WOMEN'S HOCKEY GETS CREDIBILITY AS IT BECOMES OLYMPIC SPORT

     The recent addition of women's ice hockey as an event in the
'98 Games has given the sport "instant credibility," according to
Jody Meacham in the SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS.  And the success that
the U.S. has enjoyed in winning three silver medals in world-
championship play, has made Team USA an "attractive option for
sponsors."  Companies that have looked into sponsoring the team:
John Hancock, who underwrote the men's team's 40-game Lillehammer
Olympic tuneup schedule; "several" credit card companies, AT&T,
IBM and Nike.  With this corporate interest, USA Hockey Assistant
Exec Dir Brian Petrovek is "confident of adequate funding through
'98" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 4/2).