The Index-Journal from Greenwood, South Carolina • Page 10

out recruiting violations, how I was treated, why I transferred," Sorrells said of the October interview. they found out I wasn't too involved in the material stuff, we mostly talked about academics. "They said they might be getting back to me, but so far I haven't heard a thing from them," Sorrells said, adding that he was told by the investigator not to talk with the news media "about the specifics" of his interview. Asked if he received extra money or other inducements to play football at Georgia, Sorrells said, "I cannot comment on any favors I can't talk about anything gainful." Sorrells said the academic program in which Georgia officials placed him was "an insult to my intelligence." I feel like I was very honest with the guy from the NCAA," he said. "I told him my bad points.

I told him I wasn't a super student, but that I was willing to do the work. "But I wasn't given a chance to do anything at Georgia. I was put at a level below my intelligence. My grades weren't bad, but my classes at Georgia were." Sorrells went home from Georgia on more than one occasion during the 1983 season. But the trips never were fully explained by either the player or the Georgia athletic department.

"I was unhappy with a lot of things there," he said. "But when I got home my parents and Coach (Bill) Lewis (the Bulldogs' defensive coordinator) and some other people would talk me into going back (to Athens)." Lewis, who was responsible for the signing of Sorrells, acted as the liaison between Sorrells and Geor gia Coach Vince Dooley. "The last time I (left), I told them I'd go back until the end of the season, then leave for good. Then when I did leave, they acted real surprised. My leaving shouldn't have been no big surprise.

I told them I was gonna be gone." He came to Tech this fall, he said, "because of the academics first." The NCAA contacted him shortly thereafter. Before meeting with an NCAA investigator, Sorrells said he sought advice from Tech Coach Bill Curry and met with Tech academic adviser and legal couse-lor Scott Zolke. "Scott Zolke and I talked about it, and he sent me to Coach Curry," said Sorrells. "I really didn't expect (Curry) to know anything about the situation. But he knew.

I just stood there thinking he would ask me about all the stuff that hap pened at Georgia. "But all he said was for me to tell them everything, to tell the truth, and that if I had any problems with the situation, I could come back and talk to him about it." Reached by telephone Thursday in Montgomery, Curry confirmed that the NCAA had contacted Sorrells. He denied any involvement by Georgia Tech in the investigation. "The NCAA contacts every transfer of substance," Curry said. 'We didn't contact them As far as I know, the NCAA has not talked to anyone else at Tech about Georgia.

And really, that's all I can say on the matter." Dooley has confirmed that Georgia's football recruiting is being reviewed by the NCAA, but he has declined further comment, citing NCAA rules. UGa probe extends to classroom LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. AP) An NCAA investigation of the University of Georgia football program extends into academics, a former Georgia football player who has been questioned by the NCAA told the Gwinnett Daily News. In a copyright story published Thursday, the newspaper said National Collegiate Athletic Association investigators interviewed Tyrone SorreTls in October about his recruitment and academic treatment at Georgia. Sorrells, who entered Georgia on a football scholarship in 1982, trans-fired to Georgia Tech last summer.

NCAA officials, who also are investigating the Bulldogs' men's and women's basketball programs, contacted Tech in October seeking permission to talk to the former tight end. "They asked me a lot of stuff ab -Bulldog Invitational- THE lllEX JtURNAL Lady Eagles chances good' SPORTS 6 WTio else? Marino named NFL's MVP i NEW YORK AP) Dan Marino, who record-shattering passing led the Miami Dolphins to a 14-2 record, was named the National Football League's Most Valuable player by The Associated Press today, less than two years after he was passed over by 26 teams in the first round of the 1983 NFL draft. Marino threw 48 touchdown pas ses, an unheard-of average of three per game, in shattering the old re cord of 36. He also became the first NFL quarterback to throw for more than yards in a season with 5,084, he averaged 318 per game. That enabled him to win the MVP award over Eric Dickerson of the Los Angeles Rams, who in most years would have been a shoo-in after breaking the NFL record for rushing yardage in a season with 2,103, 102 more than O.J.

