THE SPORTING NEWS gives a "high five" to the Padres, who
started a college-funding program called "Padres Scholars," with
players contributing more than $60,000 and Owner John Moores and
Larry Luccino matching it. The "total will help bring a minimum
of 25 $5,000 scholarships each year" (THE SPORTING NEWS, 10/16
issue)....The Patriots will hold ten non-contact youth football
camps in each New England state except Vermont on Oct. 21-22 in
conjunction with the NFL and North American Sports Camp. For a
$50 fee, players receive a football, t-shirt, graduation ceremony
at Foxboro Stadium and instruction from former NFL players and
coaches. The Patriots are the test site for the pilot program
(BOSTON GLOBE, 10/12)....US West Cellular, in coordination with
their sponsorship deals with the Sonics, Jazz, Nuggets, Suns and
Trailblazers has completed production of a TV spot with an NBA
star from each of the five teams. US West will also use the
players for "in-market" promos. The players include Detlef
Schrempf, David Benoit, Dale Ellis, Elliot Perry, and Cliff
Robinson (Pro Serve)....Florida-based ii inc. has set up a 900
number designated as the "I Hate U. Line." For 99 cents, touch-
tone callers can vent frustration toward the Florida Gators, the
FSU Seminoles or the Miami Hurricanes by voting for the most
hated team. After a week of service, Miami has nearly 50% of the
"hate" votes ("Scorecard," SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, 10/16 issue)....In
reacting to the Rockets new logo and floor last night, many fans
brought up the 70's disco/Dr. J movie, "The Fish That Saved
Pittsburgh." Rockets Fan Stanley Isen: "I thought the funnies
came out on Sunday" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/13)....The ad campaign
for the Sacramento Kings was created by Runyon Saltzman &
Einhorn. They developed 12 30-second spots; nine on TV and three
on radio. In four TV spots, three women discuss the Kings ticket
game packs over lunch at a deli, and five of the TV spots
highlight Kings VP/Basketball Ops Geoff Petrie playing hoops in a
darkened Arco Arena, speaking on basketball fundamentals
(Kings)....Last night's "MacNeil/Lehrer News Hour" examined
Ticketmaster and "The battle to beat the high cost of tickets to
major sports and entertainment events." Part of the piece looked
at the process Mariners fans had to go through to get playoff
tickets ("MacNeil/Lehrer News Hour," PBS, 10/13).
