Remembering McElvene:
Two women’s DAYTON — basketball recruits have canceled their verbal commitments to the Dayton Flyers since the resignation of Jim Jabir on Sept. 7.
Victoria Oglesby, a 5-foot-8 guard in the class of 2018 from Suwanee, Ga., announced Monday on Twitter she was shocked by Jabir’s decision and decided to change her plans and reopen her recruitment. This came a week after new coach Shauna Green and her staff visited Oglesby at her home.
“More schools have already jumped in full force with offers & home visits this week,” Oglesby wrote. “Can’t wait to host everyone!”
Earlier this month, Jaelynn Penn, a 5-10 wing from Louisville, Ky., who ranked 39th in the country in the class of 2017, according to ESPN, reopened her recruitment. Dayton still has a commitment from Samantha Breen, a 6-2 post from Cranberry, Pa. She ranks 67th in the class of 2017.
The Dayton women’s basketball team will hold its first official practice Oct. 9. The men’s team will start practice Oct. 10.
New season:
Many Dayton players and coaches wished late center Steve McElvene happy birthday on Monday. McElvene, who died May 12, would have turned 21.
“Happy Birthday Big Fella,” senior point guard Scoochie Smith wrote on Instagram. “I know u up there dancing for ya bday.”
Senior guard Kyle Davis wrote on Instagram, “Happy birthday lil bro. You truly touched all our hearts in some type of way and you’ll never be forgotten but dance away in heaven like the old times because we all will be together partying in heaven with you one day. Miss you bro.”
Getting closer:
The Atlantic 10 will hold men’s basketball media day Oct. 18 in Pittsburgh at the CONSOL Energy Center, site of the conference tournament in March.
All 14 conference coaches will attend. That includes George Washington’s Maurice Joseph, an assistant coach who was named interim head coach Tuesday. George Washington fired Mike Lonergan on Sept. 17.
Recruiting update:
Anthony Gaines, a 6-4 guard from New Hampton School (N.H.), announced his commitment to Northwestern on Tuesday. He visited UD and Northwestern on back-to-back weekends.
Sean Mobley, a 6-9 forward from Melbourne, Fla., committed to Virginia Commonwealth on Monday. He was also considering Dayton.
Save the date:
A new book about UD grad Chuck Noll, a Pro Football Hall of Fame coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers, comes out in October. Author Michael MacCambridge will appear at the UD Bookstore from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 26 to promote “Chuck Noll: His Life’s Work.”
Volleyball:
Freshman Jamie Peterson was named A-10 Rookie of the Week for the third time. The West Liberty-Salem graduate averaged 3.62 kills and 3.94 points per set. The Flyers (15-1) beat George Washington 3-1 and George Mason 3-1 in their first two conference matches.
Men’s golf:
The Flyers won the NKU Fall Classic on Monday by 12 strokes over second-place Oakland in the 17-team field. Junior Phillip Johnson tied for first with two other golfers. Senior Nick Paxson placed fourth.
Dayton lost 4-0 to the USSSA Florida Pride in an exhibition game Sunday. The Pride have played in the championship game of the National Pro Fastpitch league seven seasons in a row and have won three championships.
Softball: