Page 12- The Michigan Daily - Friday, September 20, 1991
6MN-ail
Helmick denies
USOC dealings .
were a conflict
MSU vs. Irish: too bad
both can't get trounced
by Andy Stabile
Daily Sports Writer
Big Ten football teams are encountering unusual outcomes against non-
conference opponents in this young season - they are losing. And don't
look for things to change this weekend.
Over the past few years, the standard pre-conference schedule for most
Big Ten clubs has lacked serious contenders, and the teams have waltzed
into the conference season relatively unscathed. But this year, taking candy
from the babies hasn't been so easy. Although Michigan, Iowa, and Purdue
are idle this week, a look at tomorrow's schedule shows that new bullies
have moved onto the block, and the Big Ten is already wincing.
MICHIGAN STATE (0-1) VS. NOTRE DAME (1-1)
The Spartans have opened in their usual lackluster style. However,
George Perles the athletic director gets as much blame as George the coach.
Two years ago, MSU lost to Rutgers in its home opener, held before stu-
dents were back at school. One would think Perles wouldn't schedule such
a game again. Alas, this year he invited Central Michigan to East Lansing,
and the Chippewas invited their fans. The last cheer Michigan State players
heard while leaving their own field was "Nah Nah Nah, Hey Hey Hey,
Goodbye." This week the Spartans travel to South Bend, where they will
leave the field hearing the same cheer.
HOUSTON (1-1) VS. ILLINOIS (1-1)
For the last two seasons, the Cougars have proven they are the type of
team that loses to great teams, but beats up on everyone else. The Illinois
offense has firepower, but its defense is relatively inexperienced. Count on
Houston's run-it-up offense to score 60-plus points in winning its second
game of the season.
MINNESOTA (0-1) VS. COLORADO (1-1)
Both of these teams were surprised last week: The Gophers by San Jose
State and the Buffaloes by Baylor (they were counting on getting that fifth
down). Some are saying Minnesota is the dark horse in the Big Ten race this
year; it didn't show it in its opener. The Buffs should win a close one.
BYU (1-1) VS. PENN STATE (2-1)
Granted, USC isn't Cincinnati, but after seeing the Trojans handle Penn
State so easily one has to wonder which Nittany Lion team will show up to
face Heisman winner Ty Detmer. Unfortunately for BYU, Detmer may
have no one to throw the ball to this year.
WASHINGTON STATE (0-2) VS. OHIO STATE (2-0)
With a victory, OSU could go undefeated in pre-Big Ten play for the
first time in five years. The Bucks have played well in victories over Ari-
zona and Louisville, and should handle the Cougars in similar fashion.
Chalk one up for the Big Ten.
IOWA STATE (1-1) VS. WISCONSIN (1-0)
In winning their opener over Western Illinois last week, the Badgers'
offensive star was defensive back Troy Vincent. Vincent garnered 241 yards
on returns, including a punt return that went 90 yards for a touchdown.
Iowa State lost to Iowa, 29-10, last week but moved the ball against a
stingy Hawkeye defense; it should have enough firepower to win.
NORTHWESTERN (0-1) AT RUTGERS (1-1)
It's yet another rebuilding year for the Wildcats. If they just didn't
have to graduate decent players every year. The Cats leave New Jersey 0-2.
KENTUCKY (1-0) VS. INDIANA (0-1)
This would be a better basketball game. Indiana's offense played well
against Notre Dame and had a week to prepare for Bill Curry's Wildcats. In
a tight game, the Hoosiers use secret weapon Calbert Cheaney, who catches
the winning touchdown and slam-dunks the ball through the uprights.
NEW YORK (AP) - Robert
Helmick said the private business
dealings that led to his resignation
as president of the U.S. Olympic
Committee involved no conflict of
interest and were just normal work
for a lawyer.
"This is what I do," Helmick
said yesterday during an interview
with The Associated Press. "It is
my dilemma. I represent people and
institutions. As president of the
Olympic Committee, you question
why business comes to you. There is
a lot more that you turn down than
you accept.
