Sioux City Journal from Sioux City, Iowa • 19

The Sioux City Journal, Friday, April 23, 1 999 5 DiMaggio Ali backing reform to clean up boxing, comes to Senate hearing remembered at service NEW YORK (AP) Joe DiMag gio drew big crowds whenever he played. 1 he memory of the Yankees Hall of Fame outfielder will bring a diverse throng of Joe Fan types, celebrities and former teammates to SL Patrick's Cathedral on Friday for a memorial service. The guest list includes Woody Allen, Henry Kissinger and Yogi Berra. Yankees owner George Steinbren- ner will be there and so will Morris Engelberg, DiMaggio's next-door neighbor and lawyer who was with the ballplayer when he died of com ethical boundaries and a ranking system controlled by promoters that "defies all reason." "When honest and open competition is inhibited, it is the boxers who suffer most," McCain said. "But millions of ticket-buying fans in America are also hurt by monopolistic practices in boxing." Former boxing referee Mills Lane, now a judge on a TV court show, said boxing's credibility suffers because sanctioning bodies the IBF, WBA and WBC play too large a role in which judges and referees work the matches.

"These subtle pressures are there and nobody can tell me they're not," Lane said. But Walter Stone, counsel to the International Boxing Federation, said fight organizers are already working to address the problems, such as a new IBF rule in which the No. 1 ranking cannot simply be assumed by a boxer moving up due to others' losses. Instead, one ranked boxer would have to beat another ranked boxer to take the spot. "We've recognized what the problems are and we've moved to try to correct them," Stone said.

Sen. Harry Reid, expressed concern that the McCain bill might unfairly target certain promoters and invite numerous court challenges. He said the bill must address multiyear broadcast contracts in which contenders stay under a network's control in return for a shot at the champion. "There is no question when it comes to revenues, the broadcast industry packs the biggest Reid said. McCain is likely to move the bill through the Com- merce Committee later this year.

An identical measure last year passed the Senate but went nowhere in House. WASHINGTON (AP) He uttered not a word, but the presence of Muhammad Ali at a Senate hearing to lend support to efforts to clean up boxing spoke volumes. The former heavyweight champion, who suffers from Parkinson's syndrome, told the Senate Commerce Committee through longtime friend Howard Bingham that the controversial Lennox Lewis-Evander Holy field draw last month was the "lowest point" for a sport beset with problems. "Ali has become increasingly upset about the scandals that have occurred in professional boxing," Bingham said as Ali gazed intently at committee members from a witness table. Ali is particularly interested in the parts of Sen.

John McCain's boxing reform bill that would stop exploitation of boxers by promoters, such as a prohibition on "coercive option" contracts that prevent fighters from controlling their careers. "Muhammad Ali believes that fighters deserve the same R-E-S-P-E-C-T, respect, as all other professional athletes in this country," Bingham said. "Currently, they aren't respected." McCain, an Arizona Republican and 2000 presidential aspirant, told Ali: "Your support of this legislation is absolutely vital to our chances of passing it." Among other things, McCain's bill would establish new standards for sanctioning organizations that rank fighters, create new financial disclosure requirements for promoters and event organizers, and require that state boxing commissions be informed when charges, costs and fees are taken from a boxer's purse. McCain, an avid boxing fan who attended the Lewis-Holyfield fight, said the sport has too few plications from lung cancer on March 8 at age 84. Cardinal John Connor will offi ciate at the service.

"The Cardinal was a Philadelphia A's fan, but he was also a DiMaggio tan, and lately, a fan of the Yankees." archdiocese spokesman Joseph Zwilling said Thursday. St. Patrick as much a New York landmark as Yankee Stadium, has become known as the Yankees' Babe Ruth and Billy Martin had funeral Masses there. A Mass was held in the church on Fifth Avenue for Roger Maris. Longtime Yankees' broadcaster Mel Allen was Basketball MIZZOU LOSES WHITE: The Missouri Tigers are losing one star, but may be gaining another.

All-Big 12 forward Albert White said on Thursday that he's skipping his senior year at Missouri to enter the NBA draft. White, a 6-5 forward, averaged 16.3 points and 8.7 rebounds a game. He helped lead Missouri to a 20-9 record and the team's first NCAA Tournament bid since 1995. White led the Tigers in scoring, rebounding and assists, becoming the first player in school history to lead Missouri in all three categories. Meanwhile, the St.

Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Kansas City high school standout Kareem Rush of Pembroke Hill Academy has apparently chosen to play at Missouri. The paper said an announcement is expected on Friday. Rush, a 6-6 forward, was the Kansas City Star's area player of the year. He helped lead Pembroke to the last three Missouri Class 2A championships and was heavily recruited by UCLA, where his brother, JaRon Rush, plays. Rush would become Snyder's first signee.

NBA BOUND: Shawn Marion's basketball career at UNLV will likely end after just one season. Marion has scheduled a news conference for Friday, at which he is expected to announce he will submit his name for the NBA draft. Last month, Marion told reporters he intended to stay In school. But after checking with several NBA teams and player personnel directors in the last couple of weeks, Marion learned that he was a potential lottery pick. The 6-foot-7 junior, who had been a star at Vincennes (Ind.) University prior to transferring to UNLV, led the Rebels in scoring (18.7), rebounding (9.3), blocked shots, free-throw percentage and steals.

WEIGHING OPTIONS: Duke freshman Corey Maggette reportedly is weighing a jump to the NBA, which would make him the third Blue Devils player this spring to leave school early for the pros. Elton Brand and Will Avery already have announced they are leaving. Maggette, a 6-foot-6 forward, is considered a high first-round pick even though he was a reserve at Duke and NBA scouting director Marty Blake said dismissively, "He's had one good game." The deadline for underclassmen to send a letter to NBA commissioner David Stem declaring for the draft is May 1 6. WNBA WOES: The labor agreement between the WNBA and its players apparently has fallen apart, forcing the league to postpone Tuesday's draft indefinitely. The league blamed the fledgling union, the WNBA Players Association, for making new economic demands after the tentative agreement was reached last week.

The union, meanwhile, said the league had introduced last-minute terms and conditions in talks late Wednesday night. The two sides reached an agreement in principle April 14 on a new four-year contract and had hoped to have it in final written form by Thursday. The deal Included increases in the minimum salary from $15,000 to $30,000 for veterans and $25,000 for rookies. Those figures would rise to $40,000 and $30,000, respectively, by 2002. The benefits package was to include year-round health and dental benefits, pension, maternity benefits and life insurance.

WNBA president Val Ackerman said Thursday the union is trying to renegotiate the rookie minimum salary, player bonuses and the rookie scale and reduce the number of appearances players make in their communities. Football ELLER ARRESTED: Former Minnesota Vikings great Carl Eller was arrested after a woman reported that she had been sexually assaulted, police said today. North Mankato police received the 911 call at 1:55 a.m. Wednesday and arrested Eller were the alleged assault happened, Capt. Wayne Hoffman said.

He declined to say where it occurred. Eller was being held in the Nicollet County Jail. Hoffman declined to give details. He would not reveal the woman's condition or whether she had any prior relationship with Eller. Eller, 57, was a star defensive end with the Vikings' "Purple People Eaters," the front four that helped Minnesota to four NFC championships and Super Bowl appearances in the late 1 960s and 1 970s.

Eller made six Pro Bowl appearances and was among 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year, though he didn't get in. JONES TO COLTS CAMP: Edgerrin James, the Indianapolis Colts' surprise first-round draft pick, plans to participate in the team's minicamp this weekend after signing an injury protection agreement. James, who was selected ahead of Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams, is the only first-round pick who hasn't signed with an agent and the agreement was reached with the help of a group known as "Team Edgerrin." James, who will become a multimillionaire once he signs, has said he doesn't see any reason to share his wealth with an agent. However, the NFL player's union contends that the collective bargaining agreement requires a player to either negotiate on his own or with the help of an agent certified by the union. The agreement allows the former Miami running back to participate In on-field activity while protecting his financial interest in case of injury.

If he is hurt, the agreement guarantees he will receive an undisclosed amount of money. COACH RETIRES: Bil! Bowes, the wlnningest football coach in the Atlan remembered in a prayer service. The DiMaggio service will be part Lies found on net coach's resume of a weekend that will culminate Sunday with the unveiling of a granite and bronze monument to the Yankee Clipper at Yankee Stadium. Many ot the same people who will be at the memorial service will par ticipate in the ceremony at the stadium Memorial Park which also includes monuments to Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle and Miller Huggins, who managed the Yankees from 191 8 to 1929. Paul Simon, the singer-songwriter whose 1968 "Mrs.

