News Record from North Hills, Pennsylvania • Page 19

Inside Money Page 67 Classifieds Page 69 Chris Adams, Executive Sports Editor, 772-7309 North Hills News Record Sports SECTION Wednesday, December 30,1992 At a glance Tuesday's scores NHL NQuebec 4, New Jersey 1 Toronto 3, NY Islanders 2 Wash A. NY Rannorc 3 PIT Chicago 6, Detroit 3 Winnipeg 5, Boston 4 MontreaTe, Edmonton 3 Philadelphia 10, Los Angeles 2 Vancouver 7, San Jose 5 NHL Rounc NBA New'York 97, Indiana 91 Chicago 114, Charlotte 103 Cleveland 114, Atlanta 96 Golden State 132, Houston 112 Seattle 111, Boston 87 Sacramento 139, Dallas 81 College Basketball Duqijiesne 70, Richmond 65 Oklahoma 102, Alaska-Anchorage 70 Connecticut 99, Towson St. 66 Oregon St 93, Bngham Young 79 Massachusetts 84, South Carolina 66 Vanderbilt 96, Bowling Green 69 Air Force 75, Rider 66, OT Michigan 79, North Carolina 78 SW Louisiana 109, Nebraska 80 James Madison 90, California 75 Setoh Hall 75, Cornell 59 Michigan St. 81, New Hamp. shire 51 Roundup, B5 College football CoppeHtowl Washington State 31, Utah 28 Freedom Bowl Fresno State 24, USC 7 -StoryW Judge sets hearing for Fortson's lawsuit By Melanle Hlett PITTSBURGH A federal judge could decide next week if Danny Fortson can play basketball at Shaler Area Senior High School this Ziegler scheduled a Tuesday morning hearing on the civil rights lawsuit Fortson filed Monday against the WPIAL, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, and The PIAA upheld the suspension, agreeing with the WPIAL's ruling the transfer was for athletic rea- Ziegler said Tuesday he would hear testimony about the suit and on I Family, friends say father was'abusive' B3 "You're going to be asked to sec- ond-guftss the WPIAL and thft PIAA," Manzo told Ziegler.

"I think you'll find that these rulings weren't racially motivated at all" Fortson's attorney, Ray Radakovich, said he believes the suit needs to be decided in i ic reasons but because he and his mother were forced to move out of their home by an abusive and alcoholic father. "We're not talking about the right to play basketball" Radakovich said. "We're talking about where he lives. "They're going to say anything to make bis home life look bad," the elder Fortson said. "It wasn't bad at all and there are quite a few people in this town I'm talking about important people --that'll give me a good rap." The WPIAL, the PIAA, and the And if ho wants to play basketball, -school districts in Altoona, where does he go? This is the year he would be watched and recruited.

One year without basketball could be detrimental to his chances of getting a scholarship. If this young man feels and Butler school districts are named as defendants in the suit Attorneys for the three school districts are scheduled to discuss the situation this week with Radakovich, -sae payer, transferred this fall to Shaler from Altoona Senior High School. The WPIAL this month ruled Fortson ineligible to compete this year, after a protest by Butler school officials. case Attorney Michael Manzo, who represents the PIAA and the WPIAL, told Ziegler he would file a motion before the hearing to dismiss the suit because be believes the federal court has no jurisdiction in the-case. rights and due process.

Radakovich said because Fortson is black, he is a member of a "protected class" defined in federal la Fortson, a 6-foot-9 junior, claims in the suit he transferred not for athlet- where does he go? Back to Altoona, back to a turbulent home life." Dan Fortson Sr. denied assertions he physically abused his son, said he is Danny's legal guardian and might try to take permanent custody. of the Cowher tops talented field with 23 votes By Rick Starr Staff wrtttr PITTSBURGH Steelers coach Bill Cowher stood out in a strong crowd of new faces to win Associated Press Coach of the Year honors Tuesday. "I'm very flattered by winning this award," Cowher said. "There deserving of it" Cowher received 23 of 79 votes from a nationwide panel of media members', edging San Diego rookie coach Bobby Ross with 20.

