Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 37

pi i DETROIT FREE PRESS Wednesday, Feb. 7, '73 I-D I 'i V'. t. 't Hall-of-Famer Schmidt: The Greatest Lion of All? II yll 3 I Veteran Free Press football writer Bob Latsbaw covered Joe Schmidt and the Lions through their championship years of the 1950s. Here, he recalls those years, which formed the basis for Joe Schmidt's elevation to the Hall of Fame.

AP Pdolo In thtlr enthusiasm for the sport, the bikers of the Christian County (Ky.) aloppill Motorcycle Riders Association just didn't know enough to come in out of rain' So they cndcd UP running a race at the Western Kentucky Stat 1 1 1 hl fairgrounds in anMe-deep mud. op Schmidt had InstinrC BY BOB LATSHAW FrM Prau Spcrli Wrlltr Much of the town has forgotten. Twenty years indeed, 10 years is a long, long time and memory dims to a mere vague recollection. So this is for those who do not remember the other Joe Schmidt, circa 1953-65. No.

56. He was perhaps the greatest Lion of them all. In image and in truth, he was the Golden Lion in the team's golden age in Detroit. FINALLY, the occasionally hard-headed electors of the National Football League's Hal' of fame have recognized the man's stature. Along with the Ray Berry and Jim Parker of the Baltimore Colls, who were his contemporaries, Schmidt was named Tuesday to the Hull of Fume.

This is the highest tribute available to a DrolessUmal football player. Joe came out of Pittsburgh University as a linebacker a newfangled position in the changing pattern of football back in 1052. He was a defensive specialist, which could fairly well catagorie the Lions of that day. "He was the best at his position," said Buddy Parker, who was Schmidt's boss for six years. "He had an instinct for defense that few players ever acquire.

"HE WASN'T big. as defensive players go, but he was one of the surest and hardest tacklers you'll ever see." Vince Banonis, center on the Lions' championship teams in the Golden 50s, put it this way: "He had a sixth sense playing defense. He was a knowledgeable young man who displayed intense leadership qualities, even though he was a rookie1. "Schmidt also had the good fortune of coming Into pro football and learning his trade under one of the greatest defensive coaches ever to hit this league Buster Ramsey." Becoming leader of the defensive unit for the Lions wasn't easy for Schmidt. He was the man who replaced Les Bingaman as the key to the Lion defense.

Bing popularized defense in pro football. And Detroit fans were loyal to their big hero. Sooner Aide Quits After Being Linked To Gambler Atlanta, Hotbed Of Hockey Honest! like Jimmy DvIJ, Jack Christiansen, Yale Lary and Bob Smith around, they'll take up some of the slack it you make a mistake," Schmidt said. But some of his contemporaries say that the opposite was true. His play as the defensive quarterback made them look good, Vic Banonis, brother of Vince, had different attitude about Schmidt "When I came to camp trying to land a job, there wasn't a chance," Vic recalls.

"There was Joe Schmidt and he cut my pro career short." THROUGH almost all of his years, Schmidt was the team captain, and those years produced four divisional titles, two world championships, three successive second-place finishes i l0-62. In his 13 seasons with the Lions, Please turn to Page 2D, Column ATLANTA Hockey Night in Georgia? Well, yes. Of course. Why not? If we tan have hockey teams on Long Island, we can have Hockey Night in Georgia. In a real way.

and as a tribue to his greatness, Schmidt changed the style of play in his time. No greater tribute can be earned by an athlete. "Schmidt was just like a quarterback," said Aldo Forte, long-time line coach who observed Schmidt in his best years. "You might say that Joe's performance as a middle linebacker caused a complete change in the thinking of football conches about defense." Virtually everybody played the five-man line with the big man, like Bingaman over the center. The mobility and that "sixth sense" or Schmidt's changed it all.

"Nearly everybody went to the 4-3 or 4-4 defenses with the middle linebacker being the key to the defense," Parker said. "Schmidt's mobility took some of the load off the defensive backs on pass defense." ACTUALLY, it was his type of play that brought about the zone defenses, revolving defenses and the modern look of football today. During the time that he was getting all the accolades, Schmidt pointed out that he had some great talent around him that enabled him to gamble a little on plays. "When you hove defensive backs Our rambunctious Red Wings the world's greatest fifth- place hockey team venture forth Wednesday night for the first time into the heart of Dixie for a National Hockey League game. Until now, the furthest South they've been Is Philadelphia (and let's not have ony letters saying Pittsburgh is farther south NORMAN, OKLA.

