The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, September 17, 1996, Page 8, Image 8
SLOWER] TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT > Your support keeps lifesaving research in the fast lane. Muscular Dystrophy Association 1-800-572-1717 I Dance Contest Every Tuesday <|:oo pm ifaj *0* Street • HO (OVER MSUgete four years’ probation EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State’s foot ball program was placed on pro bation for four years by the NCAA on Monday, but die pen alty does not include bans from bowl games or television appear ances. The NCAA concluded the school violated rules on recruit ing, benefits, academic eligibil ity, ethical conduct and institu tional control. In addition to the four years’ probation, which began Dec. 1, 1995, the NCAA also reduced by seven the number of initial schol arships Michigan State can award to football players during the 1997-98 academic year. And it cut by one the number of coaches who can recruit off cam pus during December 1996 and January 1997. The sanctions do not include MSU’s self-imposed penalties. Michigan State placed its football program on probation for two years, starting Dec. 1, 1995, fired its athletics student adviser and reassigned others connected to the program during the time the violations occurred. toMftfkltUenutfUnuU fWl Contact Lens (SkfilV&k^ VBRM CENTERS. 3200 ‘O’ Oft. 475*1030 •Eye examinations for glasses and contact lenses •FREE in-office CONTACT LENS CONSULTATIONS •Prescriptions filled from any eye doctor •Eye glass guarantee •Emergency service available •Hundreds of frames: Fashion and . .(si j0 r"* iOjO . ^ •AlMypes of ContactJLenses •BUDGET PLAN-CREDIT CARDS BIG REP SPECIAL! 1! Show your UNL I D. and receive 20% off frame and lenses, sunglasses and contact lenses (excludes other discounts.) Offer expires 10/15/96. i_.1 We ll Give You 10 Weeks. Ten weeks may not seem Tike much time to prove you're capable of being a leader. But if you're tough, smart and determined, ten weeks and a lot of hard work could make you an Officer of Marines. And Officer Candidates School (OCS) is where you'll get the chance to prove you've got what it takes to lead a life full of excitement full of challenge, full of honor. Anyone can say they've got what it takes to be a leader, we'll give you ten weeks to prove it Call 1 st 11. Schulman at 1 -800-524-2129 for more information. 1 J. Byrne said. “I was very pleased with the way they ended their season.” The Cornhuskerswon five straight games and captured the National Invi tation Tournament last spring, the first postseason tournament crown in the 100-year history of the program. Heading into the 1996-97 season, Nee may no longer have to worry about the NCAA investigation. A1 Papik, NU’s director of athletic compliance and senior associate ath letic director, said the Huskers sent three different reports to the NCAA involving the recruitment of Nigerian Osita Nwachukwu. The first report — answering an NCAA inquiry—was sent March 13; the second — a follow-up to accusa tions made by the Houston Chronicle — was sent May 16; a third — a re quest by the NCAA for more informa tion —was sent July 8. The NCAA has talked with Chris topher Pond, the North Carolina busi nessman, and Nwachukwu, Papik said, but their stories did not collaborate. Nebraska has not received a final report, but there is no reason to believe the NCAA will penalize NU, Papik said. A response is expected prior to the season, Papik said. r So far now, Nee has his team out of bed for 6:15 am conditioning work outs Monday through Friday. “That’s hard on us,” Nee said. “But it’s good for discipline, and it’s good to start a work ethic.” in past years, he said, the team did not become organized until a few weeks before the start of the season. This year's workouts began Aug. 26. The team's nucleus includes seniors Mikki Moore and Bernard Gamer and sophomores Tyronn Lue, Andy Markowski and Venson Hamilton. All five sgw substantial playing time in Three players, 6-foot guard Alvin Mitchell, 6-foot-6 forward Larry Flo rence and 6-foot-5 guard Troy Piatkowski, enter the Nebraska lineup after being academically ineligible last season. The Huskers have added five walk on players, including Mike Johnette from Cloud County (Kan.) Junior Col lege and Ryan Phiefer from Mid Plains Community College in North Platte. Juniors Ryan Hinckley and Chad Buiback and freshman Andy Schwindt have also joined the team. Segado “Cookie” Belcher, a 6-foot 3 guard from Mexico, Mo., is NU’s only freshman signee. Nee said Belcher will have a great impact and compete for significant playing time. “I’m not going to let them be satis fied with them winning a couple of games,” Nee said. “We’re going to try to have a hell of a team. We are going to be on them to do their best.” But not all is well in the NU pro gram. Three players — Chester Surles, Chad Ideus and Leif Nelson — have left the team. Rodney Fields, Nebraska’s only spring signee, did not meet NCAA academic eligibility re quirements. He will spend his first two seasons at Tyler, (Texas) Junior Col lege. And this summer, Avery Curry, a 6-foot-2 guard who played at Florida State last year, told NU’s coaches he was coming to Lincoln. But Curry— who averaged 6.4 points per game at FSU and started the season playing 35 minutes per game before & horrid shooting slump—decided three weeks later to attend Idaho. Each of the players