Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 15

i i i tf'' i Friday, i 1 J0 MaUoon. U.J Journal Gvetl B-3 Millikin athlete warns of steriods Silence remains Illinois' response to NCAA probe t1" Loren tN" i- DECATUR Three Charleston entries failed to find victory lane here Thursday at the opening day session of the Macon County Fair harness races. They did manage a couple of seconds. Purrwood, owned by Mike and Shari Dundee and driven by Paul Phillips, all of Charleston, placed 4-2 in the non-winners of $1,500 lifetime trot. The winning times were 2:06.1 and 2:10.4, respectively. Fightin' Yankee, owned by Paul and Sue Phillips and driven by Paul, finished 2-3 in the second division of the non-winners of $1,500 lifetime trot; Winning times were 2:11.3 and 2:13.2. Striking Sable, owned by Charleston's Harry and Mildred Read, and driven by Mike Dundee, had to settle for a pair of fifth place finishes in the pace for non-winners of $1,000 in 1990. Winning times in the race's two heats were 2:05.4 and 2:06.0. Racing continues today with post time at 1:30 p.m. wins over arch-rival and longtime nemesis Augustana. The money spent on the drugs seemed must have seemed worth it. Even knowing the NCAA -would test 10 players from the winning team of a playoff game didn't seem like trouble. Mahoney had already been selected at random during the 1989 NCAA wrestling tournament when he was clean. "I'm a math major," he said. "I thought what's the chance of me getting picked again." But he was. Even before the positive tests came back, Mahoney told Millikin coach Carl Poelker he had used the steroids months earlier. With that he was suspended and his football career was over. "It tears you apart," Mahoney said. "It's the most empty feeling. "I may have gotten a little stronger from the steroids, but I hurt the team more than I could have imagined. We could have been national champions if I would have played. Maybe not, but well never because I screwed up." The fear of getting caught, of course, isn't the only reason not to use steroids. Renny Garshelis, a Charleston Junior High teacher and former Eastern wrestling and soccer standout, listed some of the side effects from building muscles with steroids. But most users have heard about the risks of liver and heart disease, impotency and facial hair for women. CHARLESTON Consider yourself lucky if you don't understand the need to talk this. Unfortunately, too many do. Tom Mahoney understands from first-hand experience why high school athletes need to be warned about steroids. 'The Millikin University football player and wrestler used the banned substances. He paid dearly. He told about it Thursday as some of the area's top athletes met at the third annual Apollo Conference Leadership Conference, hosted by Charleston High School at Eastern. The problem wasn't that Mahoney was stupid. He has his degree from Millikin. He certainly doesn't come across as some cheat without a conscience. In that case he wouldn't have volunteered his experiences to others. "I just wanted to be the best: football player I could be," Mahoney said. "Also an Ail-American wrestler, had to go from 220 pounds his junior football season down to 190 for wrestling, where he earned NCAA Division III All-American honors. He needed the bulk again for football. And even diligent work in the weight room might not make up the difference. So he got some help. He spent $250 on steroids within 10 weeks year to get stronger. As a result the all-conference center helped Millikin to its firs); NCAA playoff berth and two Inmates hope Rose will play ball CHAMPAIGN If silence is golden, the University of Illinois should be wallowing in riches. Folks hereabouts are dying to know the specifics of Tuesday's meeting with the NCAA enforcement staff. But in keeping with a policy of revealing as little as possible, the UI is offering only a general statement from a PR person, and no press conference. This is strikingly different from University of Florida procedures, that school "voluntarily revealing its response to the NCAA and holding a press conference in advance to acknowledge specific allegations and the University of Missouri, which has conducted several eye-popping news conferences and some frank discussions of specific allegations. Despite his avid intention to be open and forthright, UI Chancellor Morton Weir hasn't said much of anything since the mid-February announcement of the NCAA official inquiry. Nearly two months later, on April 11, Weir's office provided a release to the effect that former federal judge Frank McGarr had been hired to prepare the written response, and