The Indianapolis News from Indianapolis, Indiana • 25

SECTION BUSINESSD-6 D-7 THE INDIANAPOLIS NEWS; THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1992 rules Lau uu umu uvui lu Sanctions against Duke possible because of center's diary The Associated Press If jfS accepted, we've settled on a morning I checked. We have no paper clined to discuss I1T1MCTAM OAT T7 i r- i ,1 Ju tJ aa-i 7 PVirJcf Ion I iaf nor contract with Christian Laettner, clined to discuss fit. the Duke circumstances. But speaking in general terms, he stated: "Whether the institution WINSTON-SALEM. N.C.

Duke fee," managing editor David Granger said today. He declined to disclose the vx- -a i I i -a Granger said. He said Kaplan apparently assumed there was a written contract "since we have one with all writers." Kaplan, now editor at Philadelphia Magazine, could not be reached immediately for comment. A spokeswoman for the magazine said he was out of the office until Monday and referred calls to Granger. Laettner made no secret of his deal with GQ.

He told reporters at an informal March 9 news conference that he agreed last summer to make weekly tape-recorded entries for GQ and would be paid after publication. Duke sports information director Mike Cragg said today that university officials did not believe Laettner's action center Christian Laettner may have violated NCAA rules when he agreed last summer to write a diary for G9 magazine, a newspaper reported today. The deal could render Laettner ineligible and make Duke subject to sanctions that range from a letter of reprimand to forfeiture of all 1991-92 victories, including the NCAA championship, the Winston-Salem Journal reported in a copyright story. But a spokeswoman for the magazine said today that Duke and GQ were careful to follow the rules. "Oufmanager.

Eliot Kaplan, went to great pains to work with Duke to make sure there were no violations and Duke got permission from the NCAA," G9's Cathy O'Brien said. Laettner, the leading scorer for the Blue Devils, agreed last August to keep an in-season diary that would be published by the magazine later this year, a G9 editor said. knew it or not. and he played on a team, they are subject to forfeiture of any game that he has played in since he made the agreement. "NCAA regulations mandate that a student-athlete may not be involved with a product for an endorsement as a representative of the university.

I think there is a problem if the agreement to perform the service was made while he was a student." Evrard referred other questions to David Berst, NCAA's assistant executive director of enforcement. "I don't recall the specific cases in the past, but I don't recall them having the kinds of effects that you're concerned about," Berst said today, referring to forfeiture of games. The first step is to determine whether a violation has occurred and that is a matter for NCAA legal experts, he said. fee. NCAA rules say a student-athlete's eligibility is jeopardized if he makes an agreement for professional services or promotes a product while still eligible.

"I think that we' would look, at the facts overall, but I dop't think we would distinguish between an oral or written-agreement," NCAA official Rick Evrard said. "An agreement is an agreement." Tom Butters, Duke's athletic director, said he did not know that Laettner was writing the diary. Chris Kennedy, Duke's compliance 1 director, said knew about the diary but thought it posed no problem. "As far as 1 know, there was no contract," he said. The Journal reported today that Kaplan, GQ's former managing editor, said Laettner signed a standard writing contract.

Granger disputed that today. "After people started calling me this violated any rules. "We checked into all this stuff before he agreed to do it," Cragg said. Evrard, following NCAA rules, de Christian Laettner Writing for GQ Unwanted spot at risk for Pacers Victor may not get the spoils i fimw Vi it 'AU' Pacers at New Jersey 6:30 WXIN S), WNDE (1260) PREVIEW Page D-5 St. James hits 221 at Texas She's now ready for 500 ordeal The Associated Press COLLEGE STATION, Texas Lyn St.

James, a sports car and sedan racer often referred to as America's top woman race car driver, has been trying for years to put together a deal for the Indianapolis 500. She finally has, with the help of team owner Dick- Simon, a veteran of 18 500s. And as she wound up two days of practice in Texas on Wednesday, she hopes to become the second woman to qualify for the race. "I feel like a rookie in what I am now launching into, but thank God I don't feel like a rookie race car driver." St. James said.

"It feels comfortable, but what I have to do is get used to the feeling of the car being free and still Identify what's going on. The Indy car, to me, is the ultimate vehicle. When you start and dream what a perfect race car Is like, this is it. I'm tickled as 1 could be." Simon was instrumental in putting Janet Guthrie in the race for three straight years in the late 1970s. Her best finish was ninth in 1978.

Guthrie remains the only woman to start at Indianapolis. "She's good, she's really good," Simon said of his latest protege. "We're taking it a step at a time." St. James averaged better than 221 mph around the 2-mile Texas World Speedway on Wednesday. Driving a 1991 Cos-worth-powered Lola, she reached straightaway speeds of 227 mph on the high-banked St.

James' speeds at Texas compare with laps of over 233 mph turned two weeks ago by Michael and Mario Andretti on the same track. She insists, however, she will be competitive. After 160 laps Tuesday and another 150 Wednesday, the team now heads for its home base In Indianapolis. By STEVE BRUNNER The Indianapolis News EAST RUTHERFORD. N.J.

It is a game that offers more reward for the loser than the winner. When the Pacers face the host New Jersey Nets tonight, sixth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race will be up for grabs. The problem is, both teams have excellent reasons to prefer seventh. For the Pacers, sixth would mean a first-round pairing against Cleveland, a team they have unable to beat this season. Seventh would bring either the New York Knicks or the Boston Celtics, depending on which of those teams wins the Atlantic Division.