"If just a reflection on the whole staff, the players and the support staff and the job done by the entire organization this year," Cowher te test want to keep it rmlgR tup" eUffOf JaTHU "He became the first Pittsburgh coach win the award since it started in 1957. Former Steelers coach Chuck Noll never won the honor despite winning four Super Bowl titles between 1975 and 1980. Cowher transformed a club that finished 7-9 under Noll last season into an American Football Conference-rushing power. He led Pittsburgh to an 11-5 record, a postseason bye and home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs. He became one of licoaches in NFL history--including Ross and WILLIAM T.

LAHKIN, Mfl Bin Cowher became the first Steelers coach to be named eoach of the year Tuesday. once they won four in a row Ziegler said he would rule on Manzo's request for dismissal If he rules against Manzo's request, he will also rule either on the suit or on Radakovich's request for a temporary restraining order. Cowher: discounts QB issue Blister's hot streak won't affect lineup By Rick Starr stiff Wrfljt PITTSBURGH Coach Bill Cowher downplayed any quarterback controversy as the AFC Central champion Steelers prepared to host their first playoff game since 1983. Quarterback Bubby Blister ignited the issue by completing 18 of 25 in Sunday's u-is victory over the Cleveland Browns while subbing for injured starter Neil O'Donnell. The Steelers open the playoffs Jan.

9 at Three Rivers Stadmm against one of the wild-card survivors Houston, Buf- "I don't think it's going to be a big issue," Cowher said. "The quarterback is just one of 11 players. He's pulling his load and he's not doing any more than that "It takes 11 guys on offense, 11 on defense and 11 in the kicking game. You win championships as a team pulling together, not with Cowher repeated his policy that starters do not lose their jobs because of an injury. O'Donnell cracked the fibula (non weight-bearing bone) in his right leg Dec.

6 against the Seattle Seahawks. He attempted to come back last Chicago 1 Michael Jordan tries to steal a rebound from Char- lotteTs Alonzo Mourning Tuesday night. NBA roundup B5 Owners call special meeting NtSW YORK Baseball owners on Tuesday called a special major leagfce meeting for Jan. 12 at Grapevine, Texas. The meeting will continue discussions on restructuring and other matters that were interrupted on Dec.

9 when Florida Marlins CarKBarger collapsed during a majqr league meeting at Louisville, Ky. He later died CofegeFoottai HHnl playerarrested for shoplifting SAN DIEGO--University of Illinois wide receiver Martin Jones was released from jail Tuesday afterhe was arrested at a ment store for allegedly trying to steal'two items of clothing. 3 Jones, with the Illini football team! to play Hawaii today in the I Holiday Bowl, was released after I $5,000 bail was posted on his behalf. Jones said two men threat- i ened'him and forced him to steal for them. season to win 11 games in his first season.

Cowher also smashed the Steel- ers' record for most victories by a first-year bead coach. The old mark was six by Buddy Parker in 1957. Running back Barry Foster said the team responded immediately to Cowher's hands-on approach. "He's very intense," Foster said. "He's going to jump around.

He's going to scream. He's going to bang you on the helmet. He's a very enthusiastic coach." Cowher developed his style as the Cleveland Browns secondary and special teams coach from 1985 to 1988 and as Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator from 1989 to 1991. "When we have team success, personal accolades will come." eWev "He has the team believing in ourselves," Foster said. "Bill Cowher just got everybody focused as a team.

We have a direction we're trying to get to and everybody seems to agree that they want to get to that point Last year we had a tot of people not caring what happened" Cowher led the Steelers to their 10th AFC Central Division title with a 5-1 division mark. Twice the Steel- ers won three games in a row and roe defense ted me NFL in takeaways with 43 and fumble recoveries with 21. Only the New Orleans Saints (202) gave up fewer points than the Steelers (225). The offense averaged 134 yards per game to rank fourth in the league the Steelers' highest finish since 1983. The Steelers sent four players to the Pro Bowl when, cornerback Rod Woodaon, guard Carlton Hasdrigr center Dermontti Dawson and running back Barry Foster won nominations.

That js the most since 1986. "When we have team success, personal accolades will come," Cowher said The second-youngest NFL coach at 35, Cowher is four months now inoy voiea Voting for the 1992 NFL Coach of the Year as selected by a nationwide panel of the media: Cowher.PMsburgh 23.0 Bobby Ross, San Diego 20.0 Mike Holmgren, G.B. 9.5 Dennis Green, Minnesota 8.0 George Seifert, S.F. 7.0 Ted Marchibroda. Ind.

