University of Virginia Library

McMillen On SI Cover;
Now Who Will It Jinx?

Sports Illustrated, oozing with
its usual wit and intelligence, has
published that long-awaited story
on Tom McMillan, the "best high
school player in America."

The national magazine put much
emphasis on the methods of recruitment
that the colleges have applied
to Tom McMillen and his family. SI
explains some different approaches,
"Princeton was one of the earlier
schools to understand the right
approach. It has an administration
official who had served formerly as
dean of the Harvard Medical School
escort Tom around the campus.
West Virginia attempted to overwhelm
Tom by introducing him to
then-President Lyndon Johnson
while Virginia chose seduction,
taking Tom and his coach, Rich
Miller, to meet a Playmate of the
Month. Only Miller was impressed."

So with that rather isolated and
clever statement about Coach Gibson's
recruiting efforts, Sports
illustrated dismissed Virginia from
the article. Mr. Peter Cary, the
author, does come to the conclusion
that "I m will most likely
play in the Atlantic Coast Conference
at North Carolina, Duke or
Maryland."

Some 225 schools have contacted
McMillen from time to time,
and now only about 12 still deserve
his attention. It hopefully should
surprise anyone that the
University of Virginia is still in the
running for the high school ace. As
a matter of fact, Mr. Gibson talked
with the McMillens on the phone
prior to the Maryland game, Wednesday
night.

Coach Gibson leaves for Mansfield
and his last recruiting mission
up there sometime today if ever a
basketball coach were to try his
hand at diplomacy Mr. Gibson
should prove a fine example on his
final Northern swing. For what it's
worth, Sports Illustrated advises,
"If you want Tom, easy does
it . . . approach him gingerly."