UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Chiefs sign Schottenheimer, Peterson
5B
The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt, long known for his loyalty to employees, granted contract extensions to Chief Executive Carl Peterson and Coach Marty Schottenheimer yesterday despite a disappointing 1996 season.
Peterson, whose contract was to expire Feb. 1, signed a new four-year deal.
Schottenheimer, who had a year left on his contract, was given a four-year extension that will keep him on the Chiefs' sidelines through 2001.
The Chiefs followed last season's 13-3 record by opening the year 4-0. The high expectations generated by those numbers made it harder
for fans to bear when the team stumbled to a 9-7 finish, missing the playoffs by losing at Buffalo the last weekend of the season.
Hunt has been known to stand by his people, even in the face of stunning ineptitude.
But there has been no inceptive since Peterson and Schottenheimer joined the Chiefs. Before this season, they were the only NFL team to make the playoffs every year during the 1990s.
Hunt, a hands-off owner, noted the rapid changes in free agency and expansion in the NFL.
"My goal is to assure continuity," he said before announcing the contract extensions. "I can't imagine a situation where we would want to make a change. We are certainly disappointed at the losses at the
end of the season, but my goal has been to achieve continuity for this organization."
There had been public speculation that Hunt wanted Peterson to leave or that Peterson wanted to go somewhere else, because there seemed to be no negotiation for renewing his contract.
But Hunt said that the delay was caused by his desire to sign Schottenheimer as part of a package deal with Peterson, and he did not want to distract Schottenheimer during the season by talking about contracts.
Hunt said both agreements had been reached in the last three days, although nuances of the contracts were still being worked out yesterday.
"Obviously there is no place I'd
rather be than right here," Peterson said. "I work for the finest owner in the NFL. We have not accomplished, the mission we set out to. We want to win a Super Bowl for this man, this organization and this city."
Schottenheimer, who is in Mobile, Ala., to coach the South team in the Senior Bowl, said via speakerphone that he was extremely pleased that Hunt had given them the opportunity to continue our efforts into the next century.
It has been rumored that Peterson and Schottenheimer do not get along, but each denied the rumors.
Peterson, well known for his ability to identify talented players, also downplayed any conflict between his desire to develop young players
for the future and Schotten-
helmer's need to win immediately.
"We laugh about it," Peterson said. "It's good banter. I've never thought that I'm a strong-willed Swede and he's a strong-willed German. We're going to go at least four more years in this marriage, and I'm looking forward to it."
Schottenheimer also denied reports that he had been demanding a greater role in personnel decisions. Peterson said his duties would be unchanged in the new contract.
The Chiefs have enjoyed a remarkable revival in fan support as well as success on the field since Peterson was hired in 1988 and hired Schottenheimer a year later.
Arrowhead Stadium is regularly sold out, and the Chiefs have
dwarfed the Royals in popularity.
The two key parts of the defense — Derrick Thomas and Neil Smith — are free agents. Decisions also need to be made about the quarterback position. Schottenheimer finally benched Steve Bono because he was ineffective. But the more mobile Rich Gannon played only one full game before he was injured.
Peterson and Schottenheimer also had a lengthy meeting with free agent quarterback Jeff George.
"I like him very well," Peterson said. "He's very pleasant. He definitely wants to win. I think he knows the next stop will be the last one for him. I think Jeff George liked his brief visit to Kansas City. I like the guy. I think he's very talented. We have begun the process."
Texas Tech investigation by NCAA still unfinished
The Associated Press
LUBBOCK, Texas — After nearly two years of media reports questioning the actions of NCAA Tech atlantic department personnel and nearly a year of NCAA investigation, little has happened.
"The only reason I'm not surprised is that I've been told by other universities and our attorneys that seldom is an investigation concluded in much less than a year," said Pat Campbell, Texas Tech vice chancellor and legal counsel
David Berst, the NCAA's assistant executive director for enforcement, said that NCAA probes lasted an average of a year.
The Houston Chronicle began a series in March 1995 about possible grade infractions at the university.
The NCAA notified the school Feb. 28 that it was looking into the men's basketball and football programs.
Investigators have visited Lubbock three times since, and they plan to make another trip later this month. Campbell said.
NCAA rules prevent employees, like Campbell, and those at involved schools from saying more about sending investigations.
The Chronicle detailed potential improprieties alleged by former basketball player Nate Jackson and former football player Stephen Gaines dating back to 1991.
The most serious charges involve Gaines, who said the school helped him earn bogus credits through the Southeast College of the Assemblies of God, a Florida school involved in NCAA probes across the country.
Berst estimated that the school would be notified of any charges within two months of the end of the investigation.
If charges are made, Texas Tech will appear before the NCAA Infractions Committee, which acts as the judge.
That process could take another three to nine months, which could drag the proceedings late into the year.
Regulation changes will delay season by three more days
The Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Staying up for college basketball's Midnight Madness won't keep students from missing class the next morning.
NCAA delegates voted yesterday to open practice on the Saturday nearest Oct. 15, beginning next fall. Last year, many schools tipped off at the moment the clock struck midnight, which was a Monday.
"It has to do with whether we
want our students out in the middle of the night in the middle of the week," said Todd Turner, Vanderbilt athletic director.
The rule change will cost teams three days of practice next season because the nearest Saturday is Oct.18.
But Festivities at "Late Night with Roy Williams" at Kansas began on a Friday, with tipoff scheduled for 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
Midnight Madness traditionally offers Jayhawk fans an early look toward the basketball season if they can't wait another minute to check out the new recruits.
While Kansas already had a late date, the University of Ken-
tucked vote against the change.
Sandra Bell, assistant athletic director for compliance, said officials worried about conflicting with high school football.
"It was left up to the schools, and we think they handled it very well," Bell said. "I don't think it was something we needed to legislate."
Randy Cale, Arkansas' compliance officer, said the university decided to vote for the change after the Razorbacks' experience with holding Midnight Madness during the week.
"It always works better as a weekend event," Cale said. "We may lose a couple days (of practice). But we thought it works better for our fans."
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University Placement Center Spring Workshop Series
DRESS FOR SUCCESS
Tuesday, March 11, 7:00pm Alderson Auditorium The UPC and area employers will co-sponsor a "Dress for Success" presentation where expects on today's clothing styles will discuss proper attire for the job search/interviewing process. The presentation will include a display of appropriate clothing styles.
Tuesday, March18, 7:00pm Alderson Auditorium Real employers will discuss with students the "ins and outs" of being successful in interview situations.
INTERVIEWING STRATEGIES
EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION/INTERNSHIPS Wednesday, January 22, 3:30 -149 Burge Union Wednesday, April 9,3:30-149 Burge Union Learn the value of complimenting your academic learning with "real world" work experience to enhance your employability at graduation.
USING THE INTERNET IN THE JOB SEARCH Monday, February 17, 3:30 - 149 Burge Union Tuesday, April 15, 3:30 - 149 Burge Union
Leam about the Internet as it relates to the job search process. A brief overview of the Internet and an introduction to the resources available online to assist you in your job search.
Sign-up for these workshops at the UPC 110 Burge Union 864-3624 www.ukans.edu/~upc