Wednesday, March 31, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 5
Sprewell refuses to drop lawsuit
The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO — Lattrell Sprewell isn't giving up a challenge to his 68-game suspension for choking coach P.J. Carlesimo, despite a federal judge's finding that the suit was a misuse of the court system.
Undaunted by a court order requiring him to pay the court costs of the NBA and the Golden State Warriors in getting the case dismissed, Sprewell will ask the 9th U.S. Circuit of Appeals to reinstate it, attorney Robert Thompson Jr., said Monday.
A lawyer for the NBA said Sprewell should be grateful for the results of the arbitration that he is challenging in his suit. The arbitrator cut Sprewell's suspension from a year to 68 games and overturned the Warriors' termination of the last three years of his contract.
"For choking the head coach the way he did, he should have been charged with a crime," league attorney Frank Rothman said. "I think he got off very light."
The $30 million suit accused the arbitrator of exceeding his authority in allowing both the Warriors and the NBA to punish Sprewell. The suit also claimed racial discrimination, noting that Phoenix Suns forward Tom Chambers, who is Caucasian was not suspended for punching an assistant coach a few weeks before Sprewell attacked Carlesimo.
U. S. District Judge Vaughn Walker first dismissed the suit last
factual claims were too vague to prove any legal violations. He said Sprewell should consider dropping the case but gave him one more chance to make his allegations more specific.
In a ruling made public Monday, Walker said the refluffed suit was virtually the same as the first, meritless suit.
He invited the league and the team to submit statements of their attorneys' fees and expenses for the
dismissal motion.
Sprewell argued with Carlesimo during a practice in December 1997, then grabbed him around the neck and threatened to kill him, according to witnesses at his arbitration hearing. After Sprewell left the floor to shower, he returned and, according to witnesses, punched and again threatened Carlesimo.
The Warriors initially suspended him for 10 games, then terminated the last three years and $24 million of his contract. The league increased the suspension to a year. But arbitrator John Feerick ruled the punishment excessive and ordered Sprewell reinstated last July 1. He was later traded to the New York Knicks.
Broncos fans still hoping for John Elway's return
The Associated Press
DENVER — John Elway will retire from football financially secure and professionally revered.
It's just a matter of when.
"I don't think John is any more comfortable with retirement than most players," said Denver Broncos' owner Pat Bowlen, still awaiting word on Elway's future. "It's a difficult decision."
As he demonstrated during his MVP performance in Denver's second straight Super Bowl victory, Elway still has life left in his 38-year-old body.
The Broncos are hoping he returns for a 17th season but are not setting a deadline as they prepare to start offseason conditioning April 7.
"I don't think we're putting any pressure on him to make up his mind at any particular point in time," Bowen said. "Whenever that is, that's fine with us. I don't know where he's headed."
Elway's agent, Marvin Demoff, said he didn't expect Elway to keep the Broncos
waiting much longer.
"The only thing I know is that he'd like to make a decision early enough so that his training would be appropriate," Demoff said Monday. "If I had to guess, we're looking between the 15th of April and
the 15th of May, but that is pure speculation."
W h e n
E l w a y
announced his decision to return last June, he said he was 99.9 percent certain 1998 would be his last year. Pressed, Elway amended it to 100 percent.
But now that he won another Super Bowl, the question has surfaced again. Jay Leno unsuccessfully tried to get Elway to tip his hand last month, and radio talk show hosts and newspaper columnists offer arguments for and against retirement.
The debate always returns to one thing — the lure of becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls.
"If we were to win three in a row and he were the quarterback, it definitely establishes a new level," Bowlen said. "If you're the only quarterback in history to win three Super Bowls in a row, I think that sets you apart from the rest of the pack."
Last year, Elway received input from a variety of sources including his father, Jack, Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench and former Buffalo quarterback Jim Kelly.
