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Show 12 Signpost Tuesday, April 14, 1987 - - - .... ;. SIDEJINES. Dave Allison Sports Editor Campanis' remarks shed light on major-league discrimination Those baseball fans who could appreciate the exploits of Jackie Robinson were outraged last week by the bigoted comments of Al Campanis. Ironically, Campanis worked for the Los Angeles Dodgers as vice president of player personnel, the same organization which broke the color barrier by signing Robinson. Well, 1987 marks the 40th anniversary of Robinson becoming the first black to play in the major-leagues, but obviously baseball has not come very far in eliminating discrimination. Campanis was forced to resign from his 19 year-old position soon after he made racial slurs regarding blacks in upper-level management positions in baseball on a national news program. Campanis was quoted as saying he truly did not believe blacks had some of the necessities to become field managers or general managers. He also made a reference to the number of black pitchers and black quarterbacks (considered more intellectual positions) and why they are less in number these days. But despite Campanis's narrow-minded remarks he helped baseball take a long hard look at itself and the issue of discrimination. In fact, the comments by Campanis will possibly benefit the game because baseball can't really like what it sees. Edward Bennett Williams, owner of the Baltimore Orioles, took heed of last week's bigoted statements and was shocked with what he saw within his own organization. Williams vowed over the weekend that he would begin the implementation of an affirmative action policy. Baseball Commissioner Peter Ueberroth hopes other teams follow suit to elevate minorities to high-level positions and emphasised an immediacy to the predicament. It seems hypocritical for baseball to commemorate Jackie Robinson's accomplishments with the awkwardness of discrimination in baseball. In an age where discrimination should be non-existant there is not one black manager in the major-leagues. Another Robinson who made great strides in breaking into upper management was Frank ( no relation to Jackie) Robinson, who became the first black manager in baseball in 1975 with the Cleveland Indians. Robinson later held the same pos nor with the San Francisco Giants and is now an assistant coach with Baltimore. But since Robinson there has been only one other black manager, Larry Doby of the Chicago White Sox in the late 70's. The reality of discrimination cannot be ignored. It's not like there haven't been any qualified blacks in baseball capable of managing either. Former players like Joe Morgan, Willie Stargcll, Bob Gibson or Ellie Hendricks have expressed an interest in coaching and would be great managers of major-league clubs. As backward as Campanis's statements appear to be they seem to express a truth of sentiment. Affirmative action is a controversial and drastic measure to resolve the problem but certainly worth a try. Equality in baseball, at all levels, is a necessity. Lady Cats remain unbeaten in MWAC Blaine Bringhurst Assistant Sports Editor Weber State's women's tennis team took over sole possession of first place in the Mountain West Atheletic Conference by chalking up three conference wins over the weekend. The Lady Cats were able to run their conference record to 4-0 during the Eastern Washington University Invitational held in Cheney, Washington. Weber State lost only one match while winning 26 against MWAC foes Idaho, Montana State, and Eastern Washington University. The Lady Cats began their weekend by stopping Idaho 9-0 on Friday. The lady Vandals not only failed to win a match, they failed to win a set. Also on Friday, WSC took to the courts to play Montana State who was unbeaten in conference play. The Weber women quickly changed that. The Lady Cats handily defeated the Bobcats 8-1. Next up for the 'Cats were the hosts, Eastern Washington University. The 'Cats were rude guests as they crushed E.W.U. 9-0 on Saturday. Like Idaho, E.W.U. was unable to win a single set. Wildcat football schedule slated Weber State College Athletic Director, Gary Crompton, has announced the 1987 Wildcat football schedule which sees the 'Cats playing four of their first five in the friendly confines of Wildcat Stadium. The 'Cats open the season at home on Sat., Sept. 5 against Western State College from Gunnison, Colorado followed by a road trip to Long Beach, California for an afternoon contest against Long Beach State of the PCAA. The final non-conference game of the season is against Southern Utah State on Sept. 19. Beginning on Sept. 26, the Wildcats have eight straight Big Sky Conference games, starting with Boise State at home and ending at Idaho State on Nov. 21 in Pocatello. Included for the first time as a conference member will be Eastern Washington University. The Eagles are the final home game of the season on Nov. 7. Other home games include Northern Arizona (Oct. 10) and Idaho (Oct. 31, which is this year's Homecoming contest). "It's a good schedule for us because we get four home games in the early part of the year while the weather is still good," said Crompton. "Plus we get to go play in one of our main recruiting areas, Southern California, and take our players back to play in front of parents and friends." The schedule also includes a bye weekend on Sat., Oct. 3 in between home games. Christina Beer performed well for the 'Cats despite dropping Weber State's only match to Ashley Ashba of Montana State 5-7, 6-4, 6-2. She won her other two single matches. Beer played the number one singles for the 'Cats, and also teamed up with Anna Gunnarsson for the 'Cats number one double team. 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