The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 13

B2 The Pantagraph Thursday, January 29, 2004 www.pantagraph.com TEN-MINUTE TICKER SayWhat? Sports KJJLJ Jauron roars again "There has never been a more loved and admired ambassador for Wisconsin sports than Elroy Hirsch. His charismatic and charming personality brought smiles to so many Badgers fans. He loved life, loved people and loved the Badgers." University of Wisconsin athletic director Pat Richter, on the death of pro football Hall of Famer and former Wisconsin athletic director Elroy 'Crazy Legs' Hirsch Wednesday at age 80 5 i sv LI AskBabe 0: 1 have a 1968 Detroit World Series ball autographed by all the Detroit Tigers. It's in the original case with tape on the side. I have had this since I was 8.

Ken Burcar, Fayetteville, Ga. A 1968 Tigers is worth said Mike Gutierrez, owner of MGAuction.net. I would note that if the ball is creamy in color and has solid, bold signatures, i.e., a mint ball, it could easily bring as much as three or four times that value in an auction. If you have a question regarding sports memorabilia, write to Babe Waxpak, The Pantagraph, 301 W. Washington Bloomington, IL 61701, or e-mail; babewaxpakredding.com SportsScheduIe Wrigley Field closer to landmark status CHICAGO Wrigley Field is closer to landmark status after a Chicago City Council cofnmittee unanimously approved a plan that would declare the ballpark a landmark but still allow some changes.

The stadium opened in April 1914. The Committee on Historical Landmarks and Preservation recommended that the council approve the ordinance, but with provisions that would allow the Chicago Cubs to build about 200 new box seats and make other possible alterations. Slowik to head Packers' defense GREEN BAY, Wis. The Green Bay Packers promoted assistant Bob Slowik to defensive coordinator and hired former Detroit Lions assistant Kurt Schottenheimer as defensive backs coach Wednesday. Slowik replaces Ed Do-natell, who was fired Jan.

16 after the Packers lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the piayoffs. Hall of Famer Hirsch dies at 80 MADISON, Wis. Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch, a pro football Hall of Famer and later the athletic director at Wisconsin, died Wednesday. group, Open Wheel Racing Series LLC. But the judge said the IRL offer, which would involve canceling most of the races on this year's CART schedule, could have resulted in costly litigation from promoters of those events.

Sonics' Barry out up to six weeks SEATTLE Seattle Super-Sonics guard Brent Barry will have surgery on a broken finger and is expected to miss up to six weeks. The nine-year NBA veteran injured his right ring finger in Tuesday night's 118-116 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Barry is averaging 10.6 points, 5.5 assists and 30.8 minutes in 40 games this season. Volleyball federation to end gender testing LAUSANNE, Switzerland The international volleyball federation will end gender tests for athletes, the final global organization to stop the checks. The International Olympic Committee conducted gender verification tests at the Olympics until 1999, but dropped the controversial screenings before the 2000 Sydney Games.

Over the decades, there have been accusations of men impersonating women and competing in sports. From Associated Press Associated Press The Detroit Lions introduced new defensive coordinator Dick Jauron to the media Wednesday during a news conference in Allen Park, Mich. Jauron was fired as head coach of the Chicago Bears Dec. 29 after four losing seasons. ft' He was 80.

Hirsch died of natural causes at an assisted living facility, according to Wisconsin assistant AD Steve America Football Conference. Judge OKs CART owners' bid over IRL INDIANAPOLIS A bankruptcy judge rejected a bid Wednesday by the Indy Rac- ing League for an offer by a group of CART team owners to bring that open-wheel series out of Chapter 11 and put it back on the track. Judge Frank Otte acknowledged that the IRL's revised bid of $13.5 million was greater than the $3.2 million offer from the CART owners' Elroy Hirsch 7:45 p.m.; Calvary Baptist at Urbana Uni High, 7:30 p.m. WRESTLING High school Bloomington at Lincoln with Rantoul, 6 p.m.; University High at Olympia with Prairie Central, 5 p.m. SWIMMING High school boys University High at Olympia with Pontiac, 4:30 p.m.

TODAY'S LOCAL EVENTS BASKETBALL College women Illinois State at Wichita State, 7 p.m. High school boys Urbana Uni High at Calvary 'Baptist, 7:30 p.m. High school girls Normal Community at Bloomington, 7:45 p.m.; Mahomet-Seymour at Central Catholic, 7:45 p.m.; Decatur Eisenhower at Normal West, 7:30 p.m.; Peoria Richwoods at University High, TVRADIO Hirsch earned his nickname for his running style as a halfback and receiver for the NFL's Los Angeles Rams from 1949-57. Before that, he played for the' Chicago Rockets of the All- FromPages Past 15 YEARS AGO 1989: Antoine Hicks scored a career-high 10 points, played strong defense and helped run the offense in Illinois State's 76-66 Missouri Valley Conference victory over league-leader Creighton before 9,041 fans at Redbird Arena'. Porter Moser, one of four Creighton players in double figures, scored 11 points.

