DESIRE PAYS OFF FOR HARDY The Michigan Daily-Thursday, April 1, 1982-Page 9 Ex-M By PAUL HELGREN Just two years ago it seemed that1 Alan Hardy didn't have a chance to make it as a professional basketball player. Admittedly, the former eager proves the sk Michigan forward's road to the NBA has hardly been conventional. But he has made it as a reserve for the Detroit Pistons nonetheless. Never a star in college, the 6-7 Hardy was not chosen in the NBA draft after his senior year with the Wolverines in 1979. And in a league where even third and fourth round draft picks have trouble landing a spot on a team, Har- dy's chances to make the pros were slim, to say the least. But he had two things working in his favor-confidence in his own ability and a desire for a "real chance" to play and prove him- self. "I DIDN'T want to give up," the Detroit native said. "I wanted to give myself a real chance ... a fair chance." signed with the semi-pro Alberta Dusters of the Continental Basketball Association before being signed by the Pistons in November. Whereas Hardy did not join the Pistons amidst a great deal of fanfare, he did come to Michigan from Detroit Northwestern high school in 1975, touted by former basketball coach Johnny Orr as "one of the best forward prospects in the nation." Hardy averaged 22 points a game and earned MVP honors while leading North- western to the city championship. He was also selected to most All-State teams that year. Despite his impressive background, Hardy saw little playing time in his first two years at Michigan. As a freshman, though, Hardy got to play in the last minute of the NCAA championship game in Philadelphia, something he calls his "greatest thrill in basketball, without a doubt." Michigan lost that game to Indiana, 86-68. AS A JUNIOR, Hardy started all 27 games at forward for the Wolverines, scoring 11.8 points and grabbing 6.3 rebounds per game. But as a senior he didn't break into the starting lineup un- til mid-season and his overall playing time was reduced. During his four seasons at Michigan, Hardy said he wasn't given a real chance to prove his ability. "Johnny Orr never gave me a fair chance," he said. "I thought I deserved a chance to really prove myself." Hardy did manage to score over 10 points a game as a senior, but it wasn't enough to get him picked in the NBA draft. The fact that he made the pros without being drafted or being a college star gives Hardy a great deal of satisfaction. "Making the pros," said Hardy, "makes me feel I was right (about his ability) all along." Although he is only averaging eight minutes of playing time per game this year, Hardy is pleased with his con- tribution to the Pistons' battle for a eptics playoff berth. "I've helped in whatever way I could in the little time I've had (to play)," he commented. He is currently averaging 3.7 points and slightly under one rebound per game. He has been in double figures in scoring three times, with 13 points being his personal high. HARDY, WHO is unmarried, owns a house in Detroit and plans to per- manently reside there. He is not sure what his future role with the Pist6ns will be, but said he will talk to the club about it at the end of the season. He enjoys most of the aspects of NBA wrong life, even traveling, which many players don't like. "The hardest part about the NBA," he said, "is the realization that it's a business. There's a lot more to it than just the game. Players can get treated unfairly." During the off-season Hardy spends his time improving his game in NBA summer leagues or working with kids in basketball camps. When his basketball career is over, Hardy, who has a degree in com- munications, would like to begin a new career in broadcasting. '"STOTO.Ti-10 -. - - Hardy tried out with the Pistons before and after the 1979 season, but was cut both times. He played no basketball that winter, but went west in the summer to play for the Adidas Pros in the California Summer Basketball League. It was there that Hardy turned his career around. He led the league in scoring (33.5) and finished second in rebounding (10.8), while shooting 55 percent from the field. These statistics did not go unnoticed, as the then world champion Los Angeles Lakers were impressed enough to sign Hardy. Hardy commented on the ordeal of NBA tryouts, "You can get a bad deal in a lot of tryout camps. I wanted to make sure I got a good chan- ce in a camp." HARDY WAS used sparingly by the Lakers, playing in only 22 games and averaging a little over two points a game. He was cut by L.A. shortly before the start of this season and had STEAK DINNERS Save when you buy 2 Steak & Shrim- or 2 Sirloin Steak Dinners- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - I Sports Information Photo SHOWN HERE in a game against Alabama, former Wolverine forwaiu, Alan Hardy (42), displays the talent that led him to the NBA. After a brief stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, Hardy landed a job as a reserve for the Detroit Pistons. Former 'M' hurler Adams named eassistant coach at Ben Special to the Daily WALTHAM, Mass.