The Bolivians are coming! The Bolivians are coming! Lake Forest, already home to the Bears, may become the training site for the Bolivian national soccer team while it plays first-round World Cup games next summer at Soldier Field. While no one will confirm or deny, one plan that has been discussed has the Bolivian contingent staying in the Lincolnshire Marriott while conducting practices at the spacious West Campus site that is used by Lake Forest Middle School. The German nationals already have said they will locate in the Oak Brook area. Chicago World Cup press officer Jim Froslid said final training specs, including sites, have to be in by the end of the week and forwarded to international officials. “Probably within 10 days we’ll have the definitive plans,” he said. One other team-most likely Spain-is expected to stay in Chicagoland while Greece and Bulgaria, who also play games at Soldier Field, may locate in other major metropolitan areas.
Rich get richer: Steve Fisher introduced newest Wolverine Makhtar Ndiaye, a 6-foot-9-inch front-court player, to the Michigan press Tuesday in Ann Arbor. Coaches around the Big 10 consider the Senegalese a great addition for Michigan. In fact, he may be a better plum than they realize. Before leaving Wake Forest, Ndiaye told friends he is considered “an outcast” by his family and relatives in Africa as a result of the NCAA scandal that brought him to Michigan-and never mind that he was not culpable. Makhtar said the only way to remove the stigma is through a successful career at the Big 10 school.
L.A. stories: How does the thought of Steve “Mongo” McMichael playing for the L.A. Raiders, already one of the NFL’s looniest franchises, grab you? It almost happened years ago after McMichael was dropped by the Patriots. In a recent interview for Pro Football Weekly, ex-Raiders great Matt Millen was asked to review some of his goofy Silver and Black teammates and added there is no question Steve has “got to be” the league’s leading overall eccentric among current players. He added: “The funny thing is that in ’81, after he was released by New England, I sat with him in our locker room when there was a real chance he might be signed by the Raiders. He just missed fate by a snap of the fingers (before signing with the Bears).”
NFL grapevine: Cowboys offensive coordinator Norv Turner is considered a top candidate for the Redskins’ job, but it’s possible he could also get the Jacksonville expansion position. The Cowboys’ Jimmy Johnson, who’s on friendly terms with Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver, has recommended him. . . . Oilers offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, an obscure fellow till Buddy Ryan took a swing at him, reportedly was one of the leading candidates for the South Carolina head-coaching job until taking his name from consideration.
Sweet Lou: Illinois officials are expecting an unusually rousing reception for Lou Henson when he’s introduced before Wednesday’s game with Northwestern at Assembly Hall. Henson has become even more of a “folk hero” in Champaign after last weekend’s controversial loss at Michigan State, where Lou, ejected, was found to have a legitimate beef with officials through TV replays. Henson’s been swamped with well-wishers during his local radio shows. For the record, he’s 32-4 lifetime against the Wildcats and hasn’t lost to them at Assembly Hall since March 1, 1979. Deon Thomas has gotten especially fat off NU in Champaign, where he’s 30 for 37 from the field in three previous games. By the way, U of I officials say Thomas has been averaging “about two NBA scouts” per game.
Around town 1: The Bears will unveil a new logo next month that will commemorate the franchise’s 75th anniversary season. It’s designed by DiMeo Rosen Partners here. . . . The first of three Blackhawks luncheons is Wednesday at the Bismarck Hotel, where Darryl Sutter, Chris Chelios and Murray Bannerman will be among featured guests. . . . Illinois and Northwestern alumni are invited to gather for a big-screen viewing party of Wednesday evening’s basketball game at Excalibur, where Southern Comfort is hosting a party.
Around town 2: Two special visitors during Friday’s Stadium ceremonies retiring Bob Love’s jersey will be William Washington and Dick Mack, who coached him in high school and college, respectively. . . . Irish golf star Christy O’Connor lunched Tuesday at the Chicago Athletic Association with sponsors of the fifth annual Irish-American Partnership Golf Tournament, which will return May 23 to Beverly CC. Ald. Ed Burke is honorary chairman and Mayor Richard Daley a regular participant. Proceeds help job development in Ireland.
Not all wet: Chris Zorich is leaving no stone-or coin-unturned in getting support for his scholarship foundation. The Bears lineman has worked out an arrangement with the Westin O’Hare that all money tossed into its “Fountain of Hope” in the lobby goes to his charitable fund.
And finally: World Series hero Joe Carter of the Blue Jays, spending as much time with his family near Kansas City as he can in the off-season, obviously hasn’t let fame go to his head. Here’s what he told one sportswriter: “There are 50 million people who would change jobs with me. I see people who don’t have jobs. The day I need something to motivate me is the day I need to leave the game.”