Simpson's mark, set in the 14 game 1973 season. But Marino, who was the sixth quarterback taken and the 27th overall choice in the 1983 college draft after a so-so senior year at Pitt, got 52 votes in the balloting among three sports writers or broadcasters covering each of the 28 NFL teams to 18 for Dickerson. Walter Payton of the Chicago Bears, who shattered Jim Brown's all-time rushing mark and finished the year with was third. "It's exciting," Marino said of the award. "It's something special because there are so many great play By DAVID TALLEY Sports editor Greenwood girls head basketball coach Irene Lewis answered the question without hesitation.

"We don't know anything about Mid-Carolina," she said. "But we're 4-0, and we've won 14 (regular season games in a row and our chances of winning are good." So were her thoughts on the 1984 Newberry High School Bulldog Invitational Girls Tournament which begins tonight in Newberry. Tourney action starts at 6:30 with the Lady Eagles (4-0) taking on Mid-Carolina (1-3, member of the Skyline AA Con-ferennce). At 8 p.m., Chapin (1-3, member of the Skyline Conference, will tangle with host Newberry (2-2, Broad River Region AAA). Saturday's games pit the losers of the first games at 6:30 p.m.

and the winners taking the court for the tourney title in an 8 p.m. matchup. Even though Lewis and Co. enter tonight's opening round of the Bulldog Invitational knowing nothing about their first round challenger Mid-Carolina, confidence rides high. "We're not playing as well as I'd like to be playing right now but we're playing well enough to win.

Execution and our old nemisis the free throw line have been a problem this season so far." Lewis hopes to correct those problems enroute to the tourney title. And a tourney like this one may be just what the doctor ordered. "We used to play Newberry a couple of years ago but we haven't played them in a while. We don't know about Mid-Carolina and we don't know about Chapin. It sounds bad, but it might be good that we don't know about the teams we're playing." Lewis points out not knowing about the competiton means the Lady Eagles can concentrate on themselves.

"You just worry about things that you're weak at and try and improve the things you're strong at so you can do everything a little bit better." Renee Sprowl, 'Peaches' Lomax, and Sheryl Spearman have been the mainstay for the Lady Eagle offense this season and Lewis looks to them to again pull the load in this holiday tourney. Spearman collected 18 points and 15 rebounds in the Lady Eagles last contest, a 60-51 win over Ware Shoals. Lomax added 12 in the win. The Lady Eagles have also defeated Laurens, 50-45; Ware Shoals 51-26; Ninety Six, 48-38, and Ware Shoals again last week. "Like I said we're still not playing the way we'd like to play right now," Lewis added.

"But we're getting by. We'll pull everything together soon and we'll do okay." Seattle's Knox Coach of Year "mf ft lO Friday, December 21, 1984 ers in the league. I think I'm fortunate because I've been able to play with great players on my team to help me accomplish a lot of good things. That 's why an award like that will make me feel good because it just shows those guys were able to help me out." Marino also helped his teammates and his team. Mark Clayton, a second-year receiver, caught a record 18 touchdown passes, for example.

And the when the Dolphins' defense, beset by injuries, began to yield points in increasing numbers, Marino just turned up the volume, throwing four TD passes in each of his last three games. "I knew that if the records came it would be nice," says Marino. "But it's even more exciting to be on a winning team and in the playoffs." One of Marino's attributes is his resilience. In his final game, against Dallas, he threw two interceptions that helped the Cowboys come back from a 14-0 deficit to tie the game at 14-14. But then he threw two long touchdown passes to Clayton to give them a 28-21 victory.

"He keeps rising to the occasion," says Coach Don Shula, who gave Marino the starting job in the sixth game of his rookie season. "The portant thing is, he's not afraid to let go. If the defense makes a good play on him, he doesn't go into a shell." Cleveland. Known for a run-oriented "Ground Chuck" offense, Knox turned to a Cassing offense featuring the com-ination of Dave Krieg to Steve Lar-gent and rookie Darryl Turner, and relied on a half dozen running backs. His leading rusher, David Hughes, gained a mere 327 yards for the season.