Robinson" became a classic ode to nostalgia, will sing the song during the unveil players left the team and said they had seen NCAA rule violations. Smith said there has been no evidence found yet of violations. Smith defended Miller when the investigation started and said the players' frustrations were typical for any college program with a new coach. Asked Thursday if that was still his position, he said: "Exactly. One hundred percent." Freshman Melissa Duffield, junior Sarah Pieper and freshman Jessica Ovitz left the Cyclones after the 1998 season.

Duffield hired a lawyer to protest the loss of her scholarship, which was based on Miller's decision. All three said they witnessed Miller and some of their teammates violate NCAA rules, including teammates driving Miller's car. AMES, Iowa (AP) Iowa State's volleyball coach, who resigned in the middle of a school inquiry into possible NCAA violations, lied on her resume, a newspaper reported Thursday. Kerry Miller resigned Wednesday. The Cyclones were 3-27 in her only season as coach.

On her resume, obtained by The Tribune of Ames, Miller said she was a three-time letter-winner at Arizona, where she earned All-America honors and was named all-PAC 10 before graduating in 1987. The Arizona registrar said that Miller attended school in the spring and fall of 1987 but did not graduate. Arizona sports information director David Hardee said she played 13 matches in 1987 after transferring from Houston, but did not letter. He said Iowa State called his office after Miller had been hired. "We went through some of the same stuff and some of the things didn't add up," he said.

"But by then they had hired her." Asked if he was aware of any discrepancies in Miller's biography, Iowa State athletic director Gene Smith told The Tribune: "You'll have to ask Kerry about that." Miller and her husband Scott, who had been volunteering as an assistant coach, declined comment. John Sullivan, Houston assistant sports information director, said that Miller, then Kerry Keith, lettered for the Cougars in 1984 and 1985 but was not Southwestern Conference rookie of the year in 1983, as it says in the Iowa State media guide. Smith would not comment further on the reasons Miller might have resigned, saying only that it was based on "personal reasons that I don't delve into." Earlier this month, the university opened an investigation after three ing ceremony. There was also a tribute to DiMaggio on Wednesday in Hollywood, where he spent his last 16 years, when a park was dedicated in his memory. "It was a perfect thing to do, and very appropriate because DiMaggio loved that park," said Engelberg.

"I bought a golf cart, and we would drive there two or three times a week it wasn't far from where we lived. Joe and I would sit there talking about sports and reading The New York Times for a couple of hours. "Joe would love to watch the kids playing. He really enjoyed the place." The memorial at St. Patrick's was organized by Dr.

Rock Positano and Mario Faustini, two of the friends DiMaggio would visit when he came to New York. "We wanted to give him the kind of a send-off he wanted," Positano said. "First class for a first class man." Park Jefferson season starts JEFFERSON, S.D. The roar of stock cars will once again be heard at Park Jefferson Speedway starting Saturday. Track officials are expecting a record number of entries for the 1999 season opener.

Over 80 drivers have already filed registrations and several more are expected to fill out their paperwork Saturday. Park Jeff begins its 145h season with the NASCAR Winston Racing Series. The half-mile track will feature NASCAR late models, NASCAR modifieds, All American street stocks, chargers and super trucks. tic 10 Conference, announced his retirement today after 27 seasons at New Hampshire. Bowes leaves May 1 with 175 victories to his credit.

He will be replaced by assistant Sean McDonnell. Bowes said he is leaving after 34 years because he always wanted to retire at age 55. He turned 55 in October. Bowes retires with a record of 175-106-5. He ranks fourth in number of victories among Division IAA coaches.

McDonnell, 43, Is a former Wildcats captain and team most valuable player. He has been Bowes' assistant for eight years, the last five as offensive coordinator. Baseball ORIOLES MOVES: Pitcher Rocky Coppinger was recalled by the Baltimore Orioles from Triple-A Rochester on Thursday and was scheduled to start Sunday against the Oakland Athletics. Coppinger went 1 -1 with a 3.57 ERA in three starts at Rochester. The Orioles earlier this week recalled infielder Jesse Garcia from Rochester after Cal Ripken and Will Clark were placed on the 1 5-day disabled list.

