The Decatur Daily Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 13

PAGE THIRTEEN Decatur. Illinois. Friday, December 14, 1979 Forrest Kyle Sports editor Tide, Buckeye fans won 't be happy, but computer playoff shows USC No. 1 1 1 f( -w-v si INMHHHWMIiHNUtMHHUHMriMIMMHMIHHHMIHHMMwJL Tin 'it im nl4 HOi lit It I I I Irilii II ft aiaaalMIMIttaaaaWUMMUlMMM Grid problems add to Lobos-athletic woes Albuquerque, N.M. (AP) The University of New Mexico's Athletic Council pondered the fate of the Lobos flamboyant basketball coach today, while problems were surfacing in the football program.

Suspended basketball Coach Norm El-lenberger, known in happrer days as "Stormin Norman." had a date today with the Athletic Council, which is empowered to make recommendatiofis on his future. Council recommendations go university President William E. Davis, who has the power to fire Ellenberger. The university's basketball program has been rocked by developments that began Nov. 30 with the disclosure in a sworn affidavit filed by the FBI in U.S.

District Court. The affidavit alleged transcript-fixing involving a junior college transfer on the UNM basketball team. Then university officials said Thursday that three New Mexico football players were enrolled in the sme course. "Current Problems and Principles of Coaching Athletes." The three-credit course was offered by Ottawa, University on the campus of Los Angeles Valley College in Van Nuys, Calif. The three football players were identified as tight end Chris Combs, wide receiver; David Wyrick and defensive end Daryl Bryson.

i University officials said Combs received credit for the course, although he did not attend any classes. And they said that since he needed the credit to be eligible, the university probably would be forced to forfeit its six football victories this fall. The announcement Thursday that the Lobos probably would have to forfeit six football victories followed an announcement last week that UNM would forfeit its 112-100 basketball victory over West Texas State Dec. 4 because ineligible AP Laserphoto --You may have noticed the other day that some of the football fanatics down Alabama way are some put out with the Associated Press football poll because it displaced the Crimson Tide with, another crimson tide this one from Ohio State. Letters have been pouring into the AP office in New York about the voting of the AP panel which elevated the Buckeyes over Alabama.

What incensed so many of the Alabama disciples was that this happened after another Tide victory while the Buckeye gridders were sitting on their duffs with nothing to do. Until such time as the powers-that-be in intercollegiate athletics decide to have a playoff to determine who really is No. 1, all the protests and bitterness over the news service polls will continue, even though it's a waste of time. Obviously, it's impossible to prevent prejudices, provincialism and inattention among some of the members who are chosen for the panel. Certainly the Alabama folks angered over eight members of the AP panel not giving the Crimson Tide a second thought, much less a vote for any place, have a right to be up in arms.

But that's the way it has been for years and that's the way it will continue to be when there is a close race for the No. 1 spot. Supporters of the team which lands in No. 2 will shout their heros have been jobbed by the imbecile voters on the panel. It must be admitted some of the so-called experts cast strange ballots but that will continue to happen as long as the NCAA refuses to allow playoffs.

There have been playoffs on the computers used by some of the services which predict outcome of college and professional games. One service arranged a computer playoff last year which included champions from eight major conferences, five top independents and three deserving conference runnerups and came up with Oklahoma defeating Nebraska in the final and Michigan edging Southern California for third place. Alabama, which ended up as the Associated Press' No. 1 team, was eliminated by the computer in the second round by Oklahoma. The outfit which turned its computer loose on this exercise, Winners Sports Service, is trying again this year.

Here is the way its computer predicted how a playoff would come out: Billy Martin assumed tough-guy look for remarks about Al Rosen and George Steinbrenner. Billy Martin saga would make never-ending Hollywood serial Daily Review ioorts JL jeans, high-heeled boots. He sported a snappy mustache. "If I never had a fight in my life, I'd be happy," he said, the look of a repentant showing from beneath dark glasses. "You never win, even if you win." Here was the diamond maverick trying to explain away again remarks made last Tuesday in a $3,000 speech at the University of Rhode Island in which he opened some old wounds.

Referring to his Oct. 23 bar-room brawl with a marshmallow salesman in Bloomington, Minn. his second in less than a year and one in a long series of altercations covering a tempestuous career he said: "I was standing at the elevator, I looked around and saw the guy drawing back his left fist, so I hit him. I would do it again under the circumstances." He also referred to Steinbrenner as "a man whose mind I don't understand and don't want to" and vowed he would never don a Yankee uniform again as long the Tampa ship-owner was boss. Speaking of former club President Al Rosen, he said, "Rosen talked to me in Jewish arid I talked to him in Italian." This was interpreted by some as an anti-Semitic "It was just one-liners," Martin explained.

"I liked Rosen. I say so in my book which is coming up. I like George, too. If you think I don't like the man, you're wrong. He's done so many wonderful things.