"There was a dark moment when Curt was hurt, and then (wide receiver) Paul Johns. We had to adjust from being a running team to being a passing team," Knox said. He said the signing of Franco Harris, released by the Pittsburgh Steel-ers after a contract dispute, was the turning point, even though Harris was subsequently released after gaining only 170 yards in 68 carries. "Getting Franco was an emotional uplift because it showed the players we were going out and doing something about trying to replace Knox explained. His .643 winning percentage for 12 NFL years places him third behind Miami's Don Shula and Dallas' Tom Landry among active coaches with more than 100 regular-season games.

In those 12 years, he has produced six division champions and put three other teams in the Knox was selected in balloting by three writers or broadcasters covering each of the NFL's 28 teams. He finished with 48 votes to 11 for Dan Reeves of Denver. They were followed by Don Shula of Miami, Bill Walsh of San Francisco and Bill Par-cells of the New York Giants. By The Associated Press 1957 George Wilson, Detroit 1958 Weeb Ewbank, Baltimore 1959 Vince Green Bay 1960 Buck Shaw. Philadelphia 1961 Allie Sherman, New York Giants 1962 Ailie Sherman, New York Giants 1963 George Halas, Chicago 1964 Don Shula.

Baltimore 1965 George Halas. Chicago 1966 Tom Landry. Dallas 1967 Don Shula, Baltimore and George Allen, Los Angeles 1968 Don Shula. Baltimore 1969 Bud Grant. Minnesota 1970 Dick Nolan, San Francisco 1971 George Allen.

Washington 1972 Dan Devine. Green Bay 1973 Chuck Knox. Los Angeles 1974 Don Coryell, St. Louis 1975 Ted Marchibroda, Baltimore 1976 Forrest Gregg. Cleveland 1977 Red Miller.

Denver 1978 Jack Patera, Seattle 1979 Jack Pardee, 1980 Chuck Knox, Buffalo 1981 Bill Walsh. San Francisco 1982 Joe Gibbs, Washington 19H3 Joe Gibbs, Washington 1984 Chuck Knox. Seattle fi Getting two Sheryl Spearman gets two against Laurens in the Newberry beginning tonight. (Staff photo by De-Lady Eagles season-opener in early December. nnis Switzer) Greenwood takes part in the Bulldog Invitational in V.

tSnejly. Parker steps down as Wofford coach iDTAMDimp a i i. i Mark (Jamie Stalev. 7) 58-24: First rhil Mw-tin 01 t. (AP) succeed at Wof Mark (Jamie Staley, 7 58-24; First Phil Martin had 21 points which are required to ford.

We also will be working to provide leadership for the overall management of the athletic program." Parker said his time at Wofford was rewarding. Basketball Travis Moore scored 10 points Tuesday as First Baptist defeated South Mam 43-41 in Boys Church League basketball action. Brad Fish had 27 points in a losing cause for South Main. In other games it was Main Street (Hugh Richardson, 18) defeating St. SEATTLE (AP) When star running back Curt Warner was injured in the first game of the National Football League season and lost until next year, the Seattle Seahawks were largely written off for 1984.

Instead, they wound up with a 12-4 season mark and a wild-card berth in the NFL playoffs, making Coach Chuck Knox a runaway choice Thursday as The Associated Press Coach of the Year. CHUCK KNOX Knox, 52, who spent 10 years with the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills before coming to Seattle in 1983, praised his players and staff assistants for the Seahawks' success. "They're the ones who deserve the credit. So many people worked so hard and overcame a lot of adversity," Knox said. "I don't think I ever had a staff do a better job or a group of players accept a challenge like these players have." Despite the award, he said, "I'd rather have Curt Warner and not the acclaim." Last year, when Warner rushed for 1,449 yards as a rookie, Knox guided the Seahawks to a 9-7 record, their first playoff berth and an upset playoff victory over the Miami Dolphins.

