The Tampa Tribune du lieu suivant : Tampa, Florida • 37

Til Section THE TAMPA TRIBUNE Thursday, April 17, 1986 Hall of Fame Bowl will be played in Tampa NCAA followed Its customary pattern of not approving a bowl in the year of its first presentation. Since then, the pledge requirment went from $1 to $1.5 million. The additional signatures were sought and obtained, and the Mlzlou people signed on with a television contract "We fully Intend to make this a major bowl down the line," said Zalupskl. "And knowing the way we do things, we can do that" First there was the Cigar Bowl In the late See FAME, Page 5C Sutton, Kynes, Tampa Sports Authority Executive Director Joe Zalupskl and Dick Christian. Their presentation was hlghlighed by an specially prepared video, evidence of $1.9 million in earnest money pledges from businesses and individuals in the Tampa Bay area, evidence of a TV contract, and assurance that the minimum required payment of $500,000 to each team would be met "We did it It took two attempts, but we made It," said Sutton, president of Media General's broadcast division (which includes WXFL, Channel 8).

Application was sought last year but the It will be the Hall of Fame Bowl and developed In league with the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame. It will not be played on Christmas. The date is not set, but it will be played this December. Mlzlou network will telecast the game to 90-85 percent of the country. The Tampa bowl was the only new bowl bid made.

Others interested backed away. It becomes the 19th sanctioned college football bowl game. "Hot dog!" exclaimed Bob Sutton, co-chairman of the bowl committee with Jim Kynes, Jr. The NCAA's post-season committee approved the game for December. By TOM McEWEN Tribune Sports Editor Tampa Is back in the bowl business.

This time it is the college bowl business again. The National Collegiate Athletic Association approved a new post-season bowl game for Tampa Stadium In December. "We got it We want this to be the start of something big," said Kynes. It was the executive council of the NCAA meeting in Kansas City that sanctioned the new bowl game. The action followed the recommendation of approval of the Tampa petition by the NCAA's post-season committee.

Ann Marie Lawler, women's athletic director at the University of Florida, sits on the post-season committee that Mike Loed of the University of Washington chairs. Lawler made the motion the Tampa bid be favorably recommended to the council. That decision followed a presentation by USFL owners turn deaf ear to NFL Schlichter likes look of Bandits Art Schlichter worked out Wednesday with the Bandits and said he is looking for a "comfortable situation." The owners turned thumbs down on any settlement with the NFL. By NICK PUGLIESE Tribune Sports Writer LAKE BUENA VISTA The United States Football League turned thumbs down Wednesday on any settlement with the National Football League for the time being. After hearing a report from their attorney, the USFL owners unanimously agreed to forget any deal or offer from the NFL until the USFL's $1.32 billion antitrust suit against the NFL has been settled.

The eight owners, meeting at the Buena Vista Palace, also heard that the NFL has switched its counsel for the antitrust trial, which is set to start on May 12 in New York. "The NFL already had two law firms and on the eve of the trial, they go out and bring In a third law firm as experts," said Bandits owner Lee Scarfone. "They couldn't possibly have the familiarity and background for this case. "This makes me think the NFL is terrorized." Scarfone said the USFL was set to ask for even more damages $1.7 billion and he had no doubt the league would win the case. Scarfone also had a couple of announcements more directly concerning his team.

The Bandits will play host to the Memphis Showboats on Christmas Night and they are prepared to work out a deal with the Birmingham Stallions for the rights to Auburn running back Bo Jackson. "Bo's appointment with (Birmingham owner) Harold Rlpps and (president) Jerry Sklar was rescheduled for Friday," Scarfone said. "They are very serious in their attempt to sign Jackson. We are interested in enticing him into the USFL He's a franchise player. "If for any reason he does not want to sign with Birmingham, they have told us they would negotiate with us for bis rights.

The conditions (money and players) are acceptable to both teams." Scarfone also said he had talked to Arizona Outlaws owner Bill Tatham Sr. about ex-Bucs quarterback Doug Williams and the matter would be "probed further." While Scarfone dreamed of having Jackson and Williams in his backfleld, Commissioner Harry Usher said the light remains green for the USFL's 1986 fall season. "The active member clubs have affirmed their commitment to ready themselves for the forthcoming eight-week trial and to play football in the fall of 1986," Usher said. When asked If a settlement from the NFL was on the table, Usher said he could not answer that question because of "impending litigation." Besides discussing the antitrust suit, the USFL owners drew up the 1986 schedule, made plans for the territorial and open drafts and checked out the collective bargaining agreement with the players. While the 18-week schedule was put down on paper, it will not be released until April 25 so all the teams can make sure there are no stadium conflicts.

