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Page 11 The Panther September 19,1980 Hawks Begin Camp With Problems The Atlanta Hawks opened summer training camp recently with 19 rookies and veterans, in cluding guard Eddie Johnson whose summer brush with the law could cost him his spot on the 1979-80 Central Division champion team. Hawks spokesman Chet Wright said, however, team of ficials are optimistic that Johnson, who faces charges of cocaine possession, driving without a license and driving under the influence, will have his legal matters settled and remain an effective force on the squad. “Until he goes to court on Sept. 26, he will be in ourtraining camp," Wright said of the All- Star player whose skill at guard helped boost the Hawks to a 50- 32 record last year and the NBA Central Division title. Johnson's physician, Dr. Lloyd T. Baccus, has said the player is suffering with a manic - depres sive condition, an ailment which the doctor says may have caused his personal problems and troubles with the law. Johnson is being treated with daily dosages of 1,200 milligrams of lithium for his condition and Baccus said he is currently on an even keel with steady im provements. “We're very optimistic about Eddie’s chances of getting his physical problems and legal problems cleared up,” Wright said. As the 1980-81 season ap proaches, Atlanta also must contend with the problem of in juries to three of its key players - Tom McMillen, Wayne “Tree” Rollins and Tom Burleson - and continued contract negotiations with its No. 1 draft pick Don Collins. Collins' future with the Hawks had not been decided by the start of camp. “I’m sure Don wants to play in the NBA. Nobody wants to go to Italy,” Wright said, referring to reports that the former Washington State forward had considered playing in the Italina league because of dissatisfaction with the deal offered him by the Hawks. Rollins had knee surgery early this summer Wright said he is recovering faster than Hawks of- ficals had expected. “He (Rollins) may be ready for the start of the season and he may even get work in the exhibition season,” Wright said. And 7-3 Burleson, who signed with the Hawks th is summer after an injury - plagued season with the Kansas City Kings, is now recovering from a broken wrist he suffered in a bicycle accident in July. McMillen, signed a new con tract with theHawks, underwent knee surgery last Janury but Hawks officials say he has com pletely recovered. Among the new faces will be second round draft pick Craig Shelton, a big forward who averaged 17.3 points during his senioryearatGeorgetown; small foward Chrles Hightower, a 7th round draft choice from Dillard; Dedrick Refigee, a guard who played in Portugal last year where he averaged 32 points a game; guard Art Collins, who played with New Jersey last year and was the fourth leading scorer in the nation in 1975-76 during his senior year at Bis- cayne; George Bucci, a guard who has played in the Italian league since finishing Manhat tan in 1975; Tim Claxton, a guard who finished Temple in 1978 and has played in the Continental League for the past two seasons; and Glenn Hagan, a point guard who also played in the Con tinental League last season where he averaged 23.4 points per game. The rest of the Hawks are seasoned veterans whose com bined skills made them significant NBA contenders for the past few years. Dan Roundfield is back after a 1979 season that earned him a place on the NBA's all - defensive first team and the All - NBA second team. Joining Roundfield in the leading veteran player category are Johnson; John Drew, the Hawks’ leading scorer for the past six seasons; Steve Hawes, a big guard who is one of the best long-range shooters among big men in the league; and point guards Armond Hill and Charlie Criss. “National Job Opportunity” A National & International Job Magazine/Directory: With A Resume Circulation Service: 0 We mail monthly to 20,000, companies, hospitals, healthcare services, educational institutions, and many others. Q We will circulate your resume to companies we know can use your talents. 0 We guarantee interviews, or a complete refund. Our fee $30.00, payable to the national Job Opportunity, money order or cashiers check, only. Forward only one copy of your resume, please. 405 Ortiz, N.E. (STE-2) Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108 It is not to early to start that job search. ATLANTA HAWKS Preseason Contest Hawks - 76 'ers Thurs. 7:35 (Omni) Panther PRCM Dog’s W alker Off And Running BY AL REID Panther Sports Editor Long before Herschel Walker had played a down of college football, sports authorities around the country proclaimed that he would do for college football, what Neil Armstrong did for the space program ... the impossible. Surely enough after his first two intercollegiate football games Herschel Walker, the Georgia Bulldogs freshman sen sation has lived up to his ad vanced billing as being a premier running back. So far this season the Wrightsville, Georgia native has lived up to the legend which he set at Johnson County High Schoolasan All-American. In ad dition Walker was selected by the prestigious Washington Touchdown Club as the number one “Prep Player” for 1979. While at Johnson County High, Walker rushed for more than 6,- 000 yards and scored some 8 3 touchdowns. So far the herald Walker has taken up where he left off but in the Bulldog backfield instead. He has been instrumental in Georgia’s 2-0 start, as his presence has improved the Dog's running and passing at tacks. In two tames Walker has accounted for five touchdowns while rushing for 229 yards on 44 carries. Walker has also figured in on a couple of Georgia victories. He single handed ly rallied the Dog’s to a 16-15 victory in their opener against Tennessee, as he scored two second half touchdowns. One came on a incredible dis play of strength duringa 13yeard run in which he bulled his way passfivewould be Volunteertac- klers. In lastweek’sgameagainstthe Aggies of Texas A&M Herschel Walker demonstrated two of Walter Payton’s skills, speed and power as he ran left of tackle for a 76 yard touchdown to close the Georgia scoring. Now that Walker has carved himself a national identity, the media and Georgia fans are expecting the impossible. But to Walker and the remaining Bulldog players and coaches all that is important now is a Southeastern Conference Championship and a trip to the Sugar Bowl come New Year's Day. But as fans of Herschel Walker will be the first to tell you anything is possible as long as he is set up in the Bulldog backfied.