Bickerstaff Is Named Coach of SuperSonics

Bernie Bickerstaff, saying he had been ready for a head coaching position for five years but was just waiting for the “right job,” was appointed head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics of the National Basketball Assn.

Bickerstaff replaced Lenny Wilkens, who was made general manager after the Sonics missed the playoffs with a dismal 31-51 record. Bickerstaff, 41, has been an assistant coach with the Washington Bullets--under K.C. Jones, Dick Motta and Gene Shue--for 12 years.

Former All-Pro running back William Andrews will probably miss the Atlanta Falcons’ preseason drills and is doubtful for the season because of nerve damage in his knee, doctors said. Andrews missed all of the 1984 season after suffering a severe knee injury in preseason practice last August.

The Dallas Cowboys signed sprinter Mel Lattany to a contract as a wide receiver at undisclosed terms. Lattany, 25, who graduated from Georgia in 1981 and holds the world’s third-fastest time in the 100-meter dash, hasn’t played football since high school.

A bench warrant was issued for the arrest of Coach Jacques Demers of the St. Louis Blues after Demers failed to appear in Bloomington (Minn.) Municipal Court on charges filed in connection with an alleged assault during a National Hockey League game.

Demers is charged with assault and disorderly conduct for allegedly striking Floyd Hiar of Burnsville, Minn., on the leg with a hockey stick between periods of an April 13 game between the Blues and the Minnesota North Stars.

The Union of European Football Assns. barred Liverpool for an additional three seasons of European club soccer competition to take effect after the expiration of the current indefinite ban on all English clubs that was imposed after the Brussels soccer riot.

In addition, it was decided that Juventus, which beat Liverpool in the Brussels final, will not be allowed to have fans at its next two European Cup home matches, and that Belgium will not be allowed to be the site of any European Cup or European Cup-Winner’s Cup finals for the next 10 years.

Despite being cleared of rape charges, two Duquesne University basketball players have been expelled for engaging in “physical abuse and lewd behavior.”

Gregory Harrison, 20, and Eric Compton, 19, were expelled for two years, stripped of full athletic scholarships worth about $8,000 a year and told if they enroll again, they can never rejoin the basketball team or live in the dormitories. They were tried and acquitted last month of charges of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and indecent assault.

Names in the News

The Chicago Cubs activated veteran outfielder Gary Matthews, who had been on the disabled list following knee surgery last month.

Tom Watt was named head coach and assistant general manager of the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL.

Illinois assistant basketball coach Jimmy Collins issued a formal apology after he was accused of punching Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mark Vancil during Tuesday’s NBA college draft.