Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 14 January 1995 — Page 42

Page 4 ■ The Indianapolis Recorder ■ January 14, 1995

Willingham headed to Stanford University

Recorder Staff Report Stanford University named Minnesota Vikings running backs coach Tyrone Willingham as its new head football coach. > Willingham takes over for Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Bill Walsh, who replaced Dennis Green when Green became the Vikings’ head coach in 1992. Willingham also worked for Green as an assistant at Stanford. “I’m honored and excited to be coaching again at an institution that has a tremendous amount of integrity and a reputation for producing champions on and off the field,” said Willingham. “I’m proud to be a part of the Stanford family, again.” Willingham became the fifth current African-Ameri-can head coach in NCAA Division 1 -A, joining Jim Caldwell of Wake Forest, Ron Cooper of I^ouisville, Bob Simmons of Oklahoma State and Ron Dickerson of Temple.

Tyrone Willingham

“After conducting a national search and speaking to many people about the needs of the Stanford football program, it became apparent to me and others that Tyrone was the man to lead our program,” said Stanford Athletic Director Ted Leland. “Tyrone has the unique qualities in a head football coach that we feel fit perfectly for Stanford University. He coached here in the past, he’s familiar with our program and he is one of the best young motivators and teachers in the coaching business. We feel he will work well with our young people.” Willingham began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Michigan State in 1977 when he worked with Spartans’ defensive backs coach Sherman Lewis, currently the offensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers. Willingham guided the secondary at Central Michigan in 1978 and ‘79. The Chippewas led the MidAmerican Conference in pass defense, captured the conference title and earned a top-20 ranking. After returning to Michigan State in 1980, Willingham directed the Spartans’ secondary and special teams for three seasons before moving to North Carolina State (1983-85). He spent three seasons coaching wide receivers and special teams at Rice University (1986-88). Willingham returned to Stanford as an assistant to Green from 1989 to 1991. Willingham followed Green to the Vikings in 1992. The team qualified for the NFC playoffs in Green’s first three seasons as head coach. “I’ve been around some of the best football minds in the business both on the collegiate and pro levels,” said Willingham. “I think it’s a great honor to coach at Stanford when you consider the coaches who have passed through the university — the Bill Walshes and Denny Greens. We’re going in there with the idea of recruiting the best student-athletes and winning games.” Green and several Vikings’ players think Willingham and Stanford are a perfect match. “The team there needs to acquire an attitude and I think Ty will be good for them,” said Vikings wide receiver Chris Walsh, who played for Green at Stanford. “He’s what they really need. He’s a teacher, a motivator and stickler for detail.” Willingham and wife Kim have three children, Cassidy, Kelsey and Nathaniel.

Lenny Wilkens Wilkens earns spot in NBA history Recorder Staff Report

After 22 full seasons of coaching and 32 games of this season, Lenny Wilkens has become the winningest head coach in NBA history with 939wins as his Atlanta Hawks defeated the Washington Bullets, Jan. 6 in Atlanta. Wilkens broke the record established by Boston Celtics’ coaching legend Red Auerbach. Wilkens’ NBA career began as a player in 1960 when he was a first-round draft pick by the St. Louis Hawks. He played eight seasons with the Hawks before being traded to the Seattle Supersonics in 1968. After playing three seasons in Seattle, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1973 and then to the Portland Trailblazers in 1975. As a coach, Wilkens has won one NBA Championship, in 1979 with the Supersonics, and had coached the Trailblazers and the Cavaliers before joining the Hawks organization. Editor's Note: An in-depth, exclusive interview with the NBA’s winningest coach is scheduled to appear in the Recorder later this month.

Jordan to mako Bush Stadium debut in April The Indianapolis Indians 1995 schedule touts 24 Bush Stadium visits by the Nashville Sounds, the Chicago White Sox Triple-A affiliate, which boasts Michael Jordan on its upcoming roster. The former NBA great has been promoted from the White Sox Double-A team in Birmingham, Ala. to Nashville of the American Association. Nashville’s first trip to Indianapolis has been scheduled for April 21 -22 for consecutive night games, each scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. The Indians, a third-year Cincinnati Reds affiliate, has been scheduled to open the 1995 season on an eight-game road trip, beginning with a four-game set in Louisville, April 6-9. The Tribe has been set to begin its “Sunset Season” in Bush Stadium against Louisville, April 14, the first contest of a seven-game homestand. The Indians will be managed by Marc Bombard, who guided the Indians to the 1994 American Association title and earned league Manager of the Year honors, last season. Apparel commemorating the ballclub’s 65th and final season at Bush Stadium —a new facility will open in 1996 — is on sale at the Indians Gift Shop Monday through Friday, on the second floor of Bush Stadium. For ticket and other information, call the Indians at 269-3545.

Bernard Parham II

Parham wins national chess championship Lafayette Jefferson High School senior Bernard Parham II, with a score of 5 wins and 1 loss, won the National Scholastic 12th-Grade Chess Championship in Orlando, Fla., sponsored by the U.S. Chess Federation. Parham beat players from New York, Texas, Florida, Illinois and Tennessee by using the unorthodox chess matrix system, a technique invented by his father and coach Bernard Parham. The matrix is a chess strategy based on the geometry and mathematics of the board. Unlike ordinary book chess, where players are taught to remember moves and situations, matrix chess has players systematically analyze the board and use critical thinking. The matrix technique enables the player to win a game in 20 moves or less. The chess champion is supported in his endeavors by his parents, Bernard and Lugenia Parham.