4 Page 10- The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, April 8, 1987 Reliford waits for Former Wolverine stranded in CBA NBA call Mr f . ?r BY SCOTT G. MILLER By DOUGLAS VOLAN Since leaving the University of Michigan last May, Richard Rellford has had nothing but disappointments in his pursuit of a professional basketball career. After a standout career at Michigan, in which he helped the Wolverines win two Big Ten titles and the National Invitational Tournament Championship by averaging 9.8 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, Rellford expected to be at least a second- round draft pick in the 1986 NBA draft. Things were not so rosy for him, however, as he wasn't selected until the fifth round, by the Indiana Pacers. "I was disappointed going in the fifth because Milwaukee called and said they'd take me in the second round," said Rellford in a telephone interview earlier this week. THE BULKY Rellford (6-6, 235) then played in the Central Division's summer mini-camp, where he was the Pacers' leading scorer. Mysteriously, Rellford was not invited to the Pacers' rookie/free agent camp. "I was surprised," said Rellford. "Especially since I heard they were looking for me two days before camp." According to Rellford's agent, Dr. Charles Tucker, what probably happened was "when they changed coaches and Jack Ramsey took over, he didn't have a chance to look at Rellford. The whole situation changed when Jack took over." . Ramsey has been reported as saying, however, that Rellford was not invited to camp because he "will never be able to play/in the NBA. He's a power forward trapped in a small forward's body." Rellford responds, "That's what they told Charles Barkley and Mark Aguirre." WITH NOWHERE to play, Rellford signed with the Tampa Bay Thrillers of the Continental Basketball Association. He came off the bench for Tampa after being unable to break a tough front line, which included former NBA players Michael Brooks, Gary Plummer, Don Collins, and Ken Green. "It's harder (to play in the CBA) than people think it is because you're playing against pro players, but at a different level," said Rellford. After ten games, a cash transaction sent Rellford to the Rockford Lightning. At Rockford, Rellford made an immediate impact, leading the 22- 26 Lightning team into the Western Conference finals against Cincinnati. In the opening round, Rockford defeated defending Western Conference champion LaCrosse, with Rellford leading the team in scoring in six of the seven games. FOR THE season, Rellford averaged 19.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, splitting time at small and power forward. Rellford was also among the league leaders in field goal percentage, making 55 percent. "Rellford's been fantastic for us all year," said David Abrams, Director of Operations for the Lightning. "He's been one of the main cogs for us the entire season. "He's also a community responsible person and has gone on numerous speaking engagements for us," added Abrams. Rellford, however, still has a burning desire to play in the NBA. "I think it's just a matter of time. We're in the playoffs and I'm averaging 26 points and eight rebounds. This is just one of those things that takes time." His agent said, "If he loses about ten more pounds, I think he'll get a shot somewhere. We hope that some teams will see how well he's been playing in the playoffs and invite him to camp." Doily Photo Former Wolverine Richard Rellford, who helped the Wolverines win two Big Ten cham- pionships, hopes to bring his act to the NBA someday. Miechian karate club wel-omes famed visitor Nightmare ends... ...Higgins signs today Sean Higgins hopes to author a new and happier chapter of his life today with one quick stroke of a pen. When the Los Angeles high school basketball phenom signs a national letter of intent - for the second time - he can sigh in relief. This time Higgins will sign under his own volition. The pressure from his parents and from college recruiters will become a bad memory. "I'm finally going to get it over with," said Higgins last week. "All that stuff (the events surrounding his recruitment) will be behind me." THAT STUFF composes one of the most bizarre recruiting tales ever. Selection of the right school is difficult under normal circumstances. Higgins faced intense pressure from his mother to stay close to home and from his father, who lives in Detroit, to come to Michigan. He decided to play for the Wolverines - or so he thought. The day before the early signing period in November, Higgins told his choice to his sister and natural father. But Higgins' 6-9,250-pound stepfather intervened with a baseball bat and ordered Higgins to sign with UCLA. Add to the family struggle alleged illegal inducements by a UCLA alumnus, the mysterious payment of the stepfather's back taxes on the day Higgins signed with the Bruins, and a Sports Illustrated investigative article, and one has the necessary elements for a soap opera. Last month, the NCAA voided Higgins' original letter of intent. "The NCAA investigator told me if I wasn't telling the truth, I should be a screenplay writer," said Higgins. A happy ending in the final act of his ordeal should end the pressure he has endured for months: Although re-approached by such luminary and rule: abiding academic institutions as UNLV and Kentucky, Higgins is more than content to sign with Michigan - his choice all along. DURING TROUBLED times last November, Higgins never gave in. He could have abided by his mother's wishes, taken the alleged illegal inducements from UCLA, and remained silent. But Higgins wanted to dominate his life like he dominates action on the basketball court. He moved out of his mother's home when he turned 18. "Ithink what he has done has shown a lot of courage and character, because he complained he was forced into it (signing with UCLA). Instead of letting it die, he went out and proved it," said Michigan head coach Bill Frieder. "He must have proved it without a doubt, or they wouldn't have released him." There are no doubts about Higgins' basketball skills. He led his Fairfax High School team with a 27-point scoring average. Fairfax won the Los Angeles city championship, and many believe Higgins is the finest prep player the city ever has produced. The 6-8 swingman moves on the court like his favorite professional player, Magic Johnson. Higgins enjoys the comparison and the accompanying pressure. "All the pressure on me will affect me in a positive way," said Higgins. "I think there is going to be a lot of pressure because of high expectations, but I think I can handle it and rise to the occasion." The pressure to perform cannot compare to