Florida Warns Boosters, Steinbrenner Included

The University of Florida has written to 15 Gator boosters, including New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, telling them to keep a proper distance because of past violations of NCAA rules involving the school.

Florida’s football program was hit with a two-year probation after the NCAA determined that its coaches and boosters broke NCAA rules. Athletic Director Bill Carr sent the letters out last week.

Dan Douglas of Pompano Beach, Fla., and Mike Wilson of Belle Glade, Fla., face the most severe restrictions, and each received a letter. The NCAA found them guilty of numerous violations, including making cash payments to players and prospects.

Douglas was asked not to have any contact with any prospect or to participate in any way in recruiting. Wilson was asked not to buy any tickets from Florida athletes or take part in recruiting.

Steinbrenner, Dr. Frank Jenkins, Marty Edwards, Bill Lawler and Ronald Neder were asked in letters not to contact any Florida athletes about buying tickets. They were not restricted in recruiting activities.

The NCAA found Jenkins and Edwards guilty of buying players’ tickets in 1982 under arrangements made by former head coach Charley Pell and two former assistants. One booster was found guilty of buying season tickets for up to $900. Steinbrenner received the same letter.

Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards and New Orleans car dealer Tom Benson signed a 21-year agreement to keep the Saints in New Orleans in exchange for a state sales tax exemption and $2.5 million in concessions on Superdome revenues.

Benson said he could close a deal to buy the Saints this weekend from John Mecom. He said the price would be between $64 million and $70 million. “I have already called the NFL and told them they have a new owner,” Benson said.

The new Saints-Superdome lease agreement was signed about an hour after the State Senate voted, 26-10, in favor of exempting the Superdome from the state’s 4% sales tax on admission tickets, tour tickets and parking.

The Pittsburgh Pirates, stumbling on the field and at the gate, fired General Manager Harding (Pete) Peterson and replaced him with Joe L. Brown, whom Peterson replaced in 1976.

The Pirates are last in the National League East, both in the standings and attendance. The team’s owners are seeking a buyer for the franchise, which lost $6 million last season.

Rep. James Howard (D-N.J.), introduced legislation that would require colleges to graduate 75% of their scholarship athletes or lose tax-deductible status for donations to their athletic programs.

He said the bill would re-establish education as the top priority for student-athletes and ensure that the government no longer rewarded colleges with poor athlete-graduation rates.

“There is something wrong when at Memphis State only 4 out of 43 basketball players have graduated since 1972,” Howard said. “I’m afraid too many people are becoming more interested in the box score than the report card.”

A team of 13 Cuban wrestlers didn’t show up as expected for a sports festival this weekend in Concord, Calif., and festival officials believe it’s because of Radio Marti.

The new U.S.-operated network, beamed at Cuba, began broadcasting American newscasts this week. When the Cubans didn’t arrive on their scheduled flight, festival transportation chief Greg Zavala called Cuban wrestling headquarters. He said when he spoke the words “Estados Unidos,” the person answering the phone hung up.

The Florida Supreme Court sided with the Miami Dolphins in a dispute with the city of Miami over lost revenue from 1982 NFL games canceled by a players’ strike.

The ruling cleared the way for enforcing an agreement under which the NFL team will play an extra game in the Orange Bowl the next two seasons.

Three former Tulane University basketball players, without a team since Tulane abandoned the sport, have signed to play for the University of New Orleans.

Among them is 6-6 Theron Cojoe, who is eligible for two more years of basketball after playing two years at LSU and transferring to and sitting out last season at Tulane. The other players are 6-5 Elden Irvine and 6-7 Michael Smith, Tulane freshmen last season.

Peter Ueberroth paid what he called a “courtesy call” on Illinois lawmakers and said he was concerned over discussions about the possibility of a domed stadium in Chicago to replace Wrigley Field, the nation’s second-oldest major league park.

“I think baseball ought to be played at Wrigley Field and for the long term,” said Ueberroth, who refused to say if regular-season night games are part of his long-term plans for the Cubs’ home park.

Former Arizona State punter Kevin Rutledge lost another round in his civil suit against former coach Frank Kush. Rutledge claims Kush punched him in 1978 after he made three bad punts in a game. Kush later harassed him into quitting ASU, he claims.

Rutledge, who is also suing the Board of Regents and ASU officials, lost on a 3-0 decision in Arizona’s Court of Appeals, affirming a lower court ruling. Rutlege’s attorney said he would appeal for a review by the Arizona Supreme Court.

Names in the News

Tony Sibson, European middleweight champion, was forced to postpone his June 15 title defense against Danish-based Ugandan Ayub Kalule because of a recurring elbow injury.

Charlie Lea, the Montreal Expos’ top winner the last two seasons, will have arthroscopic surgery on his damaged right shoulder soon and will likely miss the rest of the season.