-Former University of Michigan baseball star Arthur "Ace" Adams has been named assistant baseball coach at Bentley College in Massachusetts. Adams, who served as a Bentley assistant for three years before leaving to become head coach at Framingham ,tate College last year. The 29-year-old rmer pitcher earned All-Big Ten honors at Michigan before playing professionally in the Pittsburgh Pirates' organization. Phillies 8, Tigers 1 CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) - Larry Christenson held the Detroit Tigers to two hits and struck out eight in six in- nings yesterday as the Philadelphia Phillies powered their way to an 8-1 exhibition victory. Christenson also contributed to the Phillies' offense, singling in the first Phillies run and stealing second base in his first at-bat. IN HIS LAST two starts, Christenson has given up just five hits, one run and one walk while striking out 15 in 12 in- nings. Bo Diaz doubled in three Philadelphia runs in the sixth inning and Pete Rose added two singles and a walk in four trips to the plate. Detroit's Milt Wilcox walked five and gave up 11 hits in six innings. The Tigers' sole run came on rookie Howard Johnson's fourth-inning homer. The Phillies are now 11-10 in spring training play, while Detroit is 8-15. Oliver traded to Expos WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Al Oliver, one of the premier left- handed batters in the American League was dealt by the Texas Rangers to the Montreal Expos fo the National League yesterday for third baseman Larry Parrish and first baseman Dave Hostetler. The teams jointly announced the trade moments before they were to meet in an exhibition game.- "We've have working to get Oliver for 10 years," said Expos' General Manager John McHale of the 35-year-old player. "It looks like a deal made in heaven because both clubs are going to be helped. "I KNOW IT gives us good balance from the left side of the plate." Oliver has batted over .300 for the last five seasons, including a .309 mark in 421 at bats in 1981. The 28-year-old Parrish, the Expos' regular third baseman since 1975, has a .269 career average. After batting .307 in 1979, his best season, Parrish slum- ped to .254 and .244 in 1980 and 1981 respectively. Hostetler, 26, is a power-hitting first baseman who had 27 home runs and 103 RBIs in 1981 with the Denver Bears, Montreal's Class AAA affiliate. ley College belted aAhree-run home run and a run- scoring single and Randy Johnson homered to power the Atlanta Braves to a 7-3 exhibition baseball win over the Houston Astros yesterday. The Astros took a 1-0 lead in the second inning as Alan Ashby scored on a single by Terry Puhl. But Horner's home runin the fourth inning put the Braves ahead to stay. Orioles 4, White Sox 3 SARASOTA, Fla. , (AP)- Gary Roenicke's ninth-inning home run gave the Baltimore Orioles a 4-3 exhibition baseball victory yesterday over the Chicago White Sox. The third Baltimore homer of the game came with two outs against loser Lamarr Hoyt. EARLIER Bob Bonner had homered off Dennis Lamp in the third inning and Ken Singleton had hit one in the sixth against Reggie Patterson. Singleton also had a run-scoring double off Lamp in the first inning. The White Sox, trailing 3-1, tied the game in the seventh against Tim Stod- dard, who had to leave the game with an apparent arm injury. 'ARMAGEDDON?? What is it? How near is it? Write for a F R EE study course on DAN I E L-a key prophetic Book of the Bible. also FREE to any Jewish person NEW TESTAMENT OEnglish OYiddish OHebrew O Literature on the New Testament O Study Course on the Torah Send to: UM CHRSTAN IFOMAIO SEVIE RIapis) .0. ann ANN ARBOR j COUPON MUST ACCOMPANY PURCHASE COUPON MUST ACCOMPANY PURCHASE STEAK and STEAK and SSHRIPSHRM OR *;OR ; SIRLOIN SIRLOIN STRIP STEAK!| STRIP STEAK 2Dinners P6.99 2Dinners $6.99 1 Served with " Baked Potato * Served with " Baked Potato " All-You-Can-Eat. Salad Bar I " All-You-(;an-Eat Salad Bar I " Warm Roll with Butter - Warm Roll with Butter * Dessert and Beverage not included. Cannot be used with u Dessert and Beverage not included. Cannot be used with other discounts Applicable taxes not included.Sales tax f other discounts Applicable taxes not included. Sales tax applicable to regular price where required by law.applicable to regular price where required by law. I At participating steakhouses At participating steakhouses.3 OFFER GOOD THRU OFFER GOOD THRU APR IL 18, 1982 8E APRIL 18, 1982 I .-----.-..-..-- - - --- - - -- LUNCH COUPON 1 11:00 am-4:00 pm Mon. thru Fri. Only I 3354 East Washtenaw Ave. Ponderosa (Across from Arborland ; CHOPPED STEAK I Shopping Center) 'VALUE MEAL SInlndudes aked Potato. SWarm Roll ith Butter OnW stSaiu m lvd Cannot be used with other discounts. Applicable taxes On west ifaaium wiva. Inot included. Sales tax applicable to regular price where I required by law. At participating steakhouses. Chopped (Just North of Intersection I Steak is U S.D.A. inspected 100% chopped Beef Steak. ; of Stadium & Liberty) COUPON GOOD FOR ANY PARTY SIZE I OFFER GOOD THRU J 70 s APRIL 18, 1982 1982onderosaSystem. Inc --- --- 1, \.:I1 DOWNTOWN ROOMS STILL AVAILABLE FOR GRADUATION " 200 Rooms " Color T.V.'s " Cocktail Lounge " Direct Dial Phones * Near Uof M " Group Rates Available " Major Credit Cards Honored " Call for Reservations 100 S. Fourth Ave. 769-9500 i 1 NEIL Ouer ...traded to Expos Braves 7, Astros 3 COCOA, Fla. (AP)- Bob Horner ~Ac~iOM CALENPAR ( 23 N. W sINGON NOWN o~4V P5 USN mo, IL* wrge T9G sSitIt M t M GR P. PRPI ILD5 'LPI4M Ar *~APLLFCK s!'rcUS LL" KOOES o Only one of these pens to drawtheline w It's the extra-fine rolling ball of Pilot's remarkable new Precise Ball Liner Pen. (If you haven't guessed which one it is, look at the top photo again. It's the trim beauty on the bottom left.) But unlike the others, the real beauty of Pilot's Precise Ball Liner is the extra-fine line it puts on paper. It glides smoothly across the page because its tiny tungsten carbide ball is held securely within a needle-like stainless steel collar. A collar that makes the Precise Ball Liner the most durable, trouble-free rollina ball pen you can buy.