ON CAMPUS Sullivan expected to help Zips

The Niles native is back for his third season as the starting punter.
AKRON -- The University of Akron's Billy Sullivan, a three-year starter including the last two as a punter, ranks sixth in the Mid-American Conference among returnees with a 40.2 yard-per punt average. He also serves as the backup place-kicker for the Zips.
Akron starts practice on Aug. 10 in preparation for its open at Purdue University on Sept. 10.
As a junior, Sullivan, a Niles High graduate, was the starting punter in all 11 games for the Zips. He punted 63 times for 2,532 yards.
He also served as the holder for place-kicker Jason Swiger, who also returns for his final season with the Zips.
Sullivan average 42 yards on three punts, with a long of 48 against Penn State last year and he kicked the ball a career-high 11 times against Virginia. Five of those were fair catches and two landed inside the 20 as the Zips lost to the Cavaliers, 51-0.
He had a season-best average 42.9 with nine punts for 386 yards in a 24-19 victory over Kent State University.
Sullivan maintains a 3.18 cumulative GPA in surveying and construction engineering, enjoys playing basketball, golfing and lifting weights in his spar time and has volunteered at the Korey Stringer Camp which benefited four children's charities.
Davanzo Tate, a Fitch High graduate, who transferred to Akron from West Virginia University, sat out the 2004 season fulfilling NCAA transfer requirements.
A 5-10, 185-pound sophomore, Tate, a Dean's list student, is expected to compete for a starting spot at cornerback.
Hiram
Michelle Burke has been hired as the new head softball coach at Hiram College.
She was the assistant women's soccer and softball coach for the Terriers last season.
In addition to her coaching duties, Burke also will serve as the assistant to the sport marketing director.
Burke, a 2004 graduate of Centenary College (N.J.) with a bachelor's degree in English, was a three-sport letter winner in softball, soccer and basketball.
Swarthmore
Sonia Vallalh of Hermitage is a member of the Swarthmore College women's tennis team that received the 2005 Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-Academic award.
To make the list, student-athletes must be varsity letter winners, have a trade-point-average of at least 3.5 and have been enrolled at their present school for at least two semesters.
The Garnet posted a 10-0 record last season, winning their fourth overall Centennial Conference championship and third in five years.
Swarthmore compiled a 12-6 record and was ranked No. 25 in NCAA Division III and the Garnet made its third straight appearance in the NCAA Div. III tournament.