attempted to let. down the ousted investigator, Mike Slive, as easily as possible. The Slive part was a smoke screen. Appropriate, yes like permitting football coach Mike White to resign before he was fired. But a smoke screen nevertheless. Slive was unceremoniously, dumped because key UI leaders concluded that he had lost perspective and was leading Illinois down a no-win path. It can be presumed that Slive has never handled an official inquiry in which the institutional representatives were not guilty of major violations. SINCE THE UNIVERSITIES of Missouri and Florida have admitted infractions, he might be a valuable go-between during the compromise portion of their cases. But, in running the UI investigation with the perception that Jimmy Collins and the Illini guilty of wrongdoing, and jrj leading Weir to believe that initially, he was of no value in uncovering the reverse conspiracy that makes the case so unique. Aside from the McGarr announcement, the chancellor has been as quiet as a graveyard at midnight. Everything that the public, has learned about this case has been scrounged up by whatever means possible. IT WASNT THE university that leaked the Bruce Pearl memo, revealing how the Iowa assistant coach secretly taped Deon Thomas (and others) on the telephone. It wasn't the university, but rather attorney J.Steven Beckett who provided the revealing stroy of Thomas' lie detector test, and allowed Thomas to explain what really happened. It was attorney Bob Auler, among otherjs, who told of the shodtmnianner in which NCAA investigator ahayKueckert altered statemeritsmade by Er- imall and others. Testimony from East St.Louis Lincoln coach Bennie Lewis and Tate it syndicated by Iht Champaign Newt-Gazette. LaPhonso Ellis' mother surfaced as the result of media enterprise there. The same was true with regard to statements by Renaldo Kyles, Bernice McGary and others in Chicago. Ndr was the university responsible for spilling the all-important information that the UI is contesting the major allegations. This is not related for the purpose of being critical of Weir and the university. They have their reasons and their strategies, this is pointed out to prepare you for the likelihood that we'll just have to wait that the university will very likely meander on until deep August, a period of more than six months, without anything resembling an in-depth recitation of what is happening. You didn't get official details of Tuesday's meeting, and you won't get anything more at the Aug. 12 meeting. Only when the Infractions Committee sends its ruling to the university can you expect the chancellor to respond. Meanwhile, well attempt to turn up any information we can through sources, through the courts, whatever because it is the belief here that the public has a high interest int he proceedings and, since the Infractions Committee knows exactly how the UI has responded, it isn't going to matter if it is published. As for the meaning of Tuesday's non-developments, look at it this way. What difference would it have made if the in-forcement staff dropped the minor, easiest-to-disprove allegations? If the NCAA $aft dropped five, six remained, the UI would be in just as much trouble, and that might make it appear that the six are really solid. By leaving obvious mistakes in the allegations, the enforcement staff is revealing itself as muddled and weak, and a non-neutral finder of the facts. From a strategy standpoint, the forcefulness of the UI presentation could be enhanced by breaking down the allegations one by one, as opposed to not having the weak charges with which to build a pattern and subtle momentum. Cornered by their own misguided views, NCAA enforcement staffers cannot afford to let logic enter the case at this juncture because it would be an admission of just how inept and gullible they've been. And that's exactly why the university if so paranoid, so secretive because the case has been judged to this point by individuals who have lost their devotion to understanding and honesty. i Nielsen NWaen ltarrttedHaoitrTtnieeCourler. "I wouldn't say to the point of all the time, but I do wonder what IH look like 30 years from now," Mahoney said. "It's like drinking and driving. You hear about it but you never think it will happen to you." Accordingly, athletes are tempted for the immediate advantages of the drugs. And, while law enforcement is cracking down on the stuff, steroids are still around. "Five years ago I could go into a gym and there would be five guys selling steroids," Mahoney said. "Now there may be one. "They're there if you want to listen." Said Garshelis, not