The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 13

The Pantagraph Thursday, January 29, 2004 www.pantagraph.com TEN-MINUTE TICKER SayWhat? SportsShorts "There has never been a more loved and admired ambassador for Wisconsin sports than ElWrigley Field closer Jauron roars again ries group, LLC. Open Wheel Racing Se- roy Hirsch. His charismatic and charming personto landmark status But the judge said the IRL ality brought smiles to so many Badgers fans. He CHICAGO Wrigley Field offer, which would involve loved life, loved people and loved the Badgers." is 'closer to landmark status on this year's CART schedule, University of Wisconsin athletic director Pat Richter, canceling most of the races after a Chicago City Council committee unanimously ap- could have resulted in costly on the death of pro football Hall of Famer and forproved a plan that would de- litigation from promoters of mer Wisconsin athletic director Elroy 'Crazy Legs' clare the ballpark a landmark those events. Hirsch Wednesday at age 80 but still allow some changes.

The stadium opened in Sonics' Barry April 1914. out up to six weeks The Committee on Histori- SEATTLE Seattle Super- AskBabe cal Landmarks and Preservation recommended that the Sonics guard Brent Barry council approve the ordi- will have surgery on a broken I have a 1968 Detroit World Series ball autographed by all the nance, but with provisions finger and is expected to miss Detroit Tigers. It's in the original case with tape on the side. I have that would allow the Chicago up to six weeks. had this since I was 8.

Cubs to build about 200 new The nine-year NBA veteran injured his right ring finger Ken Burcar, Fayetteville, Ga. box seats and make other possible alterations. in Tuesday night's 118-116 A 1968 Tigers is worth said Mike Gutierrez, owner loss to the Dallas Mavericks. of MGAuction.net. I would note that if the ball is creamy in color and Slowik to head Associated Press Barry is averaging 10.6 has solid, bold signatures, i.e., a mint ball, it could easily bring as The Detroit Lions introduced new defensive coordinator Dick points, 5.5 assists and 30.8 min- much as three or four times that value in an auction.

Packers' defense Jauron to the media Wednesday during a news conference in utes in 40 games this season. If you have a question regarding sports memorabilia, write to Babe Waxpak, Allen Park, Mich. Jauron was fired as head coach of the Chicago The Pantagraph, 301 W. Washington Bloomington, IL 61701, or e-mail; GREEN BAY, Wis. The Green Bay Packers promoted Bears Dec.

29 after four losing seasons. Volleyball federation sive assistant coordinator Bob Slowik and to hired defen- to end gender testing former Detroit Lions assis- He was 80. America Football Conference. LAUSANNE, Switzerland SportsSchedule tant Kurt Schottenheimer as Hirsch died The international volleydefensive backs coach of natural Judge OKs CART ball federation will end genWednesday. causes at an der tests for athletes, the final TODAY'S LOCAL EVENTS Slowik replaces Ed Do- assisted living global organization stop BASKETBALL 7:45 p.m.; Calvary Baptist at Urowners' bid over IRL to natell, who was fired Jan.

16 facility, ac- INDIANAPOLIS A bank- The International bana Uni High, 7:30 p.m. the checks. after the Packers lost to the cording to ruptcy judge rejected a bid Olympic College women Philadelphia Eagles in the Wisconsin as- Wednesday by the Indy Rac- Illinois State at Wichita State, 7 WRESTLING Committee conducted gender sistant AD ing League for an offer by a verification tests at the playoffs. Olympics until 1999, but p.m. Elroy Steve Mal- group of CART team owners High school Hall of Famer Hirsch chow.

to bring that open-wheel se- dropped the before controversial the High school boys Bloomington at Lincoln with Hirsch dies at 80 Hirsch ries out of Chapter 11 and put Sydney Games. Urbana Uni High at Calvary Rantoul, 6 p.m.; University High screenings 2000 earned his nickname for his it back on the track. Over the decades, there 7:30 p.m. at Olympia with Prairie Central, MADISON, Wis. Elroy running style as a halfback Judge Frank Otte acknowl- have been accusations of men High school girls 5 p.m.

