Syracuse Herald Journal- Nats Play Lakers As Ferris Steps Down
Minneapolis Champs Visit Here Tonight; Directors Accept Leo’s Resignation
Internal disturbances settled at least for the time being, the Syracuse Nationals basketball squad tonight planned a royal reception for the Minneapolis Lakers in a league game at the War Memorial. Coach John Kundla’s Midwesterners enjoy a 3-1 advantage in series play with the Nats this season. The clubs will be rivals again Saturday in Minneapolis and next Tuesday in Minot, N.D.. Meanwhile, affairs of the Syracuse club are under supervision of President Dan Biasone following acceptance of Leo Ferris’ resignation at a special meeting of board of directors last night. Joe Schwarzer, chairman, announced the official acceptance in the following statement: “The board of directors has regretfully accepted the resignation of Mr. Ferris effective Jan. 10, and wishes him every success in his future endeavors.” All of the 15 directors with the exception of Tom Smith were present at the special meeting in the Onondaga Hotel. Smith was unable to attend due to an ankle fracture. No announcement was given as to the actual vote but it was learned authoritatively that nine members voted to accept the resignation while two voted against acceptance. Chairman Schoeneck, Jr., did not arrive until after ballots had been collected. Schwarzer insisted that no further action had been taken to appoint a successor to Ferris who served as general manager for $15,000 salary. This left matters in the hands of Biasone as president. He has agreed to run affairs for the balance of the season. Today Biasone indicated that Coach Al Cervi will be given additional duties, heretofore handled within the business office in relation to travel and accommodations. Members of special committees will also become more active, all serving without pay, in an effort to rescue the club from early season losses. Player personnel will be left in Cervi’s hands. It will be his job to make draft selections. Cervi welcomed the additional duties. Ferris accepted the decision of the board in good spirits. He stated again in their presence his reasons for deciding to resign, and left the door open for reconsideration providing differences between him and some of the directors were ironed out. After leaving his post as of Jan. 10, Ferris intends complete work on promotional publications. He said he would retain his post as a member of the club’s board of directors and retain his stock. He has been with the Nats since 1949. Cervi plans only one lineup change tonight. He expects to start Dick Farley in place of George King. “We’ll probably move Farley into the pivot to work on Slater Martin,” Cervi said. This will also prevent Martin from starting the Lakers fast break attack.