For instance, the See OWNERS, Page SC Tribune photo by AUGUST STAEBLER Free agent quarterback Art Schlichter works out Wednesday under the watchful eye of Bandits Coach Steve Spurrier. By TOM FORD Assistant Sports Editor The Bandits may have moved near the top of a list of "four or five" professional football teams free-agent quarterback Art Schlichter said he is considering signing with. Schlichter, who last played for the Indianapolis Colts in 1985, worked closely with Bandits Coach Steve Spurrier for about 1 hours Wednesday at the team's practice field. Before he came to Tampa, Schlichter, a 1982 first-round pick of the Colts, then based in Baltimore, participated in tryouts with the Cincinnati Bengals and Houston Oilers. Schlichter flew to Tampa from Houston on Wednesday morning.

Last week, The Cincinnati Post quoted Schlichter as saying he was confident he would be play in the NFL during the upcoming season. But Schlichter said Wednesday he was not discounting signing with a United States Football League team. "I just want to get into a situation where I'll be comfortable," said Schlichter, who has set a self-imposed deadline of April 29 the day of the NFL draft for reaching an agreement seemed to be just as impressive to Spurrier, who had him drop back, then throw passes of medium and short range. "He was very receptive to what we showed him and you don't always get that when a guy comes in for a tryout," said Spurrier. "He was open to any tip, and I think he might have gotten better as we went along." Schlichter, 25, came to the Colts out of Ohio State in 1982.

He was the fourth overall pick and the first quarterback drafted. Jim McMahon of the World Champion Chicago Bears was the No. 5 selection in Round One. Yet despite the fact his college career ended four years ago, Schlichter is virtually a rookie In pro football. His first season with the Colts was shortened by the NFL strike and he was suspended for 1984 by NFL Commissioner Pete Ro-zelle for his Involvement in gambling.

He was the Colts' No. 1 quarterback at the start of the '85 season, but suffered knee and thumb Injuries and was waived after the fifth game. See BANDITS, Page 5C "I'm looking for a place where I can learn and be under somebody who is willing to work with me and give me the opportunity to lm-: prove." i From every indication, Spurrier, a former Heisman Trophy-winner who played quarterback in the NFL, fits that description. "He is an excellent coach," said Schlichter, "This was really a lot different than I had anticipated. He showed me a different kind of foot' work that is maybe more suited to my style." Schlichter, 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, USFL knows a defeat in court would mean sudden death NICK ruyneoe suit" Bandits owner Lee Scarfone said.

"If they're not taking the suit seriously, their actions end decisions belle their public statements." Orlando Renegades owner Donald Dlz-ney said the USFL is united as ever. "When you come in and see seven other guys willing to put up money and hear the positive talk about the lawsuit, then it makes it easy for me to put up my money," Dizney said. Well, I hate to take the starch out of the USFL's briefs, but most of the folks out there do not share the owners' confidence. Having read some of the depositions in the antitrust case, such as "star witness" Al Davis, it seems hard to believe the USFL will defeat the NFL on such testimony. No matter what the owners say, a loss in court would mean sudden death for the USFL.

Even Usher, the eternal optimist said "winning the lawsuit is incredibly important to the long-term survival of the USFL" Naturally, anything can happen In a court of law and the USFL certainly can win. That brings up the next point does the NFL then offer a merger as part of a settlement? The USFL could win the quarter and lose the game. "I'm sure If the NFL loses the case, they will make a business decision based on the amount of damages," Scarfone said. "In lieu of damages, they might make an offer of amount of positions within the league. My partner, Tony Cunningham, and I realize a merger is possible but we would hold out for two separate leagues." See USFL Page 5C LAKE BUENA VISTA Call it coincidence.

