4/9/2005
Chaney, Martelli keep their distance
Author: Dan Dunkin
For the first time since Goongate - Feb. 22 - John Chaney and Phil Martelli were in the same room Friday night.
The occasion was the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame's second annual induction at the Sheraton Society Hill. Chaney, the Temple basketball coaching legend, was among the Class of 2004 inductees. St. Joseph's coach Martelli was the keynote speaker.
The two haven't appeared together in public since the ill-fated game when Chaney's order for hard fouls resulted in a broken arm suffered by Hawks forward John Bryant. Chaney suspended himself until Temple's National Invitation Tournament game. He has apologized through school statements, but has refused further comment on a controversial incident that became national news.
Their relationship appears to remain a cold war, with Martelli remaining angry privately, but not showing it publicly. Martelli has not spoken to Chaney and still won't speak about the incident. Hall of Fame Foundation officials told reporters that questions of Martelli and Chaney about the matter were off limits.
They did not speak to each other at the ceremony, attended by about 500. But it was odd to see the close proximity of the estranged rivals. Chaney, wearing sunglasses, sat at a front table, right in front of the podium where Martelli spoke. Chaney applauded when the St. Joseph's 2003-04 team was honored, with Martelli accepting the plaque.
While giving personal anecdotes from his boyhood about each of the honorees, Martelli did mention Chaney. Martelli, keeping the mood light, told about playing a high school game against Chaney-coached Simon Gratz. "Mo Howard and I combined for 32 (points)," Martelli said. "Mo had 29, I had three."
In his induction speech, Chaney said, "I'm overwhelmed to be named to this Hall of Fame. When you get any trophies or recognition, you have fond memories. And my memories are of just common people."
And the crowd applauded.
Ex-Sixer and NBA legend Charles Barkley was also inducted. Barkley flew in from Alabama on Friday chartering a plane for $25,000 to ensure he was at the induction. He was on a tour promoting his book, "I May Be Wrong But I Doubt It," which is about racism. "I consider racism the greatest cancer of my lifetime," he told reporters before the dinner. "...Hopefully what'll come out of the book is some of these young black kids will get their life together, stop killing each other..." Barkley said he will run for elected office sometime after his daughter finishes high school.
Another inductee was Tommy McDonald, a star receiver on the 1960 Philadelphia Eagles, the city's last NFL champion. The Eagles' recent Super Bowl loss hurt the exuberant McDonald a lot.
"They had to bury me for a week," McDonald said, shaking his head. "I was pumped. I was saying if T.O. can't go, T-Mac can," he laughed.
Grover Cleveland Alexander, Eddie Gottleib, Lefty Grove, Pete Pihos, Vic Siexas, Joe Verdeur, James "Jumbo" Elliot, Carl Lewis, Guy Rodgers, Cathy Rush and Jay Sigel were also inducted. Harvey Pollack and Bill Campbell received the legacy of excellence. La Salle's 1954 NCAA basketball champs were inducted in the team category. Ed Snider received the inaugural Philadelphia Medal. Bob Levy received the Lifetime Commitment award.
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