The NCAA News - Briefly in the News

February 2, 1998

Official made the right callOne of the principals in one of college football's most famous moments died recently.

Those who follow football closely remember that Dicky Maegle of Rice University and Tommy Lewis of the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, were the participants in the famous "sideline tackle" in the 1954 Cotton Bowl. Fewer, however, would remember Cliff Shaw, the referee who who had to make a ruling on the play. Shaw died January 22 at the age of 91.

Here is how the Rice media guide described the play:

"Rice led, 7-6, but faced a first-and 15 situation at its own five-yard line. Taking a handoff from quarterback Leroy Fenstemaker, Dicky Maegle took off around right end. A block by Blois Bridges allowed Maegle to turn the corner, Mac Taylor flattened another 'Bama defender, Gordon Kellogg took out the last man -- halfback Bart Starr -- and Maegle seemed long gone.

"As Maegle approached midfield, Alabama's Tommy Lewis jumped off the bench, stepped around a couple of teammates and ran laterally down the sideline before throwing a body block into Maegle's legs at the 'Bama 42-yard line. Moments later, referee Cliff Shaw awarded Maegle a 95-yard TD, the longest run in Cotton Bowl history."

At the time, the rules book did not provide any guidance on how the call should be made. The next year, officials were granted the authority to make such a call.

Lewis' explanation -- that he was "too full of 'Bama" -- remains part of college football lore.

Lewis immediately regretted the action and went to the Rice dressing room at half time to ask if his apology would be accepted. "My heart went out to him," Owl coach Jess Neely said after the game. "I told him, 'Don't let it bother you.' "

Hawk history

"The Kansas Century," a new gallery exhibit highlighting 100 years of University of Kansas basketball history, currently is on display at the NCAA Hall of Champions.

The exhibit features more than 45 historical photographs that document several important events in college basketball history. Some of those include the birth of the game of basketball, the Phog Allen era, the Wilt Chamberlain years, the North Carolina connection, the 1988 championship and the continuing legacy of Roy Williams.

"The Kansas Century" will be at the Hall of Champions until the end of February and then will travel to the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, where it will be the initial gallery exhibit in a new expanded facility.

In addition, the tribute highlights the release of a new book by noted sports author/photographer Rich Clarkson. The book, also called "The Kansas Century," is a coffee-table book that illustrates and celebrates the 100th anniversary of Kansas basketball.

The exhibit is part of an ongoing effort by the Hall of Champions to educate and promote the positive aspects of intercollegiate athletics.

Fast break

Nebraska Wesleyan University women's basketball coach Mary Beth Kennedy believes a coach's place is on the sidelines.

After giving birth to her third child at 2:35 a.m. January 7, Kennedy was on hand for that day's 7:30 p.m. tipoff for the game between Nebraska Wesleyan and Midland Lutheran College.

"You're either very criticized or people think you are awesome," Kennedy said of reaction to her devotion to duty.

Midland Lutheran won the game, 79-64.

The Associated Press reported that Kennedy missed the Midland Lutheran game three years ago for the birth of her first child. This time, the doctor recommended inducing labor on January 5, but Kennedy persuaded him to wait until January 9 so she wouldn't miss the Midland Lutheran game again. But nature intervened when contractions started January 6.

After the birth, the obstetrician agreed to permit Kennedy to leave the hospital for four hours, and only if she agreed not to leave her feet.

"I got four hours leave, in case the game went into overtime," she said. "I went right back to hop into bed, and I stayed in the hospital for the next two days. You have to be careful right after you have a baby."

-- Compiled by David Pickle

Looking back

5 years ago: The NCAA Special Committee to Review Student-Athlete Welfare, Access and Equity meets for the first time February 4-5, 1993. The committee is charged with studying anything that affects the welfare of student-athletes and will work to present any appropriate proposed legislation at the 1995 Convention. The committee agrees to begin its work by soliciting views from student-athletes on a broad range of issues, then later conduct formal research on those issues before forming recommendations. The committee also is interested in hearing coaches' views about student-athlete issues and will be discussing ways of obtaining coaches' input. (The NCAA News, February 10, 1993)

10 years ago: U.S. District Judge Walter McGovern rules February 25, 1988, that the NCAA's drug-testing program does not violate a student's privacy rights, and upholds the University of Washington's right to enforce the program. Washington track athlete Betsy O'Halloran challenged the university's enforcement of the program in a Washington state court, but the case was moved to federal court after the NCAA was ordered to be a defendant. McGovern said the student's privacy interest was outweighed by the Association's interest in protecting student-athletes' health, reducing temptations to use drugs and ensuring fair competitions. The American Civil Liberties Union, representing O'Halloran, said it likely would appeal the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. (The NCAA News, March 2, 1988)

15 years ago: A federal judge rules February 28, 1983, that the NCAA committed no antitrust violations when it adopted the NCAA "governance plan" and began offering championships and other programs for women's intercollegiate athletics. The Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women claimed that the NCAA's action forced it to suspend its operations, but Judge Thomas P. Jackson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia said the AIAW's decision was the result of legal competition, rather than any illegal practices by the NCAA. The judge also found there was no conspiracy by the NCAA leadership in adopting the governance plan and offering programs and services for women's athletics. (The NCAA News, March 2, 1983)

25 years ago: The NCAA Special Committee on Reorganization presents a proposal for restructuring the Association that includes dividing member institutions into Divisions I, II and III and permitting "major" football institutions to vote as a group on legislation pertaining only to them. (NCAA News, February 15, 1973)