Call it blind luck. Call it fate. As the United States Football League owners met at the Buena Vista Palace, Just around the corner from Mickey Mouse Land, on Wednesday, the American Academy of Pediatrics' conference on infectious diseases was being held down the hall. The USFL owners might not have the measles or mumps, but some certainly might question their sanity. After all, these rich, educated men have put their future in the hands of Judge Wapner in the form of a $1.32 billion (soon to rise to $1.7 billion) antitrust suit against the National Football League.

Are the USFL owners worried about the lawsuit? Are they concerned It might be thrown out of court or they might lose? Or it could last until Halley's Comet comes around the next time? No way. Not only do they appear cool and calm as Crockett and Tubbs on a drug bust they even announced Wednesday they will turn a deaf ear to any settlement talk from the NFL Is that guts or stupidity? "We're committed to winning this lawsuit and to playing in 1986," said USFL Commissioner Harry Usher. "We're asking to be evaluated on our own merits." What exactly are those merits? This is a league that has broken more promises than a crooked politician. This is a league that went from 12 teams to 18 teams to 14 teams to eight teams and has seen a truckload of prime talent jump to the NFL This is the league that pve you the four-hour game. NFL insiders say the elder league is not worried about the antitrust suit They claim the worst thing that can happen is the loss of one network, and the electric chair already has been dusted off for the execution of ABC's Monday Night Football.

The NFL does not see any financial fiasco no matter what the Judge decrees. Of course, the NFL also thought the Raiders belonged in Oakland. USFL owners, on the other hand, say the NFL is running scared. They point out the NFL Just hired its third lawyer for the case, with the trial starting in three weeks. "The NFL has never won an antitrust Inside 'I Thrillers blast away atLaCrosse 123-94 Tampa Bay set a CBA playoff record for the largest margin of victory.

Gooden involved in dispute Betty Jones of Tampa, Dwight Gooden's sister, was charged with harassment and released after being issued a summons. Former Seminole is sentenced 3 A Judge said former FSU lineman Chris Miller has had enough chances and sentenced him to two years in prison for grand theft. Saberhagen hurls Royals to win 4 Bret Saberhagen allowed two hits In Kansas City's 1-0 victory over Boston. Keefer gets record win 8 Keith Dillon's Keefer won his 20th race of the year, a Derby Lane record. Gaither, Plant in position to win 1H Five teams including Gaither and Plant remain in position to win the boys' 4A-District 4 tennis championships.

:1 best-of-seven series before 1,809 fans. For the record, Rod Higgins led all scorers with 36 points followed by Kevin Williams (25), Collins (15), Fernsten (13) and Nealy (13). The win broke a CBA playoff record for the largest margin of victory by seven points. The win also let Thriller point guard Sidney Lowe tie a league record for assists with 17 and let Nealy break a single-game rebounding record by one. Nealy pulled down 21 rebounds.

Fernsten had II. The Thrillers were that dominating. LaCrosse, playing without second leading scorer Nigel Miguel who was out with a strained quadracep, got 25 from Earl Harrison, 17 from Paul Thompson and 15 from Herb Johnson. Sde THRILLERS, Page IOC On radio: WDAE (1250 AM), 7:15 p.m. By RICHARD MUDRY Tribune Sports Writer Before the Continental Basketball Association championship series began Wednesday at the Spartan Sports Center, Thriller forward Don Collins knew there were three intangibles.

The rebounding of 6-foot-7 center Ed Nealy was one as was the court savvy of 6-foot-10 center Eric Fern-sten. And if the Thrillers got Rick Lamb some time, things would go well, said Collins. Collins was prophetic Wednesday as the Thrillers, aided and abetted by Nealy, Fernsten, Lamb et al, ran off a dazzling display of basketball and a 123-94 victory over Lacrosse 1 the opening game of the NEW YORK (AP) Pitcher Dwight Gooden of the New York Mets and two women were involved in a dispute Tuesday night after returning a rented car at LaGuardla Airport Betty Jones, 34, of Tampa, Good-en's sister, allegedly tossed a drink into the face of a Hertz rental clerk, Dorothy Taylor, after a dispute over Tribune photo by BRITT LAUQHLIN Catbirds' Eddie Hughes tries to draw a charalna foul on Tamoa the cars mileage. See OODEN, Page 4C Bay's Kevln Williams (22), but Hughe got the call Instead. 7.