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 . I I I I SI ,.Maid We're Conoco, the Hottest Brand Going. And if you're an Engineering Major, have we got a date for you. On September 25, 1991, from 6:30p.m.-8:00p.m., we'll be hosting a reception (check with Placement Office for location), and we'd like to meet you. Come find out about the career opportunities at Conoco. And we'll be back on campus to interview on October 15, 16 and 17, 1991. So, mark these dates, it could be the beginning of a very hot future. Conoco is coming September 25, 1991! A