Times-Advocate from Escondido, California • 19

Business Wednesday, August 7, 1985 Robert GauthierThe Times-Advocate Terry Kennedy found the questions didnt stop, even with his arrival at San Diegos Lindbergh Field Tuesday night. olemn Padres return Slump, strike catch up with some of the players Hills status remains up in air By John Shea Times-Advocate Sportswriter SAN DIEGO Is Mary Alice Hill in or out as the San Diego State athletic director? Thats a question that no one with authority has answered with a firm yes or no. And as most campus officials can only speculate, those who know arent confirming any reports that indicate Hill has been fired or asked to resign from her post in the wake of the past two turmoil-filled weeks. Conflicting reports have followed Saturdays closed-door meeting involving Hill, her attorney, William F. Woods; university President Thomas B.

Day; California State University attorney William Knight; and San Diego State director of personnel services Sally Roush. While Woods has made it clear that Hill wasnt asked by Day or Knight to resign during the meeting, Hill has publicly stated that Woods comments were not necessarily true. As a result, Hill fired Woods Tuesday morning. Strangely, Woods issued a press release Tuesday morning stating that it was his decision that took him off the case because of (attorneys) rules of Our letters have crossed, Woods said. I received a letter from her asking me to resign.

My withdrawal occurred before I received the letter. I wrote my letter before 11 a.m. Woods press release was dated 11 a.m. Hill, like Day, has refused to address the campus controversy, but finally spoke Tuesday, explaining why she separated from Woods. He didnt have my best interests at heart, Hill said in a published report.

I have no idea why he made the statements he made. Theyre just not correct. Woods, repeating his earlier statements, said Tuesday that I hope to make it absolutely clear that she was not asked to resign or indicated to resign by Mr. Day or Mr. Knight.

Woods press release also stated that at no time did either Mr. Day or Mr. Knight indicate that Ms. Hill should step down as athletic director. Asked if the topic of Hill leaving her post was mentioned at all in the meeting, Woods said, I cant comment on that.

Woods said the meeting included only Mary Hills input into the (audit) ordered by (Day). Last Wednesday, an audit of the athletic department began to prove or disprove Hills allegations that at least one of her aides was misusing funds. Tom Abies, the longest-standing member of the universitys boosters, said he had been told by other boosters that Hill was informed not return to her post. Someone (from the meeting) talked, said Abies, 59, who has missed just two football games since 1946. Anytime a committee is involved, itll leak out some way.

And I would guess that it was Mary. A boosters club meeting scheduled for tonight to discuss the situ- ation was cancelled yesterday afternoon, Abies said. The campus turmoil began July 24, when Hill fired four assistants. Hours later, Day reinstated the four. The following day, Day ordered Hill to take a two-week vacation effective July 29.

Terry Kennedy, the Padres player representative, was the first to appear. Despite answering questions throughout the day and all the way up until the time he took off from Cincinnati, Kennedy was still accommodating the local media. However, others including LaMarr Hoyt, Craig Lef-ferts and Roy Lee Jackson were not so cordial. They didnt want to discuss anything. Get that camera out of my face, warned Jackson when a cameraman focused in on the reliever at the luggage checkout.

Even one of the medias favorite interviews, Tim Flannery, refused to answer any more questions before finally giving in. Perhaps the combination of the Padres recent slump and the strike threatening to end the season had caught up with some of the players. The flight was very depressing, said team publicist Mike Swanson. It was four hours of retrospect. We were trying to figure out how dramatic this thing really is.

Its dramatic to the extent that the players will be out of work for awhile. The question most asked Tuesday was, How long will it last? Even if we settle sometime tomorrow morning, its going to last at least two games, and thats a long time, Please see Padres, page C6 By John Shea Times-Advocate Sportswriter SAN DIEGO This was no celebration, as are usual airport gatherings attended by of people. This was more of an exercise in solemnity. Approximately 150 persons Tuesday night awaited Delta flight 259 from Cincinnati via Phoenix. Some were autograph seekers, others were members of the press.