But he doesn't know a Mike White named Illinois grid coach First round Ohio State 21, Nebraska 17 Florida State 30, Brigham Young 27 Arkansas 21, No. Carolina State 6 Alabama 35, Pittsburgh 21 Texas 21, Penn State 10 Southern California 32, Temple 20 Tulane 30, Yale 8 Oklahoma 28, Michigan' 23 Quarterfinals Ohio State 35, Florida State 27 Alabama 10, Arkansas 2 Southern California 14, Texas 7 Oklahoma 28, Tulane 20 Semifinals Alabama 23, Ohio State 21 Southern California 20, Oklahoma 14 Final Southern California 21, Alabama 20 (championship). Ohio State 27, Oklahoma 24 (third place) All I can say about all this is that it has my choice for No. 1 winning the whole schmear. This is the season for college football coaches to be asked to take their talents elsewhere since, according to the win-loss statistics, they haven't satisfied their bosses, not to mention the alumni, fans and media folks who pose as experts.

But if you think the turnover of football coaches is high among the major colleges, consider what happened to the basketball coaches in NCAA Division I during the 1970s. Of the 193 teams which have been in Division 1 throughout the 1970s, only 21 now have the same coach as in 1970. More big arenas and more income have meant more coaching changes not to mention problems with recruiting, agents and crowd control. In was only four months ago that the NCAA Long Range Planning Committee took note of these problems and pointed out reports of falsified high school transcripts and on the "flesh-market atmosphere" of high school all-star games and warned of the danger of a college basketball scandal within five years. What has happened at the University of New Mexico recently proves the NCAA committee knew what it was talking about.

And it is believed, by those who know what is going on in the recruiting business, that what happened at New Mexico is only the tip of the iceberg. White because of his success as a coach and recruiter, and they agreed. Stoner, like White, is from the West Coast, having served as athletic director at California State University-Ful-lerton before coming to Illinois in November. At his recommendation, the board fired Coach Gary Moeller, who had a three-year record of 6-24-3. Others considered for the Illinois job were John Mackovic of Wake Forest, Dick Jamieson of Indiana State, Frank Maloney of Syracuse and Larry Smith of Tulane.

Smith, however, decided not to change jobs. White, 43, became head coach at the University of California in 1972, taking over a team which faced three years" of NCAA probation. His first teams were 3-8 and 4-7, but by 1974 he had a winning program with a 7-3-1 record. White's 1975 team was 8-3, the Bears' best record in 24 years. They shared the Pacific 8 championship and led the nation in total offense with 2,522 yards passing and 2,522 yards rushing.

However, after going 5-6 in 1976 and 7-4 in 1977, White vas fired by Athletic Director Dave Maggard. He then joined the 49ers. back into the playoffs they missed last year for the first time in seven seasons. "It's been a crazy year. A lot of things still can happen." Also on Sunday it's Cleveland at Cincinnati, Philadelphia at Houston, Buffalo at Pittsburgh, Washington at Dallas, Kansas City at Tampa Bay, St.

Louis at Chicago, Baltimore at the New York Giants, Minnesota at New England, San Francisco at Atlanta and New Orleans at Los Angeles. Saturday's games are the New York Jets at Miami and Green Bay at Detroit. "Our defense has gained maturity the last three or four weeks," says Flores, once Oakland's quarterback in the 1960s. "The team has found out we can win on the road or at home. We've got a lot of confidence now." The coach says Oakland is humming with anticipation.

"The whole town became alive," Flores noted. "Suddenly it's kind of like the old days here." In Cleveland, the fans are thinking playoffs, too. "Everywhere I go," says Browns defensive end Lyle Alzado, "people come up to me and they don't say, 'I hope you go to the They say, You better go to the By Robert Lee Zimmer Champaign (AP) Mike White; who took the University of California from probation to the top of its league, was named head football coach at the University of Illinois today. White, now an assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers, will take over a program at Illinois which has produced -only three winning seasons since 1963 when the Illini went 8-1-1, won the Big Ten championship and a berth in the 1964 Rose Bowl. The last winning season at Illinois was 1974.

"We feel it is a situation that can be improved and that has potential," White said of the Illinois football program. White said he already has hired two assistants, Max McCartney from the 49ers and John Teerlinck of Eastern Illinois University, and said they will be- gin recruiting in the Chicago" area today. "I will run the offense myself," White told reporters. "I think that is my strength what I do best." The announcement of White's appoint-: ment was made by Athletic Neale Stoner, who recommended that the Athletic Association directors hire friend from an enemy. I feel sorry for him." Carrying metaphors further, Billy sometimes appears to be a Dr.

Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. One minute, he can charm the birds out of the trees. The next, he is acting like a nasty bully. "Billy gets in all these scrapes," a critical admirer said, "and then he repents.

