Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Nlatato: BY BILLY BAKER Sports Editor USC's natatorium opened in F early July under controversy concerning its governance. A university appointed ad hoc committee was formed and pool raulations were modified. The wording of the original set of iegulations led the Gamecock to print adverse commentscon cerning the pool in its July 10 issue. Harold Brunton, vice president of operations, said the committee was formed in response to articles and letters published in the Gamecock during the summer. Proposals made by the ad hoc committee and explanations were: 1. "The swimsuit description .was modified because the wording could be misinterpreted." Misunderstanding came more from the wording than in actual practice, Brunton said. Originally descriptions of bathing suits created some concern for students who believed girls could not wear bikinis. So far, no one has been refused pool use because of swimsuit style. 2. "Dependent membership fees were slightly changed." Ac cording to Debbie Dorn, a student member of the ad hoc committee, it is hoped that dependent fees will be decreased and that there will be lower fees for married students' dependents. 3. "The ad hoc committee felt that some explanation should be made regarding the reasons why some of the rules are in effect." For example, cut off jeans are prohibited as swim wear because they fray and the materials can clog the filter systems. These rules were not explained before, Dorn said, and were somewhat am biguous. 4. "Recreational swimming What A ANALYSIS BY BILLY BAKER Sports Editor It was not difficult for USC to rid itself of the Atlantic Coast Con ference (ACC) in 1971. It was simply a matter of the Board of Trustees getting together, studying the issues and then voting us out. Getting back in maynot be as easy. The University released a statement Wednesday which said Carolina is exploring possible reaffiliation with the Atlantic Coast Conference. The school, a charter member of the ACC, left the conference after a disagreement about eligibility requirements for athletes. Thus the departure. What Is There To Gain? For the most part Frank McGuire and Bobby Richardson have about as much to gain as they have to lose as USC's basketball and baseball coaches respectively if USC rejoins the ACC. The ACC now holds tournaments at the end of these seasons to choose the rium - A Contr USC's natatorium has been called e of its kind in the world. Students 1 hours were modified with spouses included in the hours that faculty, staff, and students are allowed. and in addition Sunday hours were also slightly modified." USC students are privy to one of the best natatoriums in the world according to USC swimming coach Allan Gentry. "As a facility we wanted the best pool in the nation," said Gentry. "We went out and hired the best consultant in the world. Joe Hunsaker is a great engineer. He studied numerous swimming in novations and many are in corporated in this new pool," bout Th BySp NCAA play-offs. These two sports would fare just as well com petitively by remaining Independent. Clemson fans know all about the ACC baseball tournament. For the past three years the Tigers have either tied or won outright the ACC regular season championship. For the past three years N.C. State has represented the ACC in the NCAA championships. The Tigers did receive an at-large invitation this year. USC fans don't need to be reminded about the ACC basket ball tournament. A Gzood Four Years Since USC left the ACC the Gamecocks have made the NCAA basektball play-.offs three of the past four years. As a member of the ACC the Gamecocks would have had a tougher time receiving a bid because those were the years of David Thompson at N.C. State. In 1972 and 1973 the second place team of any conference was not invited to participate in the play offs. Chances are the Gamecocks would have become charter members of the NIT should they oversial I ne of the finest swim In the pool will be able to "Ours is the best facility in the nation, Gentry said. The Natatorium consists4of two pools actually. One is strictly for diving and is between 12 and 14 feet deep. It is complete with a con crete diving platform five meters above the water. There are two high diving boards and two regular diving boards in the diving area. There is a special observation room where students, with per mission, may go to view people from under the water. It is ideal for filming swimmers. The larger pool is a 10 lane wide picture of perfection in swimming eACC? orts Editor Billy Bf have remained in the ACC. However, as an Independent the Gamecocks were assured a NCAA bid by having any kind of 20-win season. It is doubtful that USC would have been invited to the NIT this past year if they had been in the ACC. Imagine a team losing to Toledo and then