Briefly
North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams violated NCAA rules at Kansas by approving gifts to graduating players and others who had used up eligibility, the University of Kansas said Friday.
The university also admitted other violations by its football and women’s basketball programs. Kansas placed its athletic department on two years’ probation and reduced scholarships in football and women’s basketball. The men’s basketball violation will be addressed through extra education about the rules regarding gifts. No other sanctions against the program are planned.
“Reports that Miami Heat president Pat Riley is contemplating a return to coaching continued. Team officials declined to comment on the reports.
“Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest played his first game since his season-long suspension stemming from the infamous brawl with Detroit Pistons fans on Nov. 19, playing in the Minnesota summer league in Minneapolis.
Football
Jags, Bills near deal
The Jacksonville Jaguars are close to completing a trade for disgruntled Bills running back Travis Henry. Henry demanded a trade after losing his starting job last season to Willis McGahee.
“The San Francisco 49ers acquired cornerback Willie Middlebrooks from the Denver Broncos for defensive end John Engelberger.
“Jets cornerback Donnie Abraham has decided to retire. In an effort to replace Abraham, the Jets traded for Cowboys cornerback Pete Hunter on Thursday.
“Brian Jackson was arrested in Pittsburgh and charged with harassment and criminal mischief after dating two women by pretending to be Steelers quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Brian St. Pierre.
“The Gator Bowl will invite a Big 12 team to its New Year’s Day game twice during a four-year agreement that starts with the 2006 regular season, the conference announced.
Boxing
Fighters mouth off, weigh in
Thirty hours before they face off for the undisputed middleweight title, Bernard Hopkins and Jermain Taylor had a shouting match at their weigh-in.
They apparently couldn’t wait to get started, though nothing more than verbal threats were thrown. The fighters stood together for photos, then put their faces inches apart for some serious mouthing off.
“WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko was ordered to fight the winner of the Hasim Rahman-Monte Barrett bout by the organization.
Rahman, a former champion, and Barrett will fight Aug. 13 in Chicago. WBC president Jose Sulaiman said Klitschko must then meet the winner of that bout.
Auto racing
Waltrip will leave DEI after 2005
Two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip will not return next season after five years with Dale Earnhardt Inc. Waltrip, 42, said he decided to leave because of uncertainty over the company’s direction.
“Michelin and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced those with Speedway ticket accounts for the boycotted U.S. Grand Prix last month will have their refunds processed without needing to submit or sign any documents.
“A rain shower washed out Indy Racing League qualifying at the Nashville Superspeedway, preventing rookie Danica Patrick from becoming the first woman to win consecutive poles. Tomas Scheckter earned the pole for tonight’s Firestone Indy 200, based on combined practice times. Patrick will start second.
“RuSport teammates A.J. Allmendinger of the U.S. and Justin Wilson of Great Britain finished 1-2 in provisional qualifying for Sunday’s inaugural Champ Car Grand Prix of Edmonton.
Poker
Locals fare well at World Series
Bryant King of Liberty Lake and Lee Watkinson of Cheney both placed in the top 50 at the World Series of Poker at Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas. King finished 21st and won $304,680, while Watkinson finished 45th and won $235,390.
Friday’s final table of nine emerged from a field of 5,619 gamblers. By late Friday night, five players were left. The chip count had Andrew Black at $21.7 million, Tex Barch $12.5 million, Aaron Kanter $10.3 million, Steven Dannenmann $6.5 million and Joseph Hachem $5.1 million. The grand prize is $7.5 million.
Miscellany
U.S. softball wins at World Cup
The United States quickly bounced back from its first loss in three years, beating Australia 3-1 in the World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma City. Canada beat the U.S. 2-1 Thursday night to snap an 85-game winning streak for the Americans in international play.
“Russia rallied to earn a 1-1 split with France in the Davis Cup tennis quarterfinals in London, and Argentina took a 2-1 lead over Australia.