European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 16, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Sunday october 16, 1994 sports the stars and stripes Page 31 Mino takes b by Tim Dahlberg Las vegas a univ took a Gamble two years ago that Rollie Massimino could keep the Runnin Flebes among the elite of College basketball. On Friday losing that Gamble Cost the school $1.8 million. Kenny Guihn univ s interim president announced Friday that Massimino had accepted a buyout of his contract a Day be fore the scheduled Start of prac tice.-.  r. The search for a coach began immediately amid reports that Tim Grgurich a univ assist ant under Jerry Tarkanian and novy an assistant with the Seattle supersonics was. Already the Choice. Yes we Are interested in Tim Grgurich Guinn said Friday. Attempts to reach Grgurich for comment were unsuccessful. Athletic director Jim Weaver said he would Contact the supersonics and ask for Permis Sion to talk to Grgurich. Weaver who named no other candidates said he hoped to have a new coach to present to the University of Nevada Board of regents on wednesday. He said the opening of basketball practice would be postponed until at least wednesday. In the meantime he said play ers will work out with a conditioning coach. Massimino whose univ teams were 21-8 and 15-13 and did t make it into the Mcaa tournament either year appeared emotional but upbeat. I think it s time really to move on Massimino said. One must go on one must de cide what he has to do. I love Las vegas believe it or  Massimino consented to an agreement that will pay him $350,000 a year for five years to end his Short but turbulent stint As coach of the Runnin rebels. Guinn said the Deal was one that had to be made but de fended Massimino s actions in taking a secret supplemental Deal that eventually led to his downfall. Rollie Massimino came Here As a coach. He came Here and took the Deal offered to him Guihn said. I think anybody would have done the  the final contract settlement hammered out in last minute negotiations came after a week of efforts to oust Massimino. In addition to $350,000 annually for five years the agreement Calls for univ to pay $21,100 a year into a retire ment fund and $24,308 for unused vacation time. The University also will pay Massimino s health insurance and provide him with a univer sity car until june 30, 1995, Weaver said. The funds to buy out Massi Mino s contract will come solely from the athletic department budget Weaver said. The ouster was crucial for univ which projected a Defi Cit of some $750,000 this season from falling ticket sales. Massimino never won the acceptance of univ fans accustomed to Tarkanian s uptempo play and winning years. But it was the disclosure in August of a secret supplemental contract that was to pay Massi Mino $375,000 a year in addition to his $511,000 salary that put him in Disfavour with most of the Community. Rollie Massimino a coach Rick Pitino arrives on Harley Early saturday at Kentucky s Midnight madness. Get mod Start by the associated press. A sports commentator dunked and a baseball player judged others dunking while a University of Cincinnati student i nit a Hal court shot highlighting mid night madness. After two years of schools not being Al Lowed to begin getting ready for the sea son until nov. 1, the Date is Back to the traditional oct. 15. And just Over one to third of the 302 division i men s programs wasted no time starting practice at 12 01 . Friday morning. With an esp audience watching and pick Vitale cheering Cory Clouse a Junior from Cleveland earned himself free tuition room and Board from the All sports network by sinking a shot from Raucourt. Vitale hugged Clouse and of cred to pay for his books. At Arkansas 20,100 fans greeted the a lending National champions the first earn to return All five starters from a title team since Urcla in 1967. That is the 1994-95 National championship team coach Nolan Richardson said after introducing each of his players. To viewers across the country also watched the beginning of practice at St. John s and Florida. Midnight madness has become a fix lure at Many schools since lefty Driesell parted it at Maryland in 1970. Trail blazers Robinson threatens year Long holdout Hurley returns by the associated press Clifford Robinson of the Portland Trail blazers joined the Atlanta Hawks Kevin Willis on Friday As a High profile Aba holdout. New Trail Blazer president Bob Whitsitt says As far As he s concerned Robinson an All Star Forward has quit the team. Robinson stayed away from practice and Media Day activities in Portland on Friday and said he won t rejoin the team until his contract is renegotiated. He was t going to play in the team s exhibition opener saturday night against Seattle and said he s willing to sit put the season if he does t get what he wants. Whitsitt said there s no Way a new Deal will be struck this season something he made Clear to Robinson two weeks ago. I m very very disappointed Whitsitt said. You Don t quit on your teammates. You Don t quit on your organization. You Don t quit on your  Robinson told the oregonian that he wanted a Deal comparable to what Der Rick Coleman and Larry Johnson have. I m not going to put a certain limit on it but if they Cut me  Deal i m going to go for it Robinson said. Robinson 27, has two years Eft on a 4 year Deal that pays him $9 million. Cole Man has a 4-year, $30 million contract with new Jersey. Johnson has a 12-year, $84 million Deal. Whitsitt said he won t renegotiate with Robinson until he s had time to evaluate his performance this season. He hinted that he was More concerned with Robin son s attitude and behaviour than with his playing ability. When Willis walked out on the Hawks again he said this time it s because management is not committed to winning. Management said it s about Money. The 7-foot Center Forward speaking through his agent Stephen Woods told Hawk president Stan Rastert that he would not show up for Friday night s the exhibition game against Charlotte in Johnson City tenn., arid would not play until his contract i renegotiated. The Hawks played without Willis and beat the hornets 110- Aba. Willis a nine year Aba Veteran has two years remaining on a six year contract. The contract Calls for Willis to earn $2.95 Mil lion this season and $3.65 million next sea son. V Vav Kasten said he will not renegotiate the contract. He said Willis also would forfeit $1.4 million in deferred Money from the first four years of the contract if he does not play this season. Willis 32, led the Hawks last season in scoring with 19.1 Points a game and in re Bounds with 12 per game. He told Waga to he was willing to sit out the entire season if the contract matter was not resolved and denied Kasten s implications the Money was at the heart of the dispute. Meanwhile Bobby Hurley showed he in t All the Way Back yet but after one pre season game it did t appear he has too far to go. The former Duke All american Svlvio was seriously injured in a traffic Accident last december came off the Bench Friday night to score 21 Points and dish out five assists both team highs for the Sacramento Kings who lost to the los Angeles lakers 110-103 at Honolulu. "1 was very pleased to be out there the second year play maker said after the game. I Don t think too Many people expected me to be Back this  Hurley admitted he was a bit nervous when he entered the game late in the first Quarter. V of " -. \ his rust iness was apparent. He was stripped of the Ball on two consecutive pos sessions and went into the dressing room at the half with on a six Points one assist and three turnovers. In the second half it was the Hurley of old darting through the defens and throwing Bullet like passes to teammates for easy shots and hitting from the floor. What s More there were no turnovers Dur ing the final 24 minutes. I Felt shaky when r first went in he said. Maybe it was because of the Adrena line. But i started gaining my Confidence in the second Hal fall told Hurley hit 7 of 11 shots made 7 of 8 free throws and even had three re Bounds. Mon.17 course closed until 1500 pro tourney tue18 course closed until 1000 for maintenance october 17-23 wed 19 open play from 0700 thu 20 open play from 0700 fri21 open play from 0700 sat 22 tee times required Sun 23 tee times required it Nib iou Hament october 28-30. Call Dan 370-6386. An dec bund Strasse 2911 offers Helm 0620253767at 379-6139