The Mail-Journal, Volume 19, Number 23, Milford, Kosciusko County, 23 June 1982 — Page 8

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., June 23,1982

Sports

Gretzky: A throwback of what hockey should be

By GARY LEWIS They called him “Gretzky the Great.” Newspapers all over the country charted his course this past season on his way to breaking 12 records in the National Hockey League and winning the coveted Hart Award by unanimous vote for the third time.

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THE KING — Hilliard Gates, a Fort Wayne sports announcer and co-founder of the International Palace of Sports, introduces the "King of Sports." 21-year-old hockey sensation Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky was honored at a coronation ceremony at the Palace of Sports and at a luncheon at the Tippecanoe Country Club Saturday. (Photo by Gary Lewis)

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WHO’S THE GREATEST? — Wayae Gretzky poses beside a wax figure of another hockey immortal. Gordie Howe. Gretzky's wax figure will be placed with Howe who’s wax statute is in the museum of the International Palace of Sports as representing hockey’s most outstanding athlete. (Photo by Doug Walker)

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A DAY FOR A KING — This artist's sketch of Wayne Gretiky wiU be placed in the International Palace of Sports as a permanent reminder of the “King of Sports." Behind the sketch were the hosts for the luncheon in Gretiky's honor at the Tippecanoe Country Club: Bob Chase, local play-by-play announcer for Fort Wayne hockey: Chris Schenkel, ABC sports commentator and King of the Palace of Sports; Gretiky; and Hilliard Gates, a Fort Wayne sports announcer and co-founder of the International Palace of Sports. (Photo by Gary Lewis)

This 21-year-old from Brantford, Ontario, has yet to reach his marketable potential as a superstar athlete in the United States, although his face adores seven products ranging from soft-drinks to candy bars. Hockey experts all over the world have called him the greatest thing to happen in hockey for decades.

His Edmonton Oilers, a young upcoming team in the National Hockey League, have filled seats never before filled at home contests. His style of play, some say, is what hockey should be all about. His small stature is a tarcry from his bruiser-sized counterparts in hockey’s past. If America needs a hero in the National Hockey League, then Wayne Gretzky fits the bill. And if you think he’s a popular fellow in this country, you ought to see him in Canada. He's a national shrine. Kosciusko County was honored by his presence Saturday when Gretzky was awarded the International Palace of Sports “King of Sports” award at North Webster Wherever Gretzky goes, the story of a rather humble but confident, courteous but in control, attitude follows his every move At a press conference following the coronation ceremony. Gretzky answered familiar questions with familiar answers. There just isn't much more for a man to say after his accomplishments last season. Bob Chase, veteran sports announcer and play-by-play man for the Fort Wayne Comets hockey team at WOWO radio, said Gretzky is as every bit as good as his accomplishments have shown “He is as good as his records show He is a throwback of what hockey should be," said Chase What impressed Chase the most about all the comments about Gretzky’s ability was a comment by the'father of Soviet hockey. Anatoly Tarsov Tarsov was considered to be the most intelligent player in the game. “He called Wayne Gretzky the smartest player he’s ever seen." said Chase “That really says something, especially coming from a Russian who has trained all of those great Russian players," Chase added. At six-foot and 170 lbs.. Chase said Gretzky's success comes from his knowledge and “eye"