"Crazy Legs" Hirsch, a pro and receiver for the NFL's Los edged that the IRL's revised impersonating women and Normal Community at Bloomfootball Hall of Famer and Angeles Rams from 1949-57. bid of $13.5 million was competing in sports. SWIMMING later the athletic director at Before that, he played for the greater than the $3.2 million ington, 7:45 p.m.; Mahomet-SeyWisconsin, died Wednesday. Chicago Rockets of the All- offer from the CART owners' From Associated Press mour at Central Catholic, 7:45 High school boys p.m.; Decatur Eisenhower at at University High Olympia Normal West, 7:30 p.m.; Peoria with Pontiac, 4:30 p.m. FromPages Past Richwoods at University High, 5 YEARS AGO 15 YEARS AGO 25 YEARS AGO 50 YEARS AGO GOLF 3 p.m.

PGA Tour: FBR Open USA 1999: The guard combina- 1989: Antoine Hicks scored 1979: Bloomington's Bud 1954: Le Roy couldn't hold a BASKETBALL 6 p.m. Maryland at Wake Forest ESPN2 tion of Shelley Farnsworth, Kel- a career high 10 points, played Lawyer captured the $150 first candle to Ellsworth in the final 6 p.m. New Jersey at Orlando TNT ly Simons and Anne Butts pro- strong defense and helped run prize in the West Central three minutes of play in the duced a total of 23 points, 16 as- the offense in Illinois State's 76- Bowlers, Association Tourna- power failure laden McLean 7 p.m. Women: ISU at Wichita State WJBC-AM (1230) sists and nine rebounds to lead 66 Missouri Valley Conference ment at Clinton, Ind. Lawyer's County Tournament and the 8 p.m.

Florida State at Duke ESPN2 University High over Central victory over league totals included a sparkling 782 Eagles surged out of total dark- 8:30 p.m. Sacramento at San Antonio TNT Catholic, 54-32, in girls basket- Creighton before 9,041 fans at series and an overall average of ness to nip Le Roy, 39-34, and 10 California ball. Tiffany Hosea and Beth Redbird Arena. Porter Moser, 242 for six games. Bruce Graff advance to the championship p.m.

at Oregon (joined in progress) FSM Drake combined for 39 points one of four Creighton players in of Minier placed 13th and Nor- game. Ellsworth held a 38-34 HOCKEY 6:30 p.m New York Islanders at Boston ESPN and 13 rebounds as Blooming- double figures, scored 11 points. mal's Keith Anderson was 14th lead when the lights went out 7 p.m. Vancouver at St. Louis FSM ton stifled Normal Community among 107 bowlers.

for 20 minutes. 8 p.m. Chicago at Edmonton FSC 61-34. Compiled by Roger Cushman TENNIS 10 p.m Australian Open ESPN2 PEORIA RIVERMEN UPDATE ISU ROUNDUP All-Star Game Fan Fest proves to be an 'overwhelming' success 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 firstof-its-kind Fan Fest that followed the game.

The fans and representatives from the host team were all smiles as they discussed the event's impact. "We get to see the other talent in the league," John Welch of Hopedale said of having the AllStar Game in Peoria. As for Fan Fest itself, Welch said, "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 mingle with 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 ticketers mixed with players from both All-Star tographs and ting informally minute party. Rivermen staffers have been receiving raves about the way this year's two 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 teams, getting au- Peoria pictures and chat- Rowe during the 90- American 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 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 season. BLUES 1. THRASHERS 1 Cowan's late goal gives Atlanta tie with Blues ASSOCIATED PRESS ATLANTA, Ga. Jeff Cowan scored with 2:24 left in regulation and the Atlanta Thrashers, bolstered by 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 Snyder. 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 19-13.

The MVP award honors Herman, a Redbird 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 becomfirst 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 AllTeam.

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 gymnast 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 allaround 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 Montero. "I expect them to have an immediate impact on the team." Kelly Rikli 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 Fischer 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 letterwinners from a team which won the regular-season Missouri Valley Conference championship. However, two-time Valley pitcher of the year Audra Rast and Corey Harris graduated, leaving four underclassmen to handle the pitching. The returnees are led by allValley selections Lauren Bierwirth and Kate Stake, both juniors. Softball to open Friday Illinois State's softball team opens its season Friday in the Diamond Fun Sun Classic, left winger Randy has been called up to the Hockey League's St. 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.

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