Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 13

SWAP THORN FOR A GUARD AND FORWARD DETROIT FREE PRESS Saturdav. Dec. 25. '65 -I" 'istons Drop Buntin 2IVY Special to the Free Press LOS ANGELES Only one man can look smart with a big belly at this stage of the year. And his name is not Bill Buntin.

Because of that, Buntin, the former University of Michigan All-America, was dropped from the active roster of the Detroit Pistons Friday by coach Dave DeBusschere. The move was part of a shake-up for the Pistons, who also traded away guard Rod Thorn to acquire guard Chica Vaughn and forward John Tresvant from the St. Louis Hawks. DeBUSSCHEKE simply ran out of patience with Buntin, the 6-foot-7 giant who was expected to provide some spark to the Pistons after a highly successful career at Michigan. DeBusschere said that Butin is "at least 15 pounds overweight.

He was heavy when he joined us and he hasn't lost a bit of it since." Buntin is about 250 pounds. He played at Michigan last year at 235. There was no immediate indication of what the Pistons had in mind for Buntin, although they will continue his $15,000 salary. "He is on our 'taxi' squad as an unofficial member of the team," a Piston spokesman said. "We coir farm him out to the Mid-American League or just ket him working somewhere to get him into condition." Buntin remained with the team here Friday, follov ing its 122-112 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers Thursday night.

HAS angered Piston officials several time in his rookie season. He reported three weeks late to the team last Se; tember in a contract hassle. De Busschere ws upset when Bunting showd ir QB MATTE IS KEY Can Mystery obviously out of condition. "I think if we leave him hind," said DeBusschere, "i' might work himself in' shape." Buntin, counted on heavily 1 the Pistons in the early wee' of the season, has played on about half the time, and production has been well belo expectations. In 30 games, he has average seven rebounds and eig points.

He scored merely points in the team's last games, and counted six in Pistons' loss to the Lakers. THORN, who averaged points, was traded away in move designed to strengthr Detroit's defense. Do it on ense Hi For the Colts? BALTIMORE (AP) The unveiling of the Balti- i i ft Rod Thorn Jim Tresvant Charles Vaughn "The deal should help us i more oits oirense fcunaay win De like unwrapping a. several ways," said DeBu BEARDLESS BIGGIE schere, making the first swp in his 14 months as the team player-coach. "Vaughn Is a hard nosr type player who should help our defense considerably.

He's strong, aggressive am' can score from the outside av (Jhnstmas package: No one knows what to expect. Probably not even the Colts. The uncertainty is well founded. The Colts, known for years for their passing attack, will be directed by a running back in the playoff against Green Bay for the National Football League's Western Division title. Quarterbacking the Colts will be Tom Matte, a converted half- Unvei.

partaiis Bill Buntin: Problem with excess weight back, who has completed one of seven pass attempts this year. When he started his first game Mitch Miller KEN OVERCOMES at quarterback in the NFL last Saturday, Matte threw two incomplete passes. But he ran fori 99 yards as the Colts upset the Los Angeles Rams, 20-17, and tied Green Bay for the confer-! ence lead. Venturi Wins FPs Present To Bowlers And a merry, merry Christmas it is for the hottest shooters in the recent Free Press State Open bowling tournament. They're sharing $17,500 in prizes as the winners in the competition which ended at Thunderbird Lanes, Dec.

12. A complete list of the winners and their scores will appear in Sunday's Free Press. well as. close in." Vaughn has been averagir 10 points in regular-season pla and 8.9 in the playoffs with th Hawks. I "Tresvant will be used as backup to Joe Strawder at cei in place of Buntin," sai DeBusschere.

"He can reboun well, and that's something Bur. tin hasn't been doing lately." GAIL GOODRICH hit a career high of 25 points for th Lakers as they jolted th Pistons with their 22nd loss i 31 games Thursday. Goodric poured in 16 of his points in th final period to break a buddin i Detroit rally. "WW WITH ONLY a couple days to Award prepare for the Rams, after: 1 ogan quarterback Gary Cuozzo fol-i lowed John Unitas to the sidelines with an injury, Matte had time to absorb only a basic offense. He relied mainly on run-, ning off the rollout play.

