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Skating starPaul LaRose, Maine Nordiques’ all-star right wing, carries Firebirds during recent exhibition game in Lewiston,the puck against the defending NAHL champion Philadelphia (Lindberg photo)Blacks absent frorBy RAYMOND E. MAPPSNEW YORK (APi - .Eight years after he burst into national prominence by winning the first U.S. Open Championship at Forest Hi Us, Arthur Ashe remains the only black player in big-time tennis.And Ashe, now 33. believes that because of problems such as economic considerations, lack of early training and a preoccupation with other sports ■ .such as basketball and football, it mav beWe have a huge future in the ,game. he says, ‘’but the key to black progress in tennis lies in the public schools/if we don’t-beef up the tennis programs there, only the parents of the middle-class black child will be. able to afford to kick out the extra dough needed for him or her to compete.The money goes for equipment such as rackets, balls and clothing • and access to good instructors and facilities. And although Ashe says he doesn't feel there are racial harriers to orevent voune blacks■•'There is definitely, some amount of prejudice when it comes to following through with intermediate and advanced training because the best coaches, the best facilities and the best competition is still found in private clubs—arid these clubs don't, usually have blacks as members, he says.Tennis is not a part of the cultural maiustream of the black community- If you are black and want to make vour mark in tennispart of Ashe's life since he won the National Junior Indoor Championship 16 years ago under .the tutelege of a black physician from Lynchburg, Va. Last year the.slim. elassicallyfeatured Richmond, Va.} native, known for his booming serve and delicate placements, was ranked No, 1' in the world, winning nine tournaments including the .World Championship of Tennis and Wimbledon.where he became the first black* ■*ever to win the men’s singles title.Ashe and . Althea Gibson, an-Nordiques, optimistic,opon 76-7/ seasonBy PAUL LINDBERGLEWISTON — The Maine Nordiques of the North American Hockey League seek a return to credibility tonight in Philadelphia as they open their 1976-77 season against the defending league champs, the Philadelphia Firebirds.The Nordiques, coming off last year’s embarrassing season of 16 wins and 58 losses, have everyone to convince, including themselves, that their two year stint as hors d’oeuvers for the NAHL power clubs is a thing of the past.Sporting an undefeated preseasoh record (4-0-2), a new coach, and a handful of exciting new players, the Nordiques and their fans are as anxious for tonight as an eight-.year-oid awaiting dawn with a new yo-yo under his pillow.The Nordiques preseason competition against last year's NAHL playoff finalists, the Firebirds and the Beauee (Quebec) Jaros, has been encouraging with aggressive play, solid goaltending, and depth on the bench. These winning Ingredients have been painfully missing over the past two seasons.What is die source of this new hope?NAHL all-star, team captain and a consistent goal scorer, Paul LaRose is back at right wing for his third season with the Nordiques. LaRose leads the NAHL in career point production and may widen his lead with increased team support this year. John C*«wiff, acquired from the NAKT Op* Cod franchise when it folded late last season, adds additional scoring ability qnd a calming Je*« Ratelle type of hockey savvy when he's on the ice. A rugged forward and former defenseman, Allan Globensky returns with the muscle that’s essential on any professional hockey team.The new blood on the Nordiques roster is plentiful. Norm Gratton, a left winger from the NHL Buffalo Sabres, should be a standout. Gary Coalter, on contract with the Denver NHL franchise, promises to 3core his share of goals from right wing. Larry Johnston, formerly with the NHL Kansas City Scouts,n tennis1950s, were here over the the under division in the Eastern weekend participating in a ce- Region by the U.S. Tennis As-iebrity tournament sponsored by sociation. the United Negro College Fund. Derek impressed the tourna-Proceeds from the tournament ment audience at Madison Square will be used for tennis Garden's Felt Forum with his as-scholarships at black colleges. . sortment of shots and courtauthority, but Ashe warned that . The tournament also strives to although youngsters such as uncover budding talent. One such. Derek may have the talent to prospect is 10-year-old Derek Irby become a good player, unless a lot of New York. Derek has been . more like him are encouraged' at playing since age five and is an early age; the chances of mak-ranked in the top 20 in the 10-and- ing it to the top are slim.and Michel Dubois, on contract with the Quebec Nordiques of the WHA, will add sorely needed strength as defensemec. Bill Prentice, a center with a WHA Quebec Nordiques contract, also improves the roster.A three way horse race between Jim Corsi, Jim Makey and Richard Guay for the top goaltending position remains, as ofAthis writing, unresolved. All three goalies appear to be effective, if not spectacular. With reasonable defensive support, the goals against average should be, as it hasn’t been since 73-74, countable on the fingers of one b*nd.Following an absence of a year and a half from the organization, Coach Jean Charles Gravel is back with the Nordiques. Gravel is able to concentrate his attention on coaching duties, where Bob LeDuc, player-coach during the happless 75-76 season, could not. Full-time coaching should certainly benefit the team.• The North American Hockey League lines up this yeasts an eight team, one division league. Last year it was 10 Mfuns and two divisions but the Cape Codders are defunct and the Buffalo Norsemen are relaxing while their new stadium is constructed. In addition to the defending champion Firebirds and the runner-up Jaros, the division is filled out by the Binghamton (New York) Broome Dusters, the Johnston (Pennsylvania) Jets, the Syracuse (New York) Blazers, the Mohawk Valley (Utica, New York) Comets and the Erie (Pennsylvania) Blades.This writer looks for Philadelphia, Beauce, Maine and Johnston to complete the top four with little point separation between them. Following two seasons grovelling in the cellar, the Nordiques appear, at this early date, to be credible again.LaRose, team captain and star right winger, agrees.In the locker room shortly after scoring the tying goal with five seconds remaining in the final preseason game, LaRose remarked happily that he is looking fUward to a great year, ‘‘ft isn’t that we didn’t work hard last year”, the team captain saw,“but this year we have a good, balanced team, in defense as well as offense, and from one line to another. They won’t be able to key on just one of our lines this year.”The NAHL career point leader believes that new players Coalter, Gratton, Johnston and Dubois will be key men for the Nordiques. In terms of personal goals, I^Hose is flexible. “Sure, I’d like to get 100 points this year,” L-aRose said, “but I wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice a personal goal like that to be on a winning team.” -
Newspaper Details
Kennebec Journal
Augusta, Maine, US
Fri, Oct 22, 1976
Page 14
Full Page
Clipped by
Neal G.
USA 18 Sep 2020
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