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Bulldogs on the rebound
The Red and Black, Thuraday. September 12, 1*77 Page JC
By PETE FOLEY
Sporty editor
It's no secret that Georgia's
basketball program the past
several years has been a
disappointment and the pres
sure is on Coach John Guthrie
like it never has been before.
But Guthrie at least has one
thing in his favor.
He already has gray hair.
Georgia's 37-year-old mentor
was the victim of a strange
rash of fate last season as his
top men came down with
injury after injury resulting in
a 9-18 record (3-15 in the
Southeastern Conference
(SEC) play) and a last place
finish.
BUT GUTHRIE is not
offering excuses and admits
this season is more like an
audition before Athletic Dept,
heads and Bulldog followers
than anything else
"Anytime you're in coaching
there always exists the pres
sure to win,” Guthrie said.
“People want a team to be at
least competitive if it can’t win
a conference title.
"Last season was a strange
one Things just kept happen
ing to us. It was uncanny. But,
I admit, I am on the block and
we've got to get things
together this year or it could
be an unfortunate situation.”
Still reeling from the loss of
forward Jacky Dorsey two
years ago, the Dogs are
searching for solidity at the
forward position Dorsey, who
captured All-SEC honors as a
freshman, went to the National
Basketball Association via the
hardship route, forfeiting his
final two years of eligibility.
TWO OTHER losses will
have to be compensated for;
the graduation of
David Reavis who averaged
over 14 points per game last
year and the academic axing
Photo by GEORGE Sl( AY
I .AVON MERCER SOARS HIGH FOR A JUMPER
Sophomore renter was one of last year’s few bright spots
of forward Charlie Dorsey fracturing an elbow in the
However, Lucius Foster, who second game last year, returns
was lost for the season after with two years of eligibility
remaining An NCAA special
ruling allows Foster to play
two more years after it was
feared Foster might have
played too many minutes last
year to have the season
declared a red-shirt period
Foster, a 6-10, 246 lb, center,
ought to compliment last
year’s bright spot, Lavon
Mercer, well
“It will be great to have Lu
back,’’ Guthrie said. “Because
that will give us a pair of big
men
“Also, our offensive game
will be boosted not to mention
the physical edge we ll have
over last year’s team “
A battle rovale should take
place at the guard position
with Mark Slonaker. Jimmy
Daughtry and Walt Daniels
returning Also, the signing of
Charles Carter, a “tremendous
prospect." should strengthen
the Dogs defensively
Guthrie has specific areas of
his game he hopes to improve
this season
"We want to run the ball
more," he said. "And we want
to get better rebounding and
better defense. With Foster
back, our rebounding should
improve and we re going to all
be in great physical shape
when the season starts so we
can keep up with anyone "
An interesting note when
looking back on last year's
dismal performance is that
an independent survey ranked
Georgia's schedule as the loth
toughest slate in the nation in
1976-77
Recruiting is another area in
which Guthrie would like to
improve.
“We would like to branch out
more and take a better look at
the national scene rather than
just the state prospects," he
said. “I think that would be
instrumental in the develop
ment of a top-notch program at
Georgia.”
Umstattd seeks stopper
By PETE FOLEY
Sports editor
Georgia baseball Coach Roy Umstattd has one more hill to
climb as his squad readies for its annual fall practice
schedule...the one in the middle of the field, pitcher's mound
With the graduation of Chuck Fore, an All-Southeastern
Conference performer last season, Umstattd must find a stopper
on his pitching staff.
“It's tough to replace a man like Chuck Fore," Umstattd said
“And we really need to find two guys like him before we can
>ur pitching situation."
At the other eight positions. Umstattd returns all of last year's
starters but has had a potentially fine recruiting year and a few
newcomers may throw the regulars a curve, so to speak
"WE SIGNED nine guys over the summer and I think there
are a couple of them who could come in and mix us up a bit
which would be a pleasant surprise." Umstattd said. “Six of our
signees were pitches and we re mainly looking at them to fill the
gaps we have on the hill, but there is one guy that I have high
hopjs for and that is Donnie Keener."
Keener, a transfer from Chipola Junior College in Florida, is a
first baseman-third baseman and may be the one to upset the
lineup a bit.
"He’s a real ball player,” Umstattd said. "We also signed his
twin brother Ronnie who is a pretty good little ball player
himselt.
“We may try Keener at first and if he does well there we may
shift some folks around or we may try him at third and move our
third baseman to short and our shortstop to the outfield or
something like that. You see how a player like this really opens
up some allies."
AT THE present time, Umstattd lists Lonnie Morris as the No
1 catcher. Randy Gilbert as the starting first baseman. Don
Clatterbuck as the top second baseman and Bubba Kizer as first
string shortstop David Lanning is the No 1 third baseman and
the three top outfielders are Joe Stewart. Gill Mende and Joe
Monroe.
