The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 47

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1994 The Indianapolis Star sure can toce stocc in this; A.J. will hit bricks in stock car will ISA cal Robin Miller IndyCar schedule: Next year's slate features five races before Indy 500. Page 5. ice The car, number and helmet weren't recognizable, but there was no mistaking the driver behind those Serengeti sunglasses. 1 "I think Dad's having a good time," said Jerry Foyt, one of A.J.'s four sons who is racing ARCA stockers this season and crewing for his famous father this week.

"It looks like he's got a lot of desire to me," said Irvan. "I haven't really raced one of these cars in six years, so I'm Just trying to get the feel back," said Foyt. Considering he was running old Goodyear tires on a new car and hadn't had any seat time (in anything) for more than a year, A.J. didn't disappoint his crew or himself. The 1972 Daytona 500 winner was within four-tenths of a second of Irvin, who gave Foyt a test hop and some reassurance.

"I felt something in the front end and Ernie felt exactly the same thing I did so that made me feel good," continued Foyt. "He did me a favor and I appreciate it." See MILLER Page 5 shaking down No. 50, a black Ford Thunderbird. Will the Speedway legend be competing in the inaugural Brickyard 400? Don't be ridickulus, of course he will. "If I do, I want to make sure I'm competitive and comfortable that's why I'm out here," he replied.

After abruptly walking away from his glorious Indy-car career in May 1993, the 59-year-old Texan never discounted competing in NASCAR's debut at IMS. He still hasn't officially committed, but couldn't contain his enthusiasm In between Thursday's runs. "He's smiling a lot I wish he didn't like it so much," said Anne Fornoro, Foyt's publicist for his Copenhagen Indy-car team. A.J. Foyt was back in his domain Thursday adjusting a chassis, checking sparkplugs, comparing notes with other drivers and driving around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

In a stock car. You can draw your own conclusions, but Indy's first four-time winner definitely wasn't making a television commercial or taking friends for a joy ride like he did a few years back. He was sporting a serious race face. Sharing the track on which he carved his legend with Rusty Wallace, Ernie Irvan and Rich Blckell, Foyt spent the past two days Star Staff Photo Patrick Schneider HE'S BACK: A.J. Foyt stands before car he plans to run in the Brickyard 400.

WIMBLEDON SEEDS KEEP DROPPING '4' Move from Pepsi Coliseum signals step to "next level," according to team's president. By Scott Horner STAR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT What did you expect? You didn't think Ray Comp-ton would stand behind a podium in a suit and in a nonchalant manner say, "The Indianapolis Ice will play their home games in Market Square Arena for the 1994-95 season," did you? Of course not. The Ice president who brought dead rock star night, between-period weddings, post-game boxing, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders and sumo wrestling to the ice added his usual, or perhaps unusual, flair in announcing Thursday that the Ice have a multi-year agreement to play at MSA. First, he had members of the media gather at the Marott Apartments, located at Meridian Street and Fall Creek Parkway, and put them in limousines. Then the limo drivers, clad in Ice jerseys, drove north toward the Pepsi Coliseum home of the Ice the past six years before backtracking to MSA.

Upon arrival. Ice polar bear mascot Slapshot, a ragtime band and an Elvis impersonator led the group to MSA's Market Square Gardens restaurant, where the news conference was scheduled. Compton was nowhere to be found, but Slapshot took his place at the head table with MSA president Rick Fuson, Mayor Stephen Goldsmith and Indiana Pacers president Donnie Walsh. Slapshot, hot and tired from being in a bulky, claustrophobic suit during a heat wave, took off his head to get some air. Out popped Compton's head.

"It was a bear of a negotiation," a sweaty Compton said in opening his comments, pounding the podium with his fist to accentuate the pun. Besides saying it is multi-year, Compton and Fuson provided no other details of the agreement which will allow the Ice to play all 41 of their home games at the facility where the Checkers and Racers two of the city's former pro hockey entries played for parts of nine seasons. Some eyebrows might be raised over the agreement, considering the Ice averaged fewer than 5,000 fans per game last season in the smaller, older arena at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, and the rent for MSA almost certainly would be considerably higher. Compton said the team would take a bigger risk by not moving. "This is a chance we would not take if we didn't feel it would work," he said.

