– Future is his: What`s wrong with today`s youth? Nothing, if you talk to Kurt Hjelle at the National Sporting Goods Association show, at McCormick Place. Sandwiched in a 10-by-10 booth in the middle of glitzy displays for some of the world`s largest manufacturers is Sports Fridge, Hjelle`s idea for a combination duffel bag and detachable cooler that allows athletes to take food on trips.
”You can even pack ice and soak your hand or foot in case of injury,”
he said. This may not sound revolutionary, but you have to admire Kurt`s enterprise. It`s an idea he has been working on since his junior year in high school in Viroqua, Wis. He sunk his savings into lawyers` fees to obtain a patent and formed a company last year. The Chicago exposition is his first attempt to market the product, which has yet to be manufactured on a regular basis. ”I kept calling around to companies and not getting anywhere with the idea,” he said. ”Finally, one lady told me I should get space at the Chicago show. It`s been great. I`m getting all kinds of response.”
The fee was pretty stiff for Hjelle, who`s going into his senior year at Wisconsin-LaCrosse this fall. To raise the money, he moved to Chicago this summer, moved in with a friend of the family and caddies at Exmoor CC, where golfers may not be aware their clubs are being carried by the founder and president of KRH Limited. ”During the show, I`m only doing one round a day,” he said. ”I`m still in debt, but I`ll get out.”
More from the sporting goods show, which ends Tuesday:
– Xavier McDaniel, spokesman for the new Korean-produced Xanthus shoe line, didn`t shed any light Monday on where he`ll be playing next season. He`s a free agent. Interestingly, the Xanthus jersey he`ll be wearing in the ad campaign sports the New York Knicks` colors. McDaniel said it`s nice to be in Chicago ”on friendly terms” and dropped more than a few hints he`d love to be with the Bulls. Remember how Scottie Pippen got roughed up by the Knicks in the playoffs? McDaniel said Pippen has as much raw talent as Michael Jordan, but added: ”The only difference between him and Michael, if you hit Michael, he`ll get right back up and go at you again.”
– Unfortunately for local promoters, the Chicago sporting goods show is becoming almost as famous for its no-shows. For a variety of reasons, this year`s list includes Nike, Reebok, Prince and Wilson. There is definite concern over the show`s future here.
– The only glimpse of Magic Johnson in the Converse shoe display is a video shot of him driving on the Bulls, obviously taken two years ago. Johnson and the shoe company recently ended their partnership in less-than-amicable fashion. There`s still a heavy Johnson influence with the company, considering Larry Johnson and Kevin Johnson are endorsers.
– Among celebrities who were scheduled to make appearances through the show`s run: Horace Grant, George Gervin, Charles Oakley, Sean O`Grady, Kellen Winslow, Steve Carlton, Luc Robitaille, Mel Daniels, Mario Lemieux, Greg Foster, Bill Rodgers, Ray Nitschke, Drew Pearson and Oscar Robertson.
– Not so minor: The Kane County Cougars will break the Midwest League attendance record this week with more than a dozen home dates remaining. Bill Larsen`s Class-A club ranks 15th in attendance among the 175 minor-league teams in existence. The Cougars are only three notches behind the White Sox`s Triple-A team in Vancouver.
– Quote-unquote: Overheard at the Pro Football Hall of Fame festivities last weekend:
– Ex-Bear Doug Atkins to L.A. Raiders owner and new inductee Al Davis: ”I hope that guy (Eric) Dickerson you got has a record year. I`ve got 140 of his rookie cards, and they`re worth $200 each. That`s a bigger bonus than
(legendary Bears owner George) Halas ever gave me.”
– ”I was scared.”-Hall of Fame placekicker Lou Groza of the Browns recalling his first reaction after being dragged from a swimming pool by his three sons and a son-in-law after he fainted. The incident occurred not too long before the hall functions in Canton, Ohio. Groza was taken to the hospital and received a new pacemaker.
– Jack Kemp, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, in introducing his wife, Joanne, to friends: ”The only lady alive who`s both the wife and mother of an NFL quarterback.”
– Crystal ball: DiMeo & Rosen Advertising, which does the clever White Sox TV commercials featuring local figures as fans of the team, unveils its Lou Holtz spot during Wednesday`s game. It shows the Notre Dame coach pacing back and forth and saying: ”I`m worried. Twins are tough. A`s are tough. Not good. Not good.” Considering the current American League West standings-and the fact the commercial was produced before the season started, maybe we should pay attention the next time Lou says the sky is falling.
