DAYTON DAILY NEWS                   Copyright (c) 1997, Dayton Newspapers Inc.DATE: Friday, January 17, 1997              TAG: 9701170080EDITION: CITY          SECTION: SPORTS      PAGE: 1D TYPE: MAJOR  SOURCE: By Misti Crane Greene County Bureau                          UNDERHILL ASKS $1.78 MILLION                           CONTRACT BREACH CLAIMED    As promised by an attorney for ex-Wright State University men's basketballcoach Ralph Underhill, a lawsuit asking for at least $1.78 million was filedin Greene County Common Pleas Court on Thursday.   The lawsuit, which lists Wright State University and 12 John Does - unnamedmembers of the school's board of trustees - as defendants, alleges that theuniversity committed a breach of Underhill's contract when he was fired inNovember.   It also states that WSU President Harley Flack intentionally inflictedemotional distress on Underhill in several incidents, including threats tofire the coach over technical fouls and dismiss star player Vitaly Potapenkoover "minor indiscretions." According to the lawsuit, these and other actionsmade it "impossible" for Underhill to do his job.   Underhill was terminated on Nov. 15, four days after he was arrested at theBeavercreek Meijer store on charges he shoplifted $38.41 worth of vitamins.   On Monday, Underhill's attorney, Alfred J. Weisbrod, said that he attemptedto resolve the situation out of court, but was unable to convince the schoolto buy out the last two years of the former coach's contract.   The contract, set to run through June 30, 1998, included a $75,000 annualsalary and other benefits, money Underhill believes he is entitled to underthe contract agreement.   In a section detailing the grounds for termination, the contract says thatthe university could terminate Underhill, without pay, for "violation or grossdisregard of any federal law or any law of the State of Ohio ..."   Underhill seeks $1 million in punitive damages, $180,000 for breach ofcontract, $500,000 for intentional infliction of emotional distress, $50,000for lack of consortium on behalf of Underhill's wife, Marilyn, and $50,000 inconnection with retirement benefits Underhill says have been adverselyaffected by his firing.   WSU spokesman Barry O. Johnson said Thursday, "We have not seen a copy ofthe complaint. We cannot comment until we see something."LENGTH:   51 linesCATEG: SPORTSSUBJ: COLLEGE BASKETBALL      COACH      CONDUCT      DISMISSAL      LAWSUITNA: RALPH UNDERHILL    WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITYGEOG:  AT:  ENHANCER: jesse