Show 2C Ogsen Stada'i-Exa- Trsiay Decet-e- 25 1955 Sports Japanese fans getting into US basketball TOKYO (AP) — Kentaro Noma craned h:s neck backward his wide eyes basketball playgamg up at the er from Boston College “They're so big" he marveled almost shouting “They're great!" Yasuhiro Igarashi his companion at courtside chimed in “It's incredible The dunk shots the jump shots — they're right in front of us They get the ball in so easily” were admiring The two BC's John Heath who played in last weekend's Suntory Ball basketball tournament The three-datournament offered Japanese fans a close look at American basketball complete with cheerleaders halftime shows and haranguing coaches on the sidelines Suntory Ltd the Japanese drink manufacturer brought in BC Southern Methodist and Georgia Tech for the seventh annual tournament a affair won by Georgia Tech The noisy crowds were mostly junior and senior high school students armed with yellow pompons courtesy of Suntory but they had to be constantly reminded by an American announcer to use them “It's fun It’s made for television” said Yoshikazu a Kodaka a senior at Gakuin University where the tournament was held “Their footwork is so light” marveled his friend Izumi Okayasu a junior at Aoyama She said the players reminded her of Run DMC a “rap” music group from New York The athletes took some time for fun “We went to a disco last night” SMU’s Scott Johnson said “It’s been fun to get out and interact with some Japanese people They're real nice and cordial It's kind of hard to communicate but they’ll go out of their way to help you” Heath a BC sophomore who hails from Nacogdoches Texas also went dancing one night “We tried to get som? Japanese culture but the places we went were all Americans US military" e said SMU cheerleader Kim Knightstep said she went out a little but added “We’ve been protected kept in the hotel a lot" The three said they did their Christmas shopping and bought some “happi” coats candy cookies small folding screens and “We found out that things are real expensive here” Johnson said “It’s not like it’s a bargain” Fans waved and called out to the towering athletes and bouncy cheerleaders "They’re so different from us They have so much power” said a girl from Futaba Junior High School in Tokyo “I’m cheering for Boston because well because I’m sitting over here” she said gesturing to the Boston College bench nearby A classmate added: “Everyone gets so excited here I wish they'd teach us some shooting tricks They're wonderful! They smiled at us when they walked in Japanese athletes don’t do that at all" There were problems of course “A lot of it's been getting used to the time difference" Heath said “The ceremonies each night were difficult on the coaches" Georgia Tech Coach Bobby Cremins said "And the absence of a clock was tough” Whenever there was a pause in the game pop songs circus music and Sousa marches were piped over loudspeakers irritating athletes coaches and some spectators “They played our fight song during the free throws and that was a problem” Heath said “We heard the (sound) manager actually got fired for that” “The atmosphere was re3llv great the fans really got into the games and that makes a player feel really good” Georgia Tech’s Tom Hammonds said But other players found the excitement artificial “It’s somewhat manufactured" Heath said "Obviously people are happy we’re here But it’s not exactly us — we embody the image the advertisers have built up “I'm afraid the players and cheerleaders become mere pawns of the advertisers It’s a lot of hype I think by now we’re all feeling a bit used especially the cheerleaders Our image is being used by the advertisers — but that’s capitalism” The hoopla and rooting were what most people came to see said Noma the r “Our team is kind of weak so there’s not much spirit at our games” he added Actually he said he liked the cheerleaders best Ellenberger’s back on bench EL PASO Texas (AP) — It is coincidental but perhaps no less symbolic that Norm Ellenberger headed for the banks of the Rio Grande in search of amnesty from the college basketball world At the University of Texas-E- I Paso which sits in the path of a popular crossing point for illegal entry to the United States Ellenberger has launched a coaching comeback As a volunteer assistant to veteran UTEP Coach Don Haskins the former University of New Mexico coach is returning from exile He is trying to shed the taint of a recruiting scandal at New Mexico that cost him his job He is trying to get another chance in a world where he has been an untouchable for the past seven years “I felt it was time somebody gave him the opportunity” said Haskins a former rival who became one of Ellenberger’s closest friends “He made some mistakes and he sure as hell has paid for them” Said Indiana's Bob Knight: “He was one of the better coaches we had and he shared that knowledge with other coaches For that reason he was good for basketball and it’s time he’s back "Given my views on recruiting I can't condone what he did but we have people who have committed far more serious offenses” Knight said in a telephone interview from his Indiana office Ellenberger 51 who left the Lobos with a record has applied for other coaching posi tions Not even a nibble Still he's optimistic “This is definitely a step in the right direction” he said “but I have to emphasize