LEFTY TAKES CONVERSE TO COURT

     James Madison basketball coach Lefty Driesell has filed a
lawsuit for more than $430,000 against Converse for cancelling
his promotional contract, according to the HARRISONBURG NEWS-
RECORD.  Converse voided a three-year deal Driesell and Apex One
had signed last year, after the Converse bought Apex and learned
Driesell had a separate shoe arrangement with Reebok.  Under
terms of the Apex contract, the JMU hoops squad was to be
provided with uniforms and "related apparel," while Driesell was
promised promotional payments and bonuses "triggered by the
[Dukes] appearance in post-season tournaments or on national
ranking lists."  The lawsuit also alleges other coaches including
Villanova's Steve Lappas, GW's Mike Jarvis, and Oliver Purnell of
Dayton had duel contract situations similar to Driesell (Richard
Prior, HARRISONBURG NEWS-RECORD, 12/19).