THE April Sports Commentary The player no one wanted You csn help wondering when watching a minor hockey tournament or any minor sport tournament for that matter hut bow many future stars ore participating You see a youngster exhibit a neat bit of or throw a perfect pass or lash out line drive after line drive and you think come Envy sometimes sidles Into your thoughts when you think of the money fame and adulation that athletes are accorded To many people the best thing that could happen to them or if not tbem then their youngster would betobecomeaprofesslonalathtete Good God think of It There Is another side to the story and because It not exactly what you would term the happy face of sports its been lurking In the background lute on unwanted relative It Is however very much a part of the sports world and recently has been straining for the light of day I referring to the athlete nobody wants Tbe youngster who almost made the grade but not quite tbe hockey football or baseball player whose glory days are behind him and instead of tbe limelight be must now face shadows It la a fact In sports but no one Involved In sports least of all tbe athletes wants to admit It there or Is reslly still In process of being set up because of lack of response to deal with the athlete s problems once be is out of his sport Another aspect of this organization program la to help educate promising young athletes In what they can expect during their chosen career and how to prepare for eventual retirement The man in charge of this ambitious program la none other than the bad boy of both Canadian and American football Cookie Gilchrist Gilchrist frankly admits that the biggest problem he lias encountered In setting up bis organization Is In getting people to believe that he Is sin cere and completely Involved In this project Gilchrist appeared on the sports scene time when athletes wore brushcuts swore that they went to church every Sunday and apologized profusely if were overheard uttering a dang or an overly emphatic gee whiz V It was also a tune when the owners had complete control of their players and tolerated no Individuality Gilchrist was an individual both on and off tbe field and He fought for his rights trumpeted his football abilities and lived his life to the fullest This sort of thing Is taken for granted now by athletes and by people who follow athletics but In Gilchrist time was frowned upon to say tbe least When his career was over be found himself com alone and unwanted and for the first time in his by Colin Gibson life had no one to look out or bim This he says Is the moat frightening realization that comes to exathletes From an early age have been pampered and fawned A their own Parents fans agents coaches and owners have catered to every whim and for moat athletes have gone along for tbe ride never thinking someday It might end It was almost too much for Gilchrist and at one point he even contemplated suicide He began drinking heavily and lived in a dream world of screaming fans and adulation about Cookie Gilchrist exathlete he decided to pull himself together and thus the ides for his organization was bom He knew there were many more ex athletes who needed help because tbey couldn cope on their own You see them everywhere at a corner table In a pub wandering forlornly down a street asking people Remember me I used to play for With his reputation against bun Gilchrist received no support at first Then strangely enough exathlete families would get In touch with him asking him to help their husbands or fathers or brothers The finally getting on solid footing NFL and tbe CFL as well as other professional leagues have granted recognition but one aspect which bothers Gilchrist active players attitude Their response has been almost nil Perhaps they don t want to admit that one day their careers will end and can face tbe prospect Perhaps they feel it not out and ask for help before they Whatever tbe reason for bis Ideas and to succeed be must have their support That la why it Is better to say that the organization Is still in tbe process of being formed Gilchrist team Includes lawyers tax consultants and exathletes who have been helped to lead lives because of the organization They attempt to prepare he athlete In all sports for the eventuality of retirement Gilchrist people also lecture in high schools and universities and urge young men and women who are thinking of becoming professional to plan ahead look to the fu hire to ensure a solid hate bo and their families outside of athletics