But most appeared to be just passing by and eager to see what all the commotion was about. One bystander wondered aloud why four television camera crews and a host of reporters assembled at Lindbergh Field. When told that the Padres were heading home after their game with the Reds was canceled because of a players strike, he said, Thats OK. Theyd probably lose anyway. Another awaiting onlooker, getting more specific and even more critical of the Padres recent woes, said, It takes a lot of guts to be a relief pitcher and come home here.

But relief pitchers were among the nine Padres who boarded this flight, which arrived at 8:56 p.m., 42 minutes behind schedule. The coaches and remaining players grabbed other flights throughout the evening. When the players from flight 259 entered the terminal, nobody cheered. There were no victory speeches. Not even any smiles.

Owners would like to win one, just for a change By Blackie Sherrod Kmght-Ridder News Service DALLAS It was Will Rogers who first said it. I dont belong to any organized political party, said Will. Im a Democrat. Commentary tween Mr. Stan Musial and Mr.

Frank Robinson. Then, of course, we got Bowie Kuhn, the famed powderpuff czar who didnt fit his role until it was time to leave. Kuhn reminded you of Bob Lillys old critique of the Cowboys Flex defense: By the time you understand it, youre too old to play it. It is a sore spot to the Lords when they are compared to National Football League owners, everyone breaks into hysterical giggles. For the most part, the NFL brotherhood is united as the Cosa Nostra.

It has been struck twice by players, and both times the owners held fast. The NFL union now gets whatever crumbs the owners wish to sweep from their bountiful table. Raiders owner A1 Davis is the sole rebel, and its mildly surprising that the NFL aint sent some body around to break his kneecaps. But even Al, when the league is threatened by strike, joins forces with his Star Chamber adversaries. On the other hand, baseball now has had four strikes and a lockout in 14 years.

Although it is strictly a matter of personal opinion, I would say the players union has won on every turn. Mostly, this was due to the stem and canny hand of Marvin Miller, the union helmsman, and the great affinity for disorganization on the part of the owners. In 1973, owners refused to open training camps and then collapsed like a bridge of toothpicks, just before (the report was) the union was ready to give in. Several owners panicked. This is when the union got its arbitration, its five-and-10 agreement and several other goodies.

Right now, however, in the strike that went into effect Tuesday, the owners appear with new solidarity. The way I read the minutes, the union has yielded on several points, the owners have stood fast. Back when the commissioner vacancy was dominating speculation, Paul Richards said, It really doesnt make any difference who is commissioner. The most important role is the guy who will handle the labor negotiations coming up. If HE doesnt win the war, there might not be any game to be commissioner over.

That particular appointment went to Lee MacPhail, former president of the American League who was trying mightily to retire. I dont believe the issues still at stake are of earth-shattering significance. But the owners would like to win one, just one, for a change. and they do exactly what they please. The owners started going their separate directions in the early 60s, about the time baseball began expanding.

The first card-carrying rebel, Charles 0. Finley, bought into the American League in 1960 and, actually, nothing has been the same since. As baseball broadened in scope, so did power and personality decrease with the man in the commissioners chair. Nobody really ever appreciated Happy Chandler until he left office after World War II, but the old goat was not afraid to use his bullwhip on the thundering mavericks. Ford Frick, a mild sort, became commissioner in 1946, and he exercised all the authority of a jar of buttermilk.

Gen. William Eckert was next in line, briefly, until it was discovered he had great difficulty differentiating be That was years ago. Since then, of course, the Democrats have lost the title to the baseball owners. By a knockout, as I recall. For the last dozen years or so, the Lords of Baseball have resembled nothing so much as a fire in a doodlebug colony.

Theyre about as organized as a cattle stampede. They give a splendid imitation of the rollicking old Yankees of Babe Ruth and associates. Poor Miller Huggins was the manager. One word from me, said Hug, Chargers raid USFL again Another surprise: Wilkerson retires 4. ing type who came on later in his career.

