Messenger-Inquirer from Owensboro, Kentucky • 23

SPORTSFROM PAGE 1 MESSENGER-INQUIRER, Saturday. February 17. 1990 Underclassmen to be allowed in April draft SPORTS ROUNDUP From Associated Press reports Rose agrees to do radio commentary CINCINNATI Pete Rose has agreed to do daily baseball commentary for a radio station his first media venture since his lifetime banishment from baseball. The former Cincinnati Reds manager will do 3-minute daily commentaries and a once-a-week interview with a sports broadcaster on WCKY-AM in Cincinnati. The station said the features are scheduled to begin March 19 and continue through the World Series.

Rose was banned from baseball last August after admitting he bet with bookmakers. While he was manager, Rose did daily interviews on the Reds' radio network. whom have applied, have only one full year as starters in college. "You're talking about guys who sat out one year because of Proposition 48 and had just the one good year as opposed to seniors who have played for three." Still, McCants is expected to be the first player taken when Atlanta makes its choice. Seau and running back Emmitt Smith of Florida, both of whom also have announced their intention to come out, also could go in the top 10, as could quarterbacks Jeff George of Illinois and Andre Ware of Houston, who have yet to say what they will do.

To be eligible, however, a player must apply by March 22 and accompany the application with an affada-vit that irrevocably renounces his remaining collegiate eligibility. Some college officials had suggested that players be allowed to test the waters, then return to college if their pros pects of being picked high seemed small. Moreover, the new league policy eliminates use of the supplemental draft to enhance a player's prospects, as such underclassmen as Brian Bosworth and Timm Rosenbach have done in recent years. Now only players who graduate or drop out of school after the regular draft will be allowed in. The new policy was done reluctantly, but also was the result of an inevitable progression that has allowed underclassmen in basketball, baseball and hockey for more than a decade.

In recent years, no underclassman who has applied for the draft has been denied because the NFL didn't want to test its policies in court. During that period, Tagliabue was the chief legal adviser to former commissioner Pete Rozelle. Even in revising its policy, which Broncos win the AFC So far this year, 10 underclassmen have declared their intention to come out In addition to McCants, Seau and Smith, they include running backs Reggie Cobb of Tennessee, Rodney Hampton of Georgia, Marcus Wilson of Virginia and Barry Foster of Arkansas; quarterbacks Major Harris of West Virginia and Scott Mitchell of Utah, and defensive lineman Marc SdindlerofPitt In addition to McCants, Seau and Smith, Spindler and perhaps Hampton and Mitchell are considered potential first-rounders. Cobb might be had he not been suspended at Tennessee after repeatedly failing drug tests. However, despite a brilliant career at West Virginia, Harris is considered a middle-to-late rounder and could head for Canada.

follows several meetings with NCAA officials, the NFL emphasized that it wants players to stay in school whenever possible. "Commissioner Tagliabue strongly believes that staying in school is in the best interests of the overwhelming majority of young athletes for educational, athletic and personal reasons," NFL spokesman Joe Browne said in announcing the new guidelines. "It is a very difficult transition from the colleges to the NFL, even for the best collegiate players." Even so, last year's premier underclassmen fared well. Barry Sanders, the first pure junior to enter the draft, was the offensive rookie of the year after rushing for 1,470 yards with Detroit, second in the NFL and first in the NFC. Bobby Humphrey, who was taken by Denver in the supplemental draft, ran for 1,151 yards in helping the By Dave Goldberg Associated Press NEW YORK The NFL took an inevitable step Friday, becoming the last professional league to admit college underclassmen and making the April 22 draft one of the strongest in a decade.

Under the new policy, announced by Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, any underclassman who wants to enter this year's draft must have enrolled in college for the 1987 fall semester, meaning that juniors or sophomores who have missed one season would be eligible. That could mean an influx of perhaps 40 good pro prospects, although how good is questionable. "Drafting isn't exactly an exact science," said Dick Steinberg, general manager of the New York Jets, who noted that linebackers Keith McCants of Alabama and Junior Seau of Southern California, both of Michael Waltrip third in Goody's qualifying race pursuit Huffman went low in a final attempt to pass leaving turn three on the 80th and final lap, but Burgess' Pontiac moved to the inside and stayed in front for a two-length victory. "Robert hung tough," said Burgess, from Dover Plains, N.Y. "He had me wondering.

We were zigging and zagging, and I didn't know whether I'd be able to hold him off." Shawna Robinson-Pearson, who was among the leaders throughout the race and led as late as the 62nd lap, finished third in a Pontiac. Waltrip was leading when a caution period ended with two laps to go. Stricklin pulled even shortly after the restart, and their cars touched as Irvan tried to pass on the inside. The drivers briefly raced three abreast leaving the second turn. Ir-van's Pontiac then surged ahead and stayed in front for a lV4-Iength victory.

