In brief: Boise State dumps A.D. Bleymaier

Colleges: Boise State athletic director Gene Bleymaier, the man behind the iconic blue turf at the school’s football stadium and credited with a large role in the team’s rise to national prominence, has been let go as the school faces sanctions because of violations in the football program and other sports.

University President Bob Kustra announced Wednesday that Bleymaier’s career of almost 30 years at the school will end Sept. 8.

“I did not come to this decision lightly,” Kustra said in a statement. “After a careful management review and discussions about the future of the program, I determined that new leadership will be needed as we commit ourselves to the highest level of attention and enforcement of NCAA standards, and also continue to move Boise State athletics to the next level of success.”

The football violations under review were committed between 2005 and 2008. The program already is dealing with several self-imposed penalties, including fewer scholarships for the next two years and reduced practice time. The NCAA has not yet announced whether even tougher sanctions will be imposed.

“I am very disappointed in President Kustra’s decision to remove me from my position as athletic director here at Boise State,” Bleymaier said in a statement. … “I had every hope and expectation that I would serve out my entire professional career here at Boise State University.”

Associated Press

Shock LB signs with UFL team

Arena football: The Spokane Shock announced that linebacker Beau Bell signed a contract with the UFL’s Las Vegas Locomotives.

In his rookie AFL season, Bell played in 13 games and collected 51.5 tackles with 5.5 sacks.