RON MALY

I frequently hear people say that one problem confronting Drake’s basketball program in central Iowa is apathy.

But I’m not sure that’s correct.

When I appeared with host Larry Cotlar and Register feature writer Ken Fuson on KXNO’s "Media Roundtable" show this week, there were a number of good comments from listeners pertaining to the Bulldogs.

I particularly liked the input from my very good friend Tommy of Des Moines, the well-known star of sports-talk radio in central Iowa. Tommy had his usual well thought-out observations for Cotlar, Fuson and I to consider.

I joked with Fuson about both of us having to fly all the way to Miami so we could talk about the goings-on in Des Moines while sitting in the front row of the Orange Bowl press box.

By the way, KXNO has a sizable lead in the most recent listener ratings of sports-talk stations in central Iowa. Cotlar and afternoon host Steve Deace continue to do outstanding work.

Paul Morrison, the Mr. Do-Everything in Drake’s athletic department, plus former athletes Floyd Miller, Don Neumann, Ezra Sillas and Laurie Bowden Mardis will receive Drake Double D Awards at halftime of the Bulldogs’ basketball game Feb. 8 at the Knapp Center.

The Double D Award recognizes Drake letterwinners for achievements in their chosen fields of endeavor and/or community service since leaving Drake. It’s the highest honor Drake bestows on former student-athletes.

Morrison, the first sports information director at Drake, is in his 58^th year of working for his alma mater. After graduating from the university in 1939, he became head of the school’s news bureau in 1945.

He received the Drake Distinguished Service Award in 1978, and in 1992 he was the first recipient of the Drake Medal of Honor.

Miller was a football letterman at Drake as a linebacker from 1947-50. He played on the team that beat Arizona, 14-13, in the 1950 Salad Bowl and was named to the school’s all-time team.

Neumann, a 1952 graduate in journalism at Drake, played baseball for the Bulldgs and has volunteered his services to the Drake athletic program since 1957.

Sillas, a Drake football lineman in 1970 and 1971, earned a degree in education from the university in 1972. Since graduation, he has been a probation officer for the Polk County Juvenile Court.

Bowden was a standout pitcher for Drake softball teams from 1990-1993. She owned virtually every school pitching record, including victories (66) and shutouts (31) in a career. She is a manager with Investors Management Group.

Jeff Olson, who has covered Drake football and basketball games, as well as auto racing, for the local paper in recent years, is leaving town for what I’m sure he assumes will be greener pastures.

This is part of a memo the sports editor sent to the staff:

"I’m sorry to report that Jeff Olson is leaving the Register to move on to two projects in motor sports journalism. Jeff has been hired to cover Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy Racing League for four of its publications—Racer, Autosport, autosport.com and speedtv.com. He has also signed a deal to write two books for Indy-car driver and team owner Eddie Cheever Jr…..Jeff’s last day will be Feb. 11."

While on the subject of Drake and the local paper, it appears to be give-up time.

By the paper, that is.

Neither Olson nor any other Register reporter was sent to cover the Bulldogs’ game at Southwest Missouri State earlier this week.

That’s nothing new, of course.

Road coverage of Drake is always the first to go when it comes to men’s basketball by the cost-conscious bosses at the paper.

Meanwhile, people who pay attention to such things are miffed. They think the paper gives better coverage to Creighton’s road games than those played by the Bulldogs.