Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 8, 1995 TAG: 9507110006
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. LENGTH: Medium
The new director of the U.S. Olympic Committee said Friday he will work to break down barriers with the NCAA, making it easier for college athletes to compete in the Olympics.
In his first major news conference since taking the job June 23, Dick Schultz said he also will try to set up a joint fund with the NCAA to support Olympic athletes.
Schultz said the United States is one of the few nations in the world where the government provides no financial support.
Schultz, former head of the NCAA, now oversees the daily operations of a far-flung organization with a $400 million budget.
When he headed the NCAA, many non-revenue sports at colleges were slashed, including gymnastics, team handball and wrestling.
Schultz defended his NCAA role, saying colleges cut the funding, not the NCAA. He said it's hard for college presidents to justify subsidizing sports when they don't have money to fill teaching positions.
He recommended setting up a fund to subsidize Olympic sports for schools and conferences.
``If an institution wanted to start an Olympic sport, like team handball, there would be startup money ... to get the program started and off the ground,'' he said.
If a program such as wrestling were in danger of being dropped, the school could apply for a grant. The money would be provided by the NCAA and the USOC.
Schultz said he will work over the next five years to get joint funding, and to break down some of the barriers that keep some of the nation's top college athletes from competing in Olympic sports.
``You still have a lot of NCAA rules that create hazards for a good, close working relationship between NCAA athletes and the USOC,'' he said. Most of those center on training times and training opportunities.
Schultz said there also might be a place in Olympic sports for professional baseball players.
He said college baseball provides excellent athletes, but international interest in the sport is waning and it might be time to inject some excitement. One way to do that, he said, would be to allow professional players in the Olympics.
Professional baseball players are banned now, but the USOC will have a chance in October to get the rule changed. Schultz said major-league owners also would have to work out a schedule to allow a break during the Summer Olympic Games, but those problems could be worked out.
``It's not from the standpoint of having Dream Team participation, but for the welfare of the sport,'' he said.
Schultz said he tried to reject the executive director's job, but decided to take it after the United States was awarded two Olympics in the next seven years. He said it is a rare opportunity to showcase American athletes.
The Olympic Games celebrate their 100th anniversary at Atlanta next summer. Salt Lake City will be play host to the 2002 Winter Games.
by CNB