Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • Page 19

Huskers Lose Court Fight for Eligibility Denney Rules Against Huske AP WIREPHOTO Darrell Porter of Milwaukee is safe at home Tenace cannot come up with the throw to the in a cloud of dust as Oakland catcher Gene plate. OMAHA, Neb. (AP)-A federal judge Friday dealt four University of Nebraska football players their first loss of the season, three weeks before the 1975 campaign is to begin. The four, defensive tackle Dean Gissler, defensive back Jim Burrow, defensive end Ray Phillips and quarterback Vince Ferragamo, had asked U.S. District Court Judge Robert V.

Denney for a preliminary injunction halting the University of Nebraska and the NCAA from enforcing the one-game i handed down against them earlier this year. The four players were declared ineligible by the university because they had traveled to bowl games with the Huskers when they were ineligible- to play. Gissler, a two-year letterman, and Burrow, a sometime starter last year and the top man on the Husker depth chart at defensive back this year, traveled to Miami, and suited up for the 1973 Orange Bowl. Ferragamo, a transfer from the University of California, and Phillips, traveled with the team, and suited up for last year's Sugar Bowl. Melgible players, according fl Ifonrln Jioraal SPORTS Friday, August 22, 1975 the NCAA regulations, are not permitted to travel with the team to bowl games.

All four were declared in- elgible to play in the Sept. 13, season opener against Louisiana State University. In filing their petition for injunctive relief, the four claimed they were not aware of the NCAA regulations preventing their travel with the official party, and said the blame laid with the University of Nebraska. The also claimed that they were denied due process during an NCAA hearing on whether their suspensions should be upheld, and that the suspensions could jeopardize their futures in professional football. The four men claimed that if they are not allowed to play in me first game, they may never get a chance to start again during the season.

19 Gissler said he thought the players had a 50-50 chance after last Wednesday's hearing. "If the NCAA thinks this action punished the Nebraska team which they claim it was supposed to do they're all wrong. There are four qualified players ready to step into our spots. What they did is punish us as individuals. And we were the innocent ones." Safety Jim Burrow agreed.

"We're the least guilty and the most punished," he added. "But, we'll be back for the second game and the rest of the season." Ferragamo felt the decision could have gone either way. "But I'm not surprised at the ruling. At least it isn't going to drag out. We know where we stand.

It would have been worse if things had been delayed. We might have wound up being 4 Me And Paul Drill Pleases NU's Osborne CHICAGO (AP) Rick and Paul Reuschel of the Chicago Cubs have chiseled their place in baseball history with a feat that stands among those of more famous brothers such as the Deans, McDaniels, Perrys and Neikros. The Reuschels combined Thursday afternoon for a six- hit, 7-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, the first time modern baseball history that a pair of brothers have pitched a shutout, according to Seymour SLwoff of Elias Sports Bureau Inc. of New York-. Siwoff said he checked back 50 years and could find no other instance when two brothers pitched a tandem scoreless game.

That period includes Dizzy and Paul Dean of the St. Louis Cardinals, Lindy and Von McDaniel of the Cardinals, Jim and Gay lord Perry of the Cleveland Indians, and Joe and Phil Niekro of the Atlanta Braves. But'Rick took the feat in stride as he said, "That's the second time I've gotten into the record books this year." Earlier this season, he joined numerous other pitchers when he made three consecutive putouts in an inning. Rick had allowed five hits in 6 1-3 innings when a recurring blister on his index finger forced Chicago Manager Jim Marshall to pull him. "I've tried everything.

But the finger has bothered me for three years. It usually happens when it's humid," said the 26-year- old right-hander, who boosted his record to 10-13 as he collected his third straight victory this season over Los Angeles without a loss. Enter Paul, who joined the Cubs in Jury from the Wichita Aeros. "I like to be first," said Paul, who has 1-1 record since he came to the Cubs. "I was just trying to get them out," said Paul, 28, who allowed only one hit in 2 2-3 innings of relief.

