There will be two ex-Bulls guards in street clothes picking up championship rings Saturday night in the Stadium. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Trent Tucker. “If you miss this, you may never get another chance. I was in the thick of things last year. I was a part of it, and that will make it special for me.” Tucker and the Bulls reached an impasse in contract negotiations during the offseason, reportedly centering on the club’s reluctance to give him a guaranteed deal. It’s a similar stalemate reached last year between the team and Bobby Hansen, who subsequently was too disappointed to participate in the ring ceremony at the start of the 1992-93 campaign. The 33-year-old Tucker, who saw action in every Bulls playoff game last season, still is hopeful of joining another NBA team. He says he has no interest in playing European basketball. “If something’s going to break for me, it’s going to be after the season gets started,” he said.
Auditions: While the Bulls are on the West Coast getting ready for Seattle later this month, four Continental Basketball Association teams will play a round-robin tournament in the Berto Center in Deerfield. It’s an expanded format from last year when two CBA clubs came there for a game. This year’s contests will be Nov. 15, and the teams are from Rockford, Grand Rapids, Mich., Quad Cities and Ft. Wayne, Ind. It’s not open to the public, but Jerry Krause is an enthusiastic supporter of the idea. Jerry can scout the players from his balcony above Berto’s courts. If Ft. Wayne coach Rick Barry looks to be in shape, he can even offer him a contract to become the Bulls’ 2-guard.
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Pep talk: Barry Alvarez is pulling out all stops for Saturday’s huge game with Ohio State. In an attempt to get his Wisconsin Badgers’ minds off last Saturday’s problems as well as give them extra inspiration, the team will be shown the film “Rudy” the night before the game. Furthermore, Alvarez called Dan Ruettiger, whose story is depicted in the movie, to arrange for him to fly from South Bend to Madison and talk to the players. The coach made the move after a chat with Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz, who recommended the flick to his former assistant.
Faces in the crowd:: It’s gotten little play, but in the crowd for last Saturday’s Wisconsoin game in Madison-and, apparently, witnesses to the postgame disaster-were Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala, former university chancellor, and Secretary of Defense Les Aspin, former Wisconsin congressman. Shalala wore a red sweater with a picture of Bucky Badger. Before the game, she told a reporter that President Bill Clinton, at a recent cabinet luncheon, commented, “Donna’s the only one here going to a bowl game.”
Still ticking: Starting at 7 a.m., Tom Thayer did nearly a three-hour stint Wednesday with Steve Dahl on WMVP-AM. Thayer always had endurance. None of the stories about his cut this week by the Bears mentioned it, but the offensive lineman once played 46 games in a year as a pro. The first 23 were with the Arizona Wranglers in the old USFL, which played a spring-summer schedule, and the remaining 23 came with the Bears later that year in the Super Bowl season. “Never forget it,” said Tom. “We were eliminated in the (USFL) playoffs in July. I drove straight from Arizona to rookie camp in Platteville to be with the Bears.” While the Joliet native was one of the few players remaining from the NFL championship squad, he had another significant link to the past: In the USFL, he played for legendary coach George Allen. “I’m in shape to play guard for the Bears Sunday,” he said. “I haven’t ruled out still connecting with a team. The details would have to be worked out with my contract, though.’`
Out to pasture: With all the retirement stories dominating the news lately, maybe it’s time for some of our athletes to consider the status of Foolish Pleasure-winner of the 1975 Kentucky Derby. The 21-year-old thoroughbred was just purchased by Wyoming rancher Ron Vanderhoef and turned loose on his spread to spend his final days. “My family and I wanted it to be his last move out of sheer, unadultered respect for him,” said Vanderhoef. “He can be belly deep in grass for the rest of his life.” Foolish Pleasure has been standing in stud since 1974 and initially got $25,000 per assignment. Over the years, he’s sired 35 stakes winners. However, his previous owners said he’s been suffering from declining fertility and a difficult temperament. Vanderhoef said he plans to put 10 mares in the field with him and added, “If we get some foals out of him, then fine.”
Around town: Michael Jordan did more than just play basketball with his former teammates the other day when he stopped by the Berto Center. Jordan also got into some spirited pool games and, said one source, was not the big winner. . . . Illinois-Chicago’s Sherell Ford and Kenny Williams bagged 45 and 28 points respectively in the team’s first intrasquad games. Coach Bob Hallberg’s Flames get nice mention in Playboy’s upcoming, annual preseason edition. . . . Ex-Bear Ron Bull and ex-De Paul AD Ed Manetta, now with Edelman Public Relations in Chicago, will co-chair the “Athletes For Edgar” group working toward re-election of Gov. Jim Edgar. It’s a natural for Bull, who resembles Edgar.