What is been needed for a long He la taking tbe gutter and the tinsel from sports and exhibiting the reality The proliferation of professional sports teams Is allowing more and more young people to make money playing sports Unfortunately lew of tbem realize how fleeting this moment in tbe sun can be Only tbe too athletes last IS or more years in sports and is years out of or even Similarly there lot more to life than sports Sports after all Is basically entertainment should be regarded as such not the be all and end all some people regard It to be I feel that high school and especially universities should offer counselling services to the young athlete do for every other profession Tbe field of sports must surely now be regarded as a profession and the young people who choose this profession nave a right to be made aware of Its disadvantages and pitfalls Finally parents who ore sometimes blinded by the side benefits of an career should make a point of seeing that their children are fully aware of what they are letting themselves In for Broken down stumbling exathletes have often been made to bear the brunt of many a Joke The unfortunate part about this Is that there was no one around when they were young to offer advice This Is not the esse anymore Help and advice are there for the asking and anyone Involved should make sure that It is ogive out No other profession can raise a person to the heights or depths that athletics can I think Its about time that the middle ground was looked at a bit more closely Centennial wrestlers cant shake Toronto When you are a loser no one pays much attention On the other hand when you are a winner there always seems one team in particular which has you in Its sights and comes gunning Tor you That the Centennial Public Schools wrestling team is a winner there can be no doubt So far this year the team has competed in three dual meets and won tbem all and three tournaments where they finished second Tbe team is the toast of tbe Hal ton area public school wrestling teams but their run for the roses In tournaments has been foiled by Robert Service Public School of Toronto whenever the twain meet This past Saturday tbe third annual Centennial Wrestling Tournament was no exception Perhaps the numbers system had something it but In Centennials third annual tournament Robert Service for the bird time this year finished first while Centennial had to be satisfied with second place The teams finished as follows Robert Service A Centennial A Tonkin Road Robert Service B and Individual winners for Centennial included Brian In the lb class and Steve Cropper In tbe lis lb class Second place honors went to Frank MiedzlnsU Third place finishers in eluded Danny Reynolds S3 lbs David Otben lbs Dean Scalen lbs Joey Ibukl Be lbs Kevin Brown 100 lbs and John Colter lbs Picking up fourths were Dave Taggart ISO lbs Jim Carmlcbael open Scott Haines lbs Jim Allen lbs Glenn Sparling S3 lbs and Bob Dean 108 lbs Saturday a Tournament was tbe last event for the boys locally although coach Jim Hail has lined up two more dual meets and on appearance for tbe team in an exhibition meet In Buffalo New York As yet no definite dates have been set for these encounters THE CENTENNIAL PUBLIC SCHOOL wrestling team and Dean Second row left to right Jeff finished second to Robert Service Public School in Dave Taggart Ron Held Ian Rick Bslaskb third annual Centennial Wrestling Tournament held this Kevin Brown and coach Jim Hall Back row left to right Saturday Sitting left to right Matthew Phillips Mike BrianMcCormick Steve Cropper Joe Scott Haines lor David Allen and Brian Davis First row left to PeterUllneandToddBradley Absent John right Jim Allen Frank David Otben Keith colter DaveSmarda Bob Dean Glenn Sparling and Jim Ledger Danny Reynolds Herb Kewley Guy Lancaster carmlcbael Who was to blame- Raiders finished but questions remain By Colin Gibson Herald Sports Editor Another chapter in the continuing story of the Georgetown versus the was added this past Wednesday In Toronto when the suspended indefinitely a member of Raiders executive pending his request for a bearing According to the this man a name waa linked to some papers concerning tbe Gerry Pearson Incident and the OKA had no recourse but to suspend him The OHA also stated that no other action was planned against the Raiders team or any other member of the Raider executive and that unless new evidence con the matter was brought to light tbe Issue as far si they were concerned finished An OHA suspension although no light mailer Is fiat