BRIEFLY\NCAA votes to alter radically basic structure.

Byline: Daily News Staff and Wire Services

Delegates to the NCAA's annual convention Monday overwhelmingly endorsed radical changes for their governing structure in what some leaders called the most significant event in the organization's 90-year life.

A smattering of small-school dissenters denounced the new system as an acquiescence to big-time, money-driven programs, which will be given more representation at the top of the new model.

But after an hour of debate in Dallas, the assembly approved key restructuring legislation 777-79.

The 2,600 association members voted to throw out the decades-old town hall approach to rules-making and replace it with one led by an 18-member executive committee of college presidents.

Divisions I, II and II will then have their own, more autonomous, governance boards advised by committees of athletic administrators.

University leaders at the NCAA Convention also toughened academic standards and refused to roll back previous measures in that regard. Delegates voted to make it harder for junior college students to get into Division I schools and they rejected a plan that would have allowed more borderline high school students to get into Division I schools.

FOOTBALL

Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Joe Gilliam Jr. now begs for money on the streets in Nashville, Tenn.

Gilliam, who in 1974 became the first African-American to earn a starting quarterback job in the NFL, has been arrested on several drug-related charges since leaving pro football.

"Sometimes I like me and sometimes I don't," he said in an interview with The Tennessean. "Only God can help."

The paper said Gilliam, 45, admitted to using drugs.

St. Louis Rams offensive lineman Jackie Slater, 41, one of only four players to play 20 seasons in the NFL, told a Meridian, Miss., television station Monday that he was retiring.

Defensive back Mark Collins, denied a chance at a third Super Bowl when Kansas City lost to Indianapolis in the AFC playoffs, retired.

TENNIS

Todd Martin, playing his first match since losing to Goran Ivanisevic in the Grand Slam Cup final, beat Martin Sinner of Germany 6-1, 6-2 in the opening round of the Peters International in Sydney, Australia.

Second-seeded MaliVai Washington of the United States easily advanced to the second round of the BellSouth Open in Auckland, New Zealand, beating Kenneth Carlsen of Denmark 6-3, 6-3.

In Stuttgart, Germany, Steffi Graf's jailed father, Peter, 57, has refused to testify before a panel investigating allegations that officials knew taxes weren't being paid on millions of his daughter's earnings.

SOCCER

Eric Wynalda, who has played just a handful of games for VfL Bochum in Germany this season, agreed to a contract with Major League Soccer.

Liberian-born forward George Weah was voted 1995's FIFA world player of the year, beating AC Milan teammate Paolo Maldini and German forward Jurgen Klinsmann.

Senior forwards Matt McKeon of Saint Louis and Shannon MacMillan of Portland were selected men's and women's college soccer players of the year by the Missouri Athletic Club Sports Foundation.

Guinea refused to replace Nigeria in the African Cup soccer tournmament. While Guinean officials had reportedly feared they would not have enough time to prepare for the tournament, politics also could play a part. Guinea, like the rest of West Africa, is afraid of Nigeria's military regime.

NHL 

The Dallas Stars placed Shane Churla on the NHL injured list after the forward continued to experience pain following October surgery on an ankle.

BASEBALL

Dodgers pitcher Darren Dreifort threw off the mound for the first time since reconstructive surgery on his right elbow March 14. He experienced no discomfort, the club said, and will throw again Wednesday.

The Angels announced that relief pitcher Lee Smith, the major leagues' all-time leader in saves, injured his right knee in a hunting accident last November and is doubtful for the start of the 1996 season.