I’m down here strictly as a volunteer I’m not putting all my hopes and dreams into one hat” Ellenberger’s career at New Mexico began in 1972 and ended in December 1979 when an FBI wiretap uncovered evidence that the academic transcripts of several players were altered to ensure their enrollment Ellenberger and his chief recruiter Manny Goldstein were fired and nine players were ruled ineligible Ellenberger was tried on federal and state charges including mail fraud and filing false public vouchers He was acquitted of the Tederal charges but convicted on 21 state counts The presiding judge at the state trial declined to impose a jail sentence “The question is how fair is it a man for doing to incarcerate what almost everyone in the community wanted him to do — namely win basketball games at any cost” District Judge Phillip Baiamonte said at the time Since then Ellenberger has operated a racketball club a restaurant and had brief coaching stints in the Continental Basketball Association and with a women’s pro basketball team But he has never denied wanting to get back to college coaching “A lot of people have killed people and been out in seven years” said UTEP Athletic Direc World Cup Norm Ellenberger (center) sits on the bench during recent University of tor Bill Cords “Norm made a very bad mistake and he’s fully aware of that" Ellenberger said he received “rousing” acceptance from UTEF fans in the team’s home opener earlier this month “These people have been tremendous and I have received zero absolutely zero negative reaction” Ellenberger said “I can’t think of one reason why I shouldn’t be here “I made some mistakes and I’ve paid for them” he said “I’m not but I feel it’s my turn now I’ve never once run from this thing and I don’t need to be harassed for things I’ve already paid for” Former UTEP athletic director Jim Bowden said “Personally it wouldn’t bother me a bit to hire him “There are an awful lot of coaches who were doing the same thing and are still in the business Besides he’s probably the one guy that you know wouldn’t dare do something shady again” Ellenberger notes that he’s paying his own way in El Paso He Texas-E- I Paso basketball game interest in the restaurant he opened last year in Albuquerque where he still lives and commutes between the cities “I’m here because I was invited by Don and I'm paying the freight As far as I’m concerned this is like a vacation" he said “I will pump up the balls and carry in the ball bag if he wants me to This is Don's show and I simply want to be something for him Right now that has a higher priority than what’s in it for me” On Jan 26 1987 Texas-E- I Pa sold his races a ‘victory for US technologyJ NEW YORK (AP) — Conditions r couldn’t have been better for the scries of World Cup ski races in the United States And yet there was hardly enough natural white stuff to three or four seasons we were inundated make a snowman with early snow But the point is from a The races went off gloriously despite technical standpoint even though we the lack of natural snow thanks to Amerididn't have a good snow covcan technology er wc still managed to make it with no Tons of artifical snow blanketed race complaints courses at Park City Utah and Waterville “Our courses did not break down NorValley NH allowing race organizers to mally it's difficult toward the end (for racfulfill promises that unlike in Europe ers at the rear of the draw) because the races could be held on schedule courses break down and rut up But with at American resorts our snow it never rutted up” "I like to call it a victory for American For years the traditional ski technology" said Craig Badami vice races in Europe have been plagued by lack for the Park City Ski of snow because almost none of the EuroArea and the man most responsible for sepean resorts have equipcuring the opening races ment Many races were delayed or for his ski area rescheduled creating havoc with television “Wc were caught in a marginal situation plans and cutting into the size of crowds at and we held four great races (two each in races Utah and New Hampshire)” Badami said American resort operators led by Wa“This was not my original plan The last ters ille Valley’s Tom Corcoran have Skiing pleaded with the International Ski Federation’s (FIS) European power brokers to schedule those early races in the United States where technology could ensure races would run on schedule With machine-madsnow plentiful the American series was a relative snap especially for Badami a renowned race host A crowd estimated at 25000 cheered and danced alongside the slopes as the top women skiers on the World Cup circuit staged memorable slalom and giant slalom races at Park City And the following weekend Waterville Valley NH produced slalom and giant slalom competition that had racers and fans beaming No expense was spared in making the skiers feel welcome and the women reciprocated by playing to the large crowds Several in fact used the break between slalom runs at Park City to dance on the course with VIPs as rock music blared from loudspeakers “I think opening in America was a great idea” said Heinz Krecek the FIS repre sentative in charge of the women’s tour “There was a great deal of enthusiasm It was great for skiing I hope we can do it again next year” One would think that what Badami called “America’s Opening” would be a lock for a repeat performance