High-flying Razorbacks get presidential acclaim

Sporting News, The, Jan 10, 1994 by Gene Wojciechowski

If Nolan Richardson never wins another game as Arkansas coach, he at least will have done the world a great fashion favor by presenting President Bill Clinton with a pair of official Razorback basketball shorts.

"Mr. President," Richardson said during President Clinton's December 28 visit to Fayetteville, "people are tired of looking at your legs."

And with that, Richardson handed President Clinton a pair of the extra-baggy Razorback game shorts. Considering the President's habit of jogging in those unflattering Kip Keino look-alikes, the viewing public will forever be indebted to Richardson. We don't care how much he has slimmed down on tofu, President Clinton in jogging apparel never has been a pretty sight.

The President, who saw Arkansas beat Texas Southern that night at the new Bud Walton Arena, also received an autographed ball and a Razorbacks sweatsuit. A few days later, there the President was, on the nightly news, wearing his new sweats while running on the beach at Hilton Head Island, S.C.

"Hey, we took good care of the Prez," Arkansas assistant coach Brad Dunn says.

According to the Arkansas sports information office, President Clinton was the first in-office chief executive to attend a college basketball game. That he chose Arkansas was no surprise. He was a professor at the school in the early 1970s and later went on to serve as the state's governor.

"He came down to the locker room, met the players, talked to them," Dunn says. "He knew all about our kids. He's a big Arkansas fan."

President Clinton was supposed to arrive in time for the tipoff, but fog prevented his plane from landing at Fayetteville. By the time his motorcade arrived from another airport, only about four minutes remained in the half. By then, the Razorbacks were well on their way to a 129-63 victory.

During the first timeout of the second half, the President was taken to his seat, which was directly behind the scorer's table. He received a standing ovation and later tested the patience of his Secret Service staff by happily wading into the sellout crowd to shake hands.

At game's end, President Clinton visited the Texas Southern players and then made a beeline for his beloved Arkansas team. Richardson introduced him to every Razorback player.

"It had to be as thrilling for him as it was for us," says Rick Schaeffer, Arkansas' sports information director. "He's such a huge fan."

Guard Al Dillard, a junior-college transfer, can vouch for that. According to Schaeffer, President Clinton seemed especially pleased to see the 3-point specialist in an Arkansas uniform.

"Al Dillard," said the President upon meeting the junior guard. "Everybody at the White House asked if I knew Al Dillard. I said no, but I'm going to meet him."

So he did. He also posed for photographs with every player and manager. The President clearly enjoyed himself.

This isn't the first time President Clinton has made plans to attend an Arkansas game. Arrangements were made last season to watch the Razorbacks play North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament East Regional semifinal at the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford, N.J., but something came up, which was just as well. The Tar Heels beat Arkansas by six points that day.

That score might be reversed if the teams were to play now. The Razorbacks, even without their two big men, 6-foot-11 freshman Darnell Robinson and 6-11 Lee Wilson, are playing up to preseason expectations. Robinson, probably the most coveted center Richardson has ever recruited at Arkansas, is recovering from a foot stress fracture and is expected to miss about three more weeks. Wilson recently underwent arthroscopic surgery and is out for about two more weeks.

"We had to go a smaller lineup," Dunn says. "We're looking to get it done defensively."

They have. Doing most of the heavy lifting is sophomore forward Corliss Williamson and junior guard Corey Beck. Sophomore forward Scotty Thurman continues to shine, too, despite nursing a sprained ankle. Also worthy of mention is junior center Dwight Stewart, who has done a creditable job filling in for Wilson and Robinson.

Educational reprieve

The future of Virginia high school star Allen Iverson took an unexpected twist when Gov. L. Douglas Wilder granted the 18-year-old conditional clemency after reviewing the details of Iverson's recent felony conviction.

Iverson was found guilty in an August trial on three counts of maiming by mob, a charge stemming from a brawl in a Hampton, Va., bowling alley. Since the conviction and the subsequent five-year prison sentence, however, Iverson supporters have argued that the case was shaky at best and deserved review.

Enter Gov. Wilder.

"There is not sufficient evidence at the present time for me to grant the extraordinary relief inherent in a traditional pardon," he said. "There is sufficient doubt to merit that Allen Iverson be granted limited freedom and the opportunity to continue his education."

With that, Iverson was released from a Virginia jail farm and began his furlough. Under the conditions of the clemency, Iverson is to return to high school to complete his senior year. He isn't allowed to participate in organized sports, and he must seek family counseling and adhere to a nightly curfew.