happy about the fact: "You can get them easily in Charleston." The steroids are going to be around as long as someone wants them. And even when told about the ill effects, some athletes still seem to think some short-term muscles are worth future troubles. The only answer might be this: "The pressure to win at all costs has to be eliminated," Garshelis said. Maybe that seems like an obvious point and you can't understand any arguments. Pray that everyone agrees with you soon. rounded by manicured lawns, with umbrella-shaded patio furniture, flower beds, a wildlife refuge and no fences. The airconditioned dormitory, which looks more like a summer camp than prison, sleeps two men in each of its spartan cubicles. Ceiling fans whir overhead and the men move freely about the aqua-and yellow-walled building. Bailey said, "It's not easy time when you're away from your family." Visitors on an approved list are allowed Friday through Monday, Davis said. No conjugal visits are permitted. No special considerations will be given to Rose, who is without a doubt the most famous inmate to stay at the prison camp, Davis said. Many camp inmates predicted it will take about two weeks for Rose to adjust to prison life. During that time, he will be interviewed by prison staff to determine his work skills, then assigned to one of about 35 possible prison jobs, such as kitchen duty, grounds maintenance or electrical work, Davis said. All inmates must work eight hours a day and the wages are 11 cents per hour. "He could help me take care of the ball field. We'd be more than happy to have his assistance," Bosco after letting the author spend 18 months inside the club's inner sanctum attending spring training, all 140 games and meetings. Bosco defends his work and calls it an attempt to explain why all players of equal talent and ability don't make it to the major leagues. He said he can't understand why Peoria Journal Star columnist Dick Lien called it a "hot steamy story." "I went into no bedrooms," Bosco said in a phone interview from his New Orleans home. "Sure, there's a moving love affair that went on and I wrote about it because it was part of the developmental process of a young player." The relationship involved pitcher Bill Melvin and a beautiful older woman known as "the Lady in Pink." Bosco describes in stark detail how Chiefs officials reacted when they noticed a CENTRAL NATIONAL BANK (4-6) 14, HOWELL (0-10) 3. Winning pitcher Jimmy Lawrence. Hitting leaders CNB: Jimmy Lawrence had 3 hits, single, double and triple, John Janosk, Travis Brown and Kevin Trimble each had 2 his. Final Senior Standings Bonanza, 9-1; Masonic, 6-4; Kiwsnis, 6-4; First Federal, 5-5; Central National Bank, 4-6; Howel Asphat, 0-10. Senior Tournament By SHERA GROSS Associated Press Writer MARION, 111. Pete Rose is due to arrive at the federal prison camp within days to serve a five-month sentence, and that's welcome news to the inmates. They're already taking bets on whether they can sign him up to a prison softball team. "Everyone here wants to meet him and talk to him," said Mark Bailey, an East Chicago, 'native finishing the last two weeks of a seven-month sentence. "We are betting on whether he will be in the rec department," Bailey said, referring to the prison's inmate-staffed recreation department. "We don't know if we want Pete Rose on the team. The other (teams') guys might quit," said William "Catfish" Haas, an inmate who manages the Undertakers, one of five or six prison softball teams. Rose was sentenced to the Federal Prison Camp at Marion after his conviction on two counts of filing false income tax returns that didn't report his income from illegal gambling. The former Cincinnati Reds manager must report to the camp by Aug. 10. His attorneys have said pro baseball's all-time hits leader wants to report as soon as BtlgjiKlMI Following are Thursday's results from the Mattoon Slowpitch Softball league. Mark's Fitness Club 16, Eagles IV0 Ice House II 7, Gardner's Ins. 6 Ice House II 15, Ice House 14 Jack Daniels 8, Broadway Joe's 7 said Haas, who maintains the recreation facilities. The Chicago resident is serving an 18-year sentence. Haas said he's a Rose fan from way back, but still disapproves of the way Rose slammed into catcher Ray Fosse during a 1970 All-Star game. Fosse, a Marion native and local hero, never played as well afterward, Haas said. Marion residents honored Fosse by naming a park for him, and they have scorned of Rose ever since that drive 20 years ago, according to fellow Marion native Dale Raterman, a spokesman for the Indiana Pacers. Haas, like otherinmates, said he