BILL SCHMIDT, LONGTIME GATORADE VP/SPORTS MARKETING, RESIGNS

          Gatorade VP/Sports Marketing BILL SCHMIDT has resigned
     after 15-years with the company.  Schmidt was instrumental
     in completing Gatorade's league-wide deal extensions with
     both the NFL (through 2004) and NBA (through 2003) in '98. 
     Gatorade Dir of Marketing Communications P.J. Sinopoli told
     THE DAILY that Schmidt's departure was an "amicable
     parting," and that "Bill wanted to pursue some other
     opportunities."  Sinopoli: "We are very grateful for Bill's
     contributions."  A successor has not been named, although
     Sinopoli said, "We hope to do so soon."  Efforts to reach
     Schmidt, who is at the Final Four, were unsuccessful (THE
     DAILY).  In Chicago, George Lazarus reports that Schmidt
     could leave as "early as next week" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/24).