part of the issue here Too many questions have been left unanswered and the cloud which has surrounded the Raiders as a result of tbe team on till shows no sign of breaking up Similarly the actions taken by the against tbe Raiders are un precedented In league history and only serve to further cloud up tbe already disturbed waters of Intermediate hockey Gerry Pearson Joined the Raiders hockey club this past season and was duly registered as an import The Raiders then claimed that Pearson had been transferred to Georgetown because of his Job and that according to established rules could therefore be called a local player They backed up this claim with letters from the two companies involved which in effect showed that Pearson had Indeed been transferred Port Colborne team familiar with Pearson from previous year play becamo suspicious They were also looking out for their own club interest as the changing of Pearson status meant that the Raiders now had an extra Import card and could use It to strengthen their team Their Investigation showed that not only had Pearson not been transferred but letter given up by tbe Raiders as proof that Pearson had been transferred was false An executive of the company Involved stated that he had never beard of tbe man who purportedly signed the letter and tbe case was put before That in a nutshell is the root of the Raiders troubles Tbe then came into tbe picture and has been their in years past further confused things by their decisions Tbey first decided that Pearson a card would just have to be changed Port appealed this decision and the then suspended the Raiders from further league play This In Itself was an unprecedented step Finally the came down on one man in the Raiders executive and impended him Three penal ties all dealing with the same matter That tbe Raiders broke rules there Is no question However should have acted decisively and promptly on the issue instead of procrastinating and dragging out a matter which Involves quite a few Individuals The falsification of in formation is a serious matter and the OHA should have been investigating on their rather than relying on formation supplied by a rival team Any league to operate successfully must have credibility and by changing decisions which are supposed to be final in the first place the OHA and especially tbe In termedlate group have lost much of this important Ingredient Why did the Raiders resort to such extreme measures Tbe only answer that can be suggested is that they wonted a winning hockey club and would go to any lengths to obtain such an end The an any questions by thelr decision and these questions must be asked How can they single out one man as tbe culprit when the who are running the club been together for years The man suspended was in fact Implicated by the Georgetown representatives at tribunal bearing t produce his name and according to Port Colborne tbey produce his name either It Is still not known who falsified tbe documents that were forwarded to the OHA or for that matter who approved of the falsification it is an accepted fact that the Raiders executive are a tight- knit group and to put forward premise that one man acted on own is questionable Tbe Raiders have previously stated that Executive had made a mistake Yet now It seems that one of their group Is being singled out and by bis pwn people Is this the solidarity that has been shown in the past The decision In effect allows The remainder of the Raiders executive to return to the fold unsullied With so many questions hovering In limbo Is this good for tbe OHA for Georgetown for hockey This Incident has damaged really solution appears to those people Involved elves from tbe Toe only be that remove themselves from tbe hockey scene In Georgetown AC tbe questions wont be answered but with a clean slate jperhapa tbe damage done will even tually be rectified Ban snowmobiles council considers Thanks Georgetown Copy of a letter sent to Harry Levy chairman of the Georgetown International Bantam Tournament brief note to thank you and your committee for their outstanding efforts In nuking our players and their parents feel welcome at your Georgetown Bantam Tour nament Everyone had a great time and although we could have done better on tbe Ice the trip was a great success All of the boys enjoyed their billets Again our thanks to a wonderfuT group of people Georgetown has much to be proud of in the professional manner In which its Tour Is conducted and run Sincerely yours DanDistel Manager Lincoln Metal Hawks Michigan A