U.S. Senator HARRY REID (D-NV), on former Univ. of NC
men's basketball coach DEAN SMITH supporting a measure to
ban betting in NV on college sports: "There are some
wonderful people who are well-meaning, but they are being
brainwashed by the NCAA. ... [Smith] knows nothing about
journalism or the First Amendment. These NCAA goofs are
running around telling people if we don't have a betting
line in Las Vegas, there won't be one anymore. But it's not
true" (AP, 9/14) ...In DC, Eric Fisher writes that the '87
and '91 Super Bowl rings once belonging to RALPH KENT COOKE,
the son of the late JACK KENT COOKE, will be auctioned off
next week through Sotheby's. The rings are the first two
"ever sold" by Sotheby's (WASHINGTON TIMES, 9/15)....In
L.A., Eric Sondheimer, calls the upcoming film "REMEMBER THE
TITANS" the "most enjoyable sports movie since 'Hoosiers.'
Its filled with humor, drama and action, all without
profanity, nudity or alcohol. It teaches important lessons
about race, friendship and responsibility" (L.A. TIMES,
9/15)....MLSE Chair STEVE STAVRO has "started to sell" his
thoroughbreds at Knob Hill Stable. The sale comes just
three weeks after Stavro announced the closing of grocery
chain Knob Hill Farms "amid continuing speculation about his
financial situation" (TORONTO STAR, 9/15)....SI's Rick
Reilly reports that former Marquette men's basketball coach
and CBS analyst AL MCGUIRE has leukemia. Reilly said that
the illness has "whittled" McGuire to 155 pounds (AP, 9/14).
