THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 4, 1996 TAG: 9607040691
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY WILLIAM BURNHAM, NEWPORT NEWS DAILY PRESS
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: 79 lines
Plans for a weekend celebration for Allen Iverson moved forward Wednesday, even as Mayor James L. Eason took heat for the city's role in organizing the event.
Eason will declare Saturday ``Allen Iverson Day'' in Hampton in honor of the Bethel High School standout's status as the No. 1 pick in last week's NBA draft. A parade and reception are planned.
``I know there is going to be a lot of controversy, but, in my opinion, we should congratulate him,'' Eason said. ``It is the right thing to do.''
Eason said Saturday's celebration is about Iverson's newfound status as a star of the NBA, and not about his past in Hampton.
``Not to do something to recognize him would be a mistake,'' he said. ``It is recognition of his stature as an athlete and the fact that he is on his way to becoming one of the best in the world at what he does.''
Hampton resident Dick Bloxom wondered what Iverson has done for the city that deserves recognition.
``I don't feel it is appropriate now,'' Bloxom said. He said he made similar complaints to Eason's office at City Hall. ``I don't think he has done anything good for Hampton.''
Bloxom and others, including Diane Petri, a former Hampton resident who now lives in Newport News, noted that other well-known athletes from the area - like pro football players Henry Jordan, Norm Snead and Shaun Gayle - were never honored in the manner Iverson will be.
``People have every right to change,'' Petri said about Iverson, ``but I don't think he deserves the praise he is getting.''
Eason's announcement, made late Tuesday, brought criticism on a morning radio talk show on WROX-FM (96.1) Wednesday. Eason had agreed to speak with the hosts of the show, and took questions from three callers, each of whom said the planned parade and reception were inappropriate. After the third call, Eason said goodbye and hung up.
About 10 people called city offices Wednesday to complain about the plans, Assistant City Manager George Wallace said.
Organizer Joyce Hobson said Wednesday she expected criticism of the event.
``Unfortunately, once someone is exonerated by the system, the public still feels angry,'' she said. ``Then you see people's true colors.''
Iverson, a star football and basketball player at Bethel High School, was a participant in a bowling alley brawl in 1993 in Hampton. He was convicted of mob violence and sentenced to five years at the Newport News City Farm. Then-Gov. Doug Wilder furloughed him, and an appeals court overturned his conviction, ruling that evidence in court was sufficient to prove ``individual assaultive conduct,'' but not sufficient to prove that he had been part of a mob. Hampton prosecutors chose not to retry the case.
Since then, in his basketball career, Iverson has been stellar. He was an All-American during a two-year stint at Georgetown, and he is expected to make millions for the Philadelphia 76ers, who made him the first pick of the NBA draft.
This alone is reason for a celebration, Eason said. As for Iverson's past, ``it is an issue that will never be resolved,'' he said.
``People are going to have those feelings and they're entitled to them. To make this into something that has to do with the school system, or the court system is 100 percent wrong. It is an injustice to his achievements. He is through the legal process. He has a right to pursue his life,'' he said.
At least one other member of the City Council, Turner M. Spencer, will attend the reception for Iverson with Eason.
``All of that is behind him,'' Spencer said Wednesday. ``We should just be elated over the fact that he has redeemed himself.''
Iverson will ride in a motorcade beginning at Aberdeen Elementary School at 10 a.m., followed by a public reception at the Hampton Coliseum from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
On Friday, Iverson and Joe Smith, the No. 1 picks in the last two NBA drafts, are scheduled to meet in the Hampton Roads Pro-Am's second annual Midsummer Classic.
Iverson and Smith, who was picked No. 1 by the Golden State Warriors in 1995, are scheduled to play at 9 p.m. in the second of two games at Hampton University. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Iverson, the top pick in the NBA draft, was convicted of charges
stemming from a bowling alley brawl in 1993. The conviction was
later overturned. by CNB