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[e Va f yi) " IY, ' 3 AT A EN I EE a AA Speaking at Port Perry High School Bill McMurtry condemns sports violence Violence is having a cor- rupting influence on all levels of sport and the in- creasing number of violent incidents stem from the commercialization of sport. That was part of the mes- Rage lawyer Bill McMurtry delivered to a group of Port Perry High School students "in an informal address at the school last Friday morn- ing. Mr. McMurtry, a Bramp- ton lawyer, had been invited to speak to two senior clas- ses by student Steve Jones who is doing a term project on the issue of violence in sports. Mr. McMurtry conducted a provincial amateur hockey in the pro- vince and handed in a report in 1974. He has been an outspoken critic of the goon- squad tactics seen recently in hockey at the profession- al level, and the attitudes of professional - owners who seem to con- done violence in the game .as a way of attracting fans "into the stadiums. He had a personal in- volvement with violent inci- dents in a midget hockey game a couple of years ago when a player died in a scuffle after the match and a second player was con- victed of manslaughter. Mr. McMurtry acted as de- fense counsel in that case. His interest in sport has not been completely from the sidelines as he was a top nvarsity athlete in hockey and football and a champion amateur boxer at univer- sity. Talking to the students last Friday morning, he suggested that well-known sports sayings such as "nice guys finish last," should be questioned more closely to- day as these kinds of values should not be the dominant ones in sports. While admitting that win- ning is important in athle- tics and 'was important to him when he was compet- ing, Mr. McMurtry added that he has come to believe that there are more impor- tant aspects. of competition than just the final score. He was critical of a state- ment by former NHL presi- dent Clarence Campbell who said that the NHL is "show biz and entertain- ment" and that the League must put on a show that will attract the fans. "This is not the purpose of sport," he suggested and "it is not right." 'Mr. McMurtry referred briefly to the Paul Smithers case in Brampton a couple of "years ago, in which Smithers, 15 at the time, was the object of racial taunts during a midget game. A fight after the inquirg into hockey team' game led to the death of another player and Smith- ers was convicted of man- slaughter. He said that the tragedy of the incident was heightened by the fact that both youths had a great love for hockey, and the sport could actually have helped bring them together. In 1974, the year he pre- pared the report on violence in amateur hockey, Mr. McMurtry said there were numerous violent incidents in junior hockey games, and he suggested that the hoc- key establishment did not _ seem to want to admit at "that time that a serious problem existed. Ke _During the course of the inquiry, he said that many hockey players were reluc- tant to speak out against the violence because * of fear they would be labelled "chickens." These hockey players were "intimidated by the system," he stated. While saying that the situ- ation is getting better, he did admit he doesn't see the day when violence will be completely removed from hockey and other contact sports. Especially so long as fighting is considered part of the game, and pla- yers can earn spots on pro- fessional teams strictly be- cause of their fighting ability. He did suggest that a few rule changes, like automatic game suspensions for fight- ing, could help in addition to stricter enforcement of ex- isting rules. THE COURTS Commenting on the role of the courts he said there have been more than thirty Team is still going strong convictions for criminal act- ivity that took place during a sport event, and that this means athletes are not im- mune to the law when they put on a uniform. Mr. McMurtry's brother Roy, who is attorney-general of Ontario has initiated legal action against hockey pla- yers, and has generally ser- ved notice that more char- ges will be laid against players for incidents during games. In concluding Mr. McMur- try said he personally would like to see three things occur with regard to vio- lence in sports: the debate over the issue should con- tinue; there should be some rule changes; and the pub- lic should not accept the attitude that amateur sports must "blindly follow and imitate the professional leagues." : ' Midgets win opener by Deb Ireland The Port Perry Ballard Lumber Boys gasily ,defeat- ed Cannington 14 to 7 in their season opener on Thursday night. Even without a coach or manager, the boys got off to a strong start and by the end of the third inning hada 6to 0 lead. A couple of minor injuries set the Lumbermen back and allowed Canning- ton runs to come in during the fifth and sixth innings. Port bounced back and stop- ped the score at 14 to 7. Mark Cleveland and Dave Dixon pitched well for the win. The next game is against Udora, Monday night, in Udora. ---- ---- a2 Bill McM urtry Flamingos require new name The Flamingos, Port Perry's Junior -C hockey club for the past six years will not be wearing their familiar red and white uni- forms next season, and they will have a new name. Ken Jackson, who has sponsored the team through Flamingo Pastries, an- {nounced that the team will now be represented by Mother Jackson's Open Kitchens and that he will sponsor a contest to re- Aztecs, Flyers winners Last Monday's Ball Hock- ey action (May 29) saw the Aztecs outhack the Hackers 4 to 2 and the Flyers (Mc+ Quades team) trounce the Flames 7 to 1. The Aztecs got goals from Al Faux (2), Sean Taylor and Rob Kroonenberg. Kroonen- berg, Paul Beare, Mike Healy, Brian Smith and Terry Henderson ea -h pick- ed up an assist. The Hackers gut tallies from Ron Redman and: Bill Van Camp. Doug Christie, . Doug Scott and Len Frans- sen picked up one - assist each. . The Hackers took 18 1 Aztecs picked The secondOQgame of the night saw the Flyers, Phil Cochrane pick up his third Continued on page 19 name the team. Mr. Jackson told the Star that he feels very strongly about local businessmen sponsoring teams in Port Perry and area and al- though he has sold his for- mer business, Flamingo A ad Kady PL ct A Pastries, he still wanted to sponsor the team which he has been involved with since its beginning. In an effort to get local people to help name the "hockey team, which will have new uniforms, Mr. Jackson decided to hold a contest with $100 in prize money and a pass to all home games of the team for the 1978-79 season. Local hockey fans with good name ideas can send their entries to 'Name the Team Contest,c-o Box 90, Port Perry Star. All entries must be submit- ted before June 23 and the winner will be announced in the Star. Put on your think- ing caps. You could be a winner! Charlie Bourgesis, left, President of the Port Perry Junior C Hockey Club accepts cheque for the 1978-79 season from sponsor Ken Jackson of Mother Jackson's Open Kitchen. ¥ RE) 5) RX , : )