believes Rose's sentence is a farce. "If you want to compare it to other people who committed the same crime, yes, it was too light," he said. Rose is likely to take some good-natured ribbing from the inmates when he arrives, said Kenneth Bell, a Kansas City native serving a four-year term. He said Rose is likely to be taunted, "You ain't famous anymore. You ain't got no money anymore." But Rose probably won't encounter any violence, Davis said. And if he behaves himself, he could cut 15 to 20 days off his sentence for good behavior. correlation between Melvin's dwindling effectiveness on the mound and his developing love affair: "It's not a sexy book," Bosco said. "I could written a funny, sexy story that would have ruined a lot of marriages." It's not the carousing chronicled by Bosco that really bothered Vonachen. It's the profanity-laced language Bosco uses in recalling daily conversations between players, coaches and team of-. ficials at every level of the organization especially Vonachen, who is a close friend of Cubs announcer Harry Caray. "He portrays me as a volatile guy who uses bad language," Vonachen said. "Sure, I get mad and blow my top and use a few swear words. It's because I want to win very badly. But I don't think I carry on the way he portrayed me." SUNDAY: Game 1-6 p.m. Howel vs. rOwan Game 2-8 p.m. Central National Bank vs. First Federal. MONDAY: Game 3-6 p.m. Masonic vs. winner Gams 4-8 p.m. Bonanza vs. Game 2. TUESDAY: Championship Game 7 p.m.-Wnner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 Prep Division TOURNAMENT CHANGE: FRIDAY: Game 18 a.m. Comer Nissan vs. Mattoon Police; Game 2-10 am. Medic's vs. Diamond Championship Game: 4 p.m. Wrote- Game 1 vs. Winner Gams 2. Book chronicles stormy, sexy life of Peoria minor league club High School 1UC HlallUUU H1KU gbUUUl Lettermen's Club Pete Rose he heals from the knee surgery he underwent Friday. No arrival date has been set, said assistant warden Randy Davis. Rose spokeswoman Barbara Pinzka said Tuesday in Cincinnati that the reporting date will not be announced. The prison camp is next to but separate from the nation's toughest federal penitentiary. The camp sports a softball diamond, weight room and tennis, handball, basketball and boccie ball courts. About 200 inmates are housed in a year-old, art deco style dormitory sur wanted to write a book about how players work their way up through the minor leagues about the trials and tribulations and sacrifices they have to make to reach the major leagues. "Instead, he generally portrays the team as a bunch of guys who play ball all day and chase girls all night." Vonachen is trying to protect the image of his Chiefs, who set minor league attendance records while nurturing future Cubs stars like Mark Grace, Damon Berryhill, Greg Maddux and Joe Girardi. Vonachen denies Bosco's claim he threatened the author's life after reading a preview of the book. Bosco. said he didn't take the threat seriously and said he "loves and respects" Vonachen. "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard," Vonachen said. Vonachen feels betrayed by Babe Ruth Senior Division MASONIC (64) 3, FIRST FEDERAL (5-5) 2. Winning pitcher. Kory Bales. Wting leaders Masonic: Mike Freson had 3 hits and Craig Festal add 2 Ms. Fist Federal: Todd Morton had 2 hits including a is looking for a few GOOD Gf IN WAV! For Introduction in the MHS-JG "Hall Of Fame" ByBILLVOGRIN Associated Press Writer PEORIA, 111. A book about the sexual escapades of the 1988 Peoria Chiefs minor league baseball team has angered the clutfs part-owner, who's portrayed as a vulgar tyrant by author Joseph Bosco. In "The Boys Who Would Be Cubs," Bosco says members of 'S the Chiefs a Chicago Cubs' affiliate spent the summer chasing as many women as fly balls. And Bosco's frank portrayal of part-owner Pete Vonachen as an obscenity-spewing dic-v" tator has left hurt feelings at Meinen home of the Chiefs. I "We're disappointed with the way it came out," Vonachen said Tuesday. "We took Bosco into our organization, opened all our doors to him. He said he RULES FOR MEMBERSHIP: 1 Must have been out of school at least 10 years 2 Must be of good reputation 3 Good character) 4 Lettered at Jeast once at M.H.S. 5 Living or deceased 6 Good citizen HONORARY MEMBERS; Individuals who during some part of their lives, dedicated and devoted something to the sport program of M.H.S. and were not lettermen. SELECTION COMMITTEE: 1 Past presidents 2 Current officers 3 Sports editor of Journal Gazette Send nominations by August 15th to: Jim Kimball, Sports Editor, Mattoon Journal Gazette 100 Broadway, Mattoon, IL 61938