25 YEARS AGO 1979: Bloomington's Bud Lawyer captured the $150 first prize in the West Central Bowlers.Association Tournament at Clinton, Ind. Lawyer's totals included a sparkling 782 series and an overall average of 242 for six games. Bruce Graff of Minier placed 13th and Normal's Keith Anderson was 14th among 107 bowlers. 5 YEARS AGO 1999: The guard combination of Shelley Farnsworth, Kelly Simons and Anne Butts produced a total of 23 points, 16 assists and nine rebounds to lead University High over Central Catholic, 54-32, in girls basketball. Tiffany Hosea and Beth Drake combined for 39 points and 13 rebounds as Blooming-ton stifled Normal Community 61-34.

50 YEARS AGO 1954: Le Roy couldn't hold a candle to Ellsworth in the final three minutes of play in the power failure-laden McLean County Tournament and the Eagles surged out of total darkness to nip Le Roy, 39-34, and advance to the championship game. Ellsworth held a 38-34 lead when the lights went out for 20 minutes. Compiled by Roger Cushman GOLF 3 p.m. PGA Tour: FBR Open USA BASKETBALL 6 p.m. Maryland at Wake Forest ESPN2 6 p.m.

New Jersey at Orlando TNT 7 p.m. Women: ISU at Wichita State WJBC-AM (1230) 8 p.m. Florida State at Duke ESPN2 8:30 p.m. Sacramento at San Antonio TNT 10 p.m. California at Oregon (joined in progress) FSM HOCKEY 6:30 p.m New York Islanders at Boston ESPN 7 p.m.

Vancouver at St. Louis FSM 8 p.m. Chicago at Edmonton FSC TENNIS 10 p.m Australian Open ESPN2 PEORIA RI VERM EN UPDATE ISU ROUNDUP All-Star Game Fan Fest proves to be an 'overwhelming' success Rikli named MVP of volleyball team PANTAGRAPH STAFF NORMAL Junior setter Kelly Rikli was presented the Linda Herman Most Valuable Player Award for the Illinois State volleyball team. Rikli, a second-team all-Mis souri Valley Conference selection, became the second Redbird setter to record more than 1,500 assists in a season, helping ISU recover from a 5-10 start to finish John's Maple Leafs, the primary affiliate of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs. The 6-foot, 198-pound Rowe led the Rivermen in goals (25), game-winning goals (7), power play goals (7), points (45) and plusminus ratio (plus 16).

Rowe was named the Most Valuable Player of the ECHL All-Star Game after scoring two goals, including the game-winner, and recording an assist. Busy weekend slate After splitting with Dayton on their first road trip after the All-Star break last weekend, the Rivermen return to Carver Arena to host Cincinnati Friday and Saturday. Friday's contest will start at 7 p.m. with musical group Joan Jett The Blackhearts to perform in concert following the game. Saturday's game has a 7:35 p.m.

start time. Toledo visits Peoria on Sunday for a 1 p.m. game. New hall of fame inductee As part of one of the intermissions during Friday's game, the Rivermen will induct senior account representative Ralph Rashid into the Peoria Hockey Hall of Fame. Rashid will join team owner Bruce Saurs and three others in the off-the-ice category of the Hall.

One of Rashid's duties is to compile prizes for the team's fan appreciation night, held toward the end of the regular minute party. Rivermen staffers have been receiving raves about the way this year's two-day -All-Star event, including the Fan Fest, was organized. "We have been hearing from just about everybody that this has been the best All-Star event they have ever been to," said Rivermen general manager Bart Rogers. Leading sponsor and host of Fan Fest, the Par-A-Dice hotel, was also happy with the way the events were received. "We have been in on the planning for about 18 months," said Mark Freeman, director of marketing for the hotel.

"Obviously, it has been an overwhelming success and we were glad to have been a part of it." Glenn Thornborough, ECHL director of sales and marketing, credited Rogers and Rivermen President John Butler with doing a good job of organizing the new event, which will be carried on at the 2005 All Star Game in Reading, Pa. "This has been a fantastic event," Thornborough said. "The people here in Peoria have been super. The crowd (for the game and the Fan Fest) have been great, and we could not have asked for a better outcome." Rowe called up to St. John's Peoria left winger Randy Rowe has been called up to the American Hockey League's St.

