ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, March 17, 1996 TAG: 9603180049
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DANIEL UTHMAN STAFF WRITER
THERE'S NOTHING LIKE Division III basketball for these fans.
The appointment with the two visitors from the Midwest was set for 9:30 a.m. Friday at the Roanoker restaurant.
``I'll be wearing a tie,'' said the reporter.
``We won't,'' one of the visitors shot back. ``I'll have a North Park hat on; five-time national champs.''
With Doug Palm and Bob Black, stopping by the Roanoke Valley this weekend for the Division III men's Final Four, Division III basketball comes into the conversation no matter what the subject. Each year at this time, the pair loosens their collars, says goodbye to their wives and sets out to visit its own plot in basketball heaven.
``Division III is a little bit closer to reality,'' said Palm, director of public information at a school in Beaver Dam, Wis. ``There must be something there for us to keep doing it.''
Some would call it love. They keep track of statistics during games. They chart the coaches by years, wins, and percentage. And they recall events of history not by the year, but by who was playing in the Final Four at the time.
``I don't know if there are bigger Division III fans in the country,'' said Rowan coach John Giannini, who played at North Central (Ill.) College, a North Park rival. ``They would rather see Rowan-Illinois Wesleyan than Seton Hall-Illinois.''
Palm, North Park College class of 1969, and Black, North Park '75, make the final four an annual trip. Palm has been to 11 D-III championships, Black to 10. They began their treks back in 1978 when their alma mater won the first of its five national titles. But while North Park hasn't been back since 1987, Palm and Black haven't missed a beat. It doesn't matter where the games are, they'll be there.
``The thing about Roanoke is it has a little bit of everywhere we've been,'' said Black, who works with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago. ``It has the hills of Rock Island, (Ill.), it has the southern touch of Springfield, Ohio, and it's got great restaurants like Buffalo.''
``It has the potential to be the best final four before the tournament starts,'' said Palm.
Palm and Black met in Chicago in the late 1970s when Black was doing his student teaching at a technical school. Palm was in town with former North Park coach Dan McCarrell, who introduced the men to each other. The first meeting came at a high school basketball game. ``Big surprise, huh?'' Black said.
It's the honesty and unpretentious nature of Division III that keeps them coming back. During one of the first final fours in Buffalo, they met a prominent Division III coach, and thanked him for his hospitality, and said they'd like to meet again. ``He gives you that `Sure, I'll call you' look, but he did,'' said Palm. ``That's the difference.''
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ERIC BRADY/Staff. Doug Palm (left) of Beaver Dam, Wis.,by CNBand Bob Black of Chicago are big fans of Division III basketball.