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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Cheap Seats

The old collidge try

Three T-shirts that were supposed to be sold at concession stands at the NCAA East Regional first and second rounds at Baltimore Arena were quickly yanked from the market because of some Quaylesque spelling.

Shirts aimed at Wake Forest fans trumpeted their beloved Demon D-e-c-o-n-s. St. Louis University togs touted the B-i-l-l-i-k-i-n-s. And the Drexel shirt was spelled D-r-e-x-a-l.

“I’d love to sell one, but my boss won’t let me,” said Mark Garlick, a vendor employed by the Arena.

Asked to spell his own name, Garlick replied, “Like the spice, g-a-r-l-i-c-k.”

How much for a Tyson first-offender card?

Attention collectors: you’d better have someone on the inside if you want to get your hands on Mike Tyson’s prison memorabilia.

Officials at the Indiana Youth Center planned on shredding all items bearing Tyson’s name once the former heavyweight champ was released Saturday.

“We don’t want to keep any souvenirs around because we don’t think it’s proper,” said assistant superintendent Phil Slavens.

And that leaves Steve Nowlin heartbroken.

“The state could have auctioned off items Tyson signed in prison and balanced the budget,” said Nowlin, owner of A Rare Find Gallery. “I’d love to have those. His signature is not worth much in the marketplace, maybe $100. But anything associated with his incarceration would bring double or triple the price.”

Slavens said once the labels with Tyson’s name are removed, the boxer’s pants and shirts will be laundered for the next prisoner of a similar size. Tyson’s prison number, 922335, will be assigned to another inmate.

What? They’re not retiring his number?

Play-slow Joe

PGA Tour golfer Glen Day was fined $1,000 and received a one-stroke penalty for slow play at the Honda Classic in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

No wonder Day’s nickname is “All.”

Perhaps he could be paired in a foursome with Kim “While We’re” Young, Grant “Endless” Waite and Mike “Are We on the First Tee?” Still.

A bonus to pick with CU

Joe Harrington, whose Colorado men’s basketball team received an NIT bid but lost in the first round, earned a $10,000 bonus for that feat. That should make Ceal Barry, whose CU women advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, about $30,000 richer, no? No. Barry’s contract contains none of the incentive clauses Harrington’s has - up to $50,000 for playing for the national championship.

Barry, however, said that “bonuses in collegiate athletics kind of takes away from the amateurism of it. I’m paid to do my job and my job is to take this team as far as it can go.”

Which is a long way, baby - but, alas, not that far at all.

The last word …

“Leadership may be the most disgusting, overused term in sports. A guy is who he is. What am I, Napoleon Bonaparte or something?” - Golden State Warriors guard Chris Mullin