The Pacers consider both teams eminently more vulnerable than the Cavs. In having split their season series, the Nets have no such aversion to Cleveland. Bbut since they're returning to the playoffs for the first time since 1986, they would vastly prefer to oppose the team on the other side of the Hudson River. "It's a big game, if we want the sixth spot," said LaSalle Thompson. Do you want to be in the sixth spot? "Bo (Hill) wants us to be In sixth," Thompson said, "because it would be good for the franchise." 5, But do you want to be In the sixth spot? "If we play Boston or New York, we'd have a much better chance." said Thompson.

"But I'm a little bit biased, because (Cleveland's) Larry Nance is the toughest guy in the league for me to cover." What Hill actually wants Is for the players not to concern themselves with the various scenarios that could unfold In the final days of the regular season, but rather concentrate on build- ing momentum going into the playoffs. "As far as I'm concerned personally, I don't think trying to place ourselves, or trying to determine who we play, is in our best interest." Hill said. "It's important that we take, each game and concentrate on playing well. "If we get satisfied, we're going to take a step In the wrong direction. That's my concern." A victory tonight would not clinch sixth for the Pacers, because Indiana concludes its season against the Cavs while the Nets finish up with Orlando.

And if the teams finish tied, the Nets would take sixth by virtue of a better conference record. Neither team will be completely healthy tonight. The Pacers aren't sure if they'll have center Rik Smits or point guard Mlcheal Williams, both suffering from- knee tendinitis. Nets forward Derrick Coleman has been-bothered by a strained groin. "I'm not worried about New Jersey," said Chuck Person.

"If we play good Pacer basketball -running, defending and rebounding we can beat anybody. We want to get as high as we can, so every game's important." 0. Finishing sixth would require at least one more victory. "Obviously, New York, isn't playing as well as Cleveland, and Cleveland has beaten us four times," said Hill. "But we haven't had great success with New York, either (losing three of four).

Whoever we play, It's Im It T7' John Indianapolis News New look Two-time defending state high school girls state titles in 1989 and 1990 while at Carmel singles tennis champion Holyn Lord of Brebeuf before transferring to Brebeuf. She did not corn-returns a shot as she warms up for Wednesday's pete in high school tennis last year. Lord, and match against Carmel at Brebeuf. Lord won her Brebeuf, won Wednesday 4-1. portant mai we prepare and make sure we're playing as well as we can." Six Australian golfers waiting in the wingi they can taste It.

They won't ease up until one of their clan wears the Green Coat. Grady sees an Aussie wearing a green Jacket soon. "We didn't win It this year," he said, "but think the guys are going to be around long enough that someone will very shortly." Faces in the crowd AT the new FUZZY ZOELLER-deslgned course near Hilton Head, the" high' scorer tn every foursome gets a prize a free beer In the clubhouse. Now that's class. Outfielder DEION SANDERS says he's ready to put football on the back burner and play full time for the-Atlanta Braves.

He's hotter than a (flre)cracker, by the way. He's had a hit In every game so far. Wednesday afternoon he went two of four with a homer and a triple. Down In Dixie, race fans are saying RICHARD PETTY should quit, now instead of completing his firil "goodbye the fans" tour. Sound familiar, A.J.

FOYT fans? as an international player. It was like a snowball effect," Parry said. "All of a sudden, we said, 'We can win these Check the rest from Down Under. Ian Baker-Finch, one of the real great players In the world. Is the reigning British Open champion.

Wayne Grady won the PGA championship In 1990. Norman Is 37 and Grady 34, but Baker-Finch, 31, Steve Elklngton, 29, and Parry, 26. and Rodger Lavls, 28. are Just approaching their peak. Parry says there are only 17 tournaments In Australia, but that he and his countrymen play against the best players In the world because they have to travel so much.

Their golf courses are tough and there is good climate so they can play the year around. The Americans have their eyes on other good young players from around the world people like Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain, who is only 26; Steven Richardson, 25, of England; and Ronan Rafferty of Ireland and Scotsman Colin Montgo-merie, both 28. t. The Aussies want to win the Masters so iad AMERICAN golf Is on a roll. First there was the U.S.

victory In the Ryder Cup matches with Europe last fall and now Freddie Couples has broken the four-year European domination of the Masters. Further, the first five finishers at Augusta were Yankee Doodle Dandles, the best American finish In eight years. But the Yanks can't let their success go to' their heads. There Is new competition In the offing from Down Under. There Is a six pack of young Australian golfers Just itching to get their hands on some American money and some major championship.

All six Aussies Invited to the Masters made the cut. Sure, some think Craig Parry, offering excuses that the crowd was against him, choked Sunday at Augusta. He was tied for the lead, you may remember, going into the final round. Greg Norman is the senior member of the Australian delegation although he has beeih-Ameri-canized. He has lived In Florida for years and TL7 OUT Wayne Fuson plays the American tour regularly.

But once an Aussie, always an Aussie apparently. Norman, who has been considered one of the greatest golfers in the world, has had his problems in this country's major tournaments. But he was an inspiration for young Australians. "When we saw how good Norman had become.