CHICAGO (AP) Ken Venturi was named 1965 winner Friday of the Ben Hogan Trophy, awarded an xne teams play nere agai nually to the golfer who overcomes a physical handicap Offensive tackle Bob ground after not having thrown; Saturday night and continues active participation in the sport. who didn't play while nursing; the ball much for years." an injured ankle, said, "I didn't The 34-year-old native of San Francisco, the 1964 National Open champion, will receive the trophy at the recognize some of the plays." National Golf Awards dinner of the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association in New York City Feb. 22. The se UCLA players consummed 241 pounds. This must prove that 286-pound Harold Lucas and 268-pound Bubba Smith aren't yet keyed up for the game.

UCLA claimed that guard John Richardson, a mere 232-pounder, out-ate both. The Spartans were scheduled to practice briefly Christmas afternoon, then attend the party given by Rose Bowl people. The gift there is lection was made after a poll by the Golf Writers Asso ciation of America. Soviets Honor Cycling Champ MOSCOW UP! Omari Pkha kadze, 21-year-old Russian wh won the World Cycling Sprin Champdonships in Spain las-September, was voted the out standing male athlete of th' USSR Friday by the Nationa Sports Writers Federation. Matte was a college quarterback at Ohio State.

But, playing for a team noted for its running, Matte tossed only 146 passes in three varsity seasons. THE COLTS, from Coach Don Shula on down, have expressed confidence in Matte's ability to Turn to Page 2B, Column 6 In practice this week, Matte passed more from the protective pocket than from the rollout. He surprised observers with his accuracy. "My timing is a lot -better," Matte explained. "And my arm is stronger.

Last week, my arm felt like it was dragging on the The award is named for the Texas professional, who was critically injured in an automo Santa's helper was the most noted non-athlete on campus, the school president. Dr. John Hannah. There was an attempt to get the competing coaches, Duffy Daugherty and UCLA's Tom Prothro to exchange holiday greetings by telephone. Prothro backed off, saying, "I'm afraid Duffy has a New Year's Day message for me." Daugherty said, "I wish Tom success next fall in starting his return to the Rose Bowl." SPARTANOTES Michigan State has lost the most important pre-game skirmish.

In the Beef Bowl eating contest staged in a local restaurant, the Spartan squad put away 232 pounds of prime rib but got beat the next night when bile-bus collision in 1949, then returned to active participation in golf, winning three National BY BOB PILE Free Press Sports Writer PASADENA For Michigan State's Rose Bowl team, Christmas was Biggie Munn leading the singing of "Silent Night." It was Dr. James Feurig, the team physician, playing Santa Claus with only his natural, healthy padding, which was enough. It was telephone calls home for every player whose parents hadn't yet arrived here, or won't make it for the game. THEY TALKED for five minutes each over a battery of five telephones green, naturally with white cords in a special room wired for the occasion. It was the Christmas Eve party for Spartan players and the hangers-on in the official group, and it started and ended with athletic director Munn.

Biggie delivered an official welcome as an opener and closed things doing the beardless Mitch Miller honors on "Silent Night." In between, following some carol leading by defensive end Bob Viney, the beard was on Dr. Feurig for the distribution of gifts. There was the school's gift, a watch emblematic of the Rose Bowl trip and the Spartans' mythical national championship, with the reminder that this shouldn't be clouded by a loss to UCLA on New Year's Day. THERE WERE gifts, too, tihat parents and relatives had sent out here, gifts from the players' home high schools and gifts from booster clubs. Open titles, two Masters championships and the British Open.

VENTURI won the 1964 title over the Congressional Country Club in Washington, D.C., after three frustrating years on golf's money trail. His income before those years had reached annually, but in 1963 his total winnings were only $3,800. He climaxed his 1964 comeback with victories in the American Golf Classic and in if Santa Canada Ready For the World came owii Ken Venturi WINNIPEG, Manitoba the Insurance City Open. Later that year, Venturi' The University of Manitoba will represent Canada in the World University Hockey Championships in Italy, Feb. 5-13, it I hands were stricken with a cir the iculatory ailment, but he continued in competition, often in was announced Friday.

Other teams competing will pain. be from Russia, Hungary, Gonzalez Gets Ring Challenge Last April, Venturi failed ta Sweden, Czechoslovakia and make the 36-hole cut in the Mai; wrong chimney Italy. ters golf tournament at Augus- wrhere twice previously he had been the runnerup. In he visited the Mayo Clinic SALT LAKE CITY (UPI) at Rochester, Minn where he underwent treatment. Veteran campaigner Don Full- mer said Friday he was willing CAME JUNE and Venturi to fight Puerto Rican middle- went to St.