"I didn't want to lose it for him." But Paul failed to record a save because he didn't pitch the required three innings. Only Dodger baserunners reached second base as Los Angeles never seriously threatened to score. The brothers hail from Camp Point, and both Reuschels played baseball at Western Illinois University. By Virgil Parker Journal Sports Editor The Nebraska Cornhuskers had their first contact drills of the season Thursday and coach Tom Osborne labeled the two sessions as "satisfactory despite the heat." The Huskers were restricted to conditioning practice without pads for the first three days by NCAA rule. a a was limited to one-on-one drills for the interior linemen.

"We still have some undecided spots on both the offensive and defensive lines," Osborne explained. "The first day wasn't real conclusive, but this is the kind of thing that will help us make a decision." He mentioned the second-unit offensive battle between Stan Waldemore, Dan Miller and Steve Lindquist for the backup spot behind Nick Zanetich at right guard and the competition between Bob Lingenfelter and Rich Costanzo at left tackle. Others On Defense On defense, Dean Gissler and Jerry Wied are locked in a duel to become Ron Pruitt's backup at left tackle, while Mike Fultz and George Mills are after the No. 1 right tackle position. "Most of the work was on pass protection blocking," defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said.

"The defense did an especially good job. We're going to have a heck of a pass rush this year. But, I must admit, the defensive guy has a real advantage when he knows it's a pass play and doesn't have to guard against the run. If an offensive man can hold him out under those one-on-one conditions, he's doing a super job." Osborne said that kind of con-, tact work reduces the chance of injury, since the backs are not in- Omahan Second After Shoot-Off Vandalia, Ohio Mike Seitz of Lawrenceburg, won the 76th annual Grand American trapshooting tournament for the first time, winning a preliminary handicap in a shoot-off with Bernard Merwald of Omaha. Seitz, a trapshooting just 10 months ago, and Merwald had 99 in the program and Seitz, shooting from 23 yards, broke 24 in the shootoff to 22 for Merwald.

volved. "We'll have more of a fullscale scrimmage Saturday." Two-A-Days End Saturday will also mark the end of the two-a-day practices. School opens next Monday and the team will then be restricted to a single drill beginning at 3 p.m. "We hope to work on our kicking game Saturday morning and then scrimmage in the afternoon," Osborne said. "We could reverse that if the heat is too great, however," All pre-season practices are closed to the public.

Though the weatherman hasn't been very kind to the players this week, Osborne said everyone has held up very well. "This is the kind of heat we may well have the afternoon we open against LSU," defensive backfield coach Warren Powers observed. "We'd better get used to it. You know this is what LSU is practicing in down there." Sports Briefs Football Pittsburgh has traded tight end John McMakin to Detroit for a future draft choice. Rob Layne, son of pro great Bobby Layne, has been arrested for possession of gambling paraphernalia.

Minnesota Viking players have released a statement demanding the resignation of pro football player representative Ed Garvey. Baseball i Tony Conigliaro, who attempted a comeback this season, has announced his retirement from baseball. Oakland owner Charles Finley says he has no idea where pitcher Vida Blue is. Blue left the team Thursday. Other Sports Stratford, Raybestos Brakettes will face Santa Clara in the finals of the women's national fastpitch Softball tournament.

The Stratford club is paced by hurler Joan Joyce, who has allowed only one earned run in 27 tournament innings so far. STAFF PHOTO BY HARALD DREIMANIS Come back here! Nebraska quarterback Ran- through the air in the intended path of the dy Garcia started to release a pass during the ball. Nebraska will conclude a week of two-a- Huskers first contact drill Saturday, only to day practices with a Saturday scrimmage, find defensive end Chester Talley flying Florida State Gridder Sues NCAA Amateur Ruling Contested TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (UPI) Waldo Williams' brief professional baseball caeer led to a $7 week's pay check, a disillusionment with the Cincinnati Reds and a decision which has provoked a court dispute wi(h the NCAA. Williams, a stalling Florida State linebacker after practice this spring, is challenging in court a NCAA ruling which declared him ineligible.

The NCAA said Williams is ineligible because be had an agent during negotiations with the Cincinnati Reds. Williams signed a $25,000 bonus contract as a catcher with the Reds after graduating from Merritt Island High School in 1973. After two years of struggling in the minors, he gave up baseball and decided to play football at Florida State. A revision in NCAA rules, passed when Williams was in high school, allows a professional in one sport to compete in college in another. "Ever since I've been 18, someone's been trying to gyp me," Williams said Thursday in an interview.