Stricklin finished second in a Buick. Waltrip placed third in a Pontiac. "Hut and Michael tangled just a little, and I took about half a lane at the bottom," Irvan said. "It isn't something I'd want to do every day, but it worked that one time." The victory was the first for Irvan, 31, at Daytona in seven races. Irvan started 13th after managing only 179.734 mph in qualifying, but his car was turning laps about 7 mph faster than hat Thursday.

"The team did nothing but work on that car," he said. "We were almost not going to run this race, but v. went out Thursday and the car drove good. We figured it drove good enough that we could maybe win." Irvan's speed was 152.413 mph. The race was slowed by three caution periods totaling seven laps.

Rookie Joe Nemechek placed fourth and pole-sitter Elton Sawyer was fifth. Florida 200 Rich Burgess blocked rookie Robert Huffman's attempts to pass on the final two laps and won the Florida 200 Friday for his first NASCAR Dash Series victory-Burgess, last year's rookie of the year in the series, led for the last 17 laps, with Huffman's Pontiac in close Associated Press DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Ernie Irvan passed Michael Waltrip and Hut Stricklin on the final lap Friday to win a qualifying race for the Goody's 300. The 19-car, 100-mile sprint determined the final 10 starting positions in today's 43-car Grand National race at Daytona International Speedway. Ten cars were on the lead lap at the finish, with rookie Clifford Allison placing last among them to earn the final spot in the Goody's lineup.

Schintzius to wait for NBA draft GAINESVILLE, Fla. Former Florida center Dwayne Schintzius has decided to pass up a chance to play European basketball and await the National Basketball Association draft, his attorney said. Ron Carpenter, a Gainesville attorney who has been representing Schintzius as a friend and not an agent, said money was not a factor in the 7-foot-2 senior's decision. "Dwayne originally made the decision to do whatever it took to be in the best shape mentally and physically for the NBA draft and the various trials," Carpenter said Thursday. "After looking at (European basketball), he really decided he would be better off staying here in Gainesville spending his time in conditioning and training," Carpenter said.

Schintzius quit the Florida basketball team Jan. 25 because of differences with interim coach Don DeVoe and withdrew from school. Since then, the Gators have lost 10 in a row and have skidded to the bottom of the Southeastern Conference. BOND BREMEN spirit they helped pump into their communities. "We're going to miss our neighborhood schools," he said.

"We've had something quite unique here and we're going to miss that." Shaver, a 1941 Bremen graduate, agrees. "I think it takes away from the spirit of a community a little bit," he said. "I hope it's the best thing for us." Shaver, whose store sits within shouting distance of the gym, said he doesn't follow the Eagles as much as he used to. He's only been to two or three games this year. Muhlenberg North will incorporate Bremen, Graham, Central City and half of Muhlenberg Central.

Shaver said he hopes kids from his area will take advantage of sports at the new school. "I think sports has a great influence on a young kid," Shaver said. "It can teach them a lot" NofTsinger said fan support for the new Muhlenberg high schools will grow as the students get their parents and relatives interested in what's going on. But Noffsinger won't have to wait to develop an interest "As far as I'm concerned, I'm a Muhlenberg North Star man," he said. "It brings about unity in the county.

It's a common said Randy Ursery, a former Hughes-Kirk coach. That's one reason why if a Muhlenberg County school makes it to the regional finals or semifinals, like Bremen and Drakesboro did during the 1970s, people backing other schools in the county will get on their bandwagon. But there's no crossing over at district tournament time. It's been called seven-team cut throat. For some schools, it's the fulfilling of a dream.

For all it's a week-long affair that's exhausting physically and mentally. "It's about as emotional as a basketball game can get," said Hopper, whose teams have lost in the last four district tournament finals, even last year's Tide team that won the 3rd Region. "With seven teams, it's intensified to the point that, for some teams, it's an obsession," Silvey said. To see how obsessed Muhlenberg County is with its basketball, go to this year's 10th District Tournament. You'll never forget it if you do.

success. Everybody wants to beat the winner, and in Muhlenberg County, Central City has won the most There were few times in the 1950s and '60s when empty seats could be found on game night in Central City. "They've been the dominant force in the county," Hughes-Kirk coach Barry Silvey said. "I've talked to fellows who have been around here for some time, and they say it's always been a high point to beat Central City." When Bremen beat Central City last week, it touched off a wild celebration. "Those people felt they had gone to the state tournament," Hopper said.

Harper says players get around more and know each other better than in his playing days for Hughes-Kirk in the mid-1950s, when Raymond "Corky" Withrow was at Central City and Roger Newman at Greenville. Because the players as- sociate with each other more now, the rivalries have become less intense, Harper said. And while the schools have been rivals, basketball has also been their bond, something the people have in common other than coal. Muhlenberg North. Consolidation was supposed to happen last year, but slow construction schedules let this little bit of history linger.

But, now, nearly seven decades of Muhlenberg County basketball is almost over. Not just the basketball, but a part of the culture, part of a way of life. "It is a sad feeling, I have to admit," said Harper, who, with 22 years at Drakesboro, is dean of the active Muhlenberg County coaches. "You know everybody in the community and everybody knows you. The friendships you build are deeper than the coaching." The kinship these schools and their communities have fostered is also deep.