He gives you that stuff about being a poor Italian who has been mistreated and before you know it he has you in the palm of his hand. "But he definitely has one big flaw, which is well documented. He has a self-destruct complex. Like a gun-sli-nger, he thrives on action and danger. He can't operate unless there is tension and chaos.

He doesn't know how to cool it. He can't keep his mouth shut. It's not his nature." Martin, a superb field tactician, turned sows' ears into silk purses with Texas and Minnesota, and was fired at both places for scrapes management could not tolerate. He came to the Yankees as a favorite of Steinbrenner only to be forced to resign once under pressure and then fired outright after being rehired. A sentimentalist.

Steinbrenner was criticized for giving Martin the job in mid-season, replacing popular, low-key Bob Lemon, who had brought the team the 1978 pennant and world championship. After firing Martin in October, Steinbrenner publicly offered his resources to get Billy- re-adjusted and relocated. Billy became incensed and retorted, "I don't need Steinbrenner. I can take care of myself." Now Billy is on the carpet again, facing possible disciplinary action for his latest outbursts. "This is not Iran, this is the USA," says Billy belligerently.

"All the dollars in the world can't make me keep quiet." Next week: East Lynne. played," said Moore. "East Park uses the full-court, pressure defense. It was a style I loved to play and I feel it has been very successful here." Decatur Christian is the larger of the two church-supported schools with just over 100 students. East Park has 55 at the high school level.

Both are members of the Illinois Association of Christian Schools. Moore said there are approximately 80 schools in the association. The IACS conducts 'its own tournaments starting with regional play in March through to the state tournament windup at Lincoln Land College in Springfield. The IACS state champion advances to the National tournament. Decatur Christian finished fourth in last year's state tourney.

Normal was the champion and eventually finished second in the national tournament. East Park's one defeat this season came in the Thanksgiving Holiday tournament at Watertown, where it finished tn third place. Starters for East Park are senior center Steve Gossmeyer at 6-foot-3; Chris Darli4g, 6-4; Scott Musgrave, Mac ft McGee YJW Sportswriter By Will Grimsley New York (AP) When we become a big Hollywood producer and film our first Western, it's going to be easy to typecast one of the featured actors. Bad Billy Martin has to be the tough guy in the saloon. Fast hands.

A quicker mouth. Always shooting the hip. Gets shot down and then, while everybody's either grieving or celebrating, in he strides and says, "Set 'em up." Billy the Kid has to make a great serial. His episodes never have an ending. You know how these cliff-hangers go: "Will Billy the Kid get his come-up-pance? Or will the neighborhood ruffian change his ways and become the nicest guy in Sunday School? Don't forget to tune in next week and see." The pugilistic ex-manager of the New York Yankees looked the part Thursday when he strode into his tiny Western Wear Shop on 65th St.

just off Fifth Ave. to explain his latest conflicts with owner George Steinbrenner and the baseball establishment. He wore a black sombrero with a feather sticking rakishly out of the band, open shirt, dark sweater and Millikin plays Augustana here Saturday Millikin University's basketball team, which has frustrated Coach Joe Ramsey with its inconsistency while compiling a 1-4 record, has the unenviable task of trying to halt a four-game losing streak against undefeated Augustana here Saturday night. Given the best chance of unseating NCAA Division III national titlist North Park as champion of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, Augustana has lived up to its pre-season billing by winning its first six games, including two in the CCIW. The Vikings also have regained the services of 6-foot-7 Jay Friestad, who came off the bench to lead them in scor ing with 16 points in a tnumpn over Elmhurst Thursday night.

Millikin dropped a 63-62 double overtime decision at Carthage Saturday, its second multiple overtime loss in the last four games. The other was against Franklin. The Big Blue also took Eastern Illinois down to the wire before bowing 67-58. One Big Blue newcomer who is likely to see considerable action against Augie is 6-4 sophomore Jeff Sams of Macon, playing his first season at Millikin after transferring from Illinois State. Sams scored eight points and collected four rebounds in the late stages of the Carthage game.

Sams has been battling freshman Wayne Dunning, former Lakeview High standout, and Greg Goodrich of Chicago for a top frontline reserve role. Following the Augustana game, Millikin travels to Northeast Missouri State Wednesday, then takes a long holiday break before playing at DePauw in Greencastle, Jan. 5. pulldogs gain top county cage tourney seeding St. Teresa, the defending champion, is seeded No.

1 in the Macon County basketball tournament at Macon High School, next week. Maroa-Forsyth is seeded No. 2, Niantic-Harristown No. 3 and Blue Mound No. 4.

In opening games Monday, St. Teresa plays Macon at 6:30 p.m. and Blue Mound goes against Argenta-Oreana at 8 p.m. On Tuesday, Maroa-Forsyth plays Warrensburg-Latham at 6:30 p.m. and Niantic-Harristown goes against DeLand-Weldon at 8 p.m.

