The Inter-Association Task Force (of which the NCAA is a member) notes that alcohol abuse contributes every year to numerous problems on campuses across the United States -- problems that range from poor academic performance to unwanted sexual activity to violence and even death.

Those interested in more information on National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week -- which is set for October 19-25 -- may contact the Inter-Association Task Force at www.iatf.org or through the BACCHUS and GAMMA Peer Education Network by calling 303/871-0901.

End of an era?

Is the the Dan Gable era in college wrestling over?

Gable announced July 14 that he is taking a year off as coach of the Hawkeyes, and he strongly indicated he might be out of coaching for good.

"One thing I've been good at is reading my team," Gable said. "That's why we've been able to make decisions at proper times.

"But I'm reading myself right now, and I really read myself as necessary for me to step down."

His Hawkeye teams have won 15 NCAA championships during his 21 seasons as coach.

Gable has been troubled by aching knees and hips. He will continue to work in an administrative job at Iowa while he contemplates his coaching future. Jim Zalesky, an Iowa assistant who wrestled under Gable, will be acting coach for the 1997-98 season.

The announcement came at a news conference attended by a standing-room crowd of more than 100.

Longhorn slam

Justin Leonard's recent victory in the British Open gave him golf's oldest major title and his alma mater quite a distinction: an alumni grand slam.

With Leonard's victory at Royal Troon on July 20, former University of Texas at Austin golfers now have captured all four of the game's biggest trophies.

Leonard joined fellow Longhorns Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite and Mark Brooks. Crenshaw has two Master's green jackets (1984 and 1995). Kite won the U.S. Open in 1992 and Brooks took the PGA last year.

Big grant at St. John's

St. John's University (New York) is sponsoring a five-week summer camp and providing year-round literacy and anti-drug programming to residents of facilities operated by the New York City Housing Authority as the result of a $600,000 grant from the New York City Inner-City Games.

St. John's proposal was developed jointly by Jerrold Ross, dean of the School of Education, and Edward Manetta, director of athletics. It is the largest grant ever received by St. John's.

The athletics programming is sponsored by the athletics department. Head football coach and assistant athletics director Robert Ricca and assistant athletics director Erin McDonnell are in charge of supervising other coaches and more than 40 student-athletes in providing NYCHA youth athletic programming in nine sports. They also will conduct a variety of sport, training and nutritional clinics.

The program is intended to contribute to a national movement focusing on literacy and anti-drug programs for inner-city youth.

The month-long camp, which ends August 7, attracted about 1,000 NYCHA children.

-- Compiled by David Pickle