his ordeal. Higgins is finally content. He is working out his differences with his mother and stepfather. Thoughts of school and of playing with Gary Grant and the other Wolverines fill his head. Higgins passed Proposition 48 and is considering majoring in communications. He wants to communicate a message to Wolverine faithful about next season. "I will be playing hard. There is no doubt about that," said Higgins. "I don't want the fans to expect a Michael Jordan or somebody like that. There is only one Jordan, and there's only one (Magic) Johnson. But there is only one Sean Higgins, too." Grant's successor? Higgins won't be the only player signing with Michigan today. Kirk Taylor of Dayton Dunbar High School also is expected to commit. The 6-3, 175- pound guard is regarded as one of the top players in Ohio. His high school team won the state championship. "Taylor is the most complete guard we'll have come to Michigan since Gary Grant," said Wolverine assistant coach Dave Hammer. Chris Seter of Wisconsin completes the recruiting class. The 6-9 forward committed during the early signing period. 4 4 A I A By ALVIN BORROMEO The man who first taught karate in the United States visited the University of Michigan Karate Club yesterday, leading the 38-member club in a series of exercises, lectures and demonstrations. Tsutomu Ohshima is head instructor of Shotokan Karate of America, the organization devoted to teaching the form of karate that the Michigan Karate Club practices. "The mind never gets tired if it is strong... the body always wants to follow a 'strong mind... let mind lead body..." stressed Ohshima over and over. Ohshima proved his point countless times, demonstrating how persons of any size or strength can defend themselves against bigger opponents. Because of time limitations, Ohshima demonstrated many techniques but could only practice each a couple of times. He said that in order to become good, however, one must practice each move 400 times a day. One move that stuck in the minds of the audience was his demonstration of a simple stomp to the feet of an attacker bear hugging someone from behind. Karate was brought from Okinawa to Japan in 1922 by Master Gichin Funakoshi, the father of modern karate. One of Funakoshi's greatest pupils, Ohshima, then brought the art to the United States in 1955. In 1963, John Teramoto began studying with Ohshima. Teramoto is now the senior instructor of the Michigan Karate Club. Those interested in joining the Karate Club can contact any of the four black belts - John Teramoto, Robbie Haas, Brad Pollack, and Dean Askounis - or attend one of the club's meetings. 14 Sofiballers BY 'PETER ZELLEN The Michigan softball team is riding high after its series against Ohio State in which the Wolverines won three out of four. Michigan faces Toledo today at 3:00 at the Varsity 'Softball Diamond. The Wolverines are looking to improve upon their 11-8 record. The excellent pitching of Vicki face Toledo Morrow (6-4 and an 0.77 ERA; 2-0 in the Ohio State series) and the hot hitting of All-American catcher Alicia Seegert (.426 with 11 RBIs; 11-for-1S, four RBIs against Ohio) should be a big help in achieving this. The softball -team is also counting on the much-improved bat of freshman infielder Jenny Allard. Allard has overcome her early season slump and hit well in the Ohio State games. She is batting .286 and is third on the team in RBIs with 7. Rounding out the pitching staff will be junior Michelle Bolster. Against Ohio State she gave up only 2 runs (both unearned) in 12 1/3 innings, but still managed to come away with a 1-1 record. Her season record is 4-4 with an impressive 1.84 ERA. 14 Baseball still shows racial prejudice, says Hank Aaron 14 ATLANTA (AP)- Hank Aaron, baseball's home run king, said Tuesday that Dodgers executive Al Campanis' observation that blacks may not have all that it takes to run a major league team is an example that the game still has racial prejudice at its top levels. Campanis, the Los Angeles' vice president of player personnel, was asked on ABC-TV's "Nightline" Monday night why there are no black field managers and few blacks in baseball management positions. "I don't believe it's prejudice," Campanis said. "I truly believe they (blacks) may not have some of the necessities to be, let's say, a field manager or perhaps a general manager. I don't say all of them, but how many quarterbacks, how many pitchers do you have that are black?" AARON, now an executive with the Atlanta Braves, said, "I think Mr. Campanis is fairly intelligent, but when he makes statements like that, I think he has his head buried in the sand. He believes that blacks are not capable enough or intelligent enough to run a baseball team, and his belief is not different than any of the other owners. "I've been hoping that things would change for the last ten years. But I don't see any signs of hope because you still have people like Campanis with his beliefs." A Ka~a~sGMAT 9 0 Seminar Is open for business. If your business brain needs to get down to business before the GMAT rolls around, we want to see you at our free MBA Information Seminar. You'll learn how to select a business school, how to write a successful application, and what makes a desirable business school candidate. After the seminar, you'll take home specially designed track sheets to help you stay ahead of deadlines and on top of every step in the admis- sions process. Call to reserve your place. Your career is impor- tant, so make it your business to be there! SENIORS Order your 1988 MICHIGAN ENSIAN on the SVF now. Don't miss out on the University of Michigan's all-campus, award-winning yearbook with over 400 pages of memories you'll treasure. Over 4000 books sold last year and they'll go fast this C atr aj.=:ti s : yes I TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 6:30 P.M. MICHIGAN LEAGUE - ROOM D I I)KAPLAN Compare the Leading Edge Model 0 '*to the !BMPC and you'll find some not-so- trivial differences. For example. while the Leading Edge Model D comes complete with a high-resolution monochrome monitor. Hercules compatible monochrome graphics and color graphics out- puts. parallel and serial ports, a dual-speed 8088 2 microprocessor and word processing software with Spelling Correction, the IBM PC doesn t Not even one. And the -' :COMPATIBLE WITH Leading Edge THE ORIGINAL IBM Model D is INDUSTRY STANDARD compatible with the original IBM industry standard Best of all, a fully configured dual drive Model 0 is priced at only $11 75, while a very unadorned IBM PC costs hundreds more. A single drive system wro a monitor is $895 And we offer a 30 MB version at $1895 Because the Leading Edge Model D makes 4