By Steve Robinson PANTAGRAPH STAFF EAST PEORIA It appears the Eastern Conference wasn't the only winner at last week's ECHL All-Star Game. Both the fans and league also came out winners with a first-of-its-kind Fan Fest that followed the game. The fans and representatives from the host tam were all smiles as they discussed the event's impact. 'We get to see the other talent irthe league," John Welch of Hpedale said of having the All-Sfiir Game in Peoria. for Fan Fest itself, Welch sajd, "I think it is a great idea.

It gives fans a chance to interact with players from other teams who they might not normally see." After the Rivermen were awarded the All-Star Game last year, the team tried to think of something which would involve fans as well as players and coaches and members of the league. From the Rivermen's point of view, a postgame Fan Fest would give fans the chance to minglcwith players from different teams and socialize in an inaugural ticket-driven event. From all indications, the first Fan Fest, held at the ballroom of the Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino, was a hit as 450 ticket-holders mixed with players from both All-Star teams, getting autographs and pictures and chatting informally during the 90- hosted by Florida International at Miami. The Redbirds meet Auburn at 1 p.m., the first of four pool play games prior to bracket play on Sunday. "We're excited to get outside and see what kind of progress we've made since the fall season ended," ISU coach Melinda Ffscher said.

"We've been able to scrimmage in Horton (Field House), but we'll really be able to learn a lot about our team this weekend. "We hope to answer some questions about the positions that were vacated by players that graduated, especially in the (pitching) circle, behind the plate and at first base." The Redbirds return 13 let-terwinners from a team which won the regular-season Missouri Valley Conference championship. However, two-time Valley pitcher of the year Au-dra Rast and Corey Harris graduated, leaving four underclassmen to handle the pitching. The returnees are led by all-Valley selections Lauren Bier-wirth and Kate Stake, both Kelly Rikli Gymnastics adds three Cheryl Berezan, Amanda Candler and Kara Strnad have signed national letters of intent for gymnastics at Illinois State. Berezan is from Surrey, British Columbia, Canada; Candler is from Virginia Beach, and Strnad, younger sister of current Redbird Lauran Strnad, is from Washington, Mo.

Berezan will compete in various events for ISU, her strongest being the uneven bars. Candler was Virginia's 2001 floor exercise state champion and placed third in the all-around at the 2002 regionals. Strnad also excels in the floor exercise. "All are hard workers with a real passion for the sport, and a strong hunger to continue their gymnastics careers," said ISU coach Kristin Mon-tero. "I expect them to have an immediate impact on the team." Softball to open Friday Illinois State's softball team opens its season Friday in the Diamond Fun Sun Classic, it i 19-13.

The MVP award honors Herman, a Red-bird volleyball coach and administrator for more than three decades. Freshman defensive specialist Jessie Janik, who played a key role one year after suffering a broken leg, received the Kelly Meisner Courage Award, named for the former ISU player who lost a courageous battle to cancer in 1997. Laura Doornbos, an Olympia High School product, was named the team's Most Improved Player after becoming the first ISU sophomore to surpass 400 kills in a season. Junior Amber Rogers, who split time between middle blocker and right-side hitter, received the Kristen Kueltzo Most Inspirational Player Award, named' for a former ISU player who played several positions. Also honored were sophomore middle blocker Emily Kabbes, a first-team all-conference choice out of Central Catholic High School; freshman outside hitter Savannah Knowles," the Missouri Valley's Newcomer of the Year; and junior libero Paige White, a University High School product who made the State Farm-MVC All-Tournament Team.

Best i me Lountry BLUES 1, THRASHERS 1 Cowan's late goal gives Atlanta tie with Blues We build all sizes of farms, suburban, commercial and specialty buildings 30'x50'xl0' 1-I0'x9' single sliding door 1-3' solid walk door Material, tax and erected $9qooQ ASSOCIATED PRESS ATLANTA, Ga. Jeff Cowan scored with 2:24 left in regulation and the Atlanta Thrashers, bolstered iy the return of Dany Heatley, managed a 1-1 tie with the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night. Heatley was playing for the first time since a Sept. 29 car wreck killed teammate Dan Heatley, who was driving, needed knee surgery after the wreck and was expected to be out most of the season.

But he made a remarkably quick recovery, returning one day shy of four months since the crash. "Welcome Back Dany," read a giant banner placed behind one of the goals. The Blues broke a scoreless tie at 5:17 of the third period when Scott Mellanby scored his 11th goal. He fanned on a pass across the crease from Doug Weight, but the puck caught Mellanby's right skate and went in. Despite protests from Thrashers goalie Pasi Nurminen, the referee immediately ruled that Mellanby didn't intentionally try to kick the puck in the net.

The Thrashers earned a point when Cowan managed to knock in the puck during a scrum in front of the St. Louis net. (r) Rag land Buildings Toll Free 1-888-449-3368 www. raglandbui Mings, com.