going to places like Blue Heaven (North Carolina) and N.C. State. And what about Clemson? Would they have burnt our britches twice? The 19-9 record was bad enough without ACC competition. McGulre In No Hurry To Rejoin Frank McGuire is a smart man. He is probably going to retire in 1980 when his current contract runs out. McGuire would like to win another NCAA title. He has won two. The class coach of college basketball suggested in a casual interview in June that he didn't mind giving consent for USC to talk about the possibilities of rejoining the conference. "But I don't want to comment about getting back into the ACC." he said. "I wil worry aradise? Don Whitney regularly this fall. pool architecture. It begins on the shallow end at 4'3" and is 7'3" at its deepest point. The pool is complete with a patio that overlooks a small creek. Two big windows that can be opened should provide a good breeze during the middle of the day when the pool will be available for student use. The pool is complete with a $60,000 electronic timing computer that records a swimmer's speed to the thousandth of a second. It takes 800 thousands gallons of water to fill the pool at a cost of $800. about that when the time comes." McGuire appeared to be on the defensive. "I never said I wanted to get back into the ACC. We sell out all of our home games now. I don't think the additional sell outs we may get from playing ACC schools is a factor," he said. The seats in the Coliseum may be sold but towards the late stages of the 1974-75 season attendance seldom reached more than 11,000. Many persons simply stayed at home. One national basketball publication has rated the USC basketball schedule the 82nd strongest in the nation among NCAA Division I schools. That's interesting because USC has not made the 75-76 schedule public yet. USC's baseball program is now a national conversation piece. Richardson does not need any conference to stimulate fan sup port or NCAA bids. All the fans want him to do is play Clemson at least twice a year and several of the top Independents in the Southeast: Georgia Southern, Florida State, South Alabama. Who needs the ACC from a baseball standpoint2 Coaches Told To Favor ACC If Queried BY BILLY BAKER Sports Editor The Gamecock has learned that all USC coaches were told by the Board of Trustees to express favor in the University rejoining the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) if queried about the issue by the news media. The source which asked to remain unidentified said, "We were told for public relations sake to go along with the desires of the Board of Trustees. They asked us not to have any disfavorable comments if approached on the matter by the news media." The Gamecock has learned that at least two coaches of major sports at USC do not desire rejoining the ACC. USC's football coach Jim Carlen is the biggest supporter among coaches who favor rejoining the ACC. The two dissenting coaches asked not to be ideitified at this time. The issue of the possible re-entry of USC into the ACC will be discussed further by ACC officials at the specially called meeting of the NCAA this August in Chicago. At that time all athletic directors and faculty athletic chairman will be present from the ACC, a spokesman from the ACC commis sioners' offices reports. Women Recieve Athletic Aid BY BILLY BAKER Sports Editor The USC women's sports program has awarded 17 scholarships spanning six sports for the 1976-76 year according to its associate director of women's athletics. Helen Timmermans said that nine of the scholarships have been awarded to current members of the women's sports program. Eight of the scholarships have been awarded to incoming fresh men. One scholarship remains for swimming and volleyball. Three seniors on USC's women's basketball team have received scholarships. They are Denise Nanney, of Spartanburg, Charlene Dubose of Darlington, and Martha Suber of Whitmire. Sandra Sirt, an incoming freshman from Chester was the fourth signee. Gymnastics will have three scholarship performers. Sophomore Patti Morris will join incoming freshman Denise Nolan of Columbia and Laura Kostyshyn of Appalachain, N.Y. Nolan participated in the AAU regionals and Kostyshun co-captained her high school team for two years. Senior Sue Stoll of Livingston, H.J., and Sophomore Sue Smith of Greenville are members of USC's women's tennis team who were given scholarships. The third went to Cindy Kincaid of Springfield, Ohio, top ranked player in singles and doubles in state and city tournaments. Nona Kerr, a senior, received a softball grant. She will be joined by freshmen Jean Robbins of Hickory, N.C., and Lauren Hughes of Orlando, Fla. Nancy Grim, a sophomore will join Pennsylvania state champion Christine Hasselburg of Bethel Park, Pa., as two of the three swimming scholarship r.nipin.