Volleyball Goes From the Beach to the Garden

When enthusiasts speak of Manhattan as the Mecca of beach volleyball, they’re talking about the laid-back town south of LAX--Manhattan Beach--and not the bustling center of New York City.

This Saturday, however, the floor of Madison Square Garden will be covered with 200 tons of sand as New York plays host to the first indoor pro beach volleyball tournament.

“I have seen the sport grow significantly over the past 10 years and expand to a lot of areas of the country,” said Karch Kiraly of San Clemente, who last year won $327,100 on the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals tour. “But never in a million years did I think I would be going to New York City to play beach volleyball.”

Kooky move: Gene Bartow, the first of John Wooden’s six successors as UCLA basketball coach, told Larry Donald of Basketball Times that leaving Memphis State in 1975 to come to UCLA was the worst move he ever made.

But, Bartow added: “My ego absolutely dictated that I try to see if I could do it. Replace John and keep that thing going. I’ve never regretted trying and I’ve never regretted walking away, and no matter what was said or written, I did walk away.”

Trivia time: Who is the only one of Wooden’s successors who did not win a conference championship?

Pun intended: After a shot by Steve Thomas of the New York Islanders deflected off the helmet of Boston Bruin goaltender John Blue, a reporter asked Thomas: “So, were you trying to shoot until you got Blue in the face?”

(Radio) wave of future: USA Today reports that fans attending Super Bowl XXVIII next January in the Georgia Dome at Atlanta will be given radios that will pick up game coverage that those outside the stadium won’t be able to hear.

Mouths agape: Louisiana State, 17-6 in its first season without Shaquille O’Neal, was 16-7 at this point last season.

“I made a mistake,” Coach Dale Brown said. “He was so good, a once-in-a-lifetime player, that we went to him too much. We had guys standing around.”

Two left feet: Chris Mortensen of the Sporting News, dismissing the Atlanta Falcons as a Super Bowl contender because of Coach Jerry Glanville: “He can get you to the ballroom, but he won’t be around for the last dance.”

He can’t be serious: Wrote Dan Poppers, editor and publisher of Golf News: “Fred Couples needs no introduction. In name recognition, he matches that of legendary Arnold Palmer. Just say Fred (as with Arnie) and everyone knows which Fred you’re talking about.”

Flintstone?

Sorry, Mr. Lindros: From the Sporting News: “Beer spitting will not be part of the NHL skills competition next year.”

Parlez-vous francais? The U.S. Fencing Federation, which can’t afford to pay a translator, is looking for a volunteer who can speak French to translate documents it receives from the international federation in Paris.

Trivia answer: Larry Brown.

Quotebook: Former Chicago Bear Mike Singletary, on his place among the game’s all-time great linebackers: “I am one of the top two or three. I certainly am in the mix.”