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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 11, 1982)
emerald sports Willhite reverses, signs with Ducks I rack program affects prep grid star’s decision By Stove Spate and Steve Turcotte Of the EmmrmkS The Oregon football squad pulled off the biggest recruiting coup in its history Wednesday when Kevin Willhite, the most sought-after prep running back in the nation, put his signature on a letter of intent to play with the Ducks Willhite 6-0, 195, from Rancho Cordova Calif. is the best of a solid recruiting class of 29 attracted to Oregon by coach Rich Brooks and his staff Willhite s decision was the biggest surprise of the college recruiting season kicked off by Wednesday's deadline for let ters-of-intent Last week, the prep star rated as the best run ner in the nation by Parade Magazine, had given a verbal commitment to the University of Washington "I started wondering what I really wanted to do," said Will hite, who gained 1,289 yards in his senior season, and 4.901 in his prep career "I have to live four years wherever I go ” ’ For Brooks, Willhite's deci sion was the best possible news he could receive after months of off-the-field scandals and on-the-field disapointments "I knew Kevin was still inter ested in Oregon but when he made his Washington trip and said he would go there, it brought some doubts," Brooks said, obviously fatigued from weeks of wooing potential recruits But a week went by and Kevin let us know that he was still interested We finally found out this morning (Wednesday)." As late as Wednesday morn ing Willhite had not made a final decision between the two schools Brooks was in Sacramento at that time trying a last-ditch effort, and assistant coach Jim Skipper was at Will hite's home this morning when he finally cast his lot with Blazers overrun Cavs RICHFIELD, Ohio (AP) ~ Catvtn Matt scored 20 of b»s 24 Pb*°*® «e second bait as toe Portland Trail Blazers overcame an etnty 20-potnt deficit to post a 105-91 victory over toe Cleveland Cavaliers m a National Basketball Association game Wednesday night Ctevatand led 41-21 with 8:20 remaining m toe second quarter, but the Blazers cut the margin to 47-39 at halftime. Portland caught Cleveland at 63r63 onaJhn Paxaon foul . Shot with 2.28 to play totbe third quarter, then took the teed, tor good when BobOy Gross sank a layup nine second* later. The Blazers led 73-66 entering the final quarter and went on to bund several f 5-point leads as they coasted to their sixth triumph m the test seven garner Mychaf Thompson added 18 points tor Portland and Pa«sof> tossed m 14 Oevetarsc -as able to make only 34 percent of Its shots from the field over toe final three quarters, was ted by - S e — and lame Edward • to 22 po Oregon. Washington head coach Don James was dismayed with Will hite’s decision "I guess you could say I’m a little disappoint ed with a couple of players we didn't get,” said James at a Seattle press conference Wed nesday morning, referring to Willhite and Jim FitzPatrick, a 6-8, 280 lineman from Oregon City who went with Southern California But I've been around long enough to know that it happens every year that you don’t get everyone you want,” said James To find out how Pacific 10 Confer ence schools made out Wednesday, turn to Page 9. Why Willhite, coveted by nearly every major college in the country, opted to go with Oregon is a surprise for a cou ple of reasons The Ducks are, at best, a mediocre football school, and are now saddled with the effects of an NCAA probation What made Willhite choose the Ducks over USC, UCLA, and countless others lies within two key factors: • UW's backfield is already crowded with quality runners. The Huskies boast sophomore tailback Jacque Robinson, the Huskies’ Rose Bowl star, and former prep All-American run ner Mike Vindivich, who was injured all of last season Said Willhite, “I thought about the halfback situation at Washing ton." • Willhite is a world-class trackster, with Olympic aspira Kevin Willhite, a high school senior from Rancho Cordova, Calif., is perhaps the most highly touted running back to be signed bv the Ducks. tions and times to match — 10.24 in the 100 meters, and 20.6 at 200 meters. Oregon’s strong track program headed by Bill Dellinger was probably the deciding factor. “I was worried about not get ting enough publicity in track if I went to Washington," admitted Willhite Brooks himself is the first to admit that track, and not foot ball, is what finally sold Willhite on Oregon. “Probably the major factor for Kevin coming here is track,” said Brooks. “He won' t have to play spring ball because he is a world-class sprinter. I want him to go out for the track team." “It is exciting that he's com ing here,” said Dennis Whitby, sprint coach for the Oregon track team. "It’s nice to have Continued on Page 8 Oregon Daily Emerald Cultural Forum presents |JOHN McCUTCHEON| performing a concert of APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN MUSIC and t ailing an OLD TIME SQUARE DANCE ifc: The man JOHNNY CASH called: "The most impressive instrumentalist / 've ever heard. ” BLUEGRASS UNLIMITED christened him: "A young legend in the old time music cult. " SUNDAY. FEBRUARY 21 EMU BALLROOM — 8 PM Admission at the dt*n SJ 50 CO Students jj a, (Jty„.ra/ py/fc i \ V let CWM\ Valentine’s Special 40c cones (with coupon) \ Good February 11, 12, and 13th f only. f V 1605 E. 19th jT 484-2279 S y P; 7