"I didn't know what the hell was happening from the start. Now if this was all going to happen and I couldn't play football, why didn't someone tell me in the first place and why did they let me play this spring? The NCAA didn't even tell the rules to my high school coaches." Williams said Dario Icardi, a Winter Park attorney who handles legal dealings with former Baltimore Colts great John Unit as, sat in on one meeting with the Reds. Icardi, aware of the NCAA rule, did not participate in discussions and was out of town when Williams signed the contract. Williams, 20, a psychology major at FSU, said he chose baseball because his family needed the money and his father was unemployed at the time. Williams said he later paid Icardi $1,000 for legal services concer- ning investing the $25J)00.

Williams said he is bitter at the NCAA for not personally seeking his side of the story or asking him questions. Cincinnati scouts were misleading and vague, said Williams. 'They'd tell you one thing and do another," said Williams. "There's no way a high school player can talk to a professional scout without help. The scouts talk around you.

I don't know how a high school player or bis parent can read a contract without professional help. You have to read a contract for days. I really think the scouts took advantage of me." He later found that life in the minor leagues was far from glamorous. Williams said that Reds officials treated players "like little kids," with strict hair a i a dress regulations. He also found that a $500 a month salary was far from adequate, with players using personal money for rent, equipment repairs, meals on the road and other incidentals.

One week Williams said the club deducted all his expenses and presented him with a $7 pay check. Williams was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in 1974, an organization he says treats its players better than the Reds. If Williams receives a court injunction, he will join the Seminole varsity this fall. But he refuses to predict the outcome, come. He says the NCAA may relax its rules next year, banning an athlete's participation only in the sport in which he had an agent.

"But that doen 't do me a lot of good this year, does it?" he said. "I want to play now. I did nothing wrong. The NCAA lets high school coaches sit in on meetings between players and college scouts. That's all Mr Icardi did--sit in on a meeting.

I see a real double JVo Wasted Time in Quarterhorse Racing Program By Tom Cook Outstale Nebraska Bureau Broken Bow They call it quarter horse racing, but the bets were two dollars, not two bits. Approximately 1,500 persons attended the.first pari-mutuel quarter horse races here Thursday night and wagered $28,102 on their favorite ponies. And they had to be quick, because the action is fast and furious. As one fan put it, "all the action is in the start and the finish. We don't mess around with all that wasted time in between." At the lines at the beer booths seemed busier than those A at the wagering windows, but as the night went on, the mostly western Nebraska crowd began to catch on to the new sport at the Custer County Fairgrounds.

Mutuel Manager Jack Mullen, who handles pari-mutuel betting at Turf Paradise in Arizona and for the state fair circuit in Colorado, said it was typical for a new track. "It started out real slow, but it built up as the races continued," he said. "It's typical for a new track and 128.102 is not bad." Members of the Custer County Sheriff's posse parked cars at the track and counted license plates from 24 counties in the state with a sizable number from the Grand Island and North Platte area. Easterners Wanted Leo Cooksley, president of the Custer County Fairboard who organized the event with the help of the Nebraska Quarter Horse said he hopes people from the eastern part of the state come to the races, but in order to be successful "we ned to draw from way up in the hills. "There are over 30,000 quarter horses in Nebraska and most of them are west of Grand Island," he said.

"Interest in hones is high around here, and the quarter horse people are way overdue for a place to race." Cooksley said most of the quarter horses hi the western part of the state are cow ponies, but if ranchers get a place to race them, that could change. "I bet you'll see quite a change hi the types of quarter horses around here," he said. Sonny Crockett, general manager of the races was pleased with the first night of racing, but is looking for larger turnouts and more betting. "I thought it (the gate and total wager) might be a little more, but it was more than a lot of people thought we would get. I guess it's alright for the first time," he said.