The tournament runs through Dec. 21. players were used. Burg continues torrid Pla-Mor Classic pin pace Bob Burg Jr. continued his torrid front-running pace in the Pla-Mor Classic Singles Scratch League Tuesday by winning three of four games from Fred Neilson on a 953 series to raise his season Petersen point total to 301-12.

Earl Gray Jr. turned in his second straight masterful job as a substitute, coming up with the night's high series of 983 and sweeping four games from Ralph Westray. Subbing for Shawn Westray, Gray sent Westray soaring from ninth to seventh place. The previous week. Gary rolled a 900 series while subbing for Dave Sleeth boosting Sleeth from sixth to third place.

Rick Leach held onto second plaw by winning three games from Percy Meeks on an 891 series, raising his point -total to 282-00. 7 Sleeth maintained his hold on third place by taking three games from Wayne Hornbeck on an 8U2 seriesr- He has 271-32 points. Lee Graves jumped two places, Jfom sixth to fourth, by winning 2': games from Rick Yetter on a 770 series He has 268-26 points. Gary Haines dropped from fourth to fifth after dropping four games to Gene Vincent despite on 817 series. H1nes has 268-07 points.

Vincent producethe second high series. 973. just 10 pmsess than Gray's total. Burg's 953 was third high series. 6-0; Mike Donnel.

5-10 and Scott Moore 5-8. all juniors. Sophomores Brian Pettit and Jay-McCammack and freshman Steve; Grady are frontline reserves and Mark Donnell, Darren Miller, Kir Deverick, Kent Gossmeyer ano Keith Warren round out the Scott Moore is Jack's brotheu "He plays with a lot of intensity said Jack. "Scott averages about six steals a game." Darling and Steve Gossmeyer are averaging 13 points a game and Steve is the leading rebounder with an average of 15 a game. Durbin's Decatur Christian team has been highly successful in recen seasons and boasts one of the state's top IACS scorers in Jack Milligan; a 6-foot-l junior.

Milligan is current averaging 32 points a game. Rounding out the starting lineup! for Decatur Christian are Dan Weber, 6-0; Jim Hoback 6-2; Tim View? eg, 5-6 and Don Jones, 5-8. Hoback is the only senior and the other fout starters are juniors. "Our strongest point is our rej bounding." said Durbin. "We're not that tall as a team, but the kids do a fine job on the boards.

Weber and Milligan usually lead the way anJ Hoback gives them plenty of help. East Park and Decatur Christian meet twice more during the regula season. The next head-to-head matchup will be Jan. 12 and the secj ond on Feb. 1.

If the first game is any yardstick, the next two shoUld be a fans' dream come true. City rivalry runs high when prep church league teams meet Raiders are in position to gain playoff berth East Park Baptist and Decatur Christian high school basketball teams may not be as large as their Decatur counterparts, but that doesn't detract from the excitement and enthusiasm that is generated when the two teams clash. East Park won a big one Tuesday night over Decatur Christian at Boody 79-78 and the crowd "was wild" according to Decatur Christian Coach Dwight Durbin. vit's always that way when we said Durbin. "It's a fine riv- airy." Decatur Christian fell short Tuesday night, losing -by a score of 79-78, ending its seven-game winning streak over East Park.

Jack Moore is the coach and school principal at East Park and Stephen Decatur fans won't have any difficulty remembering that name. Jack was a guard and a key member of Coach Jack Kenny's Reds back in the mid-sixties and a member of the 1965-66, team which finished fourth in the state. The squad was the last to represent the Reds in state tournament play. Moore can best be remembered as a defensive standout whose hustle and ball-hawking made him a big crpwd-pleaser. For purposes of recall, Rich Smith, Terry Johnson, Larry Downs and Dennis Hippe were teammates of Moore's on the 1965-66 team.

"I coach about the same way I By Bruce Lowitt Of The Associated Press Zl- While everyone has been looking at the top of the American Conference's divisions to see who's in or out of the -t playoffs, the Oakland Raiders have been steadily, quietly nestling them-' selves' into position for a postseason berth. And with some help on Monday night Si they can clinch one. They face the Seattle Seahawks, a team which beat them 27-10 early in the season but a team now out of con-Z tention. If the Raiders win their fourth straight game, it'll put them halfway to-l ward their goal of a playoff position. The other half will be decided Monday night, when Denver and San Diego play for the championship of the AFC West.

If the Chargers win, they take the title and Oakland eases into a wild-card i berth. But if the Broncos take the game, they win the crown, the Chargers settle for the wild card and Oakland t- goes home empty-handed. "We're fighting for our lives," says Rdiders Coach Tom Flores, completing his first season as John adder's successor and trying to guide Oakland.