for the game. “He has tremendous ability to play the game — he especially has the ability to protect himself,” said Chase. All of the remarks of his greatness and comparisons to all of the great players of the game from Gordie Howe to Bobby Hull, leaves Gretzky himself a little uncomfortable. While on a tour of the wax statues in the Palace of Sports, he was informed that his likeness will be placed with Howe’s as a representative of the sport’s most outstanding athlete. Gretzky's reaction: “Please put me behind him.” “It is so hard to compare hockey players from different eras,” said Gretzky. At 17, Gretzky broke into the professional ranks as a member of the now-defunct Indianapolis Racers team of the World Hockey Association. When Gretzky arrived in Indianapolis, his Tennis lessons at youth center Lakeland Youth Center, Syracuse, is going to offer tennis lessons this summer. They will offer one three-week session which will run from July 12-30. Classes will meet Monday through Friday for three weeks at the Wawasee High School tennis courts There will be classes at 8-9 am.. 10-11 am. and 11-12 noon. Kelli Price will be the instructor. All Tennis balls will be furnished but each student must furnish his or her own racket. Class size will be limited to 12. At the end of the session a skills tournament will be held Pre-registration is requested but not necessary. For further information or to register contact the Lakeland Youth Center or Kelli Price f Syracuse X rV Youth I j \s League 1 The Syracuse Little League Travel team is off to a great start this summer, having reeled off five consecutive wins behind the pitching of Jack VanDiepenbos and hitting of Dan O’Haven. Included among their five wins are two victories to win the Mentone Egg Festival Tourney June 11-12. In the tourney Syracuse defeated Mentone 8-4 and Akron 9-6 behind VanDiepenbos. who struck out 12 batters. The tourney victories came after a season-opening 8-3 win over North Webster, in which O'Haven hit two home runs. Last week the team downed Mentone for a second time, 17-4. and South Whitley 9-3. The Syracuse Babe Ruth League team split its first four games of the season, defeating Westview 11-2 and LaGrange 121. and falling to Kendallville 2-0 and Rome City 12-10. The Girls' Softball Travel team dropped a pair of games, failing to Pierceton 19-8 and Fairfield 2718 In Syracuse Girls' Softball Minor League action last week. Sea Nymph won a pair of games, defeating Liberty 15-5 and Syracuse Rubber 28-8 In Boys’ Youth League action last week. Major League games saw American Legion down Rotary 9-7 and shut out South Shore 10-0, while Pilcher Shoes defeated State Bank 13-4. In Minor League games, Kiwanis downed Fire Department 12-3, Miller Brothers topped Kentucky Fried Chicken 15-4. Fire Department beat Ace Hardware 21-10. and Kiwanis defeated Kentucky Fried Chicken 19-8 In Syracuse T-Ball games last week. Thornburg Drugs downed T-Shirts Unlimited 25-17, Quackers defeated Klink's 22-14, Sroufe edged Bale’s 19-18, and Klink's and Love Furniture tied at 30-30. After two weeks of play, Quackers leads the league with a 3-0 mark, followed by K and K Insurance at 1-0. Klink's, Love Furniture. T-Shirts Unlimited and Thornburg Drugs are all tied at 1-1, while Sroufe stands at 1-2 and Bale’s isO-3.

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manager did not want him to live alone in an apartment. So the Racers arranged for Gretzky to stay with the family of Terry , and Sheri Rodgers Sheri’s report of Gretzky's short stay — the Racers folded while Gretzky was on the roster — sounded like Gretzky was just another visitor at the Rodgers' household. “He was at the house quite a tat. He was a very modest and kind young man,” said Mrs. Rodgers. She said Gretzky did not change his attitude because of his success on the ice. “He was totally unaffected by it all,” she added. Did she ever see any signs of what Gretzky would later become? “No, I still can’t believe it,” she said. His brief stay with the Racers, which lasted only a few months, didn’t give him much of a chance to examine the situation. “My thinking is that if we were winning. it might have been different,” said Gretzky. He admitted, though, that Indianapolis may never become the hockey capitol of the United States. In a mis-reference to the state's sports king, basketball. Gretzky said “Indianapolis is a football city.” About all of Gretzky's life evolved around hockey. A hockeystick was placed in his hand when he was four years old. When he was barely a teenager, he played in leagues with players three, four and five years older than him. This would obviously stunt a normal adolesence. "I missed all of the things in high school." he said, "but I don’t regret it." "People always ask me why I didn't go to college, get a degree .. people go to school in order to do what they enjoy. I enjoy hockey, and I make a good living." he said. Scoring goals and setting them has been a normal part of Gretzky’s career. Even with his records of 92 goals. 120 assists, and 212 points, Gretzky still has goals. "I set new goals to play harder after every' game ... to maintain consistency,” he said

