THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 24, 1995 TAG: 9511240234
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
Grist for the mill: Political complications aside, ``Virginia Pirates'' would be the best name for the CFL team that hopes to occupy Foreman Field. Anything, though, is better than Hampton Roads Pirates. As a handle, Hampton Roads just doesn't make it outside this area. Even now, the identity of the Admirals is muddled throughout the East Coast Hockey League. Some out-of-town newspapers place the team in Hampton, while fans of visiting clubs often call the Hampton Coliseum looking for tickets. Enough said.
Little man, big moments: Whenever I happened to be watching U.Va. football this season, Demetrius ``Pete'' Allen, formerly of Granby High, was making a lot of important plays.
To Air is human: Included in the notes of support Curtis Strange received after the Ryder Cup debacle was one from Michael Jordan.
Quick hit: Anyone who can keep track of all the bowl possibilities probably collects string.
High on Hokies: Add Billy Packer to the list of people who have rediscovered Virginia Tech basketball. The Pack Man gives Bill Foster's team a ``legitimate'' chance to reach the Sweet 16.
Idle thought: With his 49er backup on a two-game winning streak, a returning Steve Young could do worse than to be an Elvis impersonator.
TV timeout: Says NBC exec Dick Ebersol, who is less than thrilled with the Houston Oilers' decision to move to Tennessee, ``They have good music in Nashville, but I don't think Loretta Lynn will be returning kickoffs.''
Think about it: Of late, baseball's much-maligned interim commish, Bud Selig, has been more effective than the NFL's premier empty suit, Paul Tagliabue.
Flashy import: Jerry Falwell's school, Liberty University, features a 6-foot-10 Nigerian center by the name of Peter Aluma who is creating interest among NBA scouts.
A divine talent: Providence freshman guard Shammgod Wells is now going by the name God Shammgod. Makes you wonder how Falwell missed out on this kid.
Memo to Don Shula: When people start feeling sorry for you, it's time to walk away.
Courting sponsors: The college basketball scene looks even more crass now that schools are permitted to decorate the court with commercial logos.
The final chapter: Before Don Mattingly starts playing hard to get, he'd better ask himself what the demand is for aging first basemen who hit seven home runs.
Here we go again: Speculation has already begun that Magic Johnson may consider coming back to play for his old coach, Pat Riley, in Miami.
That sinking feeling: When Detroit Pistons coach Doug Collins says that every team in the NBA ``is just a pulled ligament from mediocrity,'' he ignores the teams that already are there.
The show goes on: The TV networks would probably disagree, but two of the game's most publicized players - Shaquille O'Neal and Dennis Rodman - are hardly missed by their teams so far.
Monkey business: Kansas' Roy Williams and Kentucky's Rick Pitino have reached the point in their college basketball coaching careers where only a national title can keep the critics at bay. Fair or not, it was the same at one time for Dean Smith and Mike Krzyzewski. by CNB