APRIL12,1993 SIDELINES 5PORTS, 2>AGE 19 Not all memorable Card collectors can double their events televised pleasure through Traders Exchange never has dealt in cards. The germ of the idea ways, that's what makes this LA TIMES NEWS SERVICE LA TIMES NEWS SERVICE came from a friend, James Kesner, who began event as great as it is because kids collecting Fleer Ultra last year and became and coaches and people put their Anyone who has ever collected baseball cards overwhelmed by his doubles. He asked Davidson Few sporting events match entire body and soul into it. We knows mat doubles are a royal pain. what he could do with them and didn't think the the Final Four for its ability to came up a little short, but we're If a lot of your friends collect, they may have suggestion of a monster box was the best solution. create indelible memories. going to keep trying. " some swap value. For collectors whose friends Since he had space, a computer and a friend Every year, the Final Four -Saturday night: About an don't, doubles are a nuisance taking up room at Georgia Tech to write the program, Davidson produces a magical moment, a hour after Kentucky lost to because dealers often don't want those cards, was ready to serve as a card matchmaker. He controversial play, a facial Michigan 81-78 in overtime. either. decided to do the trading for the collectors to expression, a coaching decision, Kentucky's Jamal Mashburn, his Enter Chris Davidson with a simple cure for ensure that cards were sent. or a clutch shot that becomes collegiate career just ended, Finds the common doubles. Send him your doubles, your "I was very surprised to find out nobody was etched in our minds. Television a way to smile while posing with want list and a $25 annual fee and his Diamond (arranging for trades of commons)," Davidson plays a big part in the drama. The a fan for a photograph. Mashburn Traders Exchange will convert your commons into says. "It seemed like it should have been around human element of is is wearing a cap with an NBA cards you'll keep. for years." easily captured by the camera. logo as he leaves the Superdome. "Our whole objective here is to trade cards Diamond Traders Exchange started in 's request for a -Sunday afternoon: National between the members. We're like the broker for February. By Opening Day, 322 collectors had timeout his Michigan team didn't Association of Basketball the membership," Davidson says. "Because we signed up. have will be the indelible memory Coaches All-Star game. Former don't buy or sell the cards, we can offer full trade from the 1993 Final Four in New "It's been way beyond what we expected," UConn Coach Dee Rowe is value." Orleans. Who could have standing outside the East locker Davidson has collected for eight years but See CARDS, Page 21 predicted such a cruel twist of room, waiting to go in and shake fate for such a talented athlete? hands with UConn senior Scott For those who attend the Burrell after the game. Duke Final Four, there are daily Coach , who memories that are equally coached the East team, is giving a Phi Kappa Phi treasured. It's the little things, postgame speech. Suddenly the is the* general scholastic organization with the highest entrance some on the court and some off, door opens. Krzyzewski sticks his requirements at MTSU as it is at 250 other colleges and universities that make college basketball head out and gestures for Rowe. special. "I forgot what to say in the around the nation including the Universities of Tennessee, Georgia, New Orleans was loaded second part," Krzyzewski says in Florida, Alabama, etc. Minimum GPA requirements are a 3.75 GPA with memories. Here, in a Final his best deadpan. for Juniors, 3.5 for Seniors and 4.0 for Graduate students plus Four diary, are some of the things -Sunday night: Bourbon recommendation by their major departments. television didn't show you. Street. Just outside Pat O'Brien's. The MTSU chaptq|^||A|i^^^lDha congratulates the -Friday morning: Breakfast Police on horseback are trying to following spring initiates for their ac^ornpfishmettts^ During the week with Dick Vitale, away from the get through a crowd of about [of April 12-18, we; teir initiate crowd, in the corner near the 2,000 congregated in the street Tabltha D.< Floyd Parsley kitchen of the media hotel cafe. and looking up at a second-floor No screaming. No histrionics. balcony. What's the attraction? Just compassionate words for lariePacon :rry E. MaiyLei ittenger Vitale, of course, leading the Ilk, ,~l Vitale's friend and co-worker, crowd in "Hail to the Victors," AmyJ Gish , who was supposed the Michigan fight song. Jeffe Wyla Monique Posey ^ to be at the Final Four but -Monday night: National Carl iVikbr couldn't because he's receiving championship game. Just before L. Ret4.J- treatment for bone cancer. tip-off. The Michigan band is Valvano may have been playing "Hail to the Victors." i. Robinson absent, but his presence was Tension? North Carolina Coach .;ID* everywhere. That is a testament stands in front of his liarrPHlne Robt*pjh to-the friendships Valvano has bench, singing along. Catchy made over the years. This nine, eh Dean? Jude P. Santai memory will always be of the -Early Tuesday morning: calm and caring side of Vitale the About two hours after North IT "V E. Shephf public doesn't see. It was genuine Carolina beat Michigan, 77-71. and real. And it made basketball George Lynch and m seem very unimportant. of the Tar Heels, in street clothes, JudyHj Ide -Saturday: Between walk across the Superdome floor ren semifinals. Press conference with one more time. Montross Kansas Coach Roy Williams, videotapes the triumphant exit 5liane West trying to choke back tears after a with a camcorder. U*eas 78-68 loss to North Carolina. A few minutes later, assistant t -; \v' "In some ways, this was the coach Bill Guthridge strolls in *&. ?;';TO 1"% Lola Ann White iess ~ ^ R most difficult year I've had in front of the North Carolina bench. coaching because of the outside The clicking of laptop computer La Wanda Ynette Williams Fay Michele Ince McClure pressures on this team and how keys along press row and the inadequate I felt trying to help sounds of workers cleaning up arc Fortune E. Wolugboms Jennifer A. McDowell mem," Williams says. "But along the only breaks from silence. But with that, in some ways, it's as Guthridge smiles to himself, Monica Leigh Wright Diane C. Miller probably as satisfying a year as it's obvious he can still hear the I've ever had. Because with all crowd cheering. LeAnn Neal Jay Young those problems, we were still here Some memories are more playing in New Orleans. personal than others. £ Gail Marie Zlotky "This is a tough day. In some Jody Elizabeth O'Brien