who left would have played an important role in the future of the program, said Nee, who remains optimistic about NU’s inaugu ral season in the Big 12. “The one great thing about cpach ing is each year it’s a new chapter,” Nee said. “You erase the board and every thing starts at step A. “It all starts with how committed our players are and how much they are willing to sacrifice.” Senior reporter Mike Khick con tributed te Bus report j Position switch fits NU center Thvlor well TAHiOR from page 7 r f^1fTT-JrTT~^wfmTf^TWTi It’s not size that always counts, and they made that clear to me.” According to Tenopir, who has coached 17 All-Americans in his 23 years at Nebraska, Tfcylor has what it takes to become the 18th. “If you really watch a guy and study him on film, Aaron certainly has the qualitiesofbecaning an All-American just because of his on field perfor mance,” Tenopir said. “He truly is a guy who does a good job and deserves an All-American role.” Last season, Taylor’s first as a starter, the 305-pound junior from Wichita Falls, Ibxas, led the line with 128 pancakes (knockdown blocks) while playing left guard. His position change conies after the graduation of two-year starter Aaron Graham, a first-team All-American last Season. But after just one game at his new spot, Thylor said he doesn’t feel any pressure trying to live up to Graham’s accomplishments. Tmmyown person,” Thylorsaid. “He has talents, and I have talents. But if I play the best I can, there’s not go ing to be a drop off.” Senior Chris Dishman moved from left tackle to left guard this fall, and Adam TVeu took over Dishman’s former spot. Thylor was moved to cen to- fo benefit the team, Tenopir said. “He was the logical guy tb move because he played next to Aaron (Gra ham)all along,” Ifenopir said, “and the terminology and line calls are familiar to him. It’s just a matter of executing the position. “But we made the change so we could get the five best players on the field.” Noth calls NU shots after Pettit’s injury NQfni from page 7 about becoming a head coach. “I’ve always had it in my mind,” she said. “There are a lot of opportu nities out there, and I’ve been asked. I’ve turned them down, but there may be a time down the road. Tlljusthave to know in my heart” Before being named an assistant in 1988, Noth was a member of the U.S. National Team and an alternate for the 1988 Olympic squad. She played un der Pettit from 1981 through 1984, -helping the Huskers to four straight Big Eight titles. The 6-2 Huskers gained valuable experience from the weekend, die said. “Obviously, Friday was not what we wanted,” die Said, “but a lot of things were (Hit of the ordinary for us, You grow from it and move on. “After they lost, I think they needed to take it up as a challenge to perform the next night. It’s no fun to play the way we did on Friday. “they have definitely developed more maturity. You have to learn to be a player even without the head coach.” * BIG n^^Li E Inexperience to blame for A&M’s start By Vince IPAdamo Staff Reporter The 1996 season is off to a dismal beginning for the Texas A&M football team. Saturday’s 29-22 loss to Southwest ern Louisiana gives the Aggies their first 0-2 start since 1988. Texas A&M had finished 10 of the last 11 seasons ranked among the nation’s top 25 teams. Five of those years, the Aggies finished in the top 10, “There’s an expectation level that I and that people associated with our program have,” Aggie Coach R.C. Slocum said. “We’re concerned about it.” The Aggies, who play host td North Texas on Saturday, have found two dif ferent ways to lose this year. In their 41-34ioss to Brigham Ybtmg in the Pigskin Classic last month, the Cou gars scorched Texas A&M’s young secondary for 536 yards passing and six touchdowns. Saturday, the Ragin’ Cajuns mus tered only 128 yards passing and one touchdown through the air. But the Aggies, who were ranked 13th in The Associated Press preseason poll, turned the ball over eight times, three of which translated into Southwest Louisiana touchdowns. Slocum said both losses were bit ter disappointments. This A&M squad is one of Slocum’s youngest in his eight years in College Station. The secondary con sists exclusively of freshmen and sophomore starters. “We were tremendously disap pointed,” said Slocum, who never lost an opener in his first seven seasons at A&M. “We’re certainly not accus tomed to being 0-2. We made too many mistakes combined with the play of Southwest Louisiana contributed to us losing,” Slocum said he remains confident in his players. “We’re definitely soul-searching,” he said. “It's important that I stay in the boat right now.” Despite the Aggies’ early season woes, they are still respected by the Big 12 coaches. “I think they just need to work a few things out,” Kansas State’s Bill Snyder said. “They’re a fine football team.” No. 12 Colorado travels to College Station on Sept 28. CU Coach Rick Neuheisel said it would be a mistake to take the Aggies lightly. “I know R.C. will have that team ready,” Neuheisel said. “You know they have great pride, and they’re well coached. I look at those two factors to mean they will right themselves.” ; The previously fifth-ranked Buffs, who were beaten 20-13 by Michigan Saturday in Boulder, have not lost a road game in Neuheisel’s one-year stint at Colorado. “A win over Colorado will make the Aggie faithful less bitter than how it started,” Neuheisel said.