word is Fairmont native and Northeastern University basketball coach Ron Everhart has hired or is about to hire Ritchie Pitino, son of Louisville coach Rick.

Nice move. But Everhart has been making good moves since arriving in Boston. The Huskies have gone from 7-21 his first season to 16-15 to 21 wins last season. Northeastern made the America East title game this year before losing to Vermont. The Huskies were selected to the NIT, where they lost to Memphis. Also, the coach helped lift his team to the school's biggest victories - road wins over Boston College and, yes, West Virginia.

This season, Everhart can boast of one of the top 20 guards in the country in Jose Juan Barea, who dallied with the NBA draft before pulling out, a la WVU's Kevin Pittsnogle. The coach also returns Shawn James, a freshman sensation last season who blocked 136 shots.

s And finally . . .

While on the subject of Boston and West Virginians, Buckhannon native Chris Wallace has signed a two-year extension as the general manager of the Boston Celtics.

Two years ago the move was next to unthinkable. Wallace's power was mostly usurped when the club hired Danny Ainge as executive director of basketball operations. But Ainge and Wallace have gotten along surprisingly well.

"[Ainge] is a great guy," Wallace said by phone Thursday. "He's a terrific guy to have on board. Plus, I like it here. I'm trying to make it work here. And I'm fortunate enough to be making it occur."

Wallace, who shares responsibility for scouting players, making personnel decisions and advising Ainge, is entering his ninth season as GM.

To contact sports editor Mitch Vingle, send e-mail to mitchvingle@wvgazette.com or call 348-4827.