Many of the old- timers attending their first quarter horse race in a few years found the refinement in the sport a little highfalutin at first. The rope that used to be stretched out in front of the horses to start the race had been replaced by a metal starting gate, and the wagering is with a computer, not a neighbor. More Race Interest But most said it is more interesting than the auto races, which have been the summer fare at the track for the last three years. Cooksley said it took $12,000 to remove the hard black dirt used for cat racing and replace it with the claybase and four inches of sand. One jockey said the track was still slightly hard, but still in good shape for a first year track.

Horses from 10 states are entered in the 10-day racing schedule. Cooksley said entreis were cut off at 340 on Monday because no more stalls were available. "We could have had 400 entries if we'd had the room," he said. "Next year, if this things goes, we might build another Randy Garroutte, horseman bookkeeper, said one reason for the large number of entries is the $12,000 purse Two Year Old Futurity to be run Labor Day. Racing continues Friday, Saturday, Aug.

28, 29, 30 and Sept. 3, 6, 7, 8 beginning at 7 p.m. except for a 4 p.m. post time Labor Day. It wouldn't be a hone race without some problem, and race officials admit that overnight lodging is in short supply in Broken Bow.

ruled out of the Missouri or Oklahoma game. "Everybody knows it is an unjust punishment against us," Ferragamo added, "but there's nothing we can do now but take it." Denney, who has held season tickets for University of Nebraska football games for the past 30 years, said he is "sypa- thetic with the plaintiff's predicament the evidence indicates (hat they were comp 1 1 unaware of any wrongdoing." However, Denney noted, "That issue is not before the Court, as this lawsuit is directed toward the allegedly insufficient procedure employed by the NCAA. "The type and severity of sanctions imposed by the NCAA, unless they infringe constitutionally protected rights, are not cognizable by the Court." Denney said that although the imposition of the punishment on "those who were not the wrongdoers strikes the Court as highly inequitable It is for the NCAA and its members to consider and perhaps establish enforcement sanctions that will equitably further the goals of the NCAA." Denney rated as "speculative" the players' contentions that their future pro careers could be jeopardized by the one- game suspensions. On the "due process" argument, he found that all four players were furnished notice of what they had done, and the violations were not disputed. 'These factors persuade the Court that the plaintiffs have not shown a clear probability that they were denied procedural due process." hi addition, Denney said, "The Court has considered the possibility of NCAA action should a preliminary injunction by this Court be later reversed or dissolved.

There exists the possibility of severe punishment to the University, the plaintiffs and to other athletes not parties to this action." Former U.S'. District Atty William Schaphorst of Omaha, one of the attorneys for the four players, said it will be probably be next Monday before a decision on the possibility of further pursuit in the case will be made. coach Tom Osborne noted that "We, as an athletic department, exhausted every a of approach available to us within the NCAA. "We agree with the players that thej- were innocent victims and that the punishment is unfortunate. But, at this point, our only answer is to live with the penalty and make the best of it.

I just hope this makes the team all the more determined which hopefully will counteract the loss," Luck, Martin Captains Quarterback Terry Luck and defensive end Bob Martin were elected co-captains of the 1975 Nebraska football team at a squad meeting Thursday night. Luck, who came on in -the second half of the Sugar Bowl game to spearhead a come-from- behind victory over Florida, emerged from spring practice as the No. 1 signal caller despite heavy competition from four others. "I certainly don't think being elected captain locks up the position me," acknowledges. "If anything, it puts the pressure on me to bustle all the harder." "The important thing to me is that my fellow teammates have that kind of confidence in me.

It's a real tribute to gain that kind of respect from the guys you play with." Known as a "holler guy" who inspires his teammates, Luck admits that "I'm certainly not the shy type. You can't be." Cornhusker coach Tom Osbome points out that "part of being a good quarterback is having leadership quality And this is a fine tribute to Terry." Though Luck is No. 1 at the moment, Osborne adds, "We're going to evaluate our quarterbacks on their performance, not their popularity, and though we'd like to have our raptaina on the field, we'll have the quarterback out there who can get the job done. "I wouldn't want the others to think that this interferes with their chance to get to play." Martin said he was "extremely pleased" to be named the defensive captain. "I look at it as a responsibility to see that toe defensive unit stays together from a morale frtacdpolnt and that we get the Job done.".