But international ski racing doesn’t necessarily work that way “I will fight for that” Krecek said “but there is a lot of politics involved so I need all the help I can get” He’ll get it from the racers “Every year in Europe we have so many problems with snow” said the world’s top woman skier overall champion Maria Walliser of Switzerland “In the United States we knew we would race because we knew there would be snow” “It’s simple” Swiss teammate Brigitte Oertli added “Here we have snow We don’t have snow in Europe" “It is a great thing to start here" West Germany’s Michaela Gcrg winner of the opening race said" Don King’s son not exactly keeping a low profile By ED SCHUYLER JR Boxing Don King who doesn't mind being seen and heard failed to appear in the ring before the James “Bonecrusher” Smith-TiWitherspoon heavyweight title Council champion but is not involved with Mike Tyson the WBC champion or Michael fight Spinks the International Boxing The promoter had been under federation champion Smith is World Boxing Association pressure from Witherspoon and the the media during the week of the champion But does Carl really manage fight any fighter? But Carl King the promoter's “Don King is the promoter” son was in the ring In fact he said Witherspoon who spent the had the ring surrounded week of his loss to WitherCarl King manages of Smith battling with the Kings spoon He also is "I treat Carl special because he's Smith and he manages Tony Tubbs who said he hurt his left my son but I don't do any more him that Lou Duva does for shoulder in training and was subDan" King said lou Duva mansequently replaced by Smith ages fighters and his son is a proHe also manages Trevor moter the former World Boxing fr But King said Carl “actually manages these guys and works his butt oil As busy as I am I don't have time to manage fighters" “Without Carl I might not deal with a lot of these guys” King said “Carl is the only reason they can get to me They don't say anthmg about Carl when they need money when thev need fights" It has been written that the only way Smith could get the Witherspoon fight was to sign with Cat King the week of the match "Carl signed a contract April 19 with Bonecrusher” King said “Bonecrusher came on his own free will and Carl and him came to me and signed a promotional agreement" King said that Smith’s contract with Allen Kornberg had expired when he signed with Carl and that "Carl gave Kornberg a piece back because Bonecrusher asked him to" Another charge against King is that he cuts his fighters' purses “King's going to lose his fighters because he treats them like slaves and not people" one veteran boxing man said “My record stands for itself" King said “I pay fighters more than anybody else in the game All these fighters have an inflated value of their worth Maybe it is my fault because I hustled up the major purses" Witherspoon said he got only a total of $500000 for five world title fights before the Smith match “Did he talk about the advances he got?” King asked Witherspoon said "I never re ceived any expense money for the Witherspoon fight" A copy of a letter dated Dec 18 and signed by Charles E Lomax counsel for King stated that as of that date Don King Productions had $7559427 in training expenses for Witherspoon King said the letter was sent to a New York law firm which represented Witherspoon King also produced a copy of a check made out to Witherspoon for $12982622 which he said was sent to the law firm King said that was what remained of Witherspoon’s $300(X0 after various deductions — $6000 to the W BA for a sanctioning fee $9799020 for Carl King's share as manager $661 8368 to satisfy an IRS levy "I don’t fight for Don King any more" Witherspoon said plays New Mexico in Albuquerque That night Ellenberger will walk down the ramp to “The Pit” for the first time since 1979 It was there in University Arena that Stormin’ Norman orchestrated many a victory with his style The chance to recapture even a small part of that past excites Ellenberger “It will be a pleasure to be a part of that scene" he said “That arena is the epitome of college basketball and to think I can be a part of it again I'll enjoy the hell out of it” so New center to be built at San Diego SAN DIEGO (AP) — San Diego State University will move into a new $2 million football-- ! operations center next August the university announced Representatives of the San Dieconstruction industry agreed to donate all the labor and materials necessary to build a structure that should satisfy most of the football team’s administrative and training needs It is expected to be comgo pleted 14 by Aug “We've already turned the corner with our football program by winning the Western Athletic Conference and securing a Holiday Bowl berth" Athletic Director Fred Miller said Monday San Diego Slate plays Iowa in the Holiday Bowl Tuesday "This structure is the first major step in providing our coaches with the tools they need to keep the A'ccs at the top" he said The Aztec Athletic Center ns it is to be called will include offices for the football staff a weight room a player lounge meeting rooms film rooms locker room equipment room and an athletic medicine complex Representatives of 27 contractors 21 trade unions and four design firms will be involved in planning and construction of the new' builJmg Construction is to begin in lebruary I I |