Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 6, 1990 TAG: 9003062248
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B9 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
A book called "Raw Recruits," written by Alexander Wolff and Armen Keteyian, links Syracuse with Rob Johnson, who is described as a New York City "street agent" involved in the recruiting of current Syracuse freshman Conrad McRae.
The book alleges that Johnson, who was working on behalf of Syracuse, steered the 6-foot-10 Brooklyn player to Syracuse by misrepresenting himself as an assistant coach and provided McRae with free transportation, spending money and tickets to games. Johnson also was involved in recruiting former Orangemen Tony Bruin, according to the book, which mentions recruiting practices at several other schools.
Syracuse is not being investigated by the NCAA, said Chuck Smert of the organization's enforcement office. However, Wolff said Johnson has been interviewed by the NCAA.
\ Claiming trademark infringement, the National Basketball Association has gone to court to try to stop a 2-week-old national sweepstakes contest by GTE Corp. that has a tie-in to the NBA championship series.
The NBA said GTE-Sylvania's "Step Up To The Line" Sweepstakes is substantially similar to a sweepstakes being conducted by Frito-Lay Inc., which paid a "substantial sum" for the privilege to link its contest to the NBA Finals.
by CNB