ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, March 12, 1997 TAG: 9703120085
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
Casserly gets 3-year bump from 'Skins
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Washington Redskins have extended the contract of general manager Charlie Casserly, showing confidence that the executive can continue the team's turnaround under head coach Norv Turner.
Casserly's new agreement comes a week after the team gave Turner a three-year extension that will keep the coach under contract until 2001.
The general manager was at the NFL's winter meetings in Palm Desert, Calif., negotiating a new contract with starting quarterback Gus Frerotte.
Casserly is entering his 21st season with the Redskins. He became the team's assistant general manager in 1982 and general manager in 1989. Terms of his new contract weren't disclosed.
He has been criticized recently for using first-round draft choices on quarterback Heath Shuler of Tennessee and receiver Desmond Howard of Michigan.
ETC.
Rutherford in pace car: Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Johnny Rutherford will drive the pace car prior to this year's race.
The 58-year-old Rutherford won at Indy in 1974, 1976 and 1980 and was a three-time pole-sitter in 24 starts between 1963-88. He retired from racing in 1994.
Quest wins ABL title: Tonya Edwards had 23 points as the Columbus Quest defeated the Richmond Rage 77-64 to win the inaugural American Basketball League championship in Columbus, Ohio.
A crowd of 6,313 fans, a record at 6,500-seat Batelle Hall, watched the Quest cut down the nets after winning the fifth game in the best-of-five series. Columbus came back from a 2-1 deficit in games with victories in the fourth game at Richmond and the deciding game.
All five Columbus starters scored in double figures. Valerie Still, the championship's most valuable player, added 14 points and 13 rebounds.
Richmond was led by former Virginia standout Dawn Staley with 19 points.
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Phillipsby CNB