Tuesday, July 17, 2001 | 10:20 a.m.
Ron Kantowski's notes column appears Tuesday. Reach him at [email protected] or 259-4088.
A couple of weeks ago in this space, I criticized the UNLV athletic department for having to hit up a local radio station for money to promote Rebels quarterback Jason Thomas for the Heisman Trophy.
But at least the Rebels were smart enough not to write a check the athletic department, which is trying to offset a $750,000 deficit, couldn't cash.
Not so at the University of Oregon, which recently erected a 100-by-80 foot mural of its Heisman hopeful quarterback, Joey Harrington, on the corner of 34th Street and Seventh Avenue in Mahattan, directly across the street from Madison Square Garden.
It cost Oregon $250,000 for the artwork. You may not be able to get a Picasso for that, but I'll bet Leroy Niemann would come out and paint your living room ceiling for a fraction of the cost.
You might even admire the Oregon athletic department for making the commitment -- had it not had to borrow $1.8 million from the university's general fund to pay its bills this year.
I'm not sure how effective or wise it is to spend a quarter of a million dollars promoting a West Coast quarterback in New York City. But given UNLV is only spending a few thousands on the campaign for Thomas, it would be lucky to get a graffiti artist to paint his name in the subway.
The 51s also say they need luxury suites, an improved press box, a bigger lockerroom, a batting cage, a weight room and -- get this -- a tunnel to warm up in.
Thus, it should come as no surprise that a source in the mayor's office says the chances of a new stadium being built are roughly equivalent to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays winning the World Series.
Hamilton, who earlier this year had moved back to his native Idaho after spending the last five years in Las Vegas, was feeling well enough to conduct a lengthy interview with ESPN's Bob Jenkins last week. He said he first became aware of the severity of his injuries in between anguished screams (his own) when he was taken to the infield care center following the crash.
"I heard them (paramedics) talk that it looked like I was going to be a double amputee," Hamilton said from the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indianapolis. "That is not a fun thing to hear when you think you are a healthy guy and you are going to race all your life.
"When I woke up, I thought they (his legs) weren't going to be there."
Hamilton had six surgeries in eight days to save his battered legs and feet. His right foot is now and inch and a half shorter than his left and Hamilton has been told his left ankle will never function, even after he heals. Still, he feels fortunate to have all of his limbs, even if he doesn't recognize them.
"So far, I have everything I had when I went to Texas," he said in reference to his lower extremeties. "But like I say, they are pretty modified."
archive
