Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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■ GREATS Continued from page 9 of the better defensive backs, even in the NFL. A self-made player, I would say.” Billy Gambrell had arguably the most successful career under Bass, including being named the 1962 ACC Player of the Year. Though not selected in the draft, Gambrell played with the Detroit Lions from 1963-69. “Billy Gambrell was one of the finest athletes I’ve ever been around,” Bass said. “Billy was a very likable person. He loved to play the game. He had exceptional abilities. He was just a natural athlete.” “I loved the guy, I really do. In fact he named the dog after me. He named it Coach Bass. Which I accepted as a complement.” But the most famous of his recruits is former NFL head coach Dan Reeves. Reeves became one of Carolina’s all-time great quarterbacks, known for his accuracy and his running abilities. Reeves finished his career in 1964 as the passing leader with 2,579 yards and 16 touchdowns. Over 40 years later, Reeves is still in 12th place on the all-time list. After a seven-year stint as a running back in the NFL, Reeves became one of the most respected coaches in the league. Reeves guided the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons to a total of four division championships. All the while, Bass was by his side. Everywhere Reeves went, except his a short period with the Giants, Bass was his special assistant. “Dan was such an intellectual piayer, ne nas sucn a great rootDaii mind,” Bass said. “The finest I’ve ever experienced in football.” After leaving Carolina, Bass spent his coaching career all across the United States and Canada, coaching in several leagues on different levels, finally ending up with Reeves at Denver and Atlanta to finish out his storied career. While his career led him throughout the country, Bass remembers a distinct moment during a match-up with his former employer North Carolina. “I coached at North Carolina for one year, then I went back to William and Mary where I came from,” Bass said. “We were playing North Carolina that year in Chapel Hill. So, we go down there and play them in a 7-6 ball game. They won the game. After the game, the Carolina players came across the field and took me off the field on their shoulders. That was one of the greatest feelings I’ve ever had.” That kind of recognition earned him a spot in the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame and most recentlv made him a recinienr of the Silver Crescent, South Carolina’s highest honor for civil service. “The thing that still gets me is the recognition I still get from former players,” Bass said. “That’s the thing that kept me into coaching. I’ve never seen a group of players, they were such a great group.” “When they had the thing at the State House for me, there was about 40-something players that came in tribute. It was just like you were a part of each other. That was the thing that thrilled me most about it,” Bass said. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocksports@gwm.sc.edu ■ BRAVES Continued from page 10 six innings in the second win of Adanta’s three-game sweep of Baltimore. So as the young talent for the Braves blossoms, the “veterans” on the squad have also picked their game up a notch. Catcher Johnny Estrada, who just turned 29, is hitting around the .270 mark and is starting to heat up. AQam Larocne, a z?-year-oia first baseman is flourishing in just his second season, with 50 RBIs and 11 home runs as less than a full-time player. Finally, we may be witnessing the real Andruw Jones appear in centerfield for Atlanta. After such high expectations had not been met by this 28-year-old all-star, Jones seems to be coming into his prime, leading the major leagues with 26 home runs on the season and carrying a team without another true superstar at the plate. And don’t forget Smoltz, who after a 7-run outing on opening day has lowered his earned run average to 2.68 and improved his record to 9-5, earning him a spot on the NL All-star squad. “I said it in spring training after the first game: I want to gkt back to where when I’m on the field, they feel we’re going to win,” Smoltz said. “That takes re-earning. That doesn’t just come back because I was a decent closer.” Now here’s the scary part. Atlanta has won 14 of their last 20 games entering Tuesday night’s contest with Chicago. They are four and a half games out of first place behind the Washington Nationals. Remember, this run was without the help of Chipper Jones, who before going on the DL was hitting around the .300 mark with an on-base percentage of over .400. This run has been without Tim Hudson, a foriafr Cy Young winner. This run has been without Mike Hampton, who before injury had a 1.83 , , earned run average with a 4-1 record. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocksports@gwrn.sc.edu Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Step Step Step Step Step (Blatt) (Blatt) (Blatt) (Blatt) (Blatt) 12:00-1:00 Yoga (BA) Yoga (BA) Faculty/Staff Faculty/Staff Faculty/Staff Faculty/Staff (Blatt) (Blatt) (Blatt) (Blatt) » , Pilates Pilates ^ (WFd25) (WFC 125) 5:15-600 H20 (Blatt) H20 (Blatt) 5 30-630 St8p St8P S,6P St6P dju-oju (WFC 125) (WFC 125) (WFC 125) (WFC125) Body Sculpting Body Sculpting 5 30-6:30 (Blatt) (Blatt) , Absolution Absolution (WFC 125) (WFC 125) NOW HIRING LIFEGUARDS.__ Campus Recreation is looking to hire several lifeguards for Fall 2005. To be eligible, you must be certified and a current USC Columbia Student. For more information, Contact the aquatics director, Gary Pogharian @ 777-4694 or pogharia@gwm.sc.edu Sutot&BR '2 Group Fitness Schedule Start Date: July 6,2005 “• End Date: August 5,2005 Cost: $20.00 and can be paid at the business office of the PE Center or Wellness & Fitness Center M-F from 8:00am -5:00pm. *Summer 1 passes are still good. Classes offered: Step H20 Yoga Body Sculpting Pilates Absolution "Please bring your USC ID with you to each session. ** For more information or class descriptions please visit our website at http://campusrec.sc.edu/fitness/group.asp Contact the fitness director, Charles Anderson at cnanders@gwm.sc.edu or (803) 576-9375 •gg!& l \ I V I R S I 1_ v O I jp. SOUTH(AROLINA, CAMPUS RECREATION