The NCAA News - Briefly in the News

March 29, 1999

More than 12,000 colleges, universities, high schools, middle schools and elementary schools participated in the ninth annual National Sportsmanship Day "Dare to Play Fair" program March 2.

The objective of National Sportsmanship Day is to promote the critical role of ethics, honesty and fair play in athletics and in society. Participating institutions focused their attention on sportsmanship with programs including essay and poster contests, student round-table discussions, and coaches' forums.

"We feel that reinforcing the principles of sportsmanship and fair play to students will not only raise awareness but will teach them valuable lessons that can be used throughout their lives, not just on the athletics field or court," said David Brennan, director of National Sportsmanship Day, which is administered by the Institute for International Sport at the University of Rhode Island.

Several college conferences across the country promoted National Sportsmanship Day in March during conference basketball tournaments with sportsmanship banners, youth clinics and public-service announcements at games.

Also, the Institute for International Sport selected several individuals as Sports Ethics Fellows as part of the National Sportsmanship Day activities. The fellows are individuals who have consistently demonstrated an interest in promoting the ideals of ethics and fair play in sport and in society.

This year's fellows are: Sister Islah Abdul-Hafeez, executive director of the Al-Basit Academy, Youth Intercultural Exchange Basketball Clubs and Programs; Fred Bowen, author of the All Star Sports Story Series for children; Suzanne Coffey, athletics director, Bates College; Tim Cohane, men's basketball coach, University of Buffalo; Roy Emerson, former Australian tennis player; Dan Guerrero, athletics director, University of California, Irvine; Suzi Katz, director of the Southeast Region for the National Consortium for Academics and Sport, University of Central Florida; Carl Lewis, nine-time Olympic gold medalist in track and field; Digit Murphy, women's ice hockey coach, Brown University; Ron Petro, athletics director, University of Rhode Island; Nykesha Sales, former basketball player at the University of Connecticut; Dick Quinn, sports information director at Williams College; Laurie Whitsel, president of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America; and Rick Wolff, sports psychologist and author of the "Kids' Sports" column in Sports Illustrated.

For more information, see www.internationalsport.com.

A 19th-inning stretch?

Fans and student-athletes both needed a stretch and a nap following Baylor University's 22-inning 8-2 victory over the University of Houston in February.

The game, which took six hours and 43 minutes to play, was tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth. Both teams went scoreless until the Bears' six-run flurry in the 22nd.

The contest tied an NCAA record for the longest game, set when Colorado defeated Nebraska on April 26, 1974.

Not in the Utes' house

Don't blame the Utah women's gymnasts if they act like they expect to win all of their home meets. Many of these student-athletes weren't born the last time Utah lost at home.

Utah last lost a regular-season home meet on February 20, 1979, to Cal State Fullerton.

Last month the Utes extended their string of consecutive regular-season home wins to 150 with a victory over Washington.

In the last 14 years, just three opponents have come within a point and a half of Utah in a regular-season meet in the Huntsman Center.

Utah's all-time home record is 290-12.

If you know of a streak -- in any sport -- longer or older than this one, Liz Abel, Utah's sports information director, would like to hear from you. You can contact her at 801/581-3510.

Mascots hit cyberspace

A new Web site, www.mascots.com, focuses on the furry, feathery and fierce creatures that lead sports teams into battle. Created by Street Characters Inc., the site aims to include a wide range of information about mascot design, construction and marketing.