[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[April 8, 1992]
[Page 563]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Appointment of Richard F. Phelps as Special Assistant to the Director of 
the Office of National Drug Control Policy

April 8, 1992
    The President today announced the appointment of Richard F. 
``Digger'' Phelps as Special Assistant to Gov. Bob Martinez, Director of 
the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). In his role as 
Special Assistant, Mr. Phelps will serve as liaison between ONDCP and 
the Department of Justice in coordinating the newly expanded Operation 
``Weed and Seed'' program, a Presidential initiative focusing on violent 
crime and neighborhood revitalization. This is a newly created position.
    For 20 years Mr. Phelps headed the University of Notre Dame 
basketball program. Prior to joining Notre Dame, Mr. Phelps was head 
basketball coach at Fordham University for one year. He also served as 
an assistant coach at Rider College and the University of Pennsylvania. 
He has coauthored two books, ``A Coach's World'' and ``Digger Phelps and 
Notre Dame Basketball,'' and most recently served as a commentator for 
CBS Sports. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Commission on 
National and Community Service; the U.S. Postal Service Citizen Stamp 
Advisory Committee; the Logan Protective Service Board for the Mentally 
Retarded and Developmentally Disabled of South Bend, IN; and as a 
volunteer with the Special Olympics.
    Mr. Phelps graduated from Rider College in 1963 and was awarded an 
honorary doctorate of the arts degree by his alma mater in 1981. He was 
born July 4, 1941, in Beacon, NY. He is married, has three children, and 
resides in South Bend, IN.