In brief: Davis Cup tennis hot item in Portland
Although the Davis Cup hasn’t been played in the United States for 15 years, enthusiasm for the international tennis event apparently hasn’t diminished.
Tickets for the 61st Davis Cup Final between the U.S. and defending champion Russia, to be held Nov. 30 through Dec. 2 at Portland’s 12,000-seat Memorial Coliseum, sold out in less than 30 minutes.
The sellout seems to work counter to the idea Davis Cup popularity may have waned because the U.S. had not won it for the past 12 years.
“There’s a real buzz around the country – to tennis fans in particular – that this is a big deal,” said Patrick McEnroe, who oversees the U.S. team that includes Andy Roddick, James Blake and the top-ranked doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan.
The U.S. last hosted the Davis Cup Final in 1992, in Fort Worth, Texas. Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Pete Sampras and John McEnroe defeated Switzerland.
“Serena Williams retired with a sore right thigh while trailing Patty Schnyder of Switzerland 6-0, 3-0 in the first round of the Zurich Open in Zurich, Switzerland.
Football
Assistant suspended
An assistant football coach at Baylor was suspended indefinitely after he was cited for urinating on the bar at a tavern in Waco, Texas.
Eric Schnupp, Baylor’s offensive line-tight ends coach, was not arrested but issued a citation early Sunday for disorderly conduct-reckless exposure at Scruffy Murphy’s, police said. The citation is a Class C misdemeanor carrying a $258 fine.
“The NCAA put Ball State on probation for two years and cut three football scholarships because of misuse by athletes of a textbook loan program.
“The Arena Football League will relocate the Las Vegas franchise to Cleveland, where former Browns QB Bernie Kosar will run the team.
Basketball
Time for waiting game
Jim Boeheim has known for a while who he wanted to succeed him as head coach of the Syracuse Orange when he decides to retire, and now it’s official – assistant coach Mike Hopkins.
Hopkins said that he and the university had reached an agreement making him the designated successor to his Hall of Fame coach.
“Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy has forfeited $30,000 in restitution to the government under his plea deal in a basketball gambling scam.
Miscellany
Gatorade lands Woods
Tiger Woods will have his own brand of sports drink next year under an endorsement deal with Gatorade that marks a couple of firsts for the world’s No. 1 golfer – his first U.S. deal with a beverage company and his first licensing agreement. Gatorade said it will introduce “Gatorade Tiger” in March, with more products to follow.
“Tracking athletes’ physiological makeup over years could significantly crack down on the use of performance-enhancing drugs, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s leader said. WADA president Dick Pound added an “athlete passport” could be in widespread use within three years.