"We're at the point where the franchise is one of the most stable in the (International Hockey League), but we have to take it to the next level to survive." "In my opinion, it's the building itself," said Fuson, noting the elaborate scoreboard, video screens, restaurant and covered parking not available at the coliseum. "It's a major league arena with more opportunity." Bill Stinson, executive director of the Indiana State Fair Board, said he is disappointed the Ice are leaving the coliseum but realizes the advantages MSA provides. See ICE Page 2 ve Associated Press Stefan Edberg also was eliminated, losing 6-7 (6-8), 6-7 (6-8), 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 to Kenneth Carlsen. Page 5. Fifth-seeded Jim Courier lies on the court after falling in his 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 loss to Guy Forget Thursday at Wimbledon.

No. 3 seed Today's prep stars coping with pressure, influences Rockets stop teasing fans by bringing home crown -X After years of showing potential, Houston finally puts it together to win an NBA championship. i Former Mr. Basketball Bobby Plump says high school athletes' lives aren't as simple anymore. By Mike Beas STAR STAFF WRITER Bobby Plump 40 years ago launched a jump shot.

It's point of release was near the top of the key and it hit all net decades before it ever hit Hollywood. The era in which the former Milan miracle-worker grew up is in life's rear-view mirror and getting smaller by the second. Things were simpler then. Basketball was a boy, his ball, some friends and a goal-Developments concerning the Indiana Boys All-Star team the past two years, with one Mr. Bas- mous MVP of the Finals with 25 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three blocked shots in Game 7.

"If you write a book, you can't write it any better. It has been a great season for us, and I'm so happy to bring a championship to this city, Houston. That means a lot." In a Jubilant, loud and wet postgame locker room, the Rockets sprayed Spanish sparkling wine (Frelxenet Cordon Negro), which did a boffo job in lieu of champagne. Everybody from Mayor Bob Lanier to Rockets owner Leslie Alexander to former owner Charlie Thomas and a slew of support personnel took turns hugging the Lawrence O'Brien Championship Trophy. Chants of "Houston, Houston, Houston," rang through the locker room.

"I think it (the championship) revitalized the city," said rookie owner Alexander. "This Is a heck of a first season." Added Thomas: "This town is a winner. This town Is not a loser." See ROCKETS Page 3 Coach's advice: Muncie Central's Drews says Wells should "live and learn." Page 2. ketball wanna-be and even one don't-wanna-be, lead Plump to firmly believe things aren't so simple anymore. "Obviously, it's a combination of things, but it seems like the pressure on kids today starts so much earlier," said Plump.

"Now, it seems there are some people who are only out for themselves." Patrick Aikman of The Indianapolis Star has been the Indiana All-Star Game Director since 1988. Aikman Is quick as he is proud to announce that in his seven-year tenure, 181 All-Stars, boys and girls, have blended har- See PLUMP Page 2 By Eddie Sefko HOUSTON CHRONICLE Houston Bring on the common cold. And humidity, too. If Houston has a world championship, anything is possible. Nothing Is too great to overcome.

The Rockets, for years as guilty of teasing and tormenting their frustrated fans as the Oilers and Astros, delivered the city into the land of winners Wednesday night at The Summit by defeating the New York Knicks 90-84 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals for the first major sports championship In Houston history. "It was truly a championship game," said center Hakeem Olajuwon, a unani Associated Press IT'S LOVE: Rockets' Sam Cassell hugs the NBA championship trophy Wednesday night. "3W 3 USRowing athletes sing praises of city's facilities and local club AMERICAN LEAGUE Oakland 4 Kansas City 0 Chicago 13 Seattle 2 NATIONAL LEAGUE By Greg Seiter STAR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT If the sport of rowing ever goes Cincinnati 7 San Francisco 5 search of official ambassadors. the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

She moved to Indianapolis in October of 1993. after accepting a position with USRowing. "I work In athlete services and do a lot of coordination work with 4 See ROWING Page 2 of numerous opportunities, in and out of the water. Good Is from Ohio, where she began rowing in 1985 while attending Ohio State University. Originally a pre-med student, she became involved In coaching at the BeamontJ School for Girls in Ohio and served an internship at Rowing Center and their sport.

"The city of Indianapolis is very fortunate to have such a great facility and wonderful club," said Young. "People should take advantage of the rowing opportunities here." It would ppear that Good and Young both have taken advantage 1,000 athletes competing in the 118th USRowing National Championship Regatta at Eagle Creek Reservoir through Sunday. Following a fourth-place heat finish in the lightweight women's double skulls division Thursday, the pair was cheerful, relaxed and supportive of the Indianapolis Chicago 9 Florida 3 Mary Good and Kass Young of the Indianapolis Rowing Center club AMERICAN ASSOCIATION would be perfect candidates. The two' are among the nearly.