hot subject for town council this summer may be of all things snowmobiles The town new snowmobile bylaw governing how when and where snowmobiles may be used In Helton Hills Is almost ready for Its first presentation to council However already arguments are building over whether or not to allow snowmobiles on streets within tbe town I have received many calls from people reported Councillor Harry Levy who like myself are concerned with allowing snowmobiles on public streets We don object to snowmobiles but Just feel that there is a place for tbem and that place is not on tbe streets of Halton Hills Councillor Levy called for the prohibiting of snowmobiles on all Halton Hills urban streets which is contrary to the recommendation in tbe yet to be approved bylaw The bylaw its reported would allow to drive their on town streets at a reduced speeds but only to and from their homes Totslly prohibiting snowmobiles on all streets or roads in tbe town however would not work In tbe rural area commented Councillor Dick Keeping tbem off the roads in rural areas would only put tbem on private property At least if theyre on the roeds then the only are going to hurt in a crash But Councillor ten Coxe felt that residents of rural areas should be Just as well protected against snowmobiles as hose in urban areas of tbe town It Justa safety factor we ve got to consider but also a nuisance factor People who live close to tbe road don t enjoy having their thoroughfares used by snowmobiles Limiting tbe hours that snowmobiles can be used might be the answer Councillor Coxe con but tbe problem with that would it be said Councillor Joe Hurst noted By reducing speed limit and reducing tbe noun that snowmobiles can be used In town were going about as far as we can without actually banning tbem But If council wishes to con sider that you can bylaw Is still being amended prior to its formal presentation to council Men eliminate down to the finalists This Thursday and Friday the teml finals will take place time and isms as ehsduled Saturday will be the g Championship Day for our house league the Novice kicking off the then on to Atom Pet Wee Bantam Midget and Juvenile final at The annual general meet no has been scheduled lor Sunday May at Cedarvale at Please note the date and plan to attend NOVICE LEAGUE Quarter Finals Second Same Total Georgetown LI fit Clubl for potted two is club to- series Alan Penny legion earned the shutout MVP Lions Hobby s S Keith Rex way BP bra Transport had a 1 lead after the first game then Brian Stone scored two for the crew for the win Tim and Jim assisted on the goali Mike was In the net tor the thutout MVP Tim Panabaker Mark Webster Electric Armstrong Insurances The electric Into the game with a lead men added three more markers on the thootlng of Doug with two Derek Roy a tingle goal and assist to Andrew Mustard Danny Mall and Stanley Smith Stephen Roy MVP Williams Derek Roy mitre Andy Fisher Dog N suds Teem Ho A deadlock after the first game strength of two goals by Ken Ruff and Andrew Hughes with Wayne and Doug drawing assist MVP Suds Jflmet Team No 3 Mike McCarthy Quarter Finals Sudden Death Variety Chris 1 Bomwarns scored twice In the game and the boys won alter the scoreless overtime period Gary and Gary were the goal getters with FJther and Foberl assisting were Glen Barefoot and Bruce Kentner assisting the other Metal Products Erik and Rick potted a pair each the motors attack McMenmy I end Rente assisting Hillock setup Greg for the lone goal MVP North Ha ton James Shayne Hillock AV TennsnlConilructlonl Florists A pair of goals by Williams construction gang the whitewash Win Dave Whitehead and Mike Banks assisted on one of the Coals and Pat Rouse posted the G D H A report CAC Finances Associates Paul Clark notched two goals to pace the finance crew th John DeHaas and Mark lis adding singles Clark and Scott Hunter earned assists on Hilts marker Scott Reed from Barry Stone replied tor Varlan MVP Mark Hilt Barry Rodger speed custom A Construction Grant Nairn sunk the winner late In this close game for the custom win Greenwood and Ray Wallace scored the other goals assists to Wallace Don Kevin end Nairn shooters were Mike Banks end John Seller Alan Dave Whitehead and Let Johnson at 1 1 sting Variety I Mark Waters snot the hat trick Pete added two more and Tom end Shawn shot tingles tor the big ASW win went to Bob 3 Steve Toncoo Waters and Dave Ron Wright from Paul Smith scored the lone variety goal Suddendeath A Division Cleaner J Macs Milk Two goal late In the game by Dave