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Show x- l -v (op Dirk Facer- U. Off campus - headed in right direction sports events keep fans busy year round By didn't fare as well as they were Vk Garcia Chronicle Sports Writer believe it was the Osmonds who sang, "One bad apple don't spoil the whole bunch, girl" and the Orem tooth factory may have hit upon a valuable and useful point. This may be especially I itself of student-athlete- s who fail to take the law and, perhaps just as importantly, their education seriously. The hard-lin- e stances taken by Fassel and new basketball coach true in terms of University of Rick Majerus are deserving of applause. Fassel's decision not to tolerate lawlessness in any form Utah athletics these days. Do a few bad apples ruin the whole bunch? It depends whom you ask. If you speak with U. Athletic has actually made his team stronger. Likewise, Majerus' strict academic standards should help strengthen the backbone Director Chris Hill or Utah football coach Jim Fassel, the and integrity of the men's answer will be, "NO!" But if you basketball program. The tragic arrests of several Ute football players over the past two summers on drug-relate- d some administrators, students or fans, the answer ask could very well be "YES!" Who's to say which side of the coin is right. Although the events that have taken place during the charges have placed a strain, perhaps unfairly, upon the shoulders of. Fassel, Utah last two summers, involving Athletic Director Chris Hill and the remaining members of the Utah football players and the selling of cocaine and crack on campus, have done little to enhance a positive image of student-athletethey nave a to humanistic light brought team. Such law breaking incidents have truly given the university a black eye, and in that sense, it affects every one of us associated with the U. So therefore, almost everyone s, fact: Athletes are people, too. Such an intensified spotlight has an opinion on who's to blame, and rightly so. could easily serve as an excuse for things getting blown out of proportion, but facts are facts, and drug related charges are a serious matter for anyone this But is it fair to blame any one person or group for the actions taken by a few? Some fingers point to Fassel, others to a so-calle- side of Bayer, Excedrin and win-at-all-co- Tylenol, Also spewing an image for the U. is the st d, attitude within the administration. Some will even argue that if student-athlete- s were compensated fori their contribution to the school, they wouldn't need to sell drugs Eroblem graduation rates of the men's basketball program. At times it almost seems like some student-athlete- s are capitalizing on their apparent celebrity. But like most things in life, there are always changes and the U. now appears eager to rid to make a living. But a closer examination will reveal that Fassel is not a full-tim- e babysitter for his team, and that if members of the administration are so adamant about winning, they sure have a funny way of going about it. In the cases of football and men's basketball, 1988 records disprove such a theory. The gridders placed fifth in the WAC and have not been to a bowl game since 1964 and the hoopsters finished eighth in WAC play. The final argument is a cop-ou- t. Whatever happened to individual responsibility? are people, too, and thus, they should stand Student-athlete- s accountable for their own actions off the playing field. The tough decision Fassel made not to reinstate former wide receiver Darren Hughes following Hughes' probationary sentencing on drug charges was indeed a, noble one. With the most recent loss of Cedric Riles to drug charges, it would have been easy to bring Hughes, who many have said was a nice kid in the wrong place at the wrong time, back to the team. But Fassel and the U. took a noble stand as it appears Majerus is doing with the hoop program. Majerus' first stance may involve guard Mark Lenoir, who apparently has failed to take to heart the study habits Majerus has imposed on his hoopsters. It's tough, but like the ol' saying goes, "Winning isn't everything." And fortunately the U. is taking heed. Academics, personal development and responsibility are forging a new direction. Such a plan should help make winners out of everyone at the U. of U. expected to last year. But an early n exit from play should work to fuel the fire in the 1989-9-0 edition of the Utah Jazz. Expected once again to be one of the top eight teams in the league, the core of the Jazz team, which led the NBA in defense last season, will be returning. Also coming back will be head coach Jerry Sloan to make his first full year at that post post-seaso- With the return of quarterback Scott Mitchell to the gridiron for his junior year, and the hiring of new head basketball coach Rick Majerus, University of Utah sports' fans have quite a few new things to look forward to during the 1989-9- 0 school year. But most U. students are very aware that there are a good number of sporting events to attend off campus once the U. teams have completed their seasons. Autumn quarter is accompanied by the start of the Salt Lake Golden Eagles hockey season during the middle of October. as Regarded a defensive specialist, Sloan will continue this tradition for the Jazz. But the addition of rookie "Blue" Edwards, the NCAA's leading scorer last season, to a lineup including "Mailman" Malone, MVP of the 1989 NBA All-Stgame, and John Stockton, may leave the Jazz with a more explosive offense. Yes, Jazz tickets are a hot item, they sold out every game but one ar off their third Coming consecutive appearance in the last season, but they are not International Hockey League finals, the Golden Eagles made a good impossible to get, explained Jazz attempt but didn't quite capture Public Relations Vice President David Alfred. New seats have been their third title in a row. However, Public Relations .added to the arena, and the ticket Manager Mark Kelly foresees office always tries to have some another Salt Lake appearance in the tickets available until game day. IHL championships. When school is almost over at the end of spring quarter, the Salt Lake Stanley Cup this past NHL season, only a very few, if any at all, of last year's Salt Lake club will be called beginning its season on the Derks Field diamond. A member of the Pioneer League, a rookie-leagu- e Kelly explained that with the Calgary Flames winning the up to play for the Flames. The result is that last year's top IHL goalie Steve Guenette and the IHL's top scorer Paul Ranheim will both return to the Eagles' lineup, along with 12 other returning players. Ticket prices for Golden Eagles games start at $7 and run as high as $10 depending on the seats. Senior citizens and children prices are $5 for the $7 and $9 seats, and $6 for the $10 seats. And, of course, we have the pride of Salt Lake, the Jazz. True, the Jazz Trappers baseball club is just organization, the Trappers are an independent team, the only one in the league which is not affiliated with a major league team. On occasion, actor Bill Murray can be seen attending a Trappers game. Murray was one of the original financiers of the franchise r. and still remains as .' part-owne- Ticket prices for Trappers games are $5 for box seats and $4 for general admission. Kids 14 and under as well as senior citizens can purchase tickets for $2.50. ASOU ihrogram Invites you to participate in this years activities Concerts: Everything from Comedy to off the wall bands, this year we'll have it for you! Lectures: Political, Moral, Freedom Issues & Democracy I be talked about by nationally know lecturers on this year series will all Performing Arts: The 3rd annual award winning season of the arts again this year will feature acts from around the nation to please everyone. Films: Avant Garde films to give you more than just the same old films again. Coffeehouse: All local bands; comedy act and whatever, you can perform at noon every Wednesday. Please get in contact with Jeff Bury of Coffeehouse entertainment at ASUU, Room 234 Union 581-686- 6. 0 Athletic Promotions: Come to the athletic event and watch some great sports. Also enter your name in to be eligible for dozens of prizes to be giVen away at the end of the year! |