Louis to defend the weight Jose Gonzalez "to prove Open crown he won in 1964. He ON PARADE'S TEAM Prep Grid Star Is All-America shot 81-79 160 for the first two who is really the number one cnauenger lor cnampion wck fte final roundg Tiger's crown. NE WYORK Dennis Wirgowski, a two-time Later that month, Venturi underwent surgery to relieve pressure on the nerves in his hands. He played no golf until October when, as a member of the Michigan All-State choice at end, was named Friday to The West Jordan (Utah) fighter and manager Angelo Curley said they would be willing to fight Gonzalez on his home Parade Magazine's 1965 high school All-America first team. and brought you a 53-Long when you wear a 32-Short, or an orange sweater that goes very nicely with nothing you own, or a shirt that was obviously intended for the Giant next door, you're in luck if it came from HHS.

Just bundle it up and bring it back, and we'll be happy to exchange it for something more fitting. Please remember, though, that all Christmas exchanges MUST be made by January 4. Wirgowski, 205 pound 6-5 sen ior, led Bay City Central to a perfect season and the 1965 state Class A championship. ground in an effort to improve United States team in Eng-Fullmer's title chances. land, he helped defeat a Brit- ish team in a four -ball match.

CURLEY IS rankled by the! A big factor in Venturi's se-World Boxing Association rank- jlection was his play in the Na- "He should be playing college football right now," said Al tngs which list Gonzalez as the pena coach Mike Yedinak. A high hurdler in track, he was a great pass receiver and was a rover on defense playing tional Golf Day match May 31 at Ligonier, Pa. As National Open champion, he played PGA titlist Bobby Nichols. Venturi led for 11 holes, number one contender to Tiger yet carry Fullmer as the so called "American middleweight champion. wherever he was needed.

Wirgowski was considered the only genuine "super star" In Michigan prep football last season. "Something is obviously wrong with the ratings and and 1081 th match- 74 to 73. we'd gladly take on Gonzalez to settle the issue," said Curley i( Of the 33 players named to the AU Selects Jr first three squads by a nation mrnmt jiuiuitoiiiij jjj i 1 1 in i wide panel of high school and 1 Swb college coaches, 19 are from 1 I -f a -a fei f. j. I the four states generally regarded as football hotbeds.

PENNSYLVANIA and Texas each landed two boys on the OPEN MONDAY TO 9 P.1 (except Birmingham open tu 5:30) Walking Man NEW YORK (UPD John D. MacLachlan of Escondido, has been appointed national chairman of the Amateur Athletic Union's race walking committee, it was announced Friday. MacLachlan, 35, became interested in race walking in 1962 "What makes him think he's entitled to a shot at the title when Fullmer has beaten two fellows who beat Gonzalez," said Curley. He referred to common opponents Joey Archer and Emile Griffith. The Utah fighter, brother oi former middleweight king Gene Fullmer, holds victories over both Archer and Griffith while Gonzalez lost to both.

first team. John Ebersole, 215 pound tackle from Altoona, and JjT Rich Saul, 212-pound end from Butler, represent the Keystone State while Texas products are Charles Hendricks, 230 pound tackle from Robert E. Lee High, and the following year won the Baytown, and Bub Deerinwater, 196-pound back from S. H. Rider Curley said "if Gonzalez and "ational junior championship, his crew are looking for one to fight, we'll gladly take'lleaCl ailQ 1 OC them on." EAST LANSING (UPI) High in Wichita Falls.

Completing the first team backfield are Darrell Chaney, "I understand the Gonzalez iPayton Fuller, Michigan State's Morton High, Hamnond, camp is offering $25,000 for alAll-Amenca soccer player, com worthy opponent. Fullmer would 'piled straight grades in me Greg Jones, South San Fran Dennis Wirgowski Ready for College like the chance to meet him chanical engineering during the cisco, and Roger Gann, Fayetteville, N.C. HELiY STATE WOODWARD AT MONTCALM ARB0RLAND P0NT1AC MALL GRAND RIVER GREENFIELD WONDERLAND EASTLAND NORTHLAND, MACK A M0R0SS WEITB0RN LINCOLN PARK JACKS0H LIVONIA MALL MACOMB MALL BIRMINGHAM WESTLAND UNIVERSAL CITY even in Puerto Rico." 'entire 1964-65 academic year, iiifljmiiniiii.