GDAAHA weekly schedule THURSDAY APRIL IB Real Estate SO Wear SO Knights of Columbus FRIDAY APRIL 11 Rodger s Speed Custom CAC Finance 30 p North Halton Motors vs AW DriveIn Ontario Electrical League vs Dockeray Plumbing Heating B Standard Products vs Nell Music Centre 9 p Lane Transport vs ScoUabank 10 Jim Steering Service Exchange House SATURDAY APRIL II Novice Championship Final 3 Atom Final Winners Friday Winner pm Friday Pee Wee Consolation Final Murray Motors vs Winner SO Friday 15 Fee Wee Championship Final a Cleaners vs Winner 20 Friday Bantam Championship Final Winner pro Thursday Winner SO p Thursday 7 Midget Championship Final Montego Construction vs Winner 9 Friday p Juvenile Championship Final Winner Thursday Winner Friday Doug Ivony gave the cleaner crew the win over the stubborn towner Ruts Hammer Mike and Ernie Haller on the goals Ron earned the shutout Standard Products Kinsmen Trlbble end Robin River scored two goal each In the product romp with Andrew adding a tingle lists went to Bill Wheeler 3 Ripley Paul Lesley Carmen Lorusso and Trlbble Jim earned the NellsMusk Centres Mucfcartl The game was tied 1 alter the lint period on Mark Hamilton music goal and Scott from Dave for the plumber Than Gary Vales and Lindsay McQueen hammered home two mors lor the win wllh Chris Kevin Hughes end Alex DIVISION Murray Motors Chicken VI lis A strong team effort end goals by Craig McLaughlin Brad Tyndall Ian and Richard Moore gave the motor crew the win Assist were earned by Todd Cronkwrlght Chip Jones Dave Clviero and Ian Villa goals were scored by Doug Smith with Scott Brush on one Ontario Electrical Leagues Motors The game was tied 3 all at the end of regulation was decided on shots On goal In the overtime Electrical shooters were Mark Taylor and Danny Knight with Tim Pock and Jim Kemper atalallng Haines and Dave were Bat shooters Cameron Monk assisting on on Plumbing snd Robert Oeugson Furnishing 1 With seven second left In the overtime period Alex Peterson set up Ron Coffey for winner Earlier Peter Farkas from Larry Gray had combined on the first Dockeray score Paul from Brian Kalwles scored for Feng Rati Construction A pair goals by Ron with the and Insurant markers gave Fonos th win empty net and Terry Haines an Don Fsrka was In nets for the shutout Steel Fred Auto Body r H n first period on goals by Mark Fslby Dave Dickenson Crslg Steve Bsitedo and Mike Henderson assisting Ths teams tradedgoalsinthetlnsi period Henderson from McGiiiytor and Jim Lesley unassisted for Fred Georgetown Chrysler Elk Lodge The dumped the lodge crew behind the two goal shooting of Kevin Thompson and a sngle by Terry Cull with Dal Love Scott oibom Rob Ripley and Cull assisting Rob earned the hutout Johnson Carney Rest state Metal Products 4 scoring gameandth JCsang led i i Lentkl Don and Steve shot tingle with assists going to Keltic 31 Chris Si Brian McLeod and Glen Match In 1 Depco shooters were Scott Wilton a pair Tim MacLeod Jo ingot men Ricky Fisher and Dean muting Johnson Carney Real estate 1 Dan Martin with two goals paced the attack Ed Thatcher Pet Clarke Kir ley Rick Donaldson and Dan Johnson shot singlet Assists were earned by Rick Holloway Clarke Larry Davis Martin Ktriey Marc and Eckroth Steve Brandt from Tom and Steve replied for J Mens wear 4 The men wear gang bounced the towner on shooting of Alex Vlrag Monroe Jamie Homtn and Mike Bum with Herb Johnson John Dave Lemming 3 shutout MIDQsVr L1AOU Quarter Finals secMendsith Lane Tranteort Cable TV Scott scored winning and In lor the transport gang and assisted on by Sam Watt Assist also went to Sargent Gerry Mac Donald AI Reed Tony Graham and Arm end Chalston Brock Ruth unassisted scored the lone cable goal Icons Bank I Masson Meters A good team effort by money boys over motors gang provided the win Ken Tom Diamond and Scott McLaughlin wet goal getters with Mike Salter I Dave Peterson assisting Mark Harris earned the shutout Mentejo I urn Transport J Another high scoring game with the bantam Richardson Brent Butterworm Dave and Jo added on each with assists to Craig Wilton Tony Kraut and BIM Kent a Burn marksmen Todd Beckett a pair Mike Paul and Steve with to Ted Phillips Krowchuck Pet Staple ton and Jell Lockwood 31 xenon Terry Rich mond DougTImpsonandGrantlodnsricorsds goal each for th knights win with Terry Moffat Ray Hayes Msrc Thompson and Bob assisting Th only exchange I wo by Brian Eve from Dave Steering service Gary Miller pot two Insurance goals vine Lefebyr potted winner with RObMossopand assisting for ttietteerlngwln midget