Baltimore also sent 17-year old Dominican shortstop Angel Bolivar Volquez to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as the player to be named in a March 29 deal. The Orioles obtained pitcher Jason Johnson for outfielder Danny Clyburn. Volquez will join Tampa Bay's extended spring training program. HOCUS-POCUS: As soon as Sammy Sosa figured out why his teammates were huddled in the middle of the Chicago Cubs clubhouse, he grabbed his bat and hustled over. "Here," he said, thrusting his bat at the magician.

Yes, the team that's still suffering from the curse of a billy goat brought the hocus pocus on themselves Thursday. With the rain coming down and batting practice called off, a magician brought in by Mark Grace entertained the Cubs with card tricks for about 20 minutes. Little by little, the crowd around Jeff Scanlan grew until it included Sosa and manager Jim Riggleman. Even assistant coach Billy Williams' curiosity got the best of him, as he finally wandered out from the lunch room to see what was happening. Miscellaneous NEW GALAXY COACH: The Los Angeles Galaxy replaced coach Oc-tavio Zambrano with UCLA coach Sigi Schmid on Thursday after the defending MLS Western Conference champions fell to fifth place with three goals in five games.

Schmidt also is coach of the U.S. Under-20 team, eliminated in the second round last weekend at the Fl FA World Youth Championship. Assistant coach Ralph Perez will serve as interim coach for Saturday night's game against San Jose, and Schmid will make his debut May 1 at New YorkNew Jersey in a matchup against Bora Milutinovic. Schmid was an assistant coach for the 1 994 U.S. World Cup team under Milutinovic.

Schmidt, 46, received a three-year contract. The Torrance, resident oins the Galaxy after 19 seasons coaching the Bruins, guiding them to a 322-' 63-33 record and the 1 985, 1 990 and 1 997 NCAA championships. Los Angeles had a 24-8 record in 1998, Zambrano's only full season as coach, equaling the three-year old league's record for victories and scoring a record 85 goals. The team was swept by eventual-champion Chicago in the Western Conference final. PIERCE ADVANCES: Second-seeded Mary Pierce of France advanced to the quarterfinals of the Egypt Classic on Thursday, beating Seda Noorlander of the Netherlands 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.

Pierce, No. 8 in the WTA Tour rankings, will face fifth-seeded Irina Spirlea of Romania, a 6-4, 1 -6, 7-6 (7-1) winner over Kristie Boogert of the Netherlands. Third-seeded Patty Schnyder of Switzerland also advanced along with compatriot Emmanuelle Gagliardi, Australia's Jelena Dokic, and Belgium's Laurence Courtois. Schnyder beat Spain's Angeles Montolio 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 to advance to a quarterfinal match against Canada's Maureen Drake. Dokic edged France's Alexia Dechaume-Balleret 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 to set up a match with top-seeded Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario of Spain.

Sanchez-Vicario, No. 7 in the world rankings, and Drake won second-round matches Wednesday. SPARKLING DEBUT: Sergio Garcia made a sparkling start in his pro debut Thursday, birdieing three of the first four holes to briefly lead the Spanish Peugeot Open. At the end of a hectic day, the 19-year-old Spaniard, top amateur at the Masters earlier this month, had a 5-under-par 67 to sit two strokes behind the Defending champions include Leon Zeitner of LaVista, Neb. in late models; Jim Thies of Mapleton, Iowa in modifieds; Dave Anglin of Vermillion, S.D.

in street stocks; Joel Magee of North Sioux City in ISHiil-pl! chargers, and Todd Halverson of Vermillion super trucks. i fit fa iiiiiftriiHWiiitf nmcm Along with the usual spring "makeovers," Park Jefferson had to Register to win a truck tool box. 4 a i i i is! t'tU '111. received over 250 tons of dirt to reshape the corners and replace thinning surfaces on the track. Grandstand gates open at 6 p.m.

Saturday, with hot laps at 7 and racing starting at 7:30. Choi Kyoung-ju leads Asian Tour golf event TSUKUBA, Japan (AP) Choi Kyoung-ju of South Korea shot a 6-under-par 65 in the first round Thursday and took a one-stroke lead in the Kirin Open, the fifth leg of the six-event Asian Tour. Choi was the Asian PGA Tour's top money winner in 1996 and 1997. Japanese golfers Kazuhiko Hosokawa and Yasuharu Imano were tied for second. Now Over 250 Stores in 26 States to serve you! 1121 Zenith Drive Sioux City, IA MEIUCAS MMERS ti if iiEUE Joe Ozaki, who won the Tsuruya Open golf tournament last week, was five leaders.

fourth at 67..