3 on NIC team

Wawasee High School placed three players on the Northern Lakes Conference high school baseball squad first-team at a meeting of the conference coaches recently Catcher Eric Beer, infielders Jay Auer and Pat Speicher were > yk Ladies (B Go,f / Results / BOULDER BELLES Evelyn Oro finished with first low gross during Boulder Belles played last week. Betty Scott and Gail Chalk tied for second low gross Mrs Chalk finished with first low net and Mrs. Oro had second low net. Low putts went to Donna Beer. .MAXWELTON The play of the day at Maxwelton Ladies' Day, on June 16. was Tin Whistle. Winners of nine holes were: First place. Patty Norman; second place, Helen Maley; and third place Pat Hoover and Dot Wysong Winners in 18 holes were. First place, Sylvia Duncan; second place. Ginnie LeMont; third place, Jo Butler; and fourth place Alice Herbison. Winners from Maxwelton at Land of Lakes Tournament at Tippecanoe Golf Course were Patty Norman, Bonnie Newman. Inez Beiswanger. Rosie Lantz and Pat Hoover. Winners of door prizes were Dot Staley and Bette Slabaugh SOUTHSHORE Tandum Threesome was the play of the day on Tuesday for the South Shore ladies Two teams tied for first place They were the teams of Sandy Waigamuth. Rosary Burbank and Mildred Letter; and Esther Stahley. Marian Tarr and Mickey Billian

Consistency might be a goal Gretzky believes he should strive for, but a quick look at his statistics prove otherwise. He has had an average of 1.5 goals per game, the highest since 1924-25, a record 1.5 assists per game average, a record 2.65 points per game average and a record 10 games in which he scored at least three goals in each (three fourgoal and one five-goal games). In the first 40 games of the schedule, he picked up 50 goals, 58 assists and 108 points. In the second half, he picked up 42 goals. 62 assists and 104 points. That’s a difference of four points between the two halves. Another comparison which shows how productive Gretzky has been is the Seagram s Seven Crowns of Sports award. This award measures athletes efficiency/'tn all sports. The “maximum’ number of points an athlete can obtain in the system is 100. Gretzky 's statistics gave him a 104.16 rating. His accomplishments is the equivalent of 85 home runs for a baseball player, and 3.000 yards rushing for a running back in the NFL. With so many achievements, will Gretzky always have the same attitude? Chase thinks so. “He may change, he might personally find himself acting differently, but he just loves playing hockey. I don’t think he will change all that much. "He realizes he wouldn't be here if it weren’t for hockey. He gives his time and expertise . . . dedication to hockey, helping the game. Coming to North Webster. Ind, is an example He could have been anywhere in the world today.” said Chase. Gretzky expects good things out of the Oilers. He believes the team is "headed in the right direction," he said. Because the team is so young. Gretzky thinks time is on the club’s side. -‘People were disappointed with our playin the play-offs, (the Oilers were eliminated early) but next year everyone will be a year older Including Wayne Gretzky

selected to the first team Beer finished with a .351 conference batting average and had a .989 fielding percentage. Auer was .333 in batting and had a .959 fielding average Speicher had a 294 batting average (.340 for the season) and had a .950 fielding average at third base. He committed only one error Speicher was nominated as an infielder, but he was a member of the WHS pitching staff and finished as “one of the best in the conference." according to coach Myron Dickerson Also named to the conference squad on the second team was Brian Kistler. Kistler had a .372 batting average in the conference and led the circuit with a .674 on base percentage —a Northern Lakes Conference record Receiving honorable mention for WHS was Jeff Parker Parker, an outfielder, had a .320 conference batting average Bowling Thursday Men's Wawasee Bowl Kurly sKeglers 13 12 JDi ” u Pacers • 8 17 High team game and series Kurlys Keglers—sß4 21 >6 TOOseries O Berry 793 400ser.es C Coburn 478 L Longenbaugh 488 200 games O Berry 209. 214 215 L Longenbaugh 203. O Brady 211 Tuesday Nite Ladies Summer Donut Hotes IS » Sharon sCall Girts , 13 JI Sunshiners >3 13 Moonshiners ’ 15 H>gh teamgame Sunshiners — 48' 1 High team series Sharon s Call Giris - 1353 SOOseries S Ridenour 500 450 series R Blosser 483. A Joint 480. J Slabaugh 460 ISO games S Klenke >6B A Joint 160 163. J Slabaugh >9O. B Sw.hart 162. S Ridenour 172. 192