6.0 after consecutive practices. "Based on the fact we've got a guy who's playing very well right now, we feel very comfortable with either one," Cowher said. Blister passed for one touchdown and 223 yards against the Browns and never came close to an interception despite five sacks. He is 2-2 as the starter this season. "We said going fifto this thing we Jimmy Johnson, Dallas 5.0 Jim Mora, New Orleans 0.5 younger than offensive tackle TunchDkm.

"We feel the guy has what it takes to be an NFL coach so we just go out there and do our job," Foster said. had two capable quarterbacks and we had no hesitancy to put Bubby in when needed," Cowher said. Cowher said he will name a started Tuesday. I Foster's brush with death as child--84 Daly leaves PGA Tour, enters rehabilitation John Daly's career hit bottom on Tuesday, as quickly as it took off. One of pro golfs most popular and controversial figures, the 26- year-old Daly withdrew from the PGA Tour while he seeks help for an alcohol-related problem.

"I will check into an alcohol rehabilitation facility and will return to tournament play only when I am comfortable my life is in nrrter Tlnlv gairi in a gtatemont After winning only once in 1992, at the B.C. Open, Daly was scheduled to start his season at the Tournament of Champions hi Carlsbad, Jan. 7. "There is no timetable on this," Tour spokesman Sid Wilson said. "It'll just be as long as it takes." The announcement follows an apparent brawl at a party at Daly's home in Castle Rock, on Dec.

20 resulting in Daly's arrest on charges of third degree assault rat t1 nftlVKnil Caldwell ready to get started Ex-Penn State coach eager put color issue aside, start winning By Jeff Legwold FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. Jim Caldwell has studied the craft of football with the likes of Bill McCartney at Colorado, Howard Schnellenberg- er at Louisville, Dennis Green at Northwestern and Joe Paterno at Penn State. thing he teamed was winning is color blind, but the world is not "I think when I get there, what they're going to want to see is if I can win Caldwell said Tuesday as the Nittany Lions prepared to meet Stanford in Friday's Blockbuster BowL "But I know and have experienced the fact that most people ask first about me being named as a head coach and what that means in a bigger picture," he said. Caldwell has been an assistant at Penn State since 1986 and he now Penn State practice sluggish B6 Those duties will end Friday, when he assumes his new vocation--head football coach at Wake Forest University.

He now becomes one of three black head coaches in Division I football, the first black head football coach in Atlantic Coast Conference hist story. Heine believe, and I do at Wake Forest, that I will be judged on running a successful program in all respects and of course winning games." Successful programs are something Caldwell has seen before. McCartney, Schnellenberger and Patemo have all won national titles in their careers while Green was Big Ten Coach of the Year in 1983. "There is a definite championship flavor to my resume," Caldwell said. "I'm sick with losing him," Patemo said.

"(Wake Forest) couldn't have picked a better coach I kept kidding Next up Basketball: Shady Side Academy faces Peters Township at 7-45 p.m. in the championship ie of the 25th Annual She The statement, issued jointly by Daly and PGA Tour commissioner Deane Beman from tour headquarters in Ponte Vedra, did not identify the treatment center. Daly, the tour's 1991 rookie of the year after winning the PGA Championship and one of the world's longest hitters, was quoted as saying treatment would begin imme- Beman said Daly's withdrawal from the tour was voluntary. The fight was the latest in a series of alcohol-related incidents that have plagued Daly since he leaped to prominance with his first tour victory in the PGA, one of golfs four Grand Slam tournaments. Daly became an instant folk hero 16 months ago when he won the He knows it may be some tqpe before there is no color before his tire.

"People always want to know if I feel any more pressure being a black head coach, being the first in the ACC, or if I feel how I do will be a reflection on other black coaches," Caldwell said. "I feel like that is a little unfair. I feel like there are many other minority candidates out there him that I was going to tell people that he wouldn't win a conference championship his second year, that way I wouldn't put too much pressure on him" Wake Forest advanced to a bowl this season in Jim Dooley's final year, so Caldwell knows that he isn't starting from ground zero He may also get a helping hand from the. Basketball Tournament. when he would return to the tour, obscure rookie ngl.