LELAND'S LEGACY

The outgoing director made Dartmouth competitive.

Citing personal considerations and a desire to return to his native state of California, Athletic Director Ted Leland unexpectedly stepped down in December to assume a similar position at his alma mater, the University of the Pacific.

The single word that best sums up Leland's tenure at Dartmouth is "turnaround." When Leland arrived at the College in 1983, the athletic department's physical plant was in disrepair and there was a perception that Big Green athletics were in decline. That has changed. "I think that my time in Hanover will be remembered as one of regeneration and rejuvenation, and I hope that it continues for a long time," Leland said.

During his administration, the John W. Berry Sports Center opened and renovations to Alumni Gym and Davis Varsity House brought modern facilities behind the traditionfilled facades. Leland also recruited eager young coaches as part of his effort to boost the sagging fortunes of the men's athletic teams. Under Buddy Teevens '79, Mike Walsh, Paul Cormier and Bobby Clark, football, baseball, men's basketball and men's soccer experienced marked turnarounds. At the same time, the College's traditionally successful women's programs have maintained—and in the case of crosscountry, elevated their standards of success.

Despite the upswing on the playing field, controversies dogged Leland in the front office. In 1985 he proposed dropping some minor sports with poor records to Division Two status. An outcry from alumni and students is generally credited with causing Leland to change his mind. (Ironically, one of the sports he had planned to downgrade was men's soccer a subsequent Ivy title winner.)

Leland also had two well-publicized personnel clashes. The first involved basketball coach Reggie Minton. With two years remaining on his contract, Minton wanted to return to his alma mater, Air Force, and Leland didn't want to let him go. The director eventually let the coach negotiate after government officials intervened. Making matters worse, Minton's replacement stayed in Hanover only four days before he, too, quit to be replaced by Cormier. Later, the situation was reversed when Leland tried to fire football coach Joe Yukica. The ensuing court battle made the headlines.

Still, the proof is in the record book. Under Iceland's direction, Green teams won 18 Ivy League titles. Six other teams are contenders for titles in 1989. Dartmouth women earned half of Leland's Ivy crowns; seven of the titles are from the crosscountry and track teams. Some of Leland's critics, particularly those who see football as the core of College athletics, voice concern over the distribution of the Ivy athletic crowns. "I think all of our teams are more competitive than they were when I arrived," Leland countered. With one exception (men's hockey), the league record book supports his claim. Last fall, the worst any Big Green team finished in the Ivy League was third and that was the football team, for which third place was a major improvement.

Hockey Woes

If the 10-0 drubbing taken by the men's hockey team at Harvard wasn't bad enough, Crimson forward C.J. Young scored what is believed to be the fastest shorthanded hat trick ever: three goals in a remarkable 49 seconds. All is not lost, though. The Green, with the help of a sports psychologist, regrouped for their first four-game winning streak since 1979-80.

Cagers Lead Ivies

Dartmouth opened Ivy play with a 103-90 win against Harvard in Leede Arena. The game marked what appeared to be the arrival of 7-1 center Walter Palmer '9O as a dominator in the Ivies. Palmer had 18 points and six rebounds against the Crimson.

Under Ted Leland, Dartmouth's athletic facilities were modernized and its teams became Ivy contenders.

Standings as of February 7. 1989 Men's Basketball 11-7 overall, 4-2 Ivy. Lost both ends of the Penn-Princeton road trip, making every remaining Ivy game a "must-win."' Women's Basketball 12-3 overall, 4-1 Ivy. Off to best start ever; Ivy title will likely come down to Harvard game at home March 7. Men's Hockey 7-12-1, 6-9-1 ECAC. Won five ECAC games in a row to move back into playoff contention; longest winning streak since 1979-80 final four season. Women's Hockey 9-7-2 overall, 3-3-1 Ivy. Every Ivy game decided in last minutes of play; should contend at the Ivy League tournament.