(I'PI) The University of Oklahoma announced Tuesday it had requested and received the resignation of assistant football coach Joe Granato because of Granato's association with a federal gambling investigation. School President Paul W. Sharp said Granato, who was in charge of scouting for the No. 2-ranked Sooners last fall, had resigned Jan. 20.

Granato, 33, and one other Sooner coach were subpenaed There nothing like being named to the football Hall of Fame, says new Lion coach Ray Berry, Story is on Page 2D. 1 0 testify before a federal grand jury in Midland, Tex. "The university of I a-homa has a firm policy which forbids coaches or members of our athletic teams from associating in any way with known gamblers," Sharp said. HE SAID University officials became aware last month that Granato may have violated this policy and that Chuck Fairbanks, head coach at the time, and now coach of the New England Patriots, discussed the report with Granato. Sharp said that at the conclusion of the mealing, Fairbanks asked for and received Granato's resignation.

cannot speculate on what actions may or may not be taken by the federal grand jury In Texas which is apparently also investigating this than Philadelphia or that Los Angeles is farther south than both of them). This is the first time the Wings have gone below the Mason-Dixon Line for an NHL same and it should be a very special experience for them. They're at the Hyatt Regency and you should see little Marcel Dionne riding up and down in those glass-enclosed elevators. He looks like a kid in a department store at Christmas. The way this crazy schedule Is set up, the Atlanta flames have been lo Olympla three times this season but this will be the Wings' first visit to The Omni.

The Omni? That's what they call the place where the Tlames play their games. They're pretty sophisticated down here. The name is taken from the Latin prefix, "Omni." as in omnipresent, omnipotent, omnibus, and means "all" or "everything." Strangely rnounh, the name fits because the hockey team has been "all" or "everything" to the fans of this city. Maybe it's because the sport is so new. Maybe it's because Its so different.

Maybe it's because the only ice they've ever had down here has been in gin fizzes. The looks he'll love to layer from the Very Drummond 3rd Rail sweater collection. Bravely classic for campus or country. Favorites, but with decidedly young ideas. Expressing the slim, trim fit today's young man wants.

Knits he can really live in, because they're machine washable Wintuk Orion acrylic. U-neck sleeveless ribbed sweater, navy, chocolate, white, burgundy, yellow, bone, black, $10. ncief fSSfff' a ribbed turtleneck Pistons Win 4th Straight Spxilt to Hi Pra Prttl BUFFALO What appeared a hopeless cause in the sec in the same great colors, $12. Ring necked crew sweater VJJIJV In navy blue, brown. Top 'Selling Job ond period turned into a joyous finish for the Detroit Pistons Tuesday night.

burgundy or bone, $14. Great gifting for your favorite Valentine, in sizes S-M-L, from Hudson's Men's Sportswear. matter. We are aware," Sharp said, "That two of our four assistant coaches were subpoe. naed in that Investigation, one (of them) Granato and the other Gene Hochevar, who also was called as a witness apparently because of his association with Granato.

"Our investigation indicates that Hochevar was not involved in any improper behavior. We are confident that Granato's action was an individual one, and that no other University of Oklahoma Down by 20 points after only 16 minutes of play, the Pistons suddenly did an Whatever the reason, hockey has really caught on even faster than the Atlanta Braves, Hawks or Falcons ever did. The I lames have been a hot item right from the start. The man who put this franchise together Bill Putnam, the president of The Omni knew exactly what he was doing. He began marketing the team before the first player ever laced on a It was just about a year ago fully six months before training camp opened before anyone knew who'd be on the team or who'd be the coach that they began selling hockey In Atlanta.

The team hired an advertising agency and the first move was to run a contest to name the team. They expected several thous about-face. And when tiiey did, there was no stopping them as rtiey stormed back for a 107-103 Valentine's Day Is February 14 victory over the Buffalo Braves' to stretch their win coaches were Involve ning streaK to tour straight. the club's longest in two sea Sharp said. and replies.

They got over 10,000. "It was incredible," said Andy Still, the publicity director. "The mail overwhelmed us. I should know. I opened every enve Sharp also suid the situation had been discussed with new head coach Barry Switzer before his promotion and had his assurance that no others were lope myself.