Four pitchers. Chris DiLorenzo. Ken Rabun. Alan O’Neal and
Greg Morris, return this fall
Practice will begin Sept 28 and will run the full 30-day limit
allowed by the NCAA The first five days will be spent observing
walk-on players trying to make the Georgia squad Afterwards.
Umstattd will concentrate on coordinating those he chooses to
comprise the 1978 squad
I^ast season, Umstattd came under fire from discontented
Bulldog followers and some members of the media and is forced
to give a few excuses for a mediocre season though he says he
doesn't like to make excuses
“WE HAD a couple of our guys come down with
mono(nucleosis) and a few others got hurt during the course of
the season and it hurt us." Umstattd said “I hate to try and find
a way out but the fact is. when you lose a guy like Joe Stewart
Jayvee walk-ons
try out for team
Bv PAT BISHOP
Staff writer
The Georgia Bullpups open their 1977 season with more
walk-ons (nearly half the team I than ever before, according to
assistant coach Dicky Clark. Head Coach Doc Ayers was not
available for comment, but Clark cited the loss of many
scholarship freshmen to the varsity as the main reason for the
large number of walk-ons. He added that the SEC 11-game limit
per player rule is also a contributing factor
The Pups' offense will be led by quarterback Chris Welton, a
scholarship player from Atlanta Dan Robinson, a running back
from Chattanooga, is also expected to see plenty of action
Defensively, the jayvee will depend on such players as Tony
Gunnels (defensive lineman), James DeLoach (rover), Jesse Hill
icornerback) and Frank Ross (defensive end). Linebackers
Mark Miller, Pat McShay and Joe Creamons are also strong
defenders
The kicking attack will be heavily dependent on walk-ons
Kickers include punter George Richardson and placekickers
Robert Sweeney and Mike Davidson
Such former varsity notables as Ray Goff, Wally Tereshinski.
Bayfield Williams and Hilton Young will assist offensive
coordinator and assistant head coach Mike Castronis Defensive
coordinator Dicky Clark, along w. h Jim Cagel, Brad Cescutti
and Al Pollard will direct the frosh defense
THE RED AND BLACK
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NCAA
Continued from p.l
for 20 games, it hurts you And we had some injury problems
throughout the season “
Hitting should be no problem for the Bulldogs as the team
finished the 1977 season with an average of .325, the 10th best
average in the nation. However, the absence of more stoppers on
the pitching staff was probably the main reason Umstattd's men
fell to an overall record of 22-24 with a Southeastern Conference
slate of 9-12 Another fact that proves pitching is the most
important part of a baseball team is the statistic that shows
Georgia has dropped 24 games by one run over the past two
seasons.
“Our key to success this year will be to find the best pitchers in
the new crowd coming in. then to develop the returning pitchers
and keep on top of our hitting."
One factor tht may be working in Umstattd's favor is the fact
that 1978 will be his third year as head coach and nearly all the
team members will be Umstattd-recruited and Umstattd signed,
giving him a total involvement in the development of the baseball
program.
“I really look for improvement this year and I think we're
going to get it." he concluded.
funds to build the $200,000 Henry S. Feild Tennis Stadium.
"We just barely completed the stadium in time for the
tournament last spring," Magill admitted. "After the terribly
cold winter we had, construction got started late and the
facilities were just barely usable for the championships
WITH CONSTRUCTION completed and further plans to
landscape the area surrounding the courts, Magill is hoping for
large advance ticket sales and possibly a sellout Last year, 1777
season tickets were sold for the eight-day tournament at prices
ranging from $15-25 However, for the first time ever, Magill has
received permission from the NCAA to sell a student discount
ticket at $15
"Last year we were not allowed to sell student discount tickets,
but now that we can, I’m hoping we’ll get a rush on advance
sales and sell this thing out by Feb 1,” Magill said. "I’m afraid
that if we don't sell it out or come close to it, we may not be able
to shoot for »he tournament in 1979
"The goal of the NCAA tennis committee is to find the best
facilities and the best crowds for the tournament. And if we feel
that next year's tournament is not the best, the University won’t
have it the following year That's why it’s so important to get
ticket sales rolling now."
The NCAA championships are considered to be the nation's
fastest amateur and. with the increasing number of foreign
students playing at American colleges and universities, may soon
become the world's fastest amateur tourney
For further ticket information or sales, contact Magill at
542-1621 or go to the Sports Information Office at the Coliseum
2-BIT BEER NIGHT
Photo by DAVID CROSBY
<|t ARTER-FINAUST TONY GI.VW.MALVA BACKHANDS
Georgia will host tournament again next spring
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
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