Staff reorganization. That’s the latest buzz word in college football coaching. Here’s the translation: To save his own skin, the head man agrees to can as many as five assistants and get new faces. Here’s where it’s likely to occur:
– Texas, where John Mackovic’s record has fallen considerably short of expectations.
– Iowa State, where Jim Walden’s late victory over Kansas State, some good offensive statistics and a necessary, hefty buyout saved him for another year. He’s averaged four victories a season over the last six years.
– P.S.: Hottest rumor making the rounds has Miami’s Dennis Erickson quietly chatting with South Carolina officials about replacing Sparky Woods. Erickson, who actually has taken heat for losing two games this season, is said to be upset with several break-ins that have occurred at his home.
Playing through: The Western Open scrambles for sponsors, and the Chicago LPGA stop, facing financial problems, reportedly is going to reorganize. Meanwhile, the Ameritech Senior Open keeps right on ticking and, apparently, is gaining steam. The event, held at Stonebridge Country Club since 1991, has a new three-year deal with the course developers that takes the tourney through ’96. Furthermore, event director Brian Fitzgerald said the purse is getting bumped another $50,000 to $650,000. Last year, it was raised $100,000. “We have to be competitive,” said Fitzgerald, noting that four of the five events leading to the tournament are $1 million or more in purses. “Our network TV contract (with CBS) also is a big attraction in getting golfers.” George Archer won last season’s title. Dates for next year are July 11-17.
This ‘n’ that: This is the busiest shopping day of the year in Chicago, but Leslie Fox of City Hall’s World Cup host committee says Christmas will come twice here. For this summer’s five-game Cup run in Soldier Field, it is estimated that each contest will mean 100,000 visitors for Chicago and a total of $200 million in extra revenue. Also, hotels and airlines will be jammed. . . . Now that Chris Chelios has been signed, Jeremy Roenick, who has several years to go on his deal, told WMVP-AM’s Brian Davis he wouldn’t mind hearing from the Blackhawks. Bob Pulford, appearing the next day, indicated he’ll oblige. . . . Historic Chicago Golf Club may bid for the next available Walker Cup visit to the U.S., according to Golf World. The Wheaton club withdrew several years ago as a host for this year reportedly because of its membership makeup, but that status is said to have changed-and Chicago could get the event in 2001.
Evening shade: The Wisconsin football players began wearing dark glasses during the day on Thanksgiving, but, no, Barry Alvarez’s troops have not gone Hollywood. It is part of a program put together by university sleep-disorder specialists to get the Badgers acclimated for Japan. Each day until they leave next week, the players will wear shades an extra hour and, conversely, stay in bright lights at night a corresponding amount of time. There is a 15-hour time difference and, according to athletic spokesman Steve Malchow, the players should be able to go straight from their long airplane ride to bed. It will be nighttime when they arrive. “That’s the theory, anyway,” said Malchow. The kickoff in Tokyo is 10 p.m. Madison time. By the way, can you imagine what Mad-Town will be like if the Badgers beat Michigan State and clinch the Rose Bowl? It is already a concern with local law enforcement agencies.
Where is he now? Dave Schellhase, first draft choice of the Bulls in 1966 for their first NBA season, is in his 16th year of coaching at Moorhead State in Minnesota. Here’s an update: Daughter Julie Schellhase is a freshman point guard for the Army women’s team that plays in De Paul’s annual four-team tournament, which opens Friday in Alumni Hall. Purdue, her dad’s alma mater, also is in the field.
Keeping good company: Mike Ditka, fired in ’93, will be one of the featured speakers at the “Success 1993” business seminar scheduled for Tuesday in the Horizon. Appropriately, Ditka’s topic is: “Was Goin’ Up Worth the Coming Down?” You’d have to think so, considering he’s making more money this year as a non-coach than he was last year in charge of the Bears. He’s part of a strong lineup of speakers, including retired Gen. Colin Powell, Mary Lou Retton and Paul Harvey. (Mike also is scheduled to make an appearance Friday at a card show in the Horizon’s Skyline Room, starting at noon. It will cost $18 to get his signature, but Da Coach is no Scrooge. The money goes to his foundation).
Sign of the times: The Cubs’ minor-league operations may eventually yield more than players. Orlando Cubs GM Shereen Samonds and Rockford Royals media director Susan Otolski have been named female executives of the year in the Class AA Southern and Class A Midwest leagues, respectively. The award, instituted several years ago by Rawlings, acknowledges the growing number of women in baseball’s front offices.
And finally: If you drive by Belmont Harbor this weekend and spot dozens of sailboats bobbing through the waves, your eyes are not playing tricks. It is the annual Timme Angsten Memorial Regatta, featuring coed crews in competition from 18 colleges including Stanford, SMU, Harvard, Michigan State and Marquette. Coordinator Bill Fox says capsizing is not uncommon. Spectators are encouraged.