Fast Break

College basketball

Sampson gives to Montana Tech

Indiana men’s coach Kelvin Sampson, who started his college coaching career at Montana Tech, has donated $50,000 toward the cost of renovating the school’s physical education building.

Sampson’s signature will be embossed on the gym floor.

Tech athletic director Joe McClafferty, who played for Sampson at Tech, said the school is halfway to its $400,000 funding goal.

Sampson said his $50,000 donation “does not even come close to repaying” the school and Butte for the opportunities and good treatment he and his wife, Karen, received.

Sampson coached at Montana Tech from 1981-86, before becoming an assistant coach at Washington State.

Golf

CCS women rule

Community Colleges of Spokane women and coach Christie Dalsanders continue to dominate in the NWAACC.

Physical fitness

Nike sends shoes to New Orleans

Nike Inc. said it will donate 13,000 pairs of shoes to New Orleans’ teenagers as part of a national campaign to encourage physical fitness and help fight youth obesity.

The donation, which Nike valued at about $1 million, was announced Monday at a recreation center stacked with boxes of trainers and high tops. Dozens of students got shoes, along with a box-top autograph from New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister.

Minor leagues

N.Y. family buys Portland clubs

Portland’s minor league baseball team, the Beavers, and professional soccer team, the Timbers, have been sold.

The new primary owner is Merritt Paulson, 34, a sports marketing executive from New York. His father, Hank Paulson, is a former CEO of Goldman Sacks and current Secretary of the Treasury.

Merritt Paulson will move to Portland and be full-time president of both teams.