No one's advice, however, meant more to Elway than that of his wife, Janet, and their four children — Jessica, 14; Jordan, 11; Jack, 9; and Juliana. 8. All encouraged him to keep playing, and family advice figures to be key again.
"I would think that's the biggest part of his decision," said Elway's personal aide, Kathy Hatch. "They're a very close family, so I know that's going to weigh very heavily on his decision."
Pettitte likely to start season on disabled list
The Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees' pitcher Andy Pettitte is expected to begin the regular season on the disabled list.
"It itseems pretty inevitable since I'm not pitching the first week," Pettitte said. "I just have to try and get ready. I'm trying to stay away from having any set-backs."
The left-hander left his spring debut on March 7 after one iming
with a strained muscle in his throwing elbow.
Although final roster decisions are not expected until this weekend, team officials said there was a good possibility Pettitt would be placed on the disabled list.
Pettit pitched two innings in a minor league game Sunday and will throw again against minor leaguers Thursday or Friday.
"You have to pitch in games ... it's totally different," Pettitte said. "It's a matter of getting my pitch count up, I feel good, and I feel healthy."
Pettitte tilted 48 pitches during a 14-minute bulblen session westerday.
If placed on the disabled list, Pettitte's stay could be backdated 10 days from opening day, meaning he couldn't be activated until April 10.
SUA is accepting applications for the Fine Arts, Forums and Recreation coordinator positions
Organize art exhibits for the Union Gallery, select promote and sponsor lectures of interest to the campus community, or plan trips and recreation tournaments.
DEADLINE
APRIL 9
Pick up an application at the SUA Box Office or call 864-3477 for more information
http://www.ukans.edu/~sua
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
Principal-Counselor-Student Conference and Community College Conference Kansas Union
Wednesday, March 31, 1999
Room Schedule for Student Conferences 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Room Guide:
Rooms in the Kansas Union:
B = Ballroom — Level 5
Centennial Room — Level 6
English Room — Level 6
International Room — Level 5
Kansas Room — Level 6
Pine Room — Level 6
COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Green County — B
Fiffeyville — B
Bridge City — B
Den City — B
Highland — B
Janson County — B
Kansas City Kansas — B
Osho County — B
KANSAS HIGH SCHOOLS
Gedale — B
Chichon County — B
Sehor-Linwood — B
Valle Plaine — B
Que Valley HS — Pine
Que Valley North — Pine
Que Valley Northwest — Pine
Schler — B
Burlingame — B
Chaparral — B
Cimarron — B
Derby — B
De Soto — B
Downs — B
El Dorado — B
Emporia — Kansas
Fort Scott — Kansas
Haven — B
Holton — B
Hope — B
Hoxie — B
Hutchinson — B
Iola — B
Jackson Heights — B
Jefferson County North — B
Jefferson West — B
Kickapoo Nation School — B
Kingman — B
Lawrence Free State - International
Leavenworth — B
Little River — B
Lyndon — B
Lyons — B
Marion — B
McLouth — B
Mission Valley — B
Moundridge — B
Neodesha — B
Nickerson — B
Osage City — B
Osawatomie — B
Oskaloosa — B
Ottawa — B
Paola — B
Parsons — B
Peabody-Burns — B
Pleasant Ridge — B
Quivira Heights — B
Riverton — B
Rossville — B
Russell — B
Seaman — Kansas
Shawnee Heights — Kansas
Shawnee Mission East — Centennial
Shawnee Mission North — Centennial
Shawnee Mission Northwest — Centennial
Shawnee Mission South — Centennial
Silver Lake — B
St. Thomas Aquinas — B
St. Xavier — B
Sumner Academy — B
Thomas More Prep - Marian — B
Tonganoxie — B
Troy — B
Turner — B
Valley Falls — B
Waconda East — B
Washington HS — B
Washington KCK — B
Wellington — B
Wichita East — English
Wichita Independent — English
Wichita South — English
Wichita West — English
MISSOURI HIGH SCHOOLS
Lee’s Summit — B
Rockhurst — B