There's a lot of tradition. There's also a lot of time for a community to build pride in a program. And because each community wants to have something to brag on, and the schools' close proximity to each other in the county, the competition has, at times, been fierce. Central City, which will finish its days as the second-winningest high school in the nation, has been the tarJ get of the other schools because of its Driver's funeral set DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -Services will be held Sunday for race car driver Julius "Slick" Johnson, who suffered fatal injuries in a race on Feb.

11 at Daytona International Speedway. The funeral will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at Stoudenmire Funeral Home in Johnson's home town of Florence, S.C. Johnson, 41, died Wednesday night at a Daytona Beach hospital. He became the speedway's 23rd fatality since it opened in 1959.

'mi Hi AWREY 926-3370 One of America's leading telecommunications companies Access to cellular systems throughout the USA and Canada State-of-the-art technology and equipment Superior coverage and commitment to quality Special Customer Care Hotline Free demonstrations "I want to sit down with the team members individually and talk with them about the concerns they may have," Awrey said. "Hopefully, we can get a great recruiting class right away and continue our off-season programs and get ready for the 1990 season. "I'm very excited about the things I think we can accomplish in the next year and, hopefully, we can have a tradition built here that, when you think of Kentucky Wesleyan, you can think of two great programs basketball and football." Awrey has yet to put a staff together, but said he intends to keep KWC assistant Jerry Turner. are easy to do." Awrey graduated from Northern Michigan in 1978 with degrees in criminal justice, business administration, and physical education and health. He played cornerback as a freshman, but finished his career at tailback.

He helped lead Northern Michigan to four Division II playoffs, including a national championship in 1975. He was named the most valuable player in the 1975 national championship game when he scored the winning touchdown on a 67-yard run for a 16-14 victory over Western Kentucky. Awrey, who rushed for 2,096 yards and 26 touchdowns and caught 45 passes for 487 yards in his career, was named honorable mention Little College All-America by the Associated Press in 1977. Prior to coaching at St. Lawrence, Awrey spent four years as an assistant at Michigan Tech and three years as an assistant at Northern Michigan.

He was also the head coach at Westwood High in Ishpem-ing, for one year. "Randy comes highly recommended for his organizational skills, motivational skills and knowledge of the game of football," said KWC athletic director Wayne Chapman. "That coupled with his boundless energy and enthusiasm makes him the perfect man to head up Kentucky Wesleyan football in the future." Awrey said his first priorities are meeting with the team, evaluating the personnel and recruiting. CONTEL CELLULAR. Monday Friday 8-5 NOW OPEN SATURDAYS 8-12 Contel Cellular is a registered trademark of Contel Corporation.

Quality You Can Call On is a service mark of Contel Cellular. Inc. Sv GRAND OPENING KWC I 1 IJk Holyfield wants bout with champ ATLANTA Evander Holyfield's manager said Fridav he had formally asked boxing officials to clear the way for Holyfield to fight James Douglas for the heavyweight championship. Manager Ken Sanders said he contacted boxing's three sanctioning organizations the World Boxing Association, the World Boxing Council and the International Boxing Federation because he and Holyfield were tired of waiting for former champ Mike Tyson to work out the details for a rematch with Douglas. Douglas knocked out Tyson last week to take the heavy weight title.

"As of today, we petitioned the WBA, WBC and IBF for him to go ahead and fight," Sanders said in a brief telephone interview. Sanders said the WBA ruled Friday that Douglas must within 30 days arrange a fight with Holyfield, and the IBF said Douglas must fight Holyfield by Aug. 11. Sanders said he was still awaiting word, from the WBC on a Holyfield-Douglas match. "What we're trying to do is have the fight June 18 in Atlantic City," he said.

Sanders said in a previous interview that he invoked a WBA rule that the winner of the Douglas-Tyson bout last weekend would have to meet Holyfield within 120 days. Douglas knocked out Tyson in the 10th round of that fight in Tokyo in a major upset. SPECIAL BUY 1 GET 1 FREE with 17 ppg and rebounding with seven rpg, followed by LeRoy Ellis Jr. (10 ppg) and Ernest "Junebug" Rakes (10 ppg). A Wesleyan win would leave USI two games behind the Panthers in the the Screaming Eagles' GLVC title aspirations in jeopardy.

"This would be a big one for us to get, but I think it's more important for us to play well than it is for us to win," Coleman said. "We have to establish that we can play well there in case they get the (NCAA postseason) regional site. "We've got to know we can play and not make stupid mistakes late in the game." on 3 Topping Pizzas 12 inch $4.95 14 inch 16 inch $9.95 mm Af REE DELIVERY 3601 Frederica 684-7252 Can't sleep? The TV listings in the Messenger-Inquirer include late-night movies. AM 12 PM OPe" 1.