Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 March 1989 — Page 15

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Pacers wary of premature optimism with new faces in lineup

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(FROM LEFT): PACER NEWCOMERS Randy Wittman, LaSalle Thompson and Detlef Schrempf made positive contributions in the

Pacers’ 128-89 victory over the Utah Jazz last Sunday in Market Square Arena before a crowd of 11,602.

(Recorder photos by Walt Thomas)

By JAMES M. KEOUGH JR. Sports Editor For the Indiana Pacers, all is happy on the home front. With new faces in the lineup, the Pacers are currently riding a twogame winning streak, are playing as a team and seem to have found the confidence to win. However, the Pacers have been down this road before. Will this time be any different? When Pacer head coach Dick Versace took over 24 games ago, there was new optimism, a new sense of continuity and a three-game winning streak. Since that “new beginning,” the Pacers suffered through five and 12-game losing streaks, continued

internal unrest and a lack of team character. “The last time we had a honeymoon, it didn’t last long,” said Versace after the Pacers beat the Utah Jazz last Sunday in Market Square Arena, 128-89 before a ecstatic crowd of 11,602. “But I’m pleased with what I see. I see a collective effort,” said Versace. “You got guys like Detlef (SchrempO, Randy (Wittman) and Tank (LaSalle Thompson) Who are willing to do their jobs, whatever it takes to win. I feel that we now have a really good mix. ” Schrempf, who was obtained from Dallas in exchange for Herb

Williams and other “possible considerations,” said although his new team has put together a couple of wins, it’s still too early to pass the final judgement. “We are trying to establish a new style here. I like coming off the bench and running. It’s a more open game and I can improvise,” said the multi-dimensional Schrempf. “Lots of teams (get off to a good start) at first. Let’s see what happens ’TiTThe next lOgames.” Schrempf, who at 6-foot-9 can pass, shoot with range, rebound and play three positions (power forward, small forward and shooting guard), brings diversity to the Pacer lineup. “When I first heard about the

trade, my first reaction was no....I don’t think so,” said Schrempf. “When I found out (the trade) was true, I said to myself I have to move.” Randy Wittman brings good outside shooting and a winning attitude to a team desperately in need of both. “It’s always been a dream of mine to come home and play for the Pacers,” said Wittman, the former Ben Davis High School and Indiana University standout.“My job is to just come off the bench and add a spark to the team.” LaSalle Thompson, obtained from Sacramento along with Wittman, said his role with the Pacers is

to rebound. “My job is to hit the boards,” said Thompson. “I wasn’t real happy about the trade at first, but once I got here and saw how the organization was run, I now want to spend the rest of my career here. ” Pacer forward Chuck Person, who is often times the subject of controversy, is now a “haDDV camper.” “Chuck is very comfortable right

now,” said Versace. “He is happier now than he has ever been since he has been here. He is maturing and coming out to play with fire in his belly.” Person said the team now respects his leadership abilities. “Now when I say something to the guys they listen,” said Person. “They know that I’m captain of this team and they listen to me. I don’t have to force things now. I know thatlamgoingtogetmyshots.” ;

Owners meeting marks anniversary of plan

For more than 700 NFL veterans who played before 1959, the checks are in the mail every month. At their 1987 annual meeting, NFL owners voluntarily initiated a $40 million benefit plan to assist players before 1959. When the clubs convene March 20 in California for their annual session, it will make the second anniversary of the historic financial aid package. Every “pre-59er” receives $60 a month for each year of NFL service. Since 1987, more than $5 million has already been paid to 714 players. In addition, other players have been approved for the program and are awaiting their 55th birthdays toqualify for payments. The total payment represents just a fraction of the monetary value of the plan, which will ultimately total $40 million in payments. Although some former players such as Tank Younger and hall-of famer Roosevelt Brown retained their NFL affiliation upon retirement, most pre-59ers moved into other professions-players such as former New York Yanks and Cleveland Browns halfback Sherman Howard, who taught and coached football at a Chicago-area high school for 33 years after leaving the NFL. “When I played in the early

1950s, we used to think we’d play NFL football and then get another job to support ourselves,” Howard said. “This benefit plan has really helped me to pay my mortgage and

otherbills.”