In the first game of the current season, however, Warner, was lost with a knee injury in a 33-0 victory over i-J Gamecocks head south Presbyterian (Gil Cade, 8) edged Our Lady (Brian Burgess, 14 36-34; and Northside (Brit Bufford, 13) downed Laurel (Eric Ouzts and Mark Davis, 11) 50-30. In games played Monday night, Kos Weaver had 14 points to lead First Presbyterian over Main Street (George Kerhoulas, 10 34-25. In other games Monday night, it was Northside (Stuart Petit, 11) defeating South Main (Phil Phillips, 9) 36-27; First Baptist (Travis Moore, 10) topping St. Mark (Jamie Staley, 17) 41-34; and Our Lady (Bobby Wood, 10) over Laurel (Mike Wight-man. 6) 39-14.

magazines or books with them for the trip and none admitted to being nervous. "I'm glad we're driving down. It gives us time to relax," said Dru Mims, an offensive tackle. Center Leonard Burton, one of seven players hospitalized with the flu, said he planned to use the five-hour drive to catch up on his sleep. "I thought I wasn't going to make it, that I'd have to fly down later," he said.

Fogle said about 34 players complained of fever, aches, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness or other flu-like symptoms. Starting running back Raynard Brown, starting guard Bill Bar-, nhill, starting wide receiver Eric Poole, David Poinsett, James Gatl-ing, Mike Hooten and Burton were to lead Cincinnati Milicron over Roberts Foundy 57-55 Monday in the Men's Industrail League. Tommy Belcher had 17 for Roberts. In other games it was Capsugel defeating Self Memorial Hospital (Willie Fuller, 14) 59-32; Greenwood Packing Plant (Anthony Andrews, 19) over Lloyd Roofing (Larry Rice, 16) 70-56; McGraw Edison (Carroll Wells, 18) over Roberts Foundry (Larry Fortune, 14) 50-36; Pro Med (Kenneth Goodwin, 12) edged Self Memorial Hospital (Willie Fuller, 11 43-41 and Capsugel (Jon Brooks, 13) downed Cincinnati Milicron (Phil Martin 11) 55-40. admitted Wednesday to Baptist Medical Center.

Assistant coach Bill Michaels also was treated. Freshman tight end Danny Smith, struggling with his luggage and a box containing his complimentary Gator Bowl souvenir sweater and shirt, predicted a win by one touchdown. "I'm not nervous, I'm just excited," he said. "I think it's great motivation for next year, the fact that we're playing in a bowl game. I hope the momentum will carry over." Coach Joe Morrison, wearing a pink blazer, was one of the last peo- Ele to load his luggage.

Clapping his ands together, he signaled that the team was ready to go. When asked what the final score would be, Morrison just shrugged. SPARTANBURG Billy Parker, who guided the Wofford Terriers football team to an 8-14 record in two seasons as coach and athletic director, resigned Thursday effective immediately. Parker submitted the resignation immediately after emerging from a meeting with college President J.M. Lesesne and said he planned to look at job possibilities in and out of coaching.

Lesesne said a search for a replacement would begin immediately. He also said that Parker was not under pressure from the school's administration to resign. "Billy put a lot of pressure on himself," he said. "He decided to make a change before we got into the heart of recruiting. We didn't come to some crisis point." Parker served as defensive coordinator at Wofford for five years before becoming coach.

His first team was 6-5, but this year the Terriers fell to 2-9. Wofford already is looking for a basketball coach to replace Wayne Earhardt, who announced earlier that he was resigning at the end of the 1984-85 season. James Barrett, resident counsel at the college, was appointed by Lesesne as administrator of athletics during the interim. Barrett will conduct the search for the two coaches, he said. "We will move as quickly as possible to fill the coaching vacancies in order to avoid disruptions in recruiting and overall athletic management," Barrett said.

"At the same time, we will be sufficiently patient to make sure that our leadership will have those qualities COLUMBIA (AP) The South Carolina Gamecocks left for the Gator Bowl Thursday on four chartered buses led by a highway patrol escort, but there was little other fanfare at their send-off. The players arrived in Jacksonville, Thursday night for a week of practice before the Dec. 28 matchup against the Cowboys of Oklahoma State. About 34 of the players and an assistant coach recovered from the flu just in time to leave for the bowl. "They're the pale ones," student trainer Gene Fogle said as the players boarded the 43-seat charter buses.

Just a handful of fans and friends of players were at The Roost, the athletic dorm, to wave goodbye. Most players brought headsets..