Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Hodgin liko BY BILLY COX Of The Gamecock staff The 1974 football season was a frustrating one for USC, especially during that first five-game horror show. It was one in which the Carolina faithful tried to blot out the final score on Sunday morning, skimming over articles and at tempting to rationalize a statistical victory out of the whole mess. But most analysts could* always nod and say, "Well, at least Jay Lynn had a good game." Jay Lynn Hodgin. Like a Die Hard battery in a blizzard. The senior halfback from Thomson, Ga., was drafted in the ninth round last week by the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Hodgin stands at 5'11" and weighs around 200 pounds-pretty big in front of Russell House, but will that cut it in professional football? Many give him a good chance. According to Paul Dietzel, who coached him for three varsity years, "I think Jay Lynn has one major thing going for him and that's durability. For one thing, he's very strong." Pretty fair assessment. Not many people around who could zonk him out of a play when he had that head of steam working for him. Dietzel continued, "He doesn't have that amazing speed, but he can do so many things." Hodgin did so many little things so well for three years that he sneaked up to second place in USC career rushing with 2,472 yards (behind Steve Wadiak's 2,878), averaging over six yards a carry in '74. Then there were little thkgp Super-Chili Cheese Dog with purchase of Fries and Med. Coke i brazler. Of(er Good thru Feb. 28th I only at (uteen1366 Rosewood Dr. s chances like blocking, timing, an eye for running room and yes-an arm that passed for 432 yards. And he had this thing about crashing into the end zone: he scored 23 times, two less than the record set by Wadiak. Hodgin closed out his career by turning in a stellar performance in the Blue-Grey game, being named Most Valuable Player among a cast of All-Americas. The honur opened many people's eyes across the nation. So for Hodgin, having already signed a three-year contract, it's home on the icy ranges of Wisconsin. That's where he'll be competing against the All-Pro backfield of MacArthur Lane and John Brockington. Dietzel ex pressed optimism in Hodgin's chances, citing the high injury rates among runners and the need for substantial bench strength. And Hodgin admitted that the job market for that spot is not really that tight. "After those two big running backs," Hodgin revealed, "the position is wide open." He noted that Green Bay's draft was designed to "put a little more jazzs in the offense", with very few defensive men selected. One plus in his favor is the fact that only one runner was picked before him, and that man will probably be used on specialty teams. Hodgin theorized "For anybody to make the team you've gotta have a lot goin' for you, maybe even get a couple of breaks." He paused, then reflected, "It's been proven that a big man or a little man can make it. The big factor is the attitude." UNDER GR A D ( Man.og. ?7 & compt.on~ GRADUATE STUDENTS ~THE ASSOCIATION ...comprising I50 outstand and Co-Ed Camps, located thr< dle Atlantic States and Canada . .. lNVlTES YOUR INQUIRIES conc Counselors. Group L.eaders. Specla Write. Phone. c Association of Priv EE W. 42 St.. Maw Yarh NY 1 Cremins t BY BILLY BAKER Of The Gamecock staff Bobby Cremins played for one of college basket alls greater legends, but he hopes to begin work on a legend all his own soon, starting. at one of the weakest basketball schools in the country. The former basketball player at USC under Frank McGuire recently accepted the head coaching job at Appalachian St., with a three year contract. He said that he will officially leave his present job as an assistant to McGuire within three to four weeks. "First of all I guess it's in everybody's ego 'to be a head coach," Cremins said. "The op portunity came up and I just decided that it was going to be the challenge of my life," he said. "Believe me, the facilities and the people at Appalachian St. are really great," Cremins said. "The people are hungry for a winner. This helped me in my decision because I will need the support of the people and alumni up there," he said. The. gymnasium seats 8,500 people at Appalachian st. which is impressive considering that the schools basketball games seldom attract more than a few thousand fans. Cremins was also impressed by the campus, located in the mountains of Boone, N.C. "Money was no object," Cremins said. "Money has always been second in my mind. The challenge it presents for me is the big thing," he said. Cremins was USC's chief recruiter for the past three seasons. He has turned over his recruiting files to associate head coach Donnie Walsh. "Coach McGuire and I sat down and talked about everything and we decided that it would take me about a month to wind up everything at South Carolina," Cremins. "I doubt I will be doing any recruiting for South Carolina, but I will be writing letters and scouting," he said. McGuire called Cremins one of the most spirited players he ever coached. "I was impressed by Bobby Cremins because of his intense desire to win," he said recently. Cremins said -that his background at USC will be a great asset to his future as a coach. "I played under a great coaching staff at USC and I hope it taught me what it takes to be a winner," Cremins said. "I learned a lot about the personality of young kids and what it takes to recruit the young athlete of today," he said. Cremins said that he will recruit mostly in the tri-state area of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. "Of course I will be ho i to recruit some players out JATE STUDENTS ond FACULTY MEMBERS OF PRIVATE CAMPS ing Boys. Girls. Brother-Sister >ughout the New England. Mid-~ wrning summer employment as Head lties. General Counselors. r Call in Person ute Camps - Dept. C @O36 (212) ox 5.2Sam akes Appi Bobby Cremins ...takes coaching position. of New York where I grew up," Cremins said. "I don't feel like I will be able to recruit against South Carolina," he said. "I really want to let people know that leaving South Carolirm is very saddening to me," Cremins said. "If it wasn't for Frank McGuire I would probably be looking for a job in New York right now. He was absolutely fantastic to me," he said. Cremins recalled a lot of great moments during his playing days at USC. "Being on the team as a sophomore that defeated number one-ranked North Carolina was a grat thr:!! for me," Cremins said. Carolina won 87-86 and Cremins sank six consecutive free throws in the final minutes to upset the Tar Heels. "I really feel that my biggest achievement as a player was being on the team that went undefeated in the ACC (1970)," Cremins said. Donnie Walsh helped recruit HOT Birth Control, N Abortion, RaF Information 777-A WE WANT WHAT YO If you are interested and the rational dis< views, the Clariosop would like to welco or prospective mem DAY- Every Tue TIME- 7:00 p.m. PLACE- The Cic 3rd floor, L (Gentlemen "THE OLDEST LITERAR sports i post Cremins out of high school. He has some interesting comments on the kind of guy Cremins is. "Bobby really wanted to come here," Walsh reflected. "He was recruited very heavily towards the end of his senior year," he said. "He wanted to come here just to play basketball," Walsh said. "I remember that in high school he was on scholarship and received only tuition and fees. When he came here he tried to get a job because he thought his scholarship only covered tuition and fees," he said. Walsh said that Cremins acted surprised when he found out how much a scholarship at a mjaor college included. "You mean I get food too?" Cremins asked. "He wasn't looking for anything," Walsh said. "He just wanted to play basketball. He has the tools to be a great coach," he said. "Cremins can communicate with young people well," Walsh said. "He is very enthusiastic, honest, and sincere and this comes across well with recruits and people in general," he added. Cremins was seen first by McGuire as a high school athlete when he was invited to watch a friends' son play. "Coach McGuire saw me play by accident because my team played against the friends' son," Cremins said. "I scored 27 points and Coach McGuire offered me a scholarship after the game," he said. LINE (D, Pregnancy, e, Counseling and Referral 4256 TO KNOW U THINK in open debate :ussion of divergent hic L.iterary Society me you as a guest ber. sday riosophic Hall, eGare College :oat and tie) Y SOCIETY IN AMRICA"