He was not highly rated coming out of college (Wisconsin), but the USFL experience really helped him. Conversely, Nay said the Chargers had rated Lockette as a possi-ble fourth- or fifth-round selection in the 1983 draft. However, Lockette signed with the USFL before the NFL draft. In 1984, the 6-4, 260-pounder inflicted the first USFL sack upon quarterback Steve Young and this past year, he was second in the league with 13 sacks. Hes one of the most flexible big men Ive ever seen, Coryell said of the former Missouri athlete.

Added Nay: He can play either defensive end or nose tackle. When the chance to get him came up, we went after him real good. They were two of the better linemen in the league, Nay continued. We needed depth at those two positions and they both come highly recommended by our scouts. Indeed they did, failing to sign No.

1 draft choices Gary Anderson and Mossy Cade in the past two years. Both went instead to the USFL, although the Chargers are trying again to sign them. Both Lockette and Doerger spent three years in the USFL, and Nay said, Theyre not as glamorous as the other guys (Spencer, Johnson, Cade and Anderson), but theyll help us. Doerger particularly really fills a need for us right now. Thats because he can play all three offensive line positions, and the Chargers have been short at that position all summer.

They were expected to shrink even more today with the retirement of starting guard Doug Wilkerson. Chargers Coach Don Coryell said the 6-foot-4, 270-pound Doerger would play center this week, but would be tried at guard and tackle in the future. Jerry looks pretty damn good," Coryell said. Added Nay: Hes a late-bloom By Jay Posner imes-Advocate Sportswriter SAN DIEGO For a team that has had its difficulties with the United States Football League, the Chargers certainly havent been reticent about signing former USFL players. Two more ex-USFLers were signed Tuesday, defensive end James Lockette, an All -USFL selection this year with the New Jersey Generals, and offensive lineman Jerry Doerger, who played with the Orlando Renegades this spring.

Both were free agents. Lockette and Doerger are the 12th and 13th players to join the Chargers after playing in the USFL, and the fifth and sixth front-line players. Others fitting into that latter category are running back Tim Spencer, wide receiver Trumaine Johnson and defensive linemen Dewey Forte and Lee Williams. We helped them for a while, said Ron Nay, San Diegos director of scouting. By Jay Posner imes-Advocate Sportswriter SAN DIEGO In probably the biggest surprise of a summer filled with surprises, Chargers guard Doug Wilkerson announced his retirement at a news conference this morning.

Wilkerson, who at 38 is the third-oldest player in the NFL, had given no previous indication that he was thinking of retiring. He reported to training camp in good physical condition as he prepared to begin his 15th season with the Chargers and 16th in the NFL. The news of Wilkersons retirement came out of nowhere Tuesday afternoon when Chargers Owner Alex Spanos, asked about a meeting between the 15-year veteran and club officials, said, I think hes going to announce his retire-; ment. Thats exactly what he did this morning, saying, Its not very t'l. complicated.

Its just something I felt at this time. Its something Ive been thinking about. The news came as a shock to several club officials, including Dave Levy, the Chargers offensive coordinator and line coach who has supervised Wilkerson for the past five years. In fact, when a trio of reporters told Levy the news, he couldnt have looked more surprised than if he had been told the Chargers were trading Dan Fouts. Thats news to me, he said.

Who made that statement? Told that it was Spanos, Levy said, Well, he knows more than David. The person who knew more than anyone about the situation was Wilkerson, but he declined to comment until this morning when he appeared at a press conference along with several of his team- Doug Wilkerson Long career comes to end. i mates, Levy and Head Coach Don Coryell. Its a shame to have to do it, said Spanos Tuesday. We want to let him do it as gracefully as we can.

But weve got to get some young kids in here. It was mentioned to Spanos that his statement might cause many people to believe Wilkersons retirement wasnt entirely the players idea. Please see Chargers, page C4.