The names that were sent in ranged from Aardvarks to Dixie lyers to Firecrackers. involved. They finally settled on the "Flames," in tribute to the way this city rose from the flames from Gen. Sherman march IN MIDLAND, sources said the grand jury was believed through Georgia more than a century ago. investigating bookmaking ao Next, was to name the stadium.

The ad agency wanted to sons. The victory, coupled with Chicago's I M-107 victory over Kansas City-Omaha, also moved the Pistons within Vj games of third place in the Midwest Division. The take-charge tactics of Dave Bing pnd John Mengelt helped provide the Pistons with the spark they needed after they found themselves trailing; 44-24, with only four minutes gone in the second period. MENGELT, MHO came ott the bench late in the opening Please turn to Page 4D, Col. 8 tivities In the city and sur call tt "OmnP'-somcthlng.

The local politicians went for the obvious "Atlanta Coliseum." A political, battle ensued. "The Omni" finally prevailed but the squabble was given so much publicity that by the time the whole matter was settled, everyone knew exactly where the new hockey team would be playing. rounding area. On Dec. 22, acting on Information gathered from telephone taps on six persons, the FBI and Texas Rangers conducted raids and hauled in gambling equipment but made no arrests.

The arena is situated In an urban renewal section almost in the heart of downtown Atlanta. "It's across the tracks," said Still, "but that's what we're trying to do build things up across the tracks." The Omni, costing $17 million, seats 15,078. Sparked by the ad agency's selling program "The Ice Age Comes to Atlanta" the team sold season tickets berore the f'rst game. They've been selling them ever since and now the number is up to 12,000. Time lo Enter FP Mixed Doubles Doom lloom in Chame Bowling's biggest, richest mixed competition the popular Free Press Mixed Doubles tournament is getting ready lor its longest run.

The giant event, which reaches a milestone 30th birthday this season, will begin a nine-weekend stand at Troy's Thunderbird Lanes on March 3. Entries are being accepted for the tenpln classic, which will be conducted on Saturdays nnd Sundays, March 3- ishes its third decade as one of the premier events in all of bowling, it also will pass the mark in total prize distribution, "We tend to forget things as the years pass," said tourna-m secretary Charles A. Walby, "but It was this tournament which really changed the face of bowling. "This Free Press event was the first of all mixed competition which is to say, the first that had men and women bowling as partners. "It, was so popular that It not only became one of the biggest tournaments in all of bowling, but it spawned many Imitators and developed count-Please turn to Page 2D, Col.

I "We started out with a solid core of transplanted northerners people from places like New York, Boston and Chicngo," said Still. "You should have seen our first couple of games. The people here didn't know how to react. They just sat there and watched." After a while, though, they began getting the hang of the game and now, Tinned Still, "they giva us the razzberries when we're playing badly." Hie bossman, Putnam, went out and hired Cliff Fletcher as his genera manager, lie lured him away from the St. Louis Blues, where ho was In on those successful years In St.

Louis. Fletcher literally grew up in the lop of Sammy Pollack, the brains of the Montreal Canndieni, so he knows something about how a hockey program should be run. The first thing he did was to hire the best scouts he could find. Then he hired Boom Room Gcoffrion as his coach. This turned out to be a stroke of genius.

Not only has The Boomer been a shrewd coach, but he has been a great public relations man for the club. The key is that the team has been winning playing far better than anyone dreamed. Geoi'frlon has driven the Flames to some unbelievable heights for a first-year expansion team. Their goallendcrs. for instance Dan Bouchard and Phil Myre have the best record of any netmlndlng tandem In the West and are third best In the entire NHL.

"We win," says The Boomer, "because I don't have no starj on my hockey club." Already the franchise 1s a lucrative one. They're making a mint at Lho concession stands alone, telling Atlanta sticks, pucka, pennants, hats and even yo-yos. April 29. MORE THAN $25,000 will be at stake In the competition, In cluding top pri7.es of $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 plus soma $2,000 in daily prizes. As the Free Press event fin hudsons mens store Downtown Detroit, Northland, Eastland, Westland, Pontiac, Oakland, Genesee ValleyFlint, Southland Coupon Is on Page 2D rii rti-nt irTimir-imiri'.