George Taliaferro, who played for five teams from 1949 to 1955, returned to college and obtained his master’s degree in sociology from Howard University and is currently on the the faculty at the University of Indiana. Taliaferro affirms the importance of the benefit plan. “It was great that the owners made it a reality,” said Taliaferro. “When I heard, joy struck five households because I have four married daughters and five grandsons. The money will ensure that our grandsons will have the funds necessary to get a college education. But I’m more pleased for the guys—many of them my old teammates—who have been unable to provide for themselves or their families. It really has helped a lot of former NFL players.” Woodley Lewis, who played for the Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Cardinals and Dallas Texans in his NFL career which spanned from 1950-1960, is now in retail sales in Los Angeles. While Lewis ap-

preciates the benefit program, he admits it was unexpected. “The money is like a gift,” said Lewis. “When we played in the 1950s, we never knew something like this would happen. I think we’ve all been lucky. Any player who spent at least five years in the NFL and playe,d all or

part of his career prior to 1959 qualifies for the program. Another feature of the program includes military credit. Ifa player signed with an NFL team before or during his military service and went on to play after his release from the army forces, he receives credit for his years spent in the military.

Just For The Sport Oflt

SHERMAN HOWARD

ByJAMESM. KEOUGH JR. Sports Editor Governor Evan Bayh and American United Life Chairman Jack Reich recently announced an addition to the AUL/Governor’s Cup Running/Walking Series and announced dates for the events. The One Mile Fun Run, originally part of the AUL/Governor’s Cup Running/Walking Series, has'been brought back by popular demand, Reich announced. The Fun Run will be held in addition to the 8K Race (4.97 miles), the 5K Walk (3.1 miles) and the Children’s 1/2K Pee Wee Race (1/3 mile) at each of the regional events across Indiana and at the finale in Indianapolis. The first event will kick off at 10 a.m. on March 11 at McCormick’s Creek State Park. The Circle City Knightriders made it to the regionals of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Tournament by placing second in the Mid-America Conference with a record of 10-12. Club 11 and Clark Kellogg will help sponsor the trip to Madison Area Technical College in Madison, Wis. for the regionals. Donations for the trip can be made by calling

634-0988.

Dr. Lynn Morrell, Marian College’s baseball coach for the past 17 yean, has announced that he will retire from that position at the end of the 1989 season. A full professor, he will continue as chairman of Marian’s Physical Education Department and be able to devote more time to his teaching and administrative responsibilities. The Indianapolis Indians have an-

nounced that catcher Mark Bailey and pitcher Tom Waddell are among eight players to sign with the Tribe for 1989. Pitchers Isa.ac Alleyne, Rick Carriger, Doug Cinnella, Eddie Dixon and catchers Doug Duke and Jeff Oliver have also come to terms with the Tribe for the upcoming season. The Indiana Basketball Hall Of Fame has been granted permission by the 1HSAA to take up a collection at first-round games of this year’s boys’ sectional tournaments in support of the new Hall Of Fame Museum currently under construction in New Castle. Proceeds from this collection will be used to fund a special computer exhibit at the new museum which will allow visitors to recall historical information and historic game accounts of all 1,200 high schools that at one time participated in the IHSAA Tournament. Indiana basketball legend'Hay Crowe will address issues concerning the Hall Of Fame in an upcoming issue.... Kiki Vandeweghe, who was traded from the Portland Trailblazers to the New York Knicks after reportedly refusing to accept a trade that would have sent him to the Pacers, will play sparingly in New York according to Knick coach Rick Pitino. Former Pacer John Long, after being waived by the Pacers, returns home after being picked up by the Detroit Pistons. Indiana University sophomore guard Jay Edwards is among 10 finalists for the Associated Press College Basketball Player of the Year.

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