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THE KING AND QUEEN - The International Palace of Sports “King of Sports.” Wayne Gretzky, and the 1981 "Queen of Lakes.” Lisa Rudig. dine at the banquet honoring Gretzky at the Tippecanoe Country Club. .Miss Rudig escorted Gretzky to the banquet luncheon. (Photo by Gary Lewis)

Gretzky in Webster for ceremonies

By GARY LEWIS Politicians and local celebrities were on hand Saturday for the coronation ceremony honoring Wayne Gretzky, the 21-year-old scoring sensation for the National Hockey Leagues Edmonton Oilers, as “King of Sports” at the North Webster Palace of Sports and at a banquet luncheon at the Tippecanoe Country Club following the ceremony The International Palace of Sports Foundation's King and cofounder, Chris Schenkel, hosted the luncheon honoring Gretzky. Hilliard Gates, a Fort Wayne sportscaster and a founding member of the foundation, hosted the crowning ceremony and introduced Gretzky to the local media at a press conference. A life-size wax figure of Gretzky was unveiled and will be kept at the palace as a permanent display in the museum. Warsaw Mayor P E.U’Mike”) Hodges and ferry Klondaris. a former Warsaw High School athlete and member of the Warsaw City Council, gave Gretzky the key to the city of Warsaw on behalf of the' Kosciusko County community Bob Chase, sports announcer for WOWO radio .in Fort Wayne, introduced Gretzky at the luncheon and said Gretzky’s life story could start with “Once upon a time," and compared Gretzky’s record breaking peri irma nee with a basketbail player scoring 4,000 points in the NBA and a driver completing a 250 mph lap at the Indianapolis 500 After a standing ovation, Gretzky said he hoped to use the key to Warsaw. “I hope to come by and use it." he said. Gretzkywished “everyone the very best .'" Last year’s Tournament of Knights winner. Eric Sebo of Warsaw, who was crowned Sir Galahad du Lac for his victory, was in attendance at the luncheon. Contestants for North

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\ Webster’s Mermaid Festival Queen of Lakes competition were introduced along with last year’s queen. Lisa Rudig of Andrews, who escorted Gretzky to the luncheon. Gretzky was presented with a portrait sketch of himself which was drawn by North Webster artist Art Mullet. The sketch will remain at the International Palace of Sports. Schenkel also presented Gretzky with the King of Sports medallion which has a sculptured likeness of Gretzky. Also in attendance were State Representative Thames Mauzy of Warsaw and State Senator John Augsburger of Syracuse. Bobi Schopf. director of the International Palace of Sports, spoke on the King of Sports youth program which grants scholarships and career-awards in the name of the King of Sports. Crystal Flash wins tourney Crystal Flash won the Mermaid Festival’s softball tournament during play over the weekend. Crystal Flash defeated Walters 8-7. and Franke Plating 7-3, in route to the win. Hartle Electric finished second in the tourney and Franke Plating third

HOLE-IN-ONE Dick Brock of Dayton. Ohio, made a hole-in-one on Sunday on the 112-yard number two at the Big Boulder Golf Course at Milford. Brock's ace was witnessed by Rod Bartman and Chuck Summeriot. both of Syracuse. Brock received a trophy for his feat.