"You should accept business
only for valid business reasons. And
that is what I did."
Helmick resigned Wednesday
night after seven years as USOC
president following revelations
that he had received nearly $300,000
in fees from clients with Olympic
interests.
Among the clients cited in vari-
ous reports were Turner Broadcast-
ing System, which purchased TV
rights to amateur events from
USOC's Olympic properties and
paid Helmick at least $37,500 in
1990 as a consultant; TIVI Amster-
dam, a marketing firm which repre-
sented the International Swimming
Federation and paid Helmick more
than $150,000 in 1990-91, and
Saatchi and Saatchi, which is in-
volved in the sale of USOC spon-
sorships and paid Helmick's firm
$14,500 in 1990 for licensing and in-
ternational contract work.
Also, Robert L. Seagren, director
of marketing for the U.S. Golf Fed-
eration, which petitioned the IOC to
become golf's international federa-
tion and paid Helmick a $50,000
consultation fee in 1990; Ron Mey-
ers & Associates, hired to help
bowling become an Olympic sport,
which paid Helmick a $25,000 con-
sultation fee in 1990; TransSports, a
Seattle travel business interested in
leasing dock space at Barcelona dur-
ing the 1992 Games, which paid
Helmick an undisclosed fee, and
Romania, which paid Helmick
$75,000 to represent the country in
the United States.
In each case, Helmick said,
"Categorically, no. There was no
conflict of interest."
That position was supported by
the USOC's executive committee,
which released a statement Sept. 7
absolving Helmick of any viola-
tions. "There is no evidence that
President Helmick sought to or did
influence improperly in any way the
professional staff or the business
decisions of the USOC."
"It became a very simple deci-
sion for me," he said. "The continu-
ing trial by media got to the point
where USOC couldn't function. So I
stepped aside. I've devoted 30 years
to amateur sports with a lot of sac-
rifice and there was a wonderful ad-
ditional sacrifice I could make in
light of the feeding frenzy. That
was to step aside and let the focus
get back to the athletes.
"My instinct as an athlete and a
competitor is to fight for what is
right and clear my name. But it was
clear to me that a trial by media
would be so disruptive that it
would be better to resign and let
USOC get back to business and fo-
cus back on the athletes."
Helmick said nothing he did was
a secret and that USOC officials
were aware of it. "I am a volun-
teer," he said. "I am fully expected
to earn a living.
"On September 7, I was sub-
jected to a day of candid discussion
and piercing questions and no evi-
dence was found that I ever at-
tempted to influence any business
decision of USOC for a client or
otherwise. I have nothing to hide.
USOC found that I did nothing im-
proper. But USOC can't carry on its
day-to-day business with this con-
troversy going on."
Helmick's resignation came after
he returned from Berlin and a meet-
ing of the International Olympic
Committee Executive Board, which
said yesterday it would investigate
his business dealings.
Blue takes week off;9
Griddes doesn't stop
While this man tries to unsuccessfully promote his latest fad -
carjacking - he is losing critical time to turn in his Griddes scores. But
you still have time. Just circle your picks, fill out the tiebreaker, and
bring your entry to the Daily in the Student Publications building at 420
Maynard Street by 5 p.m. today for
cate to O'Sullivan's Eatery & Pub.
1. Houston at Illinois
2. Kentucky at Indiana
3. Michigan St. at Notre Dame
4. Minnesota at Colorado
5. Northwestern at Rutgers
6. Washington St. at Ohio St.
7. Brigham Young at Penn St.
8. Iowa St. at Wisconsin
9. Akron at Central Michigan
10. Washington at Nebraska
11. Florida at Syracuse
12. Temple at Clemson
Name:
Phone:
your chance to win a $10 gift certifi-
13. Utah St. at Oklahoma
14. Georgia at Alabama
15. Missouri at Baylor
16. Miss. St. at Tennessee
17. Texas A&M at Tulsa
18. Virginia'at Georgia Tech
19. Auburn at Texas
20. WVU at Maryland
